Animal Style Fries (In-N-Out Copycat)

I LOVE Animal Style Fries from In-N-Out and today we have a simple and VERY close copycat recipe for you all! I swear these taste just like the real thing, except we make things a little easier by using store-bought frozen shoestring fries (that aren’t kennebec fries), instead of making our own. If you’re a fan of In-N-Out’s animal style fries or you’ve never had the chance to try them, we promise you will not…

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Animal style fries on a baking sheet.

I LOVE Animal Style Fries from In-N-Out and today we have a simple and VERY close copycat recipe for you all! I swear these taste just like the real thing, except we make things a little easier by using store-bought frozen shoestring fries (that aren’t kennebec fries), instead of making our own.

If you’re a fan of In-N-Out’s animal style fries or you’ve never had the chance to try them, we promise you will not be disappointed by our recipe! It’s so easy to make and absolutely delicious! It’s the perfect snack to enjoy while watching a movie or to serve up on any game day.

What Are Animal Style Fries?

Animal style fries is a menu item from In-N-Out’s (not so) secret menu and it consists of their French fries topped with cheese, their spread and diced grilled onions.

We’ve made ours just like they serve them up at In-N-Out for maximum copycat deliciousness!

How to Make Animal Style Fries

Ingredients

Process

Caramelized Onions

  1. Melt butter in a large pan, over medium-low heat. Add onions.
  2. Sweat onions until softened and translucent, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in sugar.
Onions cooking in a skillet for animal style fries.
Onions cooking in a skillet with butter.
  1. Raise heat to medium and continue to cook onions, stirring frequently, until onions have darkened and caramelized, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Caramelized onions in a skillet.

Spread

  1. Combine all ingredients into a bowl.
  2. Whisk together. Set aside.
Special spread in a bowl to make animal style fries.
Animal style fries special spread in a bowl.

Assembly

  1. Preheat oven to 400˚F. Spread frozen French fries onto a baking sheet, in a single layer. Bake French fries until crisp and lightly browned 2 to 26 minutes.
  2. Remove fries from oven, lower oven temperature to 350˚F, and top fries with cheese slices.
Fries on a baking sheet after they have been cooked.
Fries with cheese slices on top ready to be baked in the oven.
  1. Place fries back into the oven and bake for about 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts.
  2. Top fries with a generous drizzle of spread and a sprinkle of caramelized onions. Serve animal style fries immediately.
Cheese melted on a baking sheet with fries.
Animal style fries on a baking sheet with cheese and spread on top.
Animal style fries on a baking sheet with dressing on the side.

Why This is the BEST Copycat Animal Style Fries Recipe

  • We keep things very simple and don’t try to deviate from the original, otherwise what would be the point of a copycat recipe, right?
  • We make ours on a sheet pan to ensure each french fry gets smothered in all the toppings!
  • We use store-bought frozen french fries. After all, we are trying to keep things as easy as possible!
Animal style fries on a baking sheet up close.

Tips and Tricks for Success

  • Use American cheese. Although it’s not for everyone, it’s what they use and really helps to capture the true flavors of animal style fries.
  • Use store-bought frozen french fries to save a ton of time (rather than making your own french fries).
  • Don’t rush caramelizing the onions. You really want to give the onions time to properly caramelize to get that slightly sweet flavor.
  • Save some spread to serve on the side along with ketchup!

Variations

  • Add pickle chips to the top of the fries.
  • Drizzle some ketchup and/or yellow mustard over the top.
  • Add some sliced pepperoncinis or sliced pickled jalapeños for a kick.
  • If you prefer a cheese sauce topping to a melted cheese topping, top the animal style fries with our delicious cheese sauce recipe instead.
Animal style fries on a baking sheet served on plates.

More Delicious Snack Recipes You Will Love

Animal style fries on a baking sheet with dressing on the side.
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Animal Style Fries (In-N-Out Copycat)

A copycat recipe for In-N-Out Animal Style Fries that we promise taste just like the original! Our recipe is easy and highly addictive! You won't be able to stop snacking on these tasty loaded, oven baked french fries!
Servings 6
Calories 836kcal

Ingredients

caramelized onions

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste

copycat secret spread

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 7 tablespoons ketchup
  • 5 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

sheet pan fries

  • 30 ounces frozen shoe string french fries
  • 8 slices American cheese

Instructions

caramelized onions

  • Melt butter in a large pan, over medium-low heat. Add onions.
  • Sweat onions until softened and translucent, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in sugar.
  • Raise heat to medium and continue to cook onions, stirring frequently, until onions have darkened and caramelized, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

spread

  • Combine all ingredients into a bowl and whisk together. Set aside.

