Hangovers happen. You just pop out for a sophisticated glass of wine with your colleagues. Or, more realistically for the sci-fi movie that is 2020.
Next thing you know you’re on your third, that home-cooked meal turns into a liquid dinner, and when the alarm goes off the next day you wake up cross-eyed and confused.
How did I get here? Why is this alpaca in my living room? What’s for breakfast?
When the fog starts to lift, the next stage hits: hunger. Oh. Breakfast. Must… break… the fast… It feels as if food is the only cure in the world — and it can, in fact, be of genuine service.
Whether you’re craving a green juice IV or feel the need to dump your head into a bucket of waffles, these hangover breakfasts will take you from zero to (nearly a) hero. Or, you know, at least not write off the entire day.
The list starts with the good (read: healthy) stuff and progresses to the gooey, greasy, cheesy recipes that will make your hungover soul sing.
Wait, an alpaca? Yeah, you’re gonna need to whiz together that smoothie and buckle up — retracing your steps is going to be a trip, and you don’t want to do it on an empty stomach.
For when you really feel like you deserve pats — and for when your insides need some TLC.
1. Banana almond smoothie
This six-ingredient smoothie is a breeze to make and chock-full of potassium, an electrolyte that alcohol reduces the presence of in the blood.
Since heavy drinking is often followed by oversleeping, slinging a few items in a blender is a great way to shave time off your morning routine while also doing your body some good.
As a bonus, the almond extract makes the smoothie taste more like a milkshake than a smoothie, which will help quench that hangover sweet tooth.
(Let’s not knock smoothies — they can be great too.)
2. Cantaloupe breakfast bowls
Loading up on protein is a great way to combat the endless hunger that often teams up with vicious hangovers.
This recipe is super easy to assemble and allows for a lot of experimentation. We love sticking to a plain Greek yogurt base and topping with fresh berries and homemade granola.
However, it’s equally as delicious with flavored yogurt (we prefer low sugar varieties) and toppings like cocoa nibs, toasted coconut, whole-grain cereal, and dried fruit.
Consider cutting the cantaloupe in advance to avoid hangover-induced injuries. Bleary post-party morning eyes and sharp kitchen implements do not mesh well.
3. Banana toast — six ways
This recipe is as easy as it gets and provides nearly a full week’s worth of topping options — not that we recommend boozing for a week straight, but hey, it happens. And bananas have our backs as and when it does.
Our favorite is toast topped with mashed banana, chocolate chips, and instant coffee powder.
Bananas can help soothe upset tummies, the coffee provides a small energy boost, and the chocolate is, well, chocolate, plus it’s hard to be upset about starting your day with something sweet.
Sometimes, however, you don’t want bananas to be on your bread. Sometimes, you want the bananas to be the bread. Help is at hand.
4. Easy apple cinnamon paleo hot cereal
Paleo recipes have a reputation for being time-intensive, but this recipe can be inside your face within 10 minutes. And with a hangover, that rules, because the dry heaves don’t give you all that much warning.
Do the following three things and you’re basically there:
- Sauté chopped apple with raw nuts (we like walnuts) in coconut oil.
- Add almond milk, raisins or dates, shredded coconut, and cinnamon.
- Place inside mouth and enjoy.
This heaped bowl of warm nutritiousness can help you hang on to your day by the scruff of its neck.
Apples can jump in from the least expected places and make your day better. Here are 54 more apple recipes to try (but maaaaybe wait till you feel less bleurgh before you give them all a go).
5. Strawberry cheesecake overnight oats
If regular oatmeal doesn’t cut it when you’re feeling low, turn it into dessert. This cheesecake-inspired recipe is deceivingly healthy and packed with protein.
The only catch? You have to plan ahead as it needs to be refrigerated overnight or, at the very least, for 2 hours.
So next time you know you’re hitting happy hour, prep this and enjoy a heavenly breakfast when you’re feeling, well, less than heavenly.
Of course, the best way to get through a hangover is to avoid having one in the first place. Here’s how to decline a tipple politely.
6. Grapefruit detox smoothie
The recipe creator isn’t kidding when she calls this smoothie a magic elixir:
- Grapefruit contains an antioxidant called flavanone which has been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Dow CA, et al. (2013). Daily consumption of grapefruit for 6 weeks reduces urine F2-isoprostanes in overweight adults with high baseline values but has no effect on plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3984491/ - Pineapple contains a group of enzymes called bromelain that help reduce swelling.
- Greek yogurt is kick-ass for gut health, providing a whole gaggle of friendly, probiotic bacteria that help settle your stomach.
