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Lifestyle

Tell Us Your Favorite Fast Food, and We’ll Tell You How to Make It At Home

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Montclair chapter.

Sometimes (usually) buying it is just way easier than making it…whatever it is. That’s just reality, and is what really started fast food and the drive thru. We get them because they’re quick and convenient ways to get food when we’re hungry. All we really need to do is take our $$, get in the car, and go. Sometimes, though, our bank account says no…so we just have to make our favorite fast foods at home. So here are some copycat recipes for the favorite fast food items that you might usually crave when you’re hungry, on a budget or just feeling adventurous. 

Chick-fil-A

So, here are some copycat recipes for the favorite fast food items that you might usually crave when you’re hungry, on a budget, or just feeling adventurous. Go, you.

Fast Food meat sandwich
Kelly Redfield

Nowadays when you’re feeling a chicken sandwich, you immediately want to go to the nearest Chick-fil-A to satisfy the craving. Now, you can make your own Chick-fil-A sandwich and be a happy chick or make their nuggets instead. You might as well make the sauce too. It might take some time, but what else are you going to eat on a Sunday when they’re closed?

Wendy’s Frosty

Fast Food milk coffee
Katherine Baker

This recipe is so quick. You could make the frosty and finish it in 5 minutes, which is definitely quicker than you getting in your car and driving to the nearest drive thru. You can literally make your frosty with 3 ingredients and enjoy it without all the nasty calories. #Winning.

ShakeShack Burger

Fast Food cheese beef
Elisa Djuhar

Craving the ShakeShack Burger and its flava-ful sauce? Skip the lines and make your own ShakeShack Burger at home. This recipe is made to serve eight, so you can be a doll and make dinner for your fam bam, or friends, too.

Starbucks Frappuccino

Fast Food chocolate sweet

Starbucks ain’t cheap, especially if you’re buying frappes everyday. Here are 4 frappuccinos recipes you’ll want to make this season. Or if you’d rather treat yourself to something else, go and try making one of these Starbucks recipes that will save the bank instead.

McDonalds Egg McMuffin

If you love the breakfast Egg McMuffins, you can skip the drive-thru tomorrow morning. Who knows what’s really in those eggs you order at the fast food chain anyway. Save yourself the time, hassle, calories and money of the all day breakfast. With so few ingredients, you can make your own and customize it how you like it – make it with the oven or with a pan.

Food near Yale bun bread
Alex Frank

If you’d rather have a Big-Mac, you can make your own at home in just 20 mins! I mean if you’re hungry and crunched on time, 20 minutes to prep and cook isn’t really ideal, but it’ll probably take you 20 minutes to drive to Mickey D’s and get your food anyway. This Big Mac recipe might be your go-to when you’re broke and craving the burger. Not only is it healthier to make it yourself, but you’ll save a few bucks and get that craving satisfied too. #SortaWinning

#SpoonTip If you don’t like the Big Mac, don’t settle, make McDonald’s Pico Guacamole Burger instead.

This Big Mac recipe might be your go-to when you’re broke and craving the burger. Not only is it healthier to make it yourself, but you’ll save a few bucks and get that craving satisfied too. #SortaWinning

Taco Bell

Fast Food sandwich cheese
Katie Elliott

Spice up your Tuesday Taco night with these Taco Bell Double Deckers. This recipe is easy and ideal for nights you’d rather stay in. If tacos aren’t your thing, make the Crunchwrap supreme instead. You really can’t go wrong. 

In-N-Out Fries

what is thousand island dressing sauce pasta
Nicole Albanese

Ever try Animal-Style Fries from In-N-Out? Me neither, but that’s only because I’ve never left the East Coast…but I hear the sauce is everything. These fries are on the “secret menu” that’s really not so secret. If you haven’t been to the West Coast yet to try them, or if you have and now are drooling at the thought of it, we got you. You can make these fries at home or even at your dinning hall.

Chipotle Burrito Bowls + Guac

Fast Food vegetable salad
Santina Renzi

Craving Chipotle on the daily? Same. You can make your usual burrito bowl in a mason jar if you’re on the go, or make the Sofrita Bowl at home, if you’re feeling vegan and have only 10 minutes.

#SpoonTip for my guac fans: Chipotle released their official guacamole recipe, and it’s easier than you think. 

DQ Cookie Dough Blizzard

If you’ve ever had a blizzard, then you’ve probably tried to flip it upside down. You can’t find a DQ everywhere you go, but good thing you can make your own Cookie Dough Blizzard without having to leave your house.

White Castle Sliders

Make these cute copycat sliders at the comfort of your own kitchen. Add the Good Burger secret sauce (that’s not so secret anymore) to the burgers for the perfect addition and slide them right into your mouth.  

Disclaimer: If you’re a 90s kid like me, you might love this.

Ramen Burger

Sophomore Slump ramen beef
Jenny Seidman

Okay, so I know this Ramen Burger isn’t really what you call “fast food”, but I thought it was my duty to incorporate its recipe in this roundup. No need to wait 30-45mins in the line at Smorgasburg, we got you covered. You can make your own Ramen Burger in 15 minutes!

While some of these recipes will save you time and money, others will give you something to do. You might notice I left out a popular from this list..

Since Pizza is a popular fave, there are way too many ways to improvise and make yourself a slice…or pie. Just in case, for those who might need it, here’s a 3-ingredient pizza that’ll never fail you. Bon appetit! 

Soha Rahimi

Montclair '18

If I didn't take a picture of it, did I really eat it !?