Raise your hand if you have ever heard the phrase, “I don’t eat out, there’s food here.” If you haven’t raised your hand, you’re either lying or very rich. Even as an adult, it can be hard to eat the kale salad in the fridge when you’re fighting an overwhelming desire for your favorite local pizza place. But with this list of the best restaurant copycat recipes, “There’s food here” is the best news for kids (or parents). Whether you’re craving the fried goodness of Bloomin’ Onions in the morning or the sweet, comforting taste of a Pop-Tart, we have a copycat recipe you’ll love. With nostalgic copycat recipes like homemade Bomb Pops and Cookie Cake, little ones will want to join you in making their favorite treats. As someone who ate takeout Thai food last night, I can’t say I’m always a fan of the “There’s food here” mentality, but these great restaurant copycat recipes will have me and you eating in more often.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins
We’ve all been there on Sunday mornings when Chick-fil-A is closed and we’re craving breakfast, so instead of disappointing, try this homemade recipe from the pros in our test kitchen. Hey, guys Hosted by Ivy Odom.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Tory Cox
If you loved the cinnamon swirl, raisin-studded biscuits from Hardee’s breakfast menus of the 1980s and 1990s, you’ll love this copycat recipe. These biscuits are buttery, sweet and warm with the aroma of cinnamon. They freeze well, so make a batch on the weekend and enjoy for weeks.
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Anna Kelly, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Although the Inspiration Milkshake is only available for a short time during the fall and winter, you can make this minty, cold milkshake any time of the year. If you have peppermint ice cream available, use it; if not, vanilla is fine too.
What can’t you do with an air fryer? It’s a miracle you can enjoy this famous appetizer at home without getting covered in oil. Don’t forget to make the homemade sauce.
The Chattanooga brand has been serving up the treat for more than 100 years, but Southerners know it mostly as the treats tossed to crowds during Mardi Gras. Hey, guys Host Ivy Odom will be trying to recreate the Chocolate Moon Pie flavor in the recipe link.
This TGI Fridays appetizer has become so popular that it’s now sold in the frozen food section of your grocery store, but don’t buy it at the store without trying our homemade version first — it’s definitely worth it.
Don’t go to the drive-thru! Try our homemade iced lemon loaf cake this week. It’s the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee and one reviewer said, ” [sic] It’s better than that lemon loaf cake from S******ks that everyone raves about.”
Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Tori Cox
If you’re attending a Southern potluck, hash brown casserole is a must-have on your sideboard, and both our recipe and Cracker Barrel’s have familiar ingredients, but ours is topped with a crunchy cornflake cereal topping that’s hard to resist.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Tory Cox
While it might seem easier to run to Panera and pick up a bowl of hot broccoli and cheddar soup, this 30-minute recipe is ready in less time than that. Serve in a toasted bread bowl for the ultimate Panera experience at home.
The secret to fluffy, perfectly cooked eggs is, of course, the versatile Instant Pot. This protein-packed breakfast is loaded with bacon, broccoli, and cheddar cheese, but you can substitute whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Looking for a fun way to keep your kids or grandkids occupied over the holidays? This baking challenge is sure to help! Layers of tender sponge cake and Swiss meringue buttercream will blow your mind about Little Debbie’s version (no offense, Deb).
Leave it to the Test Kitchen Pros Hey, guys Host Ivy Odom makes an adorable knockoff version of the berry Pop-Tarts you had on school mornings. She chose a variety of sprinkles to fit the Valentine’s Day theme, but you could also add a stick or two of blue icing to mimic the store-bought version.
California Pizza Kitchen’s Original BBQ Chicken Pizza has been on the menu since 1985. There’s a reason it’s been around so long: it’s delicious. Our pizza is perfect for a fun night in with the family.
Houston’s menu is full of sumptuous dishes, including sushi and elegant entrees, but patrons know that the classic, heart-warming spinach and artichoke dip is the restaurant’s must-try appetizer — and our version will have party guests coming back for more until they’ve devoured the entire plate.
Can you hear the ice cream truck down the street? Relive the summer wonder of your Southern childhood with some homemade Bomb Pops at home. Moms will love that our version is made with fresh strawberries and blueberries and contains no food coloring.
You don’t have to go out to eat to enjoy a creamy, heart-warming Alfredo pasta dish, and you don’t have to buy a jar of sauce from the store. This light and elegant recipe will raise your standards for shrimp Alfredo.
These delicious clusters of caramel, pecan and chocolate make a great edible gift this holiday season. Not only will your friends be amazed by your homemade treats, but these candies are actually so easy to make that they might even become a Christmas tradition for you.
Augusta National is home to one of the world’s most prestigious golf tournaments, The Masters. But perhaps even more famous than the golfers who compete in the Masters are its unique traditions. While the $1.50 pimiento cheese sandwich gets all the attention, it’s the egg salad sandwich that’s the real favorite of patrons.
Recipe: Old Fashioned Pecan Logs
The original Stuckey’s Pecan Logs were handcrafted by Mrs. Stuckey herself in the 1930s. Recreate this classic Southern road trip snack at home with our recipe. One 5-star reviewer writes, “Great recipe. Definitely a Christmas staple!”
Every summer, Chick-fil-A fans eagerly await the moment news breaks that the chain’s popular Peach Milkshake will be returning to the menu for a limited time. Instead of waiting for it to show up on Chick-fil-A’s timeline, you can make it yourself with this easy recipe.
The “chicken sandwich wars” of 2019 became so topical and inevitable that they got their own Wikipedia page. The craze has calmed down considerably over the past few years, so why not try making your own fried chicken sandwich using our recipe?
Honey BBQ is one of the wing chain’s most popular sauces among its dozens of sauce flavors, and our housemade sauce is so good that you’ll want to leave the bottles in the store and forget about ordering online from BWW.
This simple and surprisingly easy beignets recipe will give you a delicious taste of New Orleans—though we can’t guarantee you’ll get a French Quarter vibe.
This New Orleans-founded steakhouse is, of course, known for its steaks. But as anyone from the South who’s ever been to a potluck knows, steak’s nothing without a delicious side dish to complement it. Similar to Ruth Chris’ fan-favorite Sweet Potato Casserole, our Sweet Potato Soufflé is topped with an irresistibly crunchy, sweet topping of brown sugar and pecans.
This drive-in restaurant is known for its rollerbladed staff, cold drinks, and corn dogs. This recipe from Nashville entertainer Katie Jacobs is a favorite at their annual Fourth of July party. If you’re catering for an adults-only party, try the Vodka Cherry Limeade.
Chicken salad has long been a Southern favorite, a quick and tasty lunch option. Stacey Brown has brought the concept to life at her Southern fast-casual restaurant chain, Chicken Salad Chick. Her menu features a variety of sweet and savory options for enjoying chicken salad. This Southern Living recipe is most similar to the Cranberry Kelly’s variation.
Like Cracker Barrel’s meatloaf recipe, ours has tomatoes, onions, and peppers, but the meatloaf sauce on top is really special, if I do say so myself.
Funfetti products are some of the most nostalgic choices in the baking aisle, but we all know mom doesn’t bake cakes from boxed mixes. This homemade version of Funfetti Cake will add a party feel to any occasion.
Fried pickles were once a limited-time offering on the Zaxby’s menu, and fans are excited to see the fast-food chain officially add them to its permanent menu, but let’s be honest: Roundhouse Kick Sauce is a much better pairing with fried pickles.