Assembly

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F. Spread frozen French fries onto a baking sheet, in a single layer. Bake French fries until crisp and lightly browned 2 to 26 minutes.
  • Remove fries from oven, lower oven temperature to 350˚F, and top fries with cheese slices.
  • Place fries back into the oven and bake for about 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts.
  • Top fries with a generous drizzle of spread and a sprinkle of caramelized onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

Tips and Tricks for Success
  • Use American cheese. Although it’s not for everyone, it’s what they use and really helps to capture the true flavors of animal style fries.
  • Use store-bought frozen french fries to save a ton of time (rather than making your own french fries).
  • Don’t rush caramelizing the onions. You really want to give the onions time to properly caramelize to get that slightly sweet flavor.
  • Save some spread to serve on the side along with ketchup!
Variations
  • Add pickle chips to the top of the fries.
  • Drizzle some ketchup and/or yellow mustard over the top.
  • Add some sliced pepperoncinis or sliced pickled jalapeños for a kick.
  • If you prefer a cheese sauce topping to a melted cheese topping, top the animal style fries with our delicious cheese sauce recipe instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 836kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 66g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 2243mg | Potassium: 735mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 764IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 2mg

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Air Fryer Buffalo Wings

We love this Air Fryer Buffalo Wings recipe SO much and will probably never make wings another way again. Not only are air fryer wings super easy to make, but they result in crispy on the outside and super tender and juicy on the inside chicken! We use our classic buffalo sauce to coat them and our blue cheese dressing for dipping and it’s one of our favorite game day appetizers to enjoy! Using the…

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Air fryer buffalo wings on a platter being served.

We love this Air Fryer Buffalo Wings recipe SO much and will probably never make wings another way again. Not only are air fryer wings super easy to make, but they result in crispy on the outside and super tender and juicy on the inside chicken!

We use our classic buffalo sauce to coat them and our blue cheese dressing for dipping and it’s one of our favorite game day appetizers to enjoy! Using the air fryer also makes much less mess compared to frying them in oil and gives the chicken wings a crispier texture than when baking them in the oven.

How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Wings

Ingredients

Air fryer buffalo wing ingredients in a kitchen.

Process

  1. Pat wings dry with a paper towel. In a resealable plastic bag or in an airtight container combine salt, baking powder, and pepper. Shake together. Add wings, seal bag (or container) and shake until wings are evenly coated.
Wings in a bag with salt and pepper.
  1. Spray inside of air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat air fryer to 400˚F. Place wings in prepared basket and air fry for 10 minutes. Flip wings and continue to air fry for another 10 minutes.
  2. Pour buffalo sauce in a mixing bowl. Add wings.
Buffalo wings in an air fryer being cooked.
Buffalo wings being tossed in buffalo sauce.
  1. Toss together until evenly coated. Serve with bleu cheese dressing for dipping.
Buffalo wings in a bowl tossed with buffalo sauce.

Why We Coat Our Air Fryer Buffalo Wings in Baking Powder

We like to add a very small amount of baking powder to the salt and pepper coating because it helps them to get a bit of added crispy texture to the cooked wings, allowing the sauce to adhere onto them better. It’s a simple trick that makes the finished wings so much better!

Tips and Ticks for Success

  • Don’t skip out on the baking powder. As we just mentioned above it really helps to create a crisp texture on the skin, allowing the sauce to adhere to the wings nicely.
  • Allow at least 1/2 inch of space between each wing in the air fryer so the wings crisp up evenly (and don’t steam from lack of air circulation).
  • Flip the wings halfway through air frying to evenly crisp and brown both sides.
Air fryer buffalo wings on a platter with beer on the side.

Baking Instructions

Although we really think the air fryer makes the best tasting wings, we understand not everyone has one. So we’ve provided alternative baking instructions that still make delicious wings!

Preheat your oven to 400˚F. Still coat wings in salt, pepper and baking powder. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a cooling rack and top with coated wings (spaced about 1 inch apart). Bake wings for 35 to 40 minutes or until cooked through (and internal temperature of the wings reach 165˚F). Remove from heat and toss with prepared buffalo sauce.

