From McDonald's to Chick-Fil-A, here's how to get all the flavor without all the calories.
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Top photo: Domestic Superhero
Bottom photo: The Cookful
If you don't already own an air fryer, these recipes might make you change your mind about that.
New Line Cinema, Michelle No/BuzzFeed
The air fryer is an interesting kitchen contraption that circulates super hot dry air so that your foods taste fried but without all the grease. As an added bonus, they're way less messy than deep fryers and will work on frozen foods as well as fresh. You can find them starting around $50–$60 on Walmart. If you're interested in purchasing one, be sure to read our in-depth review.
1. Copycat McDonald's French Fries
2. Copycat Chili's Boneless Buffalo Wings
A promising review of the recipe: "This is the first recipe I tried in my new air fryer and it was wonderful. So much easier and cleaner than frying."
3. Copycat KFC Buttermilk Biscuits
If you haven't tried baking in your air fryer yet, this is the perfect recipe to experiment with.
4. Copycat Bloomin' Onion
It's the classic bloomin' onion you know and love, made popular by restaurants like Outback Steakhouse.
Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Bloomin' Onion
And if you do want to indulge a little, Tasty's got the deep-fryer version here.
5. Copycat Taco Bell Crunch Wraps
Hot tip from the creator of this recipe: "To reheat, just toss it back in the air fryer for a few minutes making sure to flip it half way through."
6. Copycat KFC Potato Wedges
These wedges taste just like the real thing, and go through a similar process of breading using flour, eggs, and milk.
7. Copycat Chick-Fil-A Nuggets
If you weren't already convinced that you need to make this recipe, the recipe creator says: "This copycat Chick-Fil-A nuggets recipe came out amazing, and was done in less than 20 minutes!"
8. Cheesecake Factory Avocado Southwest Egg Rolls Dupe
Shockingly, these rolls are only 126 calories apiece. Be sure to make the dip because according to the recipe creator "what really puts these egg rolls over the top is the dip. Seriously, it is SO GOOD. Made with cool, smooth California avocados, sour cream, and nonfat Greek yogurt, this is a dip that really delivers."
Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Cheesecake Factory Avocado Southwest Egg Rolls
9. Copycat Popcorn Chicken
Quite possibly the most kid-friendly thing you can make in an air fryer.
10. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles
Make sure your pickles are as dry as possible before cooking them.
11. Copycat Wingstop Fries
This recipe contains a great tip about how to cut your fries in preparation for the air fryer: "Start by washing the potatoes and drying off with a paper towel. Then cut one end (just the tip) of the potato off so you can stand it up vertically without it rolling all over the place. After the potato is upright, slice from top to bottom 4-5 times depending on how thin you’d like your fries to be."
Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Wingstop Fries
12. Copycat Applebee's Mozzarella Sticks
From Fork To Spoon: "This was one of great Superbowl (Super Bowl) Snacks that we had this past Sunday, they were amazing, and they do require some hands-off time, freezing, but they are so worth the extra time, if you have been purchasing the TGIF’s one in the freezer case, save some time over the weekend, and make these. You will not be disappointed with the results."
13. Copycat Starbucks Blueberry Muffins
Make 'em while blueberries are still on sale.
14. Copycat Popeye's Fried Chicken
This recipe results in surprisingly crispy chicken skin with that cajun spice we all know and love from Popeye's, thanks to the Old Bay seasoning.
15. Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries
Secret to this recipe: you want to season before cooking to really bake in the flavor.
16. Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl
According to the recipe creator, "The easy secret ingredient to achieving a copycat Chipotle meal is Chipotle Adobo sauce, also known as Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce. It comes in a small, 7-ounce can, and is easily found at any grocery store."
17. Copycat Krispy Kreme Donuts
They might turn out a little heavier than the Krispy Kremes you're used to, but they'll satisfy the cravings while saving you hundreds if not thousands of calories.
18. Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp
Bang Bang shrimp is a dish served at various restaurants like Bonefish Grill. The secret is in the sauce, and making it with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise to lower the calories and fat without sacrificing taste.