Lisko D, et al. (2017). Effects of dietary yogurt on the healthy human gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome. http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5374383/ - Ginger is great for treating nausea.
Lete I, et al. (2016). The effectiveness of ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and chemotherapy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818021/
Pow! Right in the hangover. To make it a touch more filling, top with granola and a spoonful of cashew butter.
Grapefruits might as well be called greatfruits, because they’re just swell. For nine recipes way better than that pun, look no further.
7. Coconut quinoa porridge with ginger and dates
This recipe requires a little extra work — it takes 30 minutes to make from scratch. But is a great hangover cure on the weekend, or days when you can afford yourself a more leisurely morning.
The quinoa is a nice change from classic oats, and the ginger and dates provide the perfect combo of tangy and sweet.
If you happen to have leftover quinoa in the fridge, you can also replicate this bad boy by mixing cooked quinoa with the rest of the ingredients and popping it in the microwave.
8. Breakfast banana split
Spoiler alert: This recipe does not involve ice cream. We’re really, really sorry. But it is delicious and will make you feel much better than a heavy dessert would in a post-hangover belly.
And it includes chocolate, so the recipe isn’t completely non-fun. If you’re not in a rush, freezing the yogurt as per the instructions is pretty awesome. If you got drunk on a school (read: work) night, skip that step and serve the yogurt as is.
Feeling extra zealous? Melt the chocolate chips and drizzle them on top like fudge sauce — you’ll momentarily forget the tiny brain gnome swinging a mallet around inside your head.
Bored of your morning coffee already? We’ve got 35 desserts you can serve in a mug.
9. Sweet potato protein breakfast bowl
After those really hardcore nights, the only thing you can stomach might be closer to baby food. Welp, we’ve got the adultified, Paleo version for you.
All you need is a baked sweet potato (do this in advance, because who wants to bake a potato with a hangover?), protein powder, banana, berries, and 5 minutes to spare, and this mushy bowl of goodness is yours.
Top with a heaping spoonful of nut butter, hemp hearts, cacao, and anything else your heart desires, and watch your stomach (and mind) slowly return to its normal state of functioning.
10. Vegan dirty chai detox breakfast bowls
Sometimes hangovers call for something dirty.
This anti-inflammatory bowl is about as clean as dirty comes, but it does use the same spices as the popular beverage.
Filled with hearty ingredients and topped with chocolate-covered almonds, espresso, and other deliciousness, this bowl will warm your heart, bolster your stomach, and set you on the straight and narrow. At least until the next party.
If you’d rather neck a plain ol’ cuppa Joe, here’s how to make the best one in the world.
11. Rice bowl with fried egg and avocado
Hangover, meet savory, simple fried egg with rice. This recipe is ridiculously easy, especially if you have leftover rice on hand, and it’s insanely good to eat.
Plus, for whatever reason, hangovers are more bearable when they include a fried egg. Throw in avocado, Sriracha sauce, and some unexpected add-ons such as scallions and vinegar, and you’ve got yourself a cure in a bowl.
Eggs are great. We all came from one. Here’s 27 ways to eat them.
Because, sometime, only fried, cheesy sh*t will get the job done.
12. Eggs in cheesy purgatory
If you feel like you’re in purgatory, you may as well eat purgatory. Also known as shakshuka, this baked egg dish feels like a splurge but is actually quite healthy.
And you don’t even have to make the sauce from scratch. This recipe uses store-bought marinara and jazzes up the whole shebang with garlic, onion, and fresh basil.
Sprinkle in some mozzarella, drop in the eggs, bake for 8 to 10 minutes, and you’ll be out of hangover hell in no time — or at least your taste buds will be. Soon, your body and brain will follow.
Here are even more cracking ways to stop a hangover.
13. Vegan breakfast burritos
What if we told you that there was a burrito so magical that all you had to do was microwave it and it’d be ready for your enjoyment? Well, dreams do come true. And you’re still entitled to them even after… whatever happened last night (you’re yet to answer for that alpaca in the living room).
This vegan breakfast burrito is made in batches, meaning 1 hour of your life can provide several morning meals. And that doesn’t mean you have to plan four hangovers in a row — these are just as tasty any time.
The recipe is full of tasty spices, such as turmeric and cumin, and protein from the black beans and tofu.
While we love these burritos as is, they’re also delicious with chicken, sausage, cheese, and other non-vegan alternatives. We’ve got more healthy burrito recipes where these came from.
14. Savory oatmeal with avocado and poached egg
Not all oats need to be sweet. This recipe incorporates soft-boiled eggs, avocado, radish, and sunflower seeds for a savory twist on the breakfast classic.