Variations for Our Air Fryer Buffalo Wings

  • Add some garlic and/or onion powder to the dry coating for even more flavor.
  • If you want extra crispy wings, line the coated (raw) wings into a rimmed baking sheet lined with a cooling rack and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 6 hours. The baking powder will help to dry the skin out creating extra crispy chicken wings once cooked.
  • Coat the wings in teriyaki sauce instead of buffalo sauce for a different but equally delicious flavor!
Air fryer buffalo wings being dipped in blue cheese dressing.

More Delicious Appetizer Recipes You Will Love

Close up on air fryer buffalo wings with a dipping sauce.
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Air Fryer Buffalo Wings

The easiest and most delicious recipe for Air Fryer Buffalo Wings! We promise you will never want to make wings another way!
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 204kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken wings split with tips removed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 recipe buffalo sauce

Instructions

  • Pat wings dry with a paper towel.
  • In a resealable plastic bag or in an airtight container combine salt, baking powder, and pepper. Shake together.
  • Add wings, seal bag (or container) and shake until wings are evenly coated.
  • Spray inside of air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat air fryer to 400˚F. Place wings in prepared basket and air fry for 10 minutes.
  • Flip wings and continue to air fry for another 10 minutes.
  • Pour buffalo sauce in a mixing bowl. Add wings.
  • Toss together until evenly coated. Serve with bleu cheese dressing for dipping.

Notes

**Nutritional information does not include buffalo sauce coating**
Tips and Ticks for Success
  • Don’t skip out on the baking powder. As we just mentioned above it really helps to create a crisp texture on the skin, allowing the sauce to adhere to the wings nicely.
  • Allow at least 1/2 inch of space between each wing in the air fryer so the wings crisp up evenly (and don’t steam from lack of air circulation).
  • Flip the wings halfway through air frying to evenly crisp and brown both sides.
Baking Instructions
Although we really think the air fryer makes the best tasting wings, we understand not everyone has one. So we’ve provided alternative baking instructions that still make delicious wings!
Preheat your oven to 400˚F. Still coat wings in salt, pepper and baking powder. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a cooling rack and top with coated wings (spaced about 1 inch apart). Bake wings for 35 to 40 minutes or until cooked through (and internal temperature of the wings reach 165˚F). Remove from heat and toss with prepared buffalo sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.2g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 701mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Vitamin A: 136IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

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One Pot Cheesy Nachos.

We love these one pot nachos! The bottom layer is a taco-seasoned ground beef, green chile and pinto bean mixture, topped with tons of cheese and chips. Bake until melty and golden, then serve hot! Best nachos ever. Oh yes, you heard me right!! Nachos. One Pot. ONE POT NACHOS!! These are DIVINE. Layers of […]

The post One Pot Cheesy Nachos. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

We love these one pot nachos! The bottom layer is a taco-seasoned ground beef, green chile and pinto bean mixture, topped with tons of cheese and chips. Bake until melty and golden, then serve hot! Best nachos ever.

Oh yes, you heard me right!!

one pot cheesy nachos

Nachos. One Pot. ONE POT NACHOS!!

These are DIVINE. Layers of taco-spiced beef, green chile, pinto beans and corn, topped with tons of cheese, crunchy huge tortilla chips and more cheese. Then alllll the toppings. 

YES. 

spiced ground beef in a pot

When I say this is one of the best things I’ve ever made?? Not joking. Not even close.

It’s quite possible that I’ve now moved on from sheet pan nachos. Because these one pot nachos have totally blown everyone’s mind. 

ground beef, beans, chiles and corn

They are hearty. They are so super flavorful. And they are a fun way to serve nachos – plus, you can always throw extra tortilla chips next to them. 

The most fun part of these is that the tortilla chips are set down into the nachos and the melted cheese holds them in place. They are SO good.

one pot cheesy nachos

I was worried that the chips would get soggy in the beef mixture, but they really don’t. They get slightly softer, but barely – and if you’re a fan of chilaquiles, then you’ll love them. 

Seriously, we could not stop eating these. They are out of this world. So much so that I’m making them again tonight for the fourth time. We are obsessed! 

one pot cheesy nachos

Here’s what goes into our pan: 

Ground beef. You can use ground turkey too!

Some taco spices and tomato paste. This makes all the difference.

Diced green chiles! Can’t go without them. 

Pinto beans. You can use black or kidney or whatever you prefer. 

Corn. I just use frozen corn! Stir in a cup and it’s super easy. 

