We all know that preparing our own food is cheaper and healthier, but who doesn't crave a Big Mac or a Krispy Kreme donut every once in a while? Fighting the fast-food cravings is hard, but you don't have to! Learning how to make your favorite restaurant temptations at home is a great way to save money and eat a little bit healthier.
Bloomin’ Onion (Outback Steakhouse)
Make your own variation of the Bloomin’ Onion by slicing a large sweet onion into evenly spaced segments and placing it in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon cayenne, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pour the mixture over the onion and shake the bowl to distribute it. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 eggs, 1 cup whole milk, and a cup of water. Lift the onion out of its bowl with a slotted spoon and submerge it into the milk and egg mixture. Then, pour the rest of the flour mixture over the onion and move it to the refrigerator. Heat a gallon of soy or corn oil in a deep pot over medium-high heat until the deep fry thermometer reads 400 degrees. Carefully lower the onion cut side down into the oil, keeping it around 350 degrees, for about 3 minutes, then turn it over and lower it in for another 3 minutes.
Cheesy Biscuits (Red Lobster)
Red Lobster may be known for its seafood, but most diners know that the fast food chain’s real star is their Cheddar Bay Biscuits. To make a batch of your own, just mix together 2 cups of Bisquick, 2/3 cup of milk, and 1/3 cup of cheddar cheese until a soft dough forms. Drop spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and back for 6-8 minutes at 450 degrees. Once done, brush them with a mixture of 1/2 cup melted butter and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
Breadsticks (Olive Garden)
Those endless breadsticks are impossible to resist at Olive Garden, and now you can have them anytime you want them without leaving your house. Sprinkle a package of dry yeast into 1/4 cup warm water in a the bowl of a mixer, and wait about 5 minutes until it gets foamy. Add 4 1/2 cups flour, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon fine salt, and a little over 1 1/4 cups warm water, then mix for about 5 minutes until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface into a long log, and cut that into 1-2 inch pieces. Knead each piece separately into about 7-inch-long breadsticks and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a cloth and let rise for about 45 minutes, then brush them with melted butter and sprinkle with kosher salt and bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. Combine 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of oregano, and then brush the baked breadsticks with more melted butter and sprinkle them with the spice mix.
Double Double Burger (In-N-Out)
In-N-Out is a fast food staple of the western U.S., but you don’t have to drive there to try its famous burger. Lightly toast both halves of a burger bun face down in a pan, then set aside. Put 1/3 lb of ground beef onto the pan and separate into halves, then press each half into a thin patty. Lightly salt the patties and then flip after 2-3 minutes and immediately place 2 slices of American cheese on each and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Assemble the burger from the bottom up: bottom bun, thousand island dressing, a slice of tomato, a leaf of lettuce, one beef patty with cheese, an onion slice, the other beef patty with cheese, and then the top bun.
Crunch Wrap (Taco Bell)
Taco Bell’s Crunch Wrap is the perfect portable piece of Mexican food deliciousness, and now you can have it anytime. Brown 1 1/3 lbs ground beef in a pan, then add to it 1 1/2 tablespoons masa harina, 4 1/2 teaspoons chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon dried minced onion, and 1/2 teaspoon beef bouillon powder, along with 3/4-1 cup of water. Simmer on medium-low for about 20 minutes until most of the water has cooked away. On a large skillet, place a tortilla and fill it with your beef, a corn tostada shell or broken taco shell, sour cream, lettuce, diced tomato, and taco sauce. Fold the edges of the tortilla up into the center and continue the folds around until you have a hexagon. Brown the tortilla for about 60 seconds on each side.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Panera Bread)
To recreate Panera’s classic broccoli cheddar soup, start by melting 6 tablespoons of butter in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add a chopped onion and cook it for about 5 minutes, then whisk in 1/4 cup of flour, and gradually 2 cups of half-and-half. Then, add 3 cups of chicken broth, 2 bay leaves, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and cook for about 20 minutes until thickened. Add a diced large carrot and 4 cups broccoli florets to the pot and cook for another 20 minutes, then discard the bay leaves and pour into a blender to puree until smooth. Move the soup back to the pot or dutch oven and whisk in 2 1/2 cups shredded white and yellow cheddar cheese until melted. If too thick for your liking, add a bit more water until desired consistency.
Frappuccino (Starbucks)
We all know Starbucks is overpriced, but people will still pay out the nose for those delicious frappuccinos! Well, you don’t have to anymore. In a blender, pour 3/4 cup of cold double-strength coffee, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 cup milk, and 2 cups ice. For a caramel frappuccino, add 3 tablespoons of caramel topping to the blender as well, or for a chocolate frappuccino, add 3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup. Blend on high speed until the ice is crushed and the drink is smooth.
