By Laura Ritterman and the Recipe Fairy kitchen · publishing copycat recipes since 2019 · these 101 recipes have 16,794 reader ratings
These are the restaurant favorites people crave most, from Big Mac sauce and KFC-style fried chicken to the Pink Drink and those buttery Olive Garden-style breadsticks. Each one comes with the one little trick that gets your home version deliciously close, plus a full printable card.
These are copycat-style recipes: our own versions built to taste as close as possible to the restaurant dish. They are not the restaurants’ official recipes, and we are not affiliated with any of the brands named.
The 10 most popular copycats
Start here if you only make a few. Ranked by the number of reader ratings each recipe has on recipefairy.com.
McDonald's Chicken McNuggets★ 4.3 · 2,792 ratings
McDonald's Hash Browns★ 4.4 · 1,113 ratings
McDonald's Caramel Frappé★ 4.3 · 1,014 ratings
Wingstop Ranch★ 4.3 · 1,013 ratings
Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice★ 4.3 · 924 ratings
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf★ 4.4 · 842 ratings
Starbucks Cake Pops★ 4.2 · 708 ratings
McDonald's Iced Coffee★ 4.4 · 537 ratings
TGI Fridays Potato Skins★ 4.4 · 479 ratings
McDonald's Chocolate Chip Cookies★ 4.1 · 372 ratingsNew this month
Fresh step-by-step videos just added to these recipes.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts▶ New video
Old Fashioned Pancakes▶ New video
Popeyes Mashed Potatoes▶ New video
Popeyes Biscuits▶ New video
Hibachi Fried Rice▶ New video
Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese▶ New videoMore copycat hubs: McDonald's copycat recipes · Starbucks copycat recipes · KFC copycat recipes · Burger King copycat recipes · Cracker Barrel copycat recipes · Texas Roadhouse copycat recipes · Cheesecake Factory copycat recipes · Wingstop copycat recipes · Crumbl copycat cookie recipes · CAVA copycat recipes · Chipotle copycat recipes · Olive Garden copycat recipes
McDonald's copycat recipes
See all our McDonald's recipes →
1. Copycat McDonald's Big Mac & Big Mac Sauce
The famous sauce is mayonnaise, French dressing, sweet relish, a splash of dill pickle juice, a little sugar, dried onion flakes and ketchup. The secret isn't an ingredient, it's time. Our recipe has the sauce rest for eight hours, so the onion flakes soften and every flavor blends into that familiar tang. Then it's two thin patties of about 2.5 oz each, a toasted buttered bun with a middle slice, shredded lettuce, finely chopped onion, pickles and American cheese.
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2. Copycat McDonald's Chicken McNuggets
McNuggets aren't chunks of chicken. Our recipe blends the chicken into a smooth paste with salt and an egg, shapes it in cornstarch with wet hands, then dips it in a mustard-and-garlic batter. The secret step is the freezer: one hour before frying, so the nuggets hold their famous shapes. Then into oil at 350°F.
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3. Copycat McDonald's Iced Coffee
Start with homemade simple syrup, simmered until it thickens slightly and kept in the fridge for up to a month. Then brew the coffee with double the usual grounds, ideally 100% arabica, because the ice is going to water it down. Pour over a full pitcher of ice, add half-and-half and syrup to taste.
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4. Copycat McDonald's Mocha Frappé
Freeze your cooled coffee into ice cubes first, about three hours, then blend them with milk, chocolate syrup and sugar. Coffee ice means your frappé never goes watery. Top it with whipped cream and grated dark chocolate for the full café look. It serves 5, once the coffee ice cubes are frozen.
Get the full recipe →5. Copycat McDonald's Caramel Frappé
Strong coffee, milk, caramel syrup, sugar and ice, pulsed until thick. Finish with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle on top. One glass, about 6 minutes.
Get the full recipe →6. Copycat McDonald's Hash Browns
Grate the potato into icy water and swirl it to wash off the starch. Then squeeze it dry in a cloth, as hard as you can, before mixing in an egg. Dry potato means crispy edges. Cook them on medium heat once they're in the pan, so the middle cooks before the outside burns. One serving, about 10 minutes.