All the cheese. I like a mix of sharp cheddar and monterey jack. I like to grate my own because it melts the best – however the only packaged cheese I use regularly is Tillamook farm shreds. They are awesome.

one pot cheesy nachos

Then, it’s time for the chips. Stick them all around the pan, just the very edge into the mixture.

Bake everything together, just for 12 or 15 minutes. The cheese melts. The chips get toastier. The whole thing marries together and the flavor is wild. They make your house smell amazing too.

one pot cheesy nachos

I just need a nacho candle in my life. (more…)

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Air Fryer Meatballs

Get perfectly cooked meatballs using your air fryer! Air fryer meatballs have a crisp crust on the outside and a moist, tender texture inside. These flavorful meatballs are great for pasta night, using in sliders and sandwiches, or even using as an appetizer! This post contains affiliate links. This is the time of year in …

The post Air Fryer Meatballs appeared first on My Baking Addiction.

Get perfectly cooked meatballs using your air fryer! Air fryer meatballs have a crisp crust on the outside and a moist, tender texture inside. These flavorful meatballs are great for pasta night, using in sliders and sandwiches, or even using as an appetizer!

Close up of several air fryer meatballs set on top of a bed of spaghetti.

This post contains affiliate links.

This is the time of year in the Midwest when we all just want winter to be over. Unfortunately, we still have at least a couple more months to go.

My solution when I can’t stand the gray winter days any more is to make lots of comfort food dinners. Things like crockpot Mississippi pot roast, homemade sloppy joes, chicken and wild rice soup, and spaghetti and meatballs.

There are so many ways to make and cook meatballs, and one of my favorites is to cook them in the air fryer. Air fryer meatballs are crisp on the outside, moist and tender on the inside, and so versatile to use!

(more…)

The post Air Fryer Meatballs appeared first on My Baking Addiction.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

We have our first official air fryer recipe for you all – our Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! Admittedly I gave air fryers a major side eye when I first heard of them, but after starting to use one, I have definitely converted to an air fryer enthusiast! Our air fryer chicken tenders are super tender and juicy on the inside and have a great crunch on the outside. They only require a handful of basic…

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Air fryer chicken tenders with a variety of sauces.

We have our first official air fryer recipe for you all – our Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! Admittedly I gave air fryers a major side eye when I first heard of them, but after starting to use one, I have definitely converted to an air fryer enthusiast!

Our air fryer chicken tenders are super tender and juicy on the inside and have a great crunch on the outside. They only require a handful of basic ingredients and require no oven or stovetop, which is a huge plus! I love eating a couple for a quick snack/lunch or chopping a few up and putting them on top of a salad for a simple and delicious dinner.

How to Make Our Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Ingredients to make air fryer chicken tenders.

Process

  1. Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. In a shallow dish combine flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika and onion powder.
Chicken tenders being seasoned.
Dredging ingredients for air fryer chicken tenders.
  1. In another shallow dish combine panko and chives.
  2. Dredge chicken tenders in flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip chicken tenders into beaten eggs. Shake off any excess. Finally dredge tenders in panko mixture, pressing the tenders into the panko mixture on both sides to ensure the tenders are fully covered in breadcrumbs.
Breadcrumbs in a bowl for air fryer chicken tenders.
Air fryer chicken tenders process of breading.
  1. Generously spray both sides of each tender with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Preheat air fryer to 375˚F and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Add 4 to 5 chicken tenders to air fryer (depending on air fryer basket size, tenders will need to be air-fried in batches) and air fry for 5 minutes. Flip each tender and continue to air fry for an additional 5 minutes or until tenders have cooked through and are golden brown on the outside.
Chicken tenders ready to be air fried.
Air fryer chicken tenders in the basket ready to be cooked.
  1. Remove tenders from air fryer basket and repeat step 9 with remaining chicken tenders.
  2. Serve chicken tenders with dipping sauces of choice.
Air fryer chicken tenders cooked.
Air fryer chicken tender recipe with dipping sauces.

Tools You Will Need

Freezing and Heating Instructions

One of my favorite things about our air fryer chicken tenders recipe is that it freezes very well!

To Freeze

Follow recipe and dredge all chicken tenders until fully coated in panko breadcrumb mixture. Line each tender onto a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer, making sure the tenders are not touching one another. Place baking sheet into the freezer until tenders have frozen completely. Transfer frozen tenders to a resealable freezer bag, remove as much air as possible and seal. Freeze tenders for up to 3 months.