You can add a few drops of hot sauce (Tabasco works great with this dish) to really wake yourself up.
The healthy fats will keep you going until lunch, and the warm mixture will help fire up your digestion and get it back on track after a night of Jell-O shots and poor decision-making.
15. Loaded tortilla breakfast pizza
Say yes to breakfast pizza. Even better, say yes to loaded breakfast pizza. Or, say double yes to loaded breakfast pizza made of tortillas.
With no need to bake or buy dough, this recipe uses whole-wheat tortillas (make sure to use two per pizza). Top it with shredded cheese and an egg before tossing it into the oven.
To take the recipe the extra mile, add sliced avocado, cilantro, jalapeño, and simmered cherry tomatoes. The taste is just as satisfying as delivery pizza, but this version is much kinder to your wallet and waistline.
Flatbreads also qualify as healthy pizzas — learn to make 11 amazing flatbreads yourself.
16. Ultimate grilled cheese sandwich
Fried egg, bacon, avocado, AND cheese? No wonder this grilled cheese is dubbed the ultimate.
Even if you feel out of sorts or make a few missteps in the kitchen, this sandwich will turn out excellent. If you’re in need of something to lift your spirits, tickle your taste buds, and induce a second sleep, this just may be your match.
For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and add sautéd spinach and onions. Job done.
The quest for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich is the 21st century search for El Dorado. We may have found the answer.
17. Chorizo breakfast hash
There’s something comforting about skillet dishes. There’s something even more comforting about chorizo, the smoky Spanish pork sausage that turns any dish from bland to exotic — the subtle, spicy kick will dance the hangover right out of your wilting brain.
This recipe hits all your flavor needs while keeping things healthy, as well as being gluten- and dairy-free. So it’s A-OK if you opt for a more decadent lunch. We’re certainly not judging.
(That alpaca is certainly looking a bit judgy at this point, however.)
18. Bacon pancakes with coconut flour
Makin’ paaaancakes, makin’ bacon paaaaancakes… we know you know the words. Now learn how to make the damn things.
This hangover-friendly dish is best on the weekend when you have plenty of time to cook or if you can work from home.
Though it’s easy to reach for Bisquick, it’s equally as easy to make your own mix with better ingredients, such as coconut flour and coconut oil — and in this case, it also tastes better.
The key here is really in the shape: Make sure you cover the bacon with the mixture to make it more finger-food-esque than round.
19. Breakfast ramen
Be careful with this recipe. It’s so easy and delicious you may just want to take baths in it. But don’t. Instead, just eat it, and that’ll be fine.
The warm broth soothes a hangover like no other, and the noodles provide just the comfort you need when you’re feeling fragile. Add bacon bits, scallions, cheese, and egg, and you’ve got just what the (hangover) doctor ordered.
You may well slurp yourself to sobriety.
20. Freezer-friendly everything bagel bombs
If all bombs were bagels, the world would be a much, much happier place.
Instead, you’ll have to make do with these bagels, which are da bomb. Proverbially speaking. They may actually undo an explosive hangover, making them… whatever the opposite of bombs are.
This recipe puts cream-cheese bagels to shame. Filled with shredded cheese and diced ham, made with store-bought pizza dough, and topped with everything bagel seasoning, this recipe is just so right.
And the fact that you can keep them in the freezer and heat them up in a jiff… you may have just instigated world peace. Or at least made your head feel better.
Plus, you can put anything on a bagel and make it work. Start with these amazing bagel toppings.
21. Spicy honey breakfast waffle nachos
Some save the best for last. In our case, we saved the most decadent.
Yes, you read that right: spicy honey waffle nachos. There is a lot to unpack here. But, to be honest, you can even just unpack a few Eggos for the recipe.
The name may sound fancy, but this bad boy requires little prep and only a few minutes in the broiler to cook to perfection. You’ll be so fixated on the incredible taste, you won’t even remember you drank last night.
Here’s why you might find it tricky to stop after just one drink.
We all love a party, and that’s fine. And we certainly love the excuse to whip up spicy honey waffle nachos, because wow.
But if you’re having to pummel a hangover and find out the most practical way to return an alpaca to its rightful owners most nights of the week, it might be time to slow down the drinking, or even stop. The good news is that it doesn’t mean giving up on your social life.
If you remember nothing that happened after getting to the party, and are now throwing up on your legs while wondering how to make the ringing in your ears stop, it could be well that you’ve reached your limit.
Here’s what one of our writers learned from dating a sober guy. Why not learn these recipes to be the awesome friend who swoops in after the party with DIY bacon pancakes?