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7. Copycat McDonald's Pancakes
McDonald's-style hotcakes use a smooth batter with almost no lumps, and a measuring cup for the batter. A third of a cup per pancake gives you that neat, evenly sized stack. Keep each pancake the same size and they'll all cook in the same time. Allow about 20 minutes; it makes 8 servings.
Get the full recipe →8. Copycat McDonald's Chocolate Chip Cookies
The secret is a low oven: 165°C, no hotter, and one egg plus an extra yolk. That's how you get soft, chewy centers instead of crisp, flat discs. Drop the dough in circular piles and leave space between them; they spread as they bake. Start to finish, about 35 minutes for 8.
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9. Copycat McDonald's Baked Apple Pie
Cook diced green apples with cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg and lemon juice for ten minutes, then let the filling cool before it goes into puff pastry. Hot filling melts the pastry. Press the edges closed with a fork, then brush with egg wash for that golden shell. It makes 8 servings.
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10. Copycat McDonald's Shamrock Shake
Vanilla ice cream, whole milk and a little mint extract, blended for about thirty seconds. Go easy on the mint; ½ teaspoon is plenty for six servings. It serves 6 in about 10 minutes.
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11. Copycat McDonald's Sweet Tea
Dissolve the sugar while the tea is still hot and simmering, then pour the semi-cooled tea over a full pitcher of ice. Sugar added to cold tea never fully dissolves. Give it about 10 minutes, and you'll have enough for 6.
Get the full recipe →KFC copycat recipes
12. Copycat KFC Original Recipe Chicken
The famous eleven herbs and spices, copycat-style: thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, mustard powder, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger and white pepper, blitzed into a fine powder and whisked into flour. The chicken soaks in buttermilk and egg, then gets dredged in that seasoned flour, and both the ginger and the white pepper are easy to leave out by mistake.
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13. Copycat KFC Popcorn Chicken
Bite-sized pieces, seasoned first, then egg and breadcrumbs. Dip and coat twice for the extra-crunchy shell. Uniform pieces matter here; same size means they all finish frying together. That's about 30 minutes of work for 4 servings.
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14. Copycat KFC Zinger Burger
The surprise in our Zinger crust is crushed chili-flavored Doritos, shaken in a bag with chili powder, garlic, paprika and onion flakes, then baked rather than fried. Pat the chicken really dry before the cornstarch, egg and crumb, or the coating slides off. Ready in about 50 minutes, and it serves 4.
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15. Copycat KFC Coleslaw
Cut the cabbage and carrot as finely as possible, and the dressing uses both milk and buttermilk. Then it rests covered in the fridge, which is what makes it creamy and sweet. Our recipe has it chill, covered, before serving, so the flavors meld. Allow about 15 minutes; it makes 10 servings.
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16. Copycat KFC Potato Wedges
Milk and egg first, then flour seasoned with seasoned salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. Whisk the spices through the flour well so every wedge gets the same coating. Soak the cut wedges in water first so they don't turn brown while you prep. Start to finish, about 33 minutes for 8.
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17. Copycat KFC Biscuits
The secret is patience: work the cold butter into the flour until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs. Stop halfway, and you lose the layers. It serves 10 in about 20 minutes.
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18. Copycat KFC Chicken Pot Pie
Grated chilled butter in the pastry, and a creamy filling of chicken, carrot, potato and peas bound with cream of chicken soup. Simmer the carrots and potatoes first, so they're tender before the pastry goes on. Give it about 50 minutes, and you'll have enough for 4.
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19. Copycat KFC Mac and Cheese
Cheddar plus Velveeta, with a little milk powder and mustard powder in the sauce. That's what makes it so smooth. That's about 45 minutes of work for 6 servings.
Get the full recipe →Starbucks copycat recipes
See all our Starbucks recipes →
20. Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink
Steep acai berry tea, cool it, then add white grape juice. Pour it over ice, top up with coconut milk and add sliced strawberries. Agave if you like it sweeter. Squeeze out the tea bags once the tea has cooled; that's where the color and flavor are. Ready in about 30 minutes, and it serves 2.
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21. Copycat Starbucks Strawberry Açaí Refresher
Blend fresh strawberries with water, stir in açaí powder, add white grape juice, sugar syrup and cooled green tea, then serve over plenty of ice. Allow about 15 minutes; it makes 4 servings.