To Heat

Preheat air fryer to 375˚F. Spray air fryer basket and frozen tenders with cooking spray. Place frozen tenders directly into basket and air-fry for 7 minutes. Flip each tender and continue to air-fry for 6 minutes.

Oven Baking Instructions

Our air fryer chicken tenders can definitely be baked in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer!They won’t get quite as crispy, but since we’re using panko breadcrumbs they will still have a good crunch to them!

For Oven Baked Chicken Tenders

Preheat oven to 375˚F and just increase the baking time to 18-20 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through baking. That’s it!

Tips and Tricks for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

  • Use panko breadcrumbs instead of Italian breadcrumbs for extra crispy chicken tenders!
  • Lightly grind panko breadcrumbs in a food processor, so the granules are a finer. This will give you a better mouthfeel and a lighter crispy texture overall.
  • Firmly press the panko into the tenders while dredging. This will help the coating stick to the tenders, instead of sliding off once cooked.
  • Spray coated tenders AND air fryer basket with cooking spray oil to ensure the tenders brown and don’t stick to the basket.
  • Flip tenders halfway through air-frying cooking time to ensure even doneness throughout each tender.

Variations

  • Use boneless skinless chicken breasts if you’re unable to find tenders. Just cut the breasts into 1 inch thick chicken strips.
  • Add different spices to the flour mixture depending on flavor preferences, like cumin, za’atar, finely ground black pepper, sumac, and cayenne pepper.
  • Add some finely grated Parmesan cheese or toasted sesame seeds to the breadcrumb mixture for a subtle nutty/umami flavor.
  • Omit the chives from the panko mixture or mix up the herbs by adding (or replacing with) minced cilantro, rosemary or thyme.

Our Favorite Chicken Tender Dipping Sauces

Watch us make Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer!

We said it was easy to make these Chicken Tenders and we were not lying! It’s so simple and the air fryer gets the job done quickly! We love how crisp they turn out too.

Air fryer chicken tender recipe with dipping sauces.

More Easy Chicken Recipes You Will Love

Air fryer chicken tender recipe with dipping sauces.
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

The best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders you'll ever have! Our recipe is easy, can be made in just 30 minutes and produces crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, flavorful chicken tenders!
Course Appetizer, dinner, lunch, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 3
Calories 434kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 10 chicken tenders
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (further ground in food processor)
  • 1 tablespoon thinly sliced chives plus more for garnish
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • In a shallow dish combine flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika and onion powder.
  • In another shallow dish combine panko and chives.
  • Dredge chicken tenders in flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
  • Next, dip tenders in beaten eggs. Shake off any excess.
  • Finally dredge tenders in panko mixture, pressing the tenders into the panko mixture on both sides to ensure the tenders are fully covered in breadcrumbs.
  • Generously spray both sides of each tender with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper.
  • Preheat air fryer to 375˚F and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  • Add 4 to 5 chicken tenders to air fryer (depending on air fryer basket size) and air fry for 5 minutes. Flip each tender and continue to air fry for an additional 5 minutes or until tenders have cooked through and are golden brown on the outside.
  • Remove tenders from air fryer basket and repeat step 9 with remaining chicken tenders.
  • Serve chicken tenders with dipping sauces of choice.

Video

Notes

**Recipe makes 10 chicken tenders (each serving is 3 1/3 tenders)**
Freezing and Heating Instructions
To Freeze: Follow recipe and dredge all chicken tenders until fully coated in panko breadcrumb mixture. Line each tender onto a parchment lined baking sheet, making sure the tenders are not touching one another. Place baking sheet into the freezer until tenders have frozen completely. Transfer frozen tenders to a resealable freezer bag, remove as much air as possible and seal. Freeze tenders for up to 3 months.
To Heat from Frozen: Preheat air fryer to 375˚F. Spray air fryer basket and frozen tenders with cooking spray. Place frozen tenders directly into basket and air-fry for 7 minutes. Flip each tender and continue to air-fry for 6 minutes.
Tips and Tricks for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
  • Use panko breadcrumbs instead of Italian breadcrumbs for maximum crunch!
  • Lightly grind panko breadcrumbs in a food processor, so the granules are a finer. This will give you a better mouthfeel and a lighter crispy texture overall.
  • Firmly press the panko into the tenders while dredging. This will help the coating stick to the tenders, instead of sliding off once cooked.
  • Spray coated tenders AND air fryer basket with cooking spray to ensure the tenders brown and don’t stick to the basket.
  • Flip tenders halfway through air-frying cooking time to ensure even doneness throughout each tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 216mg | Sodium: 384mg | Potassium: 772mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 580IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 4mg

