30 Most Popular Copycat Recipes of All Time (2024)

Clone of a Cinnabon

Thousands of five-star reviews can't be wrong — these may not be Cinnabon, but these cinnamon rolls are worth lining up for. This recipe is written for a bread machine, but you definitely don't have to use one to prepare the dough. Simply dissolve the yeast in warm milk in a large bowl and knead into a large ball while your hands are dusted with flour. Refrigerate for one hour or until the dough doubles in size, and then continue as written.

Restaurant-Style Buffalo Chicken Wings

There's no reason to go to a chain restaurant or sports bar when you can make the same delicious wings right at home. If you plan on breading your wings, you absolutely should not skip refrigerating them for 60-90 minutes. Otherwise, they won't be sticky.

Super-Delicious Zuppa Toscana

Just try to resist this soup that tastes just like (if not better than) one from a very popular chain restaurant. This particular recipe calls for spinach since it's easier to find, but you can easily substitute kale instead.

Sweet Restaurant Slaw

You know the kind of cole slaw we're talking about — creamy and sweet, just like the cole slaw at fried chicken and fish restaurants. "I just made this coleslaw for a big cookout that I am hosting tomorrow and I had to rate this right away," says community member Wendy fore. "It is delicious! I haven't even chilled it for the 2 hours and it is so good! I can't wait to share it with my friends and family."

Aussie Chicken

This chicken recipe is a dead ringer for Outback Steakhouse's Alice Springs Chicken and is a definite keeper. Sautéed mushrooms, cheese, bacon, and a homemade honey mustard sauce take chicken breasts to an entirely new level.

Asian Lettuce Wraps

These homemade lettuce wraps rival what you'd have at a restaurant and add some fun to entertaining or a family-style meal. Feel free to play around and try a different type of filling, such as pork, chicken, or even a plant-based meat alternative.

To Die For Fettuccine Alfredo

Creator ERINMARIE got this recipe from her Italian mother, and community members say it's just as good as, or better than Olive Garden's version. It's rich and delicious, and even reheats well. Enjoy it as written, or pair it with chicken or seafood for a hearty meal.

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

These cheesy and rich biscuits rival a certain seafood chain's and are ready in minutes — what's not to love? Add a dash of Old Bay to the batter and you've pretty much got the real thing.

Copycat Panera® Broccoli Cheddar Soup

There's no reason to make a Panera run when you can make their famous Broccoli Cheddar Soup right at home. Everything comes together in a little over an hour and all the ingredients are household staples — you can even get creative and try different types of cheese and veggies.

Southwestern Egg Rolls

If you like the Southwestern Egg Rolls from Chili's, give this copycat version a try. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, or make your own — community members are especially fond of this cilantro cream sauce.

Mall Pretzels

There's no pretzel like the big, chewy ones you can find at the mall — until now. Play around with seasonings like garlic salt and cinnamon sugar to create different flavors. Be sure to line your sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and don't bake them on the lowest rack in your oven or they might burn.

Honey Glazed Ham

This holiday season, skip the Honey Baked Ham trip and make your own succulent ham at home for a much lower price. This recipe's secret weapon is the homemade glaze, which only needs three ingredients (if you don't care for corn syrup, try brown sugar instead). Even people who aren't huge on ham will love this.

Crispy and Creamy Doughnuts

Look no further for the perfect glazed doughnut recipe — it's right here. These doughnuts taste exactly like the ones from a certain doughnut chain. They're a little time-consuming, but just one bite will make you realize they're well worth the effort.

Jimmy's Mexican Pizza

Taco Bell broke our hearts when they axed Mexican pizza last year, but thankfully, this homemade version exists and it's even better. Be sure to use your favorite brand of salsa, since much of the pizza's flavor comes from that crucial ingredient.

Truck-Stop Buttermilk Pancakes

"My husband has always told me how much he loved the pancakes at a favorite diner that he visited as a child," says community member KimberMc. "He called them "flapjacks", and described them as a thinner, firmer and more flavorful version of traditional pancakes. I have repeatedly tried and failed to duplicate them for him, UNTIL NOW!! These are it!! I made them a few weeks ago for the first time, and he was ecstatic!! He has requested them every weekend since!!"