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22. Copycat Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade
Passion tea, steeped and cooled, mixed with lemonade and a homemade vanilla syrup. Start to finish, about an hour for 4.
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23. Copycat Starbucks Vanilla Latte
Make your own vanilla syrup once and keep it in the fridge. Then it's espresso, hot milk and three or four teaspoons of syrup. One cup, about 10 minutes.
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24. Copycat Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
The order matters. Vanilla syrup first, then ice, then milk poured gently, and the espresso floated on top using the back of a spoon. Finish with a caramel drizzle. Swirl the caramel over the top last, in a criss-cross. One glass, about 20 minutes.
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25. Copycat Starbucks Flat White
Two shots of espresso, then milk frothed for at least sixty seconds into a fine microfoam, poured until there's just a dot of foam on top. One cup, about 7 minutes.
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26. Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
Real pumpkin puree, brown sugar and milk, heated until steamy but never boiled. Then vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and hot strong coffee, whisked until frothy. Whisk hard at the end to get a frothy top without a milk frother. It serves 2 in about 5 minutes.
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27. Copycat Starbucks Chai Tea Latte
Steep two chai bags in a little water, warm the milk without boiling, then froth it with honey and finish with cinnamon and nutmeg. Give it about 15 minutes, and you'll have enough for 2.
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28. Copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball
Lemonade and water brought to a simmer, then peach tea and citrus mint tea steeped for three minutes, and honey stirred in. A drop of peppermint is optional. That's about 5 minutes of work for 2 servings.
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29. Copycat Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
Ice, whole milk, vanilla bean ice cream and vanilla extract, blended until the rattling stops. Top it with whipped cream. Ready in about 5 minutes, and it serves 4.
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30. Copycat Starbucks Banana Bread
Three ripe bananas, vegetable oil and buttermilk. The oven temperature depends on your pan: 325°F for glass, 350°F for metal. Mix just until combined once the bananas go in; overmixing makes the loaf tough. Allow about an hour; it makes 10 servings.
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31. Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf
Greek yogurt keeps the crumb moist, with lemon zest and extract in the batter and a lemon juice icing on top. Sift the flour and salt in, so the batter stays light. Start to finish, about an hour and a half for 10.
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32. Copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf
Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and freshly ground cloves, with apple sauce for moisture and a cream cheese frosting. It serves 8 in about an hour.
Get the full recipe →33. Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops
Crumble a cooled sponge into fine crumbs, mix with frosting, roll into balls and dip in melted pink candy melts. A melon scoop makes evenly sized balls in seconds. Give it about an hour, and you'll have enough for 4.
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34. Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites
Cottage cheese is the secret to that soft, velvety texture: beaten with eggs and cheese, baked in a muffin tin and topped with crispy bacon. While they bake, crisp the bacon in a skillet and crumble it over the top. That's about 35 minutes of work for 6 servings.
Get the full recipe →Chick-fil-A copycat recipes
35. Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce
The sauce people keep asking for has six ingredients: yellow mustard, honey, mayonnaise, Dijon, lemon juice and barbecue sauce. Mix them in a small bowl and you're done. It's sweet, tangy, smoky and creamy at the same time, which is why it works on nuggets, fries and burgers alike. The recipe makes about a cup, and it keeps in the fridge.
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36. Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Blend the breadcrumbs very fine, soak the chicken in egg and milk, then add a little powdered sugar to the coating, and fry at 375°F. Keep the oil at 375°F the whole time; too cool and they go greasy. Ready in about 45 minutes, and it serves 4.
Get the full recipe →Wendy's copycat recipes
37. Copycat Wendy's Chili
Our Wendy's-style chili is a big pot: extra-lean ground beef, celery, green pepper and sweet onion, three cans of stewed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chiles, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin and two kinds of beans. Brown the beef in a separate pan, and cook it until it reaches 160°F on a thermometer. Then simmer the pot low and slow, and finish with a spoonful of vinegar.
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38. Copycat Wendy's Frosty
Just three ingredients: very cold chocolate milk, about half a can of sweetened condensed milk and frozen whipped topping. Blend them, then freeze. With an ice cream maker it's quick. Without one, whisk it every so often while it freezes so it stays smooth and spoonable.
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39. Copycat Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Cayenne goes in twice: once in the buttermilk soak and again in the seasoned flour. Fry in oil that's fully preheated, and toast the buttered buns while the chicken rests. Allow about an hour; it makes 4 servings.