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Cowboy Caviar

Y’all know I’m from Oklahoma, right? I grew up eating cowboy caviar, also called Texas caviar. It’s a classic bean salad recipe popular in the South. You…

The post Cowboy Caviar appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

cowboy caviar recipe

Y’all know I’m from Oklahoma, right? I grew up eating cowboy caviar, also called Texas caviar. It’s a classic bean salad recipe popular in the South. You can serve it as a side salad or as salsa. Either way, people go crazy for cowboy caviar at potlucks.

Cowboy caviar is made with black-eyed peas and black beans, chopped tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, onion and cilantro tossed in tangy Italian dressing. I typically think of cowboy caviar as a warm weather salad, but it’s made with ingredients that are readily available year-round.

Cowboy caviar is actually perfect for New Year’s if you’re craving something fresh yet hearty, and trying to hit your black-eyed pea quota!

cowboy caviar ingredients

I have one issue with most cowboy caviar recipes—they’re often swimming in store-bought Italian salad dressing. As such, they can be way too oily and contain some unnecessary preservatives. Instead, I whisked together a simple, homemade Italian dressing from scratch. It’s easy to do and tastes fantastic.

This recipe yields a big bowl of dip, but I don’t think you’ll have any trouble polishing it off. I hope you enjoy this cheekily titled delight!

Continue to the recipe...

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baked brie with garlic butter mushrooms

Welcome to the decadent meal I dream about every late December, when I want even simple foods to feel festive. Yes, I am seriously making the argument that baked brie should be a dinner dish. Or, if not dinner, maybe a luxe part of it, so perf…

Welcome to the decadent meal I dream about every late December, when I want even simple foods to feel festive. Yes, I am seriously making the argument that baked brie should be a dinner dish. Or, if not dinner, maybe a luxe part of it, so perfect for this blustery, celebratory time of year. For dinner you might eat this with a big green salad and a cup of soup. You might set this out as a side dish with a big roast. You might put it out as part of a party spread too, an oasis of savory among all of the cookies and molten cakes.

Read more »

Whipped Feta Dip

This Whipped Feta Dip combines feta cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon, and dill to create a tasty and simple appetizer. Whipped Feta Dip With only a handful of ingredients and in just a few minutes, this is a greater- than-the-sum-of-its-parts dip – perfect to have up your sleeve for last-minute hosting or potlucks. The feta whips […]

The post Whipped Feta Dip appeared first on Skinnytaste.

This Whipped Feta Dip combines feta cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon, and dill to create a tasty and simple appetizer.

Whipped Feta Dip
Whipped Feta Dip

With only a handful of ingredients and in just a few minutes, this is a greater- than-the-sum-of-its-parts dip – perfect to have up your sleeve for last-minute hosting or potlucks. The feta whips up light and airy in the food processor, making a refreshing dip for pita bread, chips, or crudites. It’s also great with roasted veggies or as a sandwich spread. More healthy feta cheese recipes are this Greek 7-Layer Dip, Asparagus and Feta Tartlets, and Chopped Feta Salad.

(more…)

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The BEST Baked Brie

We looooove Baked Brie! There’s something just so addictive and satisfying about enjoying a big wheel of creamy, melty cheese. We love this appetizer anytime of the year, but especially during the holidays. It’s one of our favorite things to serve at get togethers, and our recipe is so simple and so so good! How to Make Baked Brie Process Preheat oven to 350F. Place brie wheel into a small skillet and bake until warm…

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Baked brie on a platter with crackers.

We looooove Baked Brie! There’s something just so addictive and satisfying about enjoying a big wheel of creamy, melty cheese. We love this appetizer anytime of the year, but especially during the holidays. It’s one of our favorite things to serve at get togethers, and our recipe is so simple and so so good!

How to Make Baked Brie

Baked brie ingredients on a kitchen counter.

