Make Copycat Convenience Foods at Home For Less Than Frozen and Packaged Options

DIYing convenience foods is a cost-cutting way to save time, energy, and money – not to mention controlling what goes into each dish! Plus you’ll avoid preservatives found in many store-bought packaged foods!

These copycat recipes for fried chicken, pasta sauce, pizza and more will have you ditching the drive-thru in favor of making food at home!

Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets

Chick-fil-A’s nuggets are among the most beloved menu items at their restaurants. Boasting juicy insides and crispy exteriors, they’re loved by families everywhere. Now, thanks to DIY recipe kits available online, making your own chicken nuggets is easier and much less costly than going through their drive-thru service! Just gather together some basic ingredients such as dill pickle juice, milk, egg, flour and powdered sugar!

Mix the batter in a gallon-size ziplock bag, then combine with cubed chicken. Refrigerate overnight. Once the chicken has marinated, simply shake and cook in batches before topping with your choice of dipping sauces – such as tangy ketchup, sweet barbecue sauce or honey mustard!

Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Salad Dressing

Making your own green goddess salad dressing allows you to control its ingredients and enhance almost any meal! Try it drizzled over salad, as a dip for veggies or chicken or quinoa salads, tacos or even sandwiches!

Avocado is the star ingredient in this recipe, lending it a silky smooth mouthfeel and bright herbal taste. All the other ingredients are kitchen staples – simply blend everything to a creamy consistency for maximum storage for up to 5 days in your refrigerator!

Hot Pocket Pizza

Just like handheld calzones or pizza slices, homemade hot pockets make an easy and filling meal on busy weeknights or can make for an irresistibly delicious snack – filled with tasty ingredients that even picky eaters won’t turn down! They’re loaded with flavorful fillings!

Make hot pockets your way, using real food ingredients – from ham and cheese, steak and provolone or even breakfast hot pockets made with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage! Brushing them lightly with lightly beaten egg gives them a delicious golden brown crust for extra durability.

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Homemade sweet ketchup glaze recreates that iconic Cracker Barrel flavor and sticky, tangy finish we all adore – making it the ideal recipe to prepare in advance and even freeze!

Ritz crackers are key to recreating Cracker Barrel-inspired texture; their buttery soft texture sets it apart from breadcrumbs. Eggs and milk add moisture for an uncrumbleable loaf when cutting; sharp cheddar cheese adds both flavor and melty goodness!

Woodfired garlic powder adds an intoxicating note that’s absolutely irresistible, while balsamic vinegar gives depth and balance to the sweet ketchup glaze.

Homemade Tater Tots

Potato-based crowd favorites can be easily made at home within minutes. Doing it yourself saves money and gives you control over which ingredients go into them.

Russet potatoes, flour, salt and pepper will suffice, although you could experiment with adding other toppings such as cheddar cheese, chives or bacon for an innovative take on this classic dish.

Peel and shred potatoes using either a box grater or food processor, drain and squeeze out any excess water, mix shredded potatoes with flour and seasonings, and shape into tater tots with your hands before frying in batches making sure not to overcrowd your pan.

Homemade Ketchup

Homemade ketchup is easy, delicious and much healthier than store-bought varieties! Plus, its nutritional profile stands up well as it contains concentrated tomatoes and vinegar – not to mention counting as a serving of veggies!

This recipe contains no high fructose corn syrup, making it an excellent way to cut back on carbohydrates. Feel free to sweeten with sugar or molasses if desired for extra taste!

This easy recipe works great with all sorts of dishes, such as Air Fryer Onion Rings, Burgers or even Breakfast Eggs!

Onion Rings

There’s something immensely satisfying about devouring an abundance of golden onion rings; they make the ideal side for an indulgent burger or cozy night in.

Homemade chips can cost less and contain far less oil than their frozen or packaged alternatives, just by using parchment paper and cooking spray on your baking sheet before coating. Bake them in your oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again, until golden-brown and crispy!

Make use of a candy or instant digital thermometer (affiliate link) to accurately monitor oil temperatures and prevent overcooking, and slice onions thinly for additional structure and bite.