Get the full recipe →Taco Bell copycat recipes
40. Copycat Taco Bell Nacho Fries
A spice blend of paprika, garlic, chilli, cayenne, onion and cumin, plus a cheese sauce kept warm but never too hot. Rinse and dry the potatoes before cutting, so the seasoning sticks. Plan on about an hour for 4 people.
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41. Copycat Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla
The creamy jalapeño sauce is mayo, pickled jalapeños and a splash of the jar juice, with American cheese melted inside. Toss the cooked chicken in half the sauce before it goes in the tortilla. Enough for 2.
Get the full recipe →Burger King copycat recipes
See all our Burger King recipes →
42. Copycat Burger King Whopper
Ground chuck, salt and pepper, a toasted buttered sesame bun, then pickles, onion, tomato, ketchup and mayo, stacked in that order. Cook each side of the patty for just two to three minutes. It serves 4 in about 20 minutes.
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43. Copycat Burger King Onion Rings
Milk, flour, milk, breadcrumbs, then milk and breadcrumbs again. That double dip is the secret to the thick crunchy coating. Remove the very centre of each onion slice; the bigger rings fry more evenly. Give it about 28 minutes, and you'll have enough for 6.
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44. Copycat Burger King Zesty Sauce
Dissolve the sugar in the vinegar first, then add mayo, ketchup, horseradish, cayenne and mustard. Rest it for thirty minutes before serving. Covered in the fridge, it keeps for up to a week. That's about 5 minutes of work for 10 servings.
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45. Copycat Burger King Chicken Nuggets
Seasoned flour with garlic, egg and milk, then breadcrumbs, and shallow-fried rather than deep-fried. Cut the chicken into 1½-inch pieces so every nugget cooks through at the same time. Ready in about 25 minutes, and it serves 4.
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46. Copycat Burger King French Toast Sticks
Thick Texas toast cut into three strips, dipped in a cinnamon egg mix, sprayed and baked instead of fried. Allow about 21 minutes; it makes 4 servings.
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47. Copycat Popeyes Chicken Sandwich
Pound the chicken flat, soak it in seasoned buttermilk, then drizzle a little buttermilk into the flour and cornstarch to make craggy, crunchy bits. Fry at 350°F for an even, deep golden crust. Start to finish, about 30 minutes for 4.
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48. Copycat Popeyes Red Beans and Rice
Blend part of the beans briefly and leave the rest whole. That's the creamy-but-chunky texture. It serves 10 in about 35 minutes.
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49. Copycat Popeyes Cajun Fries
Parboil the fries, cool and freeze them, then coat with Cajun-style spices and flour before frying. Pat the parboiled fries completely dry before they go in the freezer. Budget about an hour; it feeds 4.
Get the full recipe →Panda Express copycat recipes
50. Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken
Two parts, made separately. First, a sticky sauce of soy, sugar, rice vinegar, sriracha, fresh ginger, garlic and the zest and juice of an orange and a half, thickened with a cornstarch paste and finished with sesame oil. Then the chicken thighs, marinated in orange juice and zest, coated and fried at 375°F. Toss them together just before serving.
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51. Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice
Cooked and cooled rice, egg scrambled into small pieces in a very hot wok, then soy, peas and carrots, and sesame oil last for that nutty finish. Use cold, cooked rice; freshly cooked rice turns mushy in the wok. That's about 15 minutes of work for 6 servings.
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52. Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken
Shaoxing wine and Chinese black vinegar in the sauce, and the chicken fried in small batches in an extremely hot wok. Mix the sauce before you start; once the wok is hot, everything happens fast. Ready in about 35 minutes, and it serves 4.
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53. Copycat Panda Express Mushroom Chicken
Toss thin chicken slices in cornstarch, brown them and take them out. Then cook the zucchini and mushrooms on high before everything goes back in. Allow about 30 minutes; it makes 4 servings.
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54. Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken
Grilled chicken thighs with a quick sauce of soy, sugar, garlic, ginger and lemon, thickened with cornstarch. Let the sauce thicken for two or three minutes on medium-low before the chicken goes back in. Start to finish, about 25 minutes for 8.