Process

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Place brie wheel into a small skillet and bake until warm and gooey, about 6 to 7 minutes.
  2. While brie is in oven, make candied pecan topping. Melt butter in a pan over medium-low heat.
Baked brie in a skillet.
Melted butter in a skillet to make the topped for baked brie.
  1. Add pecans, sugar and 3 tablespoons honey. Stir together.
  2. Allow mixture to simmer until sugar dissolves and pecans are evenly coated, 2 to 3 minutes.
Pecans being cooked in a skillet.
Pecans being candied in a skillet.
  1. Remove brie from oven and top with pecan mixture. Top pecans with honeycomb pieces, a drizzle of remaining honey, rosemary pieces, and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes.
  2. Serve with crostini, crackers, cured meats, olives, dried fruit, etc.
Baked brie in a skillet and topped.
Baked brie in a skillet served with crackers.

Baked Brie Tips

  • Use a moderately priced brie – We promise there’s no need to use an expensive wheel of brie for this recipe. You’ll still get the most delicious results!
  • Bake and serve the brie in a shallow baking dish or mini cast iron skillet A shallow baking dish/skillet makes scooping the cheese out much easier.
Baked brie with a cracker.

Baked Brie Variations

  • Wrap the brie in a sheet of puff pastry, brush with and egg wash before baking in a 375˚F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, for a delicious brie en croute (you can still choose to top your baked brie with candied pecans, honeycomb, and rosemary sprigs)
  • If you don’t want to bake the brie, we recommend microwaving it in a microwave-safe dish for 2 to 3 minutes. You will still get beautiful, melty results!
  • Remove the top rind before baking it. Although there will be some brie that melts over the edge of the wheel, if you want less rind on your brie, this is the best alternative. Just keep the rest of the rind intact to hold the shape of the cheese.

What to Serve with Our Baked Brie Recipe

There are so many delicious accoutrements that can be served with this dish, but some of our favorite things are:

  • mustard – such as whole grain or dijon
  • cured meats – some favorites are prosciutto, soppressata, Spanish chorizo, salami
  • olives – we love castelvetrano and pimento stuffed green olives
  • crackers – a small variety is always a great choice (such as sesame, grissini, rosemary flavored)
  • nuts – although we top our baked brie with candied pecans, we think it’s great to serve it with more nuts on the side, whether it’s more candied pecans, marcona almonds or pistachios
  • fresh or dried fruit or jam/more honey – just like the pieces of honeycomb we serve on top, we love the bursts of sweet flavor from dried apricots, dried mangos or fresh grapes, sliced apples/pears, fig jam, or more honey on the side
Baked brie with pecans on top.

More Delicious Party Appetizers You Will Love

Baked brie on a platter with crackers.
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The BEST Baked Brie

The BEST Baked Brie Recipe you'll ever make! Our recipe is simple, topped with candied pecans, honeycomb, and rosemary sprigs for the perfect balance of sweet, salty, creamy, and savory! Serve this gooey, bubbly cheese with crackers and crostini for the best appetizer for any occasion.
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine France
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 457kcal

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce wheel brie
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 5 tablespoons honey divided
  • 2 ounces honeycomb broken into pieces
  • 1 fresh rosemary sprig trimmed into 1 inch pieces
  • sea salt flakes

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375F.
  • Place brie wheel into a small skillet and bake until warm and gooey, about 10 to 12 minutes.
  • While brie is in oven, make candied pecan topping. Melt butter in a pan over medium-low heat.
  • Add pecans, sugar and 3 tablespoons honey. Stir together.
  • Allow mixture to simmer over medium heat until sugar dissolves, thickens and pecans are evenly coated, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Remove brie from oven and top with pecan mixture.
  • Top pecans with honeycomb pieces, a drizzle of remaining honey, rosemary pieces, and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes.
  • Serve with crostini, crackers, cured meats, olives, dried fruit, etc.

Notes

Baked Brie Tips
  • Use a moderately priced brie – We promise there’s no need to use an expensive wheel of brie for this recipe. You’ll still get the most delicious results!
  • Bake and serve the brie in a shallow baking dish or mini cast iron skillet A shallow baking dish/skillet makes scooping the cheese out much easier.
Baked Brie Variations
  • Wrap the brie in a sheet of puff pastry, brush with and egg wash before baking in a 375˚F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, for a delicious brie en croute (you can still choose to top your baked brie with candied pecans, honeycomb, and rosemary sprigs)
  • If you don’t want to bake the brie, we recommend microwaving it in a microwave-safe dish for 2 to 3 minutes. You will still get beautiful, melty results!
  • Remove the top rind before baking it. Although there will be some brie that melts over the edge of the wheel, if you want less rind on your brie, this is the best alternative. Just keep the rest of the rind intact to hold the shape of the cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 420mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 515IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 1mg

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Gougères

Gougères are perfect, golden pom-poms of cheese-crusted magic. This one-pan method sets you up for success every time. Even better – keep these little cheese puffs frozen, ready to bake, always.