Lime Cilantro Rice

If you can't get enough of Chipotle's rice, then you should definitely try re-creating it at home. It's easy and delicious, but not overly flavorful, and comes together in 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight or taco night staple.

Just Like Wendy's® Chili

"I can't tell you how many chili recipes I've tried in the past. This is hands-down my favorite and will definitely be part of the "regular" meal planning rotation," says community member Mesa Mom. "Perfect for my busy-wife-and-mommy life! Great for the slow cooker: I browned the ground beef for about 8 or so minutes on the stove and dumped everything into the pot w/out sautéing anything else. Super easy!"

Honey Walnut Shrimp

This honey walnut shrimp has all the goodness of a certain restaurant's version and comes together in just 30 minutes. If you can't find mochiko (glutinous rice flour), corn starch will work just as well.

Cream Filled Cupcakes

Hostess cupcakes are good; homemade cream-filled cupcakes are better and don't contain any suspicious ingredients. The light and sweet filling is what really stands out here, so you should at least save it for any occasion that calls for cream filling.

Steakhouse Wheat Bread for the Bread Machine

If you're at a loss over where to start with your bread machine, start with these steakhouse-style mini loaves. They're fantastic whether you use them as sandwich buns or dinner rolls. Don't try to use white flour instead of bread flour; otherwise, the recipe won't work.

Blooming Onion and Dipping Sauce

Take your sports viewing shindig to the next level with this homemade riff on Outback Steakhouse's most iconic dish. Getting the shape right is a little tricky, but if you're especially committed try a tool like the Great American Steakhouse Onion Machine.

Babe Ruth Bars

Try your hand at homemade candy with this no-bake copycat Baby Ruth recipe. Community members had the best results with extra creamy peanut buffer and Kellogg's cornflakes. For easier execution, you can also roll the dough into balls and dip them in melted chocolate instead of cutting the dried mixture into bars.

Starbucks® Caramel Frappuccino Copycat Recipe

Enjoy a refreshing caramel Frappuccino without having to make a drive-thru run in the morning, or anytime you want. Don't forget the caramel drizzle and the whipped cream!

Costas French Market Doughnuts (Beignets)

If you can't make it to New Orleans, these copycat beignets are the next best thing. They're light and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and best of all, this recipe yields a massive amount of beignets.

Spinach Alfredo Sauce (Better than Olive Garden®)

Everyone will rave over this rich and creamy spinach Alfredo sauce that will seriously upgrade any pasta or chicken dinner. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add more cream cheese. To keep the Olive Garden vibes strong, serve with breadsticks and salad.

Cream of Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Don't let soup season slip by without making this creamy and hearty soup. It's delicious and inexpensive, and everything comes together in 45 minutes total, but you can make it even easier with leftover or shredded rotisserie chicken.

Giant Ding Dong Cake

A little snack cake is good, but a gigantic one, like this giant Ding-Dong cake, is even better. Many community members recommend making a two-layer cake and spreading the cream in the middle rather than digging out the center of the cake — for a dish this size, it makes much more sense.

Green Bean Fries

This copycat recipe brings all the goodness of TGI Friday's green bean fries right to your kitchen. Make a huge batch ahead of time and freeze them for whenever you need to upgrade your appetizers.

Italian Subs - Restaurant Style

If you aren't near any mom-and-pop Italian spots or pizza joints, fear not — we've got the same subs right here. Try toasting or broiling the sandwich before adding the salad mixture and pickles to capture that deli feeling.

Copycat Bang Bang® Shrimp

You don't have to splurge on Bonefish when you can make their best dish right at home. Eat them as-is or incorporate them into other dishes like salads and tacos.

More Inspiration:

• All copycat recipes
• 16 Amazing Copycat Recipes of Your Favorite Fast Foods
• 12 Copycat Chick-fil-A Recipes That Rival the Real Thing