Get the full recipe →Olive Garden copycat recipes
See all 38 Olive Garden soup, pasta and dessert copycats →
55. Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Soft, fluffy breadsticks start with warm water at about 110 to 115°F, so the yeast wakes up without dying. A little sugar feeds the dough, it rises until doubled, and then it's divided into twelve. The famous finish is melted butter brushed on hot, and a garlic-salt topping.
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56. Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
A creamy base of butter, flour and half-and-half, then chicken, spinach, carrot, gnocchi and a pinch of nutmeg. Add the half-and-half gradually while whisking, so the soup stays smooth. It serves 8 in about 35 minutes.
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57. Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
Roast the Italian sausage, then build the soup on bacon, onion and garlic, with potatoes, kale and a finish of cream. Don't drain away all the bacon fat; it's where much of the flavor comes from. Give it about an hour, and you'll have enough for 8.
Get the full recipe →Texas Roadhouse copycat recipes
See all our Texas Roadhouse recipes →
58. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
These rolls are an enriched dough: warm milk with honey and yeast, left for five minutes until foamy, then butter, an egg and salt, with the flour added gradually until the dough forms a smooth, soft ball. They rise, get shaped, and are brushed with melted butter the moment they come out of the oven. That buttery, slightly sweet top is what people remember.
Get the full recipe →59. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice
Toast the dry rice in butter for five to seven minutes before adding the stock. That's where the flavor comes from. Once it's simmering, turn it to low and leave it for fifteen minutes. That's about 50 minutes of work for 8 servings.
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60. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili
Chunks of stew beef rather than mince, with a touch of brown sugar and vinegar. Ready in about 50 minutes, and it serves 6.
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61. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Strawberry Margarita
Tequila, triple sec, frozen strawberries and frozen limeade, blended smooth with a salted rim. Allow about 5 minutes; it makes 2 servings.
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62. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter
The butter everyone asks for is soft butter whipped with powdered sugar, honey, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Taste it and adjust; that pinch of salt is what makes it so addictive. Start to finish, about 10 minutes for 16.
Get the full recipe →Cracker Barrel copycat recipes
See all our Cracker Barrel recipes →
63. Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Crushed Ritz crackers and sharp cheddar in the mix, and the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard glaze added halfway through baking. Mix the beef in just enough to combine; overworking makes a dense loaf. It serves 8 in about an hour and a half.
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64. Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Frozen shredded potatoes, sour cream, cream of chicken soup and mild cheddar, baked until bubbly and golden. Save a quarter cup of cheese for the top before it goes in the oven. Give it about an hour, and you'll have enough for 12.
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65. Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Roll the dumplings very thin, about ⅛ inch, and cut them into strips before they go into boiling broth. That's about 30 minutes of work for 8 servings.
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66. Copycat Cracker Barrel Buttermilk Pancakes
Buttermilk and baking soda give them their lift, cooked on a buttered griddle. Ready in about 20 minutes, and it serves 12.
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67. Copycat Cracker Barrel Biscuits
Only four ingredients: baking mix, sugar, melted butter and buttermilk. Bake them touching each other in the pan so they rise tall. Knead about twenty times, no more, then roll to ½ inch. About 20 minutes gets you 8 servings.
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68. Copycat Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola Cake
Coca-Cola goes into both the cake and the chocolate frosting. Start to finish, about 45 minutes for 10.
Get the full recipe →Chipotle copycat recipes
See all 23 Chipotle bowl, salsa and protein copycats → · Copycat Chipotle chicken
69. Copycat Chipotle Cilantro-Lime Rice
Cook the rice like pasta in plenty of boiling water with lime and a little oil, drain it, then fold in butter, more lime and fresh cilantro. Strain off every drop of water before you add the butter and cilantro. It serves 12 in about 25 minutes.
Get the full recipe →Subway copycat recipes
70. Copycat Subway Meatball Sub
Air-fried meatballs, about ten minutes at 360°F, then marinara and cheese in a toasted baguette. Give it about 18 minutes, and you'll have enough for 4.
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71. Copycat Subway Chipotle Southwest Sauce
Chipotle in adobo blended with mayo, Greek yogurt, cilantro, cumin, lime and garlic. That's about 33 minutes of work for 6 servings.