Continue reading Gougères on 101 Cookbooks

Gougères are my secret weapon this time of year. This means a bag in the freezer, always at the ready. I make the dough ahead of time (any afternoon I have a few extra minutes) then bake them straight from the freezer whenever I fancy. There is something irresistible about the way they explode in size. The way they bake into golden pom-poms of cheese-crusted magic. Like soufflés, I think there is a perception that they’re tricky to make. But, I promise, with a little practice (and know-how) you can have an impressive platter piled sky-high with puffery with next to no effort.
Gougeres piled high on a small plate

How To Make Gougères: The Basics

Gougères are a baked savory pastry made with a French choux dough mixed with cheese. They have a reputation as being difficult, but they’re really not. They’re more fun than anything. To make gougères you combine liquids (water, milk, beer, etc.), butter and salt in a saucepan and bring it to a simmer. You add flour and stir madly into a smooth paste. After allowing the paste to cool a bit, you work in eggs – one at a time. Then add grated cheese and any other herbs, spices or other flavoring ingredients you’re inspired to try. Dollop onto baking sheets and bake! I’ll provide my go-to gougère recipe below, get comfortable with that and then have a blast making endless variations.
Gougeres piled high on a marble table

Can I make Gougères Without a Mixer?

Yes! And it’s my favorite way to do it. There are a number of approaches people take when making gougères. I opt for the path resulting in the best result and the least amount of dishes and devices to wash after. Meaning, I use a one-pan method, stirring by hand. I don’t bother with a mixer. And depending on the day, I will sometimes push dollops of the dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets from a spoon rather than piping from a bag. I will say, piping delivers gougères with beautiful rise, more-so than dropping dollops with a spoon. But the former is still pretty impressive!

Mixing gougeres batter in a saucepan

This Gougères Recipe

This recipe calls for beer and milk as the liquids in the batter, but the direction you take the flavors is adaptable. I love the maltiness beer brings to the dough, set off by the bite of sharp cheddar cheese. Skip the super hoppy IPAs here. You might trade out the beer for water, tea, or other flavorful liquid. I like a bit of milk in the batter, as it helps the dough bake into that lovely golden-brown color. Also, don’t feel married to this combination of cheese and herb/spices, it’s a favorite, but I certainly vary each batch based on what is on hand. I’ll list some variations below.

Gougeres on a baking pan

Pro-tip!

Before I forget. See the little pointy bits on some of my gougères? They can happen after piping dough onto the sheet pan. To get rid of them simply use a finger to press the dough level just before baking. You can see the difference below. I left them on about half, and pressed them out of the other half.

Gougeres piled high on a small plate
Gougeres on a parchment lined baking sheet

Important Things to Know

There are a few important details you don’t want to learn the hard way when it comes to making gougères.

  • Eggs: First, be sure to use large eggs (not extra-large).
  • Get ready: Prep all your ingredients ahead of time.
  • Avoid under-baking: Let the gougères brown all the way, particularly up the sides, before pulling them from the oven. The resulting structure will prevent the tops caving.

Gougeres on a plate one with a bite taken out of it

Gougères Variations

I made this batch (pictured) with ale, a strong cheddar cheese, and one well-chopped serrano pepper. But the variations you can dream up are endless. Some ideas:

  • Fennel & Cheddar Gougères: Add a teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds. It’s nice with the beer and cheese.
  • Mustard Sesame Gougères: Add a couple teaspoons of strong mustard and sprinkle the gougeres with sesame seeds prior to baking. A bit of fresh thyme is nice here as well.
  • Whole Grain Flour Gougères: Substitute in up to half the weight in flour with whole wheat flour or rye flour.
  • Spicy Lemon & Cayenne Gougères: Swap in goat cheese for the cheddar and stir in the zest of one lemon and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne.

See what I mean? Just start playing around. You can also play with color. As I mention up above, you can replace some of the liquid in this recipe with fresh, strong juices. For example, carrot juice, turmeric water, beet juice, etc. Have fun experimenting! 

Continue reading Gougères on 101 Cookbooks