20 Best Irish Breakfast Recipes for a Lucky Start to the Day
Don't forget the Irish coffee!
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With a celebration as spirited as St. Patrick's Day, you'll need a hearty, classic Irish breakfast to fuel you up for all the fun ahead. Whether you're planning to join a pub crawl, watch a St. Patrick's Day parade, or enjoy some St. Paddy’s crafts with your little leprechauns, there's no better way to kick off the day than with Irish breakfast recipes like homemade scones and Irish brown bread. Or, go all out with a full Irish fry-up featuring eggs, bacon, baked beans, veggies, hash browns, and toast. You can even add some slow-roasted mushrooms or try a batch of boxty, a delicious Irish potato recipe. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to fill you with the luck of the Irish!
Whether or not traditional Irish foods are on your mind, you'll love making some of the Irish-inspired breakfast ideas from the list ahead. Check out make-ahead breakfast ideas like the corned beef hash topped with fried eggs or breakfast casseroles the Reuben casserole for a fun twist on the classic sandwich. Looking for healthy breakfast ideas? Try the apple steel-cut oatmeal, cucumber smoked salmon bites, or just a slice of Irish soda bread with butter and jam. Of course, you can wash it all down with an Irish coffee. The party is just getting started, after all!
Irish Brown Bread
You can't have an Irish breakfast without a thick slice of brown bread! This classic Irish bread is nutty, complex and delightful when slathered in marmalade or butter.
Get Ree's Irish Brown Bread recipe.
Candied Bacon
A key component of a full Irish breakfast is two types of meat: bacon and sausage. This candied bacon recipe will add a sweet and salty note to your plate, thanks to a coating of brown sugar that caramelizes in the oven.
Get the Candied Bacon recipe.
Homemade Irish Cream
This creamy liqueur was made for your morning cup of coffee! It gets its rich flavor from Irish whiskey, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla. The delicious creamy texture comes from condensed milk and heavy cream.
Get Ree's Homemade Irish Cream recipe.
Irish Apple Cake
This Irish dessert can double as a sweet breakfast treat. The warm, cinnamon-scented cake is layered with tart apples and a buttery crumble. But to really make it shine, just pour the sweet custard over the top.
Get the Irish Apple Cake recipe.
Reuben Casserole
This recipe is everything you love about the classic corned beef sandwich but it starts with a creamy hash brown base so it's perfect for breakfast! Luckily, it makes a big batch for all your friends and family.
Get the Reuben Casserole recipe.
Maple Bacon Scones
Two Irish favorites—scones and bacon—come together in one breakfast recipe that's both sweet and salty. You can grab these scones on your way out to a holiday parade or St. Paddy's Day party.
Get Ree's Maple Bacon Scones recipe.
Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
A full Irish breakfast typically includes some kind of grilled or roasted tomato to enjoy with the eggs, sausage, and toast. Here, they cook low and slow for extra sweetness and deeper flavor.
Get the Slow-Roasted Tomatoes recipe.
Corned Beef Hash
This recipe combines two classic Irish dishes: corned beef and potatoes! The mash-up might not be traditional, but it sure is good, especially when served with fried eggs for breakfast.
Get the Corned Beef Hash recipe.
Baked Beans
Baked beans are usually included on a traditional Irish breakfast plate. This version is topped with bacon to make it even more breakfast-ready!
Get Ree's Baked Beans recipe.
Irish Soda Bread
This popular bread is a year-round staple in Ireland. It's often made with currants, but you can use raisins or even dried cranberries. Just remember to serve it up with plenty of Irish butter!
Get the Irish Soda Bread recipe.
Potato Galette
There's usually some kind of crispy potato element to a full Irish breakfast, so this giant potato galette would be a fun item to serve. Try it for your next St. Patrick's Day brunch party!
Get the Potato Galette recipe.
Everything Cucumber-Smoked Salmon Bites
Ireland is surrounded by water so it's no wonder that salmon is a common dish. Serve this smoked salmon on green cucumber slices for a fun and light breakfast snack.
Irish Coffee
It wouldn't be breakfast without coffee! And while you might not want to start your day off with an Irish coffee every morning, it's a fun warm cocktail for a St. Patrick's Day treat.
Get Ree's Irish Coffee recipe.
Full Irish Breakfast
Depending on where you live in Ireland, a full Irish breakfast might have a few variations. There's typically eggs, sausage, hash browns, beans, and roasted tomatoes. You may also find slices of Irish soda bread. No matter what's served, you know it's going to be hearty!
Irish Scones
Start your day off with a batch of fluffy, golden scones. They're delicious on their own but can also be served with Irish butter, jam, or a big dollop of clotted cream.
Get the Irish Scones recipe at Jo Cooks.
Apple Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Steel-cut oats, also known as Irish oats, take a little longer to cook compared to rolled oats. But the result is a nutty flavor and chewy texture that makes this warm, comforting breakfast so special.
Brown Bread
Brown bread is a type of soda bread that's made with part whole wheat flour. It makes the comforting loaf even heartier and more rustic.
Irish Bacon Sheet Pan
Look for Irish bacon, which is cut from the back of the pig, for this sheet pan breakfast. Then, pair it up with other Irish ingredients like cabbage, potatoes, and eggs.
Get the Irish Bacon Sheet Pan recipe at Honest Grub Honest Foodie.
Boxty
Potatoes and eggs? Count us in! These fluffy pan-fried potato pancakes make for a delicious side dish with runny eggs.
Get the Boxty recipe at Veggie Desserts.
Irish Soda Bread Muffins
For another variation on Irish soda bread, these homemade muffins are great for on-the-go. They have the same subtle sweetness and tender crumb as the original but in muffin form!
Get the Irish Soda Bread Muffins recipe at Well Plated by Erin.
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