Get the full recipe →Wingstop copycat recipes
See all our Wingstop flavors and recipes →
72. Copycat Wingstop Ranch
Dry ranch mix, heavy mayonnaise and buttermilk. Rest it in the fridge for forty-five minutes to an hour before serving. Ready in about 30 minutes, and it serves 4.
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73. Copycat Wingstop Fries
The seasoning includes sugar and brown sugar, alongside paprika and chilli, for that sweet-and-salty finish. Allow about 30 minutes; it makes 2 servings.
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74. Copycat Wingstop Lemon Pepper Wings
Coat the wings in seasoned flour, fry them, then toss in melted butter and lemon pepper while they're hot. Four servings, in about 30 minutes.
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75. Copycat Raising Cane's Sauce
Mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire, garlic powder and plenty of black pepper. It serves 18 in about 10 minutes.
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76. Copycat In-N-Out Animal Style Fries
Slowly caramelized onions, melted American cheese and a spread of mayo, ketchup and sweet relish over the fries. Spread the fries on two baking sheets so they crisp instead of steaming. Give it about 40 minutes, and you'll have enough for 6.
Get the full recipe →Dairy Queen copycat recipes
77. Copycat Dairy Queen Oreo Blizzard
Let the ice cream soften first, blend in half the Oreos, then crumble the rest on top. One glass, about 5 minutes.
Get the full recipe →Magnolia Bakery copycat recipes
78. Copycat Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
Instant vanilla pudding beaten with condensed milk, chilled for three to four hours, then whipped cream folded in and layered with wafers and banana. That's about 15 minutes of work for 15 servings.
Get the full recipe →IHOP copycat recipes
79. Copycat IHOP Buttermilk Pancakes
Cook them over medium-low heat, and add a splash more buttermilk if the batter thickens as it sits. A little cooking spray on the griddle is all you need. Plan on about 25 minutes for 4 people.
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80. Copycat IHOP French Toast
A little flour whisked into the egg mixture gives a light crust on thick-cut French bread. This one serves 6.
Get the full recipe →Waffle House copycat recipes
81. Copycat Waffle House Hash Browns
Keep the shredded potatoes in an ice bath the whole time so they don't discolor, then chill before cooking. Allow about an hour and a half; it makes 4 servings.
Get the full recipe →Little Caesars copycat recipes
82. Copycat Little Caesars Crazy Bread
Bread flour dough, brushed with melted butter, then garlic salt and grated parmesan. The dough needs a couple of hours to rise, so start it early. Start to finish, about 3 hours for 16.
Get the full recipe →Red Lobster copycat recipes
83. Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits
Drop biscuits loaded with cheddar, brushed with butter, parsley and garlic straight from the oven.
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84. Copycat Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi
Take the shrimp out the moment they turn pink, then build the garlic, lemon, white wine and herb butter sauce in the same pan. Mince the garlic and chop the parsley before the pan goes on; scampi moves quickly. It serves 4 in about 30 minutes.
Get the full recipe →Red Robin copycat recipes
85. Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce
Mayonnaise and hickory barbecue sauce, with chipotle Tabasco and a few drops of Worcestershire.
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86. Copycat Red Robin Onion Rings
A three-bowl production line: seasoned flour, egg and milk, then breadcrumbs. It makes 4 servings.
Get the full recipe →Hooters copycat recipes
87. Copycat Hooters Wings
Two flours in the coating, whole wheat and all-purpose, and a Tabasco-butter sauce made ahead. Make the sauce first and keep it in the fridge, so it's ready the moment the wings are. Budget about 40 minutes; it feeds 6.
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88. Copycat Hooters Fried Pickles
Soak the pickle chips in buttermilk, then dredge them in two flours with cayenne and paprika and fry at 350°F. That's about 50 minutes of work for 4 servings.
Get the full recipe →Pizza Hut copycat recipes
89. Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks
Dry milk powder in the dough, plus a quick tomato dipping sauce with basil and oregano. Divide the dough in two and keep it on a lightly floured surface while you shape. Ready in about an hour, and it serves 20.
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90. Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
White cheddar in a cream-and-milk sauce with dry mustard, stirred through cavatappi or shells. Allow about 25 minutes; it makes 8 servings.
Get the full recipe →Benihana copycat recipes
91. Copycat Benihana Fried Rice
Cook the rice a day ahead, and use a full stick of butter with garlic, soy and lemon juice in the hot pan. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear before you cook it the day before. Start to finish, about 50 minutes for 8.