Chicken Sandwich (Chick-fil-A)
Chicken sandwiches are a common meal, but nothing compares to one from Chick-fil-A one. Well, that is, until we cracked the special seasoning the fast food chain uses. Cut 2 chicken breasts in half, then pound the cutlets to 1/8 inch thick patties, and season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Start heating peanut oil in a pot over medium heat, then in a large bowl whisk an egg, 1/2 cup milk, and 2 tablespoons water. In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon malted milk powder, 1 1/4 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, salt and pepper. Dip the chicken cutlets in the egg and milk bowl, then into the flour mixture, and then fry in the peanut oil on medium heat for about 4 minutes.
Frosty (Wendy’s)
Not exactly a milkshake, the Frosty is the chilly sweet treat that everyone gets after a meal at Wendy’s. Luckily, you can make your own Frosty without leaving the house with just three ingredients! Pour a can of condensed milk and 16 oz of Cool Whip into an ice cream freezer. Fill the rest of the freezer with chocolate milk, then stir all the ingredients and turn on the freezer.
Glazed Doughnuts (Krispy Kreme)
To make your own Krispy Kreme-tasting doughnuts, dissolve 1/2 oz yeast into 1/4 cup of warm water in a large bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups of lukewarm milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup shortening, and 2 cups flour to the bowl and then beat for 30 seconds. Beat the mixture more quickly for 2 minutes, and stir in 3 cups of flour until smooth. Cover the dough and let it rise for 50-60 minutes, then roll the dough around lightly on a floured surface and roll the dough 1/2 inch thick and cut it with a doughnut cutter. Cover and let it rise for 30-40 minutes, then fry them in a deep fryer set at 350 degrees for 1 minute on each side. Dip the doughnuts in a mixture of 1/3 cup melted butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and 4-6 tablespoons hot water.
Big Mac (McDonald’s)
Big Macs at McDonald’s may already be cheap, but they’re definitely healthier when you make them yourself. Start making McDonald’s signature sauce by mixing 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons India relish, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and 2 tablespoons thousand island dressing, then let it stand for at least 20 minutes. Next, mix salt into some ground chuck and form it into thin patties. Cook the patties on a griddle at 350 degrees for about 3-4 minutes each side, sprinkling with salt and pepper. Lightly butter the cut side of a bun and toast it on the griddle, allowing an extra bun to toast on both sides. Build the burger from the bottom up: bottom bun, Big Mac sauce, onion slices, lettuce, slice of American cheese, hamburger patty, middle bun, Big Mac sauce, onion, lettuce, patty, pickle slices, top bun.
Cheesy Bread (Domino’s)
Forget the delivery guy, you can make your own version of Domino’s cheesy bread faster than he can ring your doorbell. Flatten a roll of Pillsbury French bread into a large rectangle on a cookie sheet. Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt to 1/4 cup melted butter, then brush over the top and bottom of the dough. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of corn meal on each side. On the top, put 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, 1 cup Mexican blend cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon parsley. Bake according to the Pillsbury packaging, then remove and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese on top. Wait a minute or two for the parmesan to set, then cut into slices and enjoy.
Potato Wedges (KFC)
Fries are nice, but KFC steals the show in fast food sides with its potato wedges. Preheat shortening to 375 degrees, then mix an egg and a cup of milk in a big bowl, and in a separate big bowl, combine a cup of flour, 2 tablespoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon msg, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, and a dash of garlic powder. Cut potatoes into wedges, and then put them in the milk and egg bowl, then coat in the flour mixture bow, and finally fry in the shortening for 8-10 minutes.
Orange Milkshake (Orange Julius)
Get that Orange Julius taste you love whenever you want. Add a can of orange juice concentrate, 1 cup of water, 1 cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup ice into a blender. Blend until smooth.
Frozen Yogurt (Pinkberry)
The froyo craze is still huge, as it should be since the satisfying treat is both delicious and healthy. But if you don’t want to pay by the ounce at Pinkberry, you can save a lot of money by making your own frozen yogurt. Whisk together 2 cups of plain whole-milk yogurt, 2 cups plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup superfine sugar, and 3 tablespoons corn syrup. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze. Serve with assorted toppings directly from the ice cream maker for a soft consistency, or firm it up a bit by freezing it in a covered container for 2 hours.
Chili (Wendy’s)
Wendy’s is one of the few fast food restaurants to sell chili, and it’s definitely one of the best. Make your own batch by browning 2 pounds of ground beef in a skillet and putting it into a large pot. To the pot, add in 1 quart of tomato juice, 1 can of tomato puree, 1 can of red beans, 1 can of pinto beans, 1 chopped onion, 1/2 cup diced celery, 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper, 1/4 cup chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Cover the pot and let it simmer for a little over an hour, stirring periodically.
Spinach Artichoke Dip (Applebees)
One of the best appetizers at Applebees is the hot and creamy spinach artichoke dip. Make your own batch by combining a 10 oz box of chopped spinach, a 14 oz can of chopped artichoke hearts, 1 cup of shredded parmesan-romano cheese mix, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 10 oz alfredo sauce, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and 4 oz cream cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
