19 Fast Food Copycat Recipes You Need To Recreate Your Favorites At Home

Going out for fast food can be such a satisfying treat, but doing it too often can have a serious impact on your wallet, not to mention your health. Most of us assume that we could never emulate the indulgent treats served in popular restaurants and cafes, but that is often not the case.

To help you skip the drive-through queue and make your favorite fast food treats at home, we've rounded up some of the best copycat recipes that can be whipped up in your home kitchen. From cheeseburgers to sweet pastries and milkshakes, these DIY recipes allow you to enjoy the flavors of some classic fast food items, without even leaving the house. Whether your budget refuses to allow you another trip to Starbucks, or you just want to have more control over what goes into your food, we have you covered. Let's take a look at 19 fast food copycat recipes that will allow you to recreate some of your favorite fast food dishes at home.

If you've got a craving for Chicken Bellagio from The Cheesecake Factory, why not try making your own delicious version at home? Featuring breaded chicken, savory prosciutto, and a creamy sauce, it is the ultimate indulgence that won't take too much effort to recreate.

The trick to recreating the original is to make sure the intense flavors are all balanced beautifully, while also creating the contrast of texture between the crispy chicken and the silky sauce. Fresh arugula is added on top providing a burst of vibrance as you tuck in.

Recipe: Copycat Cheesecake Factory Chicken Bellagio

There's nothing like starting the day with a comforting Sausage McGriddle and making your own version can save you a lot of money. Not to mention the effort of heading out to the drive-thru first thing in the morning.

Buttermilk pancakes flavored with maple syrup are the perfect contrast for the rich, meaty homemade patty. Cheese is optional (but definitely recommended) and the silky egg omelet adds texture to the dish that takes it to another level. It's the ideal hearty brunch for a lazy weekend.

Recipe: McDonald's Copycat Homemade Sausage McGriddle

Is there anything better than a creamy McDonald's Caramel Frappé? Yes, actually, a copycat version that you can make at home, allowing you to control exactly what goes into it. From how sweet it is to how much caffeine it contains this is a fast food drink that can be tailored to your taste.

To perfect the texture of the drink, the recipe uses a little xanthan gum to make it resemble the original as closely as possible. A quick spin of all the ingredients in the blender and your morning pick me up will be ready.

Recipe: DIY Creamy McDonald's Caramel Frappe

When you desperately need a delicious chicken meal with more than a pinch of spice, this Chipotle Honey Chicken fakeaway meal will hit the spot. The heat comes from chipotle peppers, which balance the sweetness of the honey nicely, while oregano, cumin, and rice vinegar add complexity to the overall flavor.

The homemade version of this dish can be easily customized with black beans, avocado, or white rice. Serve the accompaniments in the middle of the table to allow everyone to assemble their preferred combination.

Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Honey Chicken

Starbucks' Bacon & Gruyère Egg Bites are a delicious protein option, but they are not so good for your wallet. Fortunately, they are very simple to make at home, and you can upgrade them with your favorite ingredients.

Eggs, bacon, cream, and three types of cheese are the main ingredients, and both the eggs and the cottage cheese get blended thoroughly to create a light, airy texture. Once all the ingredients have been prepared, they are poured into muffin cups and baked.

Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Bacon And Gruyère Egg Bites

If you're a fan of Panera, and in particular its pastries, then this homemade pecan braid is going to blow your taste buds. It has everything that makes the original so irresistible: toasted pecans, maple syrup, nutmeg, and cinnamon, to name a few.

The braided shape is easier to master than you may think, and you can use store-bought puff pastry to make things even easier. You can add as much sweetness as you like to make sure it hits the right spot, before tucking in and enjoying the indulgence.

Recipe: Elevated Panera Bread Pecan Braid

Shake Shack's Cheeseburger is hard to beat, but you can make a pretty good copycat version at home and save a packet in the process. This smash burger keeps the ingredients minimal: quality beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and American cheese make up the burger, while a Shack Sauce topping with mustard, ketchup, mayo, and dill pickle amps up flavor.

The thin patty crisps as it cooks, and the cheese will melt when you add it, creating the most wonderful, gooey experience. The best thing is that it all happens in the comfort of your home.

Recipe: Shake Shack's Classic Cheeseburger

If you're a big fan of Trader Joe's zingy Bruschetta Sauce, you'll be delighted to know that you can recreate it easily at home. The recipe may officially take 45 minutes, but much of that is hands-off time while it chills, so this is a low effort dish, with no cooking required.

The tomatoes are of course the star, so make sure you choose delicious, sweet varieties to make this bruschetta topping reminiscent of the original. Seasonings include garlic, fresh basil, salt and pepper, and the unique twist comes from white balsamic vinegar.

Recipe: Copycat Trader Joe's Bruschetta Sauce

Grilled cheese is a favorite option for a casual lunch at a coffee shop. Starbucks' version is particularly good, but it's easy to recreate at home without the inflated price tag.

Cheese features in abundance in this recipe, with cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan all making an appearance, with the latter incorporated into the butter for extra umami goodness. Sourdough bread gives the grilled cheese sandwich a wonderful texture and tang, and once toasted, the whole thing is a gooey, savory delight that is just as good as the original.

Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Grilled Cheese

If enormous cookies are your thing, then this Crumble-inspired chocolate cookie will keep you happy. The classic flavor is simple but packed with sweetness, and the soft texture means it's very easy to enjoy one (or two) as an indulgent snack.

Making these cookies at home leaves it up to you how much sugar or chocolate chips go into the recipe. In less than half an hour, you will have ridiculously tasty warm cookies emerging from the oven, at a fraction of the price of the original version.

Recipe: Elevated Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie

For milkshake fans, Wendy's Chocolate Frosty is the perfect balance of shake and ice cream, with a dash of malty flavor to give it a distinctive edge. Making one at home is incredibly straightforward, and the nostalgic comfort it brings is more than worth the effort.

To make the shake, all you need is some high-quality vanilla ice cream, a bottle of whole milk, and another nostalgic treat — Nesquik chocolate powder. The ingredients get whizzed up in a blender then poured into a tall glass to serve.

Recipe: Copycat Wendy's Chocolate Frosty

Kewpie mayo is the star of Japanese snacks. It's distinguished for its distinctive flavor that's quite different from other mayonnaise brands. Kewpie is made with egg yolks, rice vinegar, vegetable oil, and MSG as the ultimate umami ingredient.

As long as you work patiently, you can easily make your own version of this Japanese hit at home, blending the ingredients together while slowly adding the oil into the mixture. It can then be enjoyed on sandwiches, served with sushi, or simply used as a delicious dip for fries.

Recipe: Copycat Kewpie Mayo

If you can't decide between a croissant and an apple pie when pastry time comes round, Starbucks has decided you don't need to. Its Baked Apple Croissant combines the two perfectly, and you can even make it at home.

Your kitchen will smell amazing as you cook the apples in cinnamon and vanilla, and store-bought puff pastry means that advanced baking skills are not required. The delightful filling gets tucked into the pastry, and after 20 minutes, you can dive into these delicious snacks in the comfort of your kitchen.

Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Baked Apple Croissant

For chicken done properly, Nando's is a great option with its succulent chicken dishes and the perfect amount of spicy heat. The peri-peri chicken sandwich packs a big flavor punch, and it's one of the dishes you can easily recreate at home.

Using chicken thighs means the meat will be extra moist, and making your own peri-peri sauce to use as a marinade doesn't take long. Once the chicken is pan fried, stack it on top of soft buns with tomatoes and onions and enjoy!

Recipe: Copycat Nando's Peri Peri Chicken Sandwich

Getting a tasty caffeine hit in the morning is crucial for many of us, and Starbucks' Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is a brilliant way to do so. If stopping at the coffee shop on the way to work isn't an option, you can bring the delicious flavors into your own kitchen instead.

You don't need much for this recipe: espresso, oat milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Just make sure you have ice in the freezer. The ingredients are shaken together, then you can take the first, satisfying morning sip.

Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

If you want to start your day with a dose of antioxidants that tastes as great as a fast food shake, try this copycat recipe for the McDonald's Grimace Shake. The purple color remains, but the ingredients are far fresher, creating vibrant flavor and creamy texture.

Making the shake couldn't be easier: Scoop vanilla ice cream and combine with raspberries, blueberries, and some blue spirulina into a blender and then mix until it is thick and creamy. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles and enjoy a refreshing and indulgent drink that feels healthier than its fast food counterpart.

Recipe: DIY Deluxe Grimace Shake

If you love a flavor-packed appetizer before your steak, then Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites may well be on your favorites list. Luckily, these fiery morsels can be made at home, allowing you to enjoy this mouthwatering snack without a trip to the steakhouse.

Two types of cheese help to balance the heat from the jalapeños, paprika, and cayenne, and the fish fry coating will ensure a satisfying crunch when you bite in. Once the bite-sized balls are formed, a few minutes of frying will turn them into the crispy, spicy bites we all love.

Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

Crispy Dragon Shrimp from Red Lobster is a firm favorite with shellfish fans — plump, juicy shrimp coated with just the right balance of sweet and spicy. Making your own copycat version isn't difficult, and it has all the same enticing flavors that make the original so popular.

Shrimps are dipped in buttermilk and then get coated in seasoned flour mix before they are tossed in sizzling oil. The sauce combines sweet chili sauce, garlic powder, sriracha, and mayonnaise, to create a beautifully balanced accompaniment to drizzle over the top.

Recipe: Copycat Red Lobster Crispy Dragon Shrimp

As fast food breakfasts go, Taco Bell Breakfast Crunchwrap is a very satisfying option. This copycat version allows you to start the day in the tastiest fashion without even leaving the house.

If you regularly make a cooked breakfast you may have all the ingredients needed in your fridge and pantry. Bacon, hash browns, eggs, and cheddar make up the filling that gets wrapped in a flour tortilla. While the ingredients cook, you can throw together the sauce in under a minute, then assemble everything to recreate the perfect brunch dish.

Recipe: Copycat Taco Bell Breakfast Crunchwrap