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92. Copycat Benihana Yum Yum Sauce
Mayonnaise, tomato paste, melted butter, garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika and a splash of water. It serves 16 in about 45 minutes.
Get the full recipe →BJ's Restaurant copycat recipes
93. Copycat BJ's Parmesan-Crusted Chicken
Brine the chicken in salted broth for about three hours, then coat it in panko and parmesan. After brining, pat the chicken completely dry so the crust sticks. Give it about 3 hours, and you'll have enough for 4.
Get the full recipe →Boston Market copycat recipes
94. Copycat Boston Market Creamed Spinach
Squeeze the frozen spinach completely dry, and finish the white sauce with sour cream. That's about 25 minutes of work for 6 servings.
Get the full recipe →TGI Fridays copycat recipes
95. Copycat TGI Fridays Potato Skins
Bake the potatoes for an hour first, scoop out most of the middle, then crisp the skins with cheese and bacon. Leave a little potato in the skins so they hold their shape. Ready in about an hour and a half, and it serves 4.
Get the full recipe →Nando's copycat recipes
96. Copycat Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken
Chili flakes, garlic, lime, smoked paprika and oregano, rubbed into scored chicken and marinated for at least an hour. Score the chicken skin with a fork so the marinade gets in. Allow about an hour and a half; it makes 6 servings.
Get the full recipe →Wagamama copycat recipes
97. Copycat Wagamama Chicken Katsu Curry
Strain the curry sauce through a sieve so it's perfectly smooth, just like the restaurant's. Start to finish, about 50 minutes for 2.
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98. Copycat Wagamama Yaki Udon
Chicken, prawns and egg tossed through udon, then stir-fried with leek, peppers and shiitake. It serves 2 in about 25 minutes.
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99. Copycat Wagamama Firecracker Chicken
Marinate for at least an hour, ideally overnight, then cook in a piping-hot wok. Slice the chicken small so it cooks quickly and evenly in the hot wok. Give it about 30 minutes, and you'll have enough for 4.
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100. Copycat Wagamama Pad Thai
Crispy fried tofu, rice noodles, egg and beansprouts, finished with crushed peanuts, chili and lime. That's about 15 minutes of work for 2 servings.
Get the full recipe →Universal Studios copycat recipes
101. Copycat Universal Studios Harry Potter Butterbeer
From the theme park: vanilla and butterscotch ice cream blended with ice and cream soda, then topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of butterscotch. Ready in about 10 minutes, and it serves 6.
Get the full recipe →Lost Restaurant Recipes
Fast-food favorites you can't order anymore, or only for a few weeks at a time, brought back in our kitchen.
25 Discontinued Fast Food Items
My countdown of the lost menu items people miss most, from the Hula Burger to the fried apple pie, with recipes.
See the 25 discontinued fast food items →
Discontinued McDonald's Items
From the 1963 Hula Burger to the Arch Deluxe and McPizza, decade by decade.
See the discontinued mcdonald's items →
Discontinued Taco Bell Items
The Enchirito, Bell Beefer, Meximelt, Volcano Taco and more Taco Bell items we still miss.
See the discontinued taco bell items →More copycat recipes
Still hungry? Here are 93 more restaurant copycats from our kitchen, grouped by where you know them from, from KFC gravy and the McDonald's Szechuan sauce to Disney Dole Whip. Tap a photo for the full recipe.
McDonald’s (17)
McDonald’s Holiday Pie
McDonald’s BBQ Sauce
McDonald’s Hot Mustard
McDonald’s Tartar Sauce
McDonald’s Travis Scott Burger
McDonald’s McRib Sandwich
McDonald’s Eggnog Shake
McDonald’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie
McDonald’s Oreo McFlurry
McDonald’s Cheeseburger
McDonald’s Chicken Sandwich
McDonald’s French Fries
McDonald’s Sausage & Egg McMuffin
McDonald’s Breakfast Burrito
McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce
McDonald’s Dipping Sauces
Best McDonald’s McFlurry FlavorsKFC (9)
KFC Fried Chicken Twister
KFC Seasoning
KFC Corn on the Cob
KFC Famous Bowls
KFC Mashed Potatoes
KFC Gravy
KFC Chicken Tenders
KFC Chicken Wings
KFC Double DownStarbucks (19)
Starbucks Iced Coffee
Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha
Starbucks Double Chocolate Brownies
Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Starbucks Coffee Cake
Starbucks Snickerdoodle Latte
Starbucks London Fog
Starbucks Pistachio Latte
Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte
Starbucks Vanilla Syrup
Starbucks Whipped Cream
Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Starbucks Grilled Cheese
Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha
Starbucks Spinach Feta Wrap
Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino
Starbucks Violet Drink
Starbucks Cotton Candy FrappuccinoBurger King (2)
Burger King Hershey’s Sundae Pie
Burger King Original Chicken SandwichWendy’s (1)
Wendy’s Taco SaladPanda Express (3)
Panda Express Beijing Beef
Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken
Panda Express Chow MeinTexas Roadhouse (5)
Texas Roadhouse Green Bean
Texas Roadhouse Prime Rib
Texas Roadhouse Country Fried Chicken
Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles
Texas Roadhouse Ranch DressingCracker Barrel (6)
Cracker Barrel French Toast
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Cracker Barrel Green Beans
Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Cracker Barrel Fried Chicken
Cracker Barrel Chicken TendersWingstop (2)
Wingstop Buffalo Ranch Fries
Louisiana Rub WingstopChick-fil-A, Popeyes & Bojangles (3)
Chick-fil-A Coleslaw
Popeyes Fried Chicken Po Boy
Bojangles BiscuitsOlive Garden, Taco Bell & Mexican chains (6)
Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
Taco Bell Enchirito
Jack In The Box Tacos
Qdoba Queso Dip
Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Chipotle Shrimp TacosDisney parks (4)
Disneyland Mint Julep
Disneyland Corn Dog
Disneyland Churros
Disney Dole WhipArby’s, Whataburger, Sonic & Five Guys (5)
Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce
Whataburger Patty Melt
Arby’s Horsey Sauce
Sonic Cherry Limeade
Five Guys Cajun FriesMore restaurant and store favorites (11)
Wagamama Yaki Soba
Denny’s French Toast
Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee
Costco Pumpkin Pie
Benihana Garlic Butter
Panera Bread Kitchen Sink Cookies
Outback Honey Mustard Dressing
Ruth Chris Stuffed Chicken
Angel Food Smoothie King
Ikea Swedish Meatball
Wagamama RamenHow we make our copycat recipes
Every recipe starts with the restaurant dish itself: what’s in it, how it’s cooked and what makes it recognizable. We build a home version with supermarket ingredients and standard kitchen equipment, then write down the detail that matters most, whether that’s resting the Big Mac sauce overnight, double-strength coffee for iced coffee, or freezing nuggets before frying.
We also correct our recipes when we find a better or safer way. For example, our ground beef recipes now give a thermometer temperature, 160°F (71°C), instead of “until no pink remains”, which is not a reliable test.
Copycat recipe FAQ
Are these the restaurants' official recipes?
No. They are copycat-style recipes, our own versions developed to taste as close as possible to the original. Restaurants keep their exact recipes private.
What is the easiest copycat recipe to start with?
The sauces. Chick-fil-A sauce, Raising Cane's sauce, Burger King Zesty sauce and Red Robin Campfire sauce each take about five to ten minutes and use pantry ingredients.
Is it cheaper to make copycat recipes at home?
Usually, especially for drinks and sauces. Coffee-shop drinks like the Pink Drink and flat white cost a fraction of the café price once you have the basics.
Which copycat recipes have videos?
Forty of the recipes on this page have a step-by-step video on our YouTube channel, marked "▶ Video" on each card.
How do I find a recipe for a specific restaurant?
Use the restaurant buttons at the top of the page to jump straight to McDonald's, KFC, Starbucks, Panda Express and the others.
Delicious
Wow what a lot of great recipes to try.
Thanks Debbie, appreciate the kind words.
Wow that’s my Christmas plans sorted
Good morning
If it’s possible I would to know if you have had to ask authorization to write about famous name.
Thank you
Pierfrancesco from italy
Good morning, Pierfrancesco, and thank you for asking! These are our own homemade recipes inspired by restaurant dishes. We’re not affiliated with any of the brands, and we use their names only to describe the dish each recipe is inspired by.