40 Junk Food Aisle Copycat Recipes (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Kid-Friendly

Ward off cravings with these spot-on homemade junk food snacks.

Puppy Chow

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This easy puppy chow recipe uses a whole package of cereal, so there’s less messy measuring. And it makes enough to feed a hungry crowd. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Bonus: Here’s how you can make puppy chow without peanut butter.

Homemade Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts

I love this classic treat from childhood! Homemade Pop-Tarts are, of course, awesome for breakfast, but they are also a satisfying desserts since they are really similar to hand pies. These pastries are worth the extra effort. —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California

Need breakfast on the go? We tried off-brand Pop-Tarts to find out how well these morning treats stacked up against the original.

Fried Mozzarella Sticks

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LAUREN HABERMEHL FOR TASTE OF HOME

Golden, gooey and perfectly seasoned, you’ll fall in love with this fail-proof recipe for homemade mozzarella sticks. —Lauren Habermehl, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cosmic Brownies

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Brianna Griepentrog/Taste of Home

These moist and fudgy squares are bursting with such rich chocolate flavor, you’d never know they’re low in fat. They’re ideal for taking to bake sales and family gatherings. —Deb Anderson, Joplin, Missouri

Check out these healthy snacks when your cravings hit.

Corn Dogs

Prepare corn dogs at home just like you’d get at the fair. Both kids and grown-ups will love this hearty corn dog batter. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana

Copycat Lofthouse Cookies

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APRIL PREISLER FOR TASTE OF HOME

It’s easy to buy a package of cookies at the grocery store, but I think this Lofthouse cookie recipe might be even better than store-bought!

Homemade Honey Grahams

The way my boys eat them, I would spend a fortune on honey graham crackers at the grocery store. So I decided to make a homemade version that is less processed—and less expensive. These are wonderful, although they still don’t last long. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

Almond Bear Claws

This bear claw pastry recipe is absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious! It’s impossible to resist the delicate dough, rich almond filling and pretty fanned tops sprinkled with sugar and almonds. I made yummy treats like this when I worked in a bakery years ago. —Aneta Kish, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Easy Oatmeal Cream Pies

These easy cookies use only five ingredients and taste very similar to a store-bought cookie. Of course, everything's better from your own kitchen! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado

Giant Pretzels

My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Here’s a fantastic way to deliver all that blazing jalapeno popper taste without the work. Whenever I bring this jalapeno popper dip to a party, I’m always asked for the recipe. Serve with corn chips, tortilla chips or butter crackers. —Jennifer Wilke, Collinsville, Illinois

Chewy Honey Granola Bars

There’s sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. To save a few for later, wrap individual bars and place in a resealable freezer container. When you want a satisfying treat on short notice, just grab one and let it thaw for a few minutes. —Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont

Pizza Rolls

Our family just loves my husband's version of store-bought pizza rolls. They take some time to make, but they freeze well so we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor for a long time! —Julie Gaines, Normal, Illinois

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Copycat

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Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

Learn how to re-create the magic of your favorite glazed doughnuts in your very own kitchen with this simple copycat Krispy Kreme doughnut recipe. —Lauren Habermehl, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Teriyaki Beef Jerky

Jerky is a fun and portable snack. The meat has a savory flavor and just a bit of heat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

With a caramel-like coating and a touch of heat from the hot sauce, these crunchy peanuts make a tasty anytime snack. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Garlic-Chive Baked Fries

Yes, you do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin

Homemade french fries are so much better than the bags in the frozen section at the grocery store!

Chewy Soft Pretzels

These homemade pretzels never last long around our house. My kids love to make them…and eat them! I serve them to company with a variety of dips, such as pizza sauce, ranch dressing, spinach dip or hot mustard. —Elvira Martens, Aldergrove, British Columbia

Air-Fryer Corn Dogs

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Matt Robicelli for Taste of Home

It’s not hard to find corn dogs at the state fair or on the boardwalk. But making corn dogs at home is easy, too, thanks to air fryers and frozen corn dogs.

Almost It's-It Ice Cream Sandwiches

You'll discover why this treat is so popular in San Francisco. It's snack heaven—ice cream, delicious oatmeal cookies and a touch of chocolate. Swap the vanilla ice cream for your favorite flavor. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California

Caramelized Onion Dip

Once you taste this fabulous caramelized onion dip, you'll never go back to store-bought french onion dip. While it takes a little longer to make, I promise it's worth every minute. —Kelly Gardner, Alton, Illinois

White Chocolate Cereal Bars

A friend shared with me this fresh take on traditional crispy treats. My husband loves them, and I feel so efficient with their quick prep time. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama

Mini Bagelizzas

Garlic powder gives these speedy mini pizzas extra pizzazz. Not only are they a snap to put together, but best of all, the ingredient list is easy on your pocketbook. My husband loves them. And my toddler will soon enjoy them as an after-school treat. -Stephanie Klos-Kohr, Moline, Illinois

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

I like using pretty mini muffin liners and topping these homemade peanut butter cups with colored sprinkles to coordinate with the holiday we're celebrating. People can't believe how simple it is to make this irresistible candy with gooey peanut butter centers. This is how to make homemade peanut butter cups. —LaVonne Hegland, St. Michael, Minnesota

Baked Crab Rangoons

When I'm dining out, crab rangoons are one of my go-to dishes. I decided to create a better-for-you version at home. —Emily Higgins, Wingdale, New York

Poutine

The ultimate in French-Canadian junk food, poutine commonly features warm fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. This side dish is quick to fix with frozen potatoes and packaged gravy but has all the traditional greasy spoon comfort. —Shelisa Terry, Henderson, Nevada

Easy Mint Thins

My friends often try to guess the ingredients, but I never tell them how simple they are to make. They taste just like the Girl Scout cookie, and they're perfect for Christmas and bake sales. —Jennifer Setser, Morgantown, Indiana

Courtside Caramel Corn

My guests say they can't stop eating my caramel corn! For our basketball party I fix enough to fill a big red tin with our team's logo. The delectable syrup coats the popcorn well but isn't sticky. —Sharon Landeen, Tucson, Arizona

Dill Pickle Dip

My love for pickles led me to create this dill pickle dip. It’s so easy to whip together. But be warned…it’s addicting! —April Anderson, Forest Lake, Minnesota

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

My soft, not-too-sweet chocolate cookies are filled with a heavenly cream filling. Kids of all ages devour them! Whenever my family comes to visit, these are the treats they always request. —Salvatore Bertolino, Indiana, Pennsylvania

Slow Cooker Party Mix

This mildly seasoned snack mix is always a party favorite. Served warm from a slow cooker, the munchable mixture is very satisfying. —Dana Hughes, Gresham, Oregon

Kettle Corn

If you go to a fair looking to satisfy your craving for popcorn, you’ll get the same wonderful salty-sweet taste at home with my kettle corn recipe. Now you can indulge whenever the mood strikes you. —Jenn Martin, Sebago, Maine

Air-Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Deep-fried mozzarella sticks are one of our favorite appetizers. I figured out how to make them at home without having to haul out the deep fryer. Make sure to double-bread each one so these air-fryer mozzarella sticks get nice and crunchy, and to keep the cheese from oozing out as they get warm. —Mary Merchant, Barre, Vermont

Nacho Dip

This zesty nacho dip is great for any get-together and allows me to spend more time with my guests. I always have requests to bring it when my husband and I attend parties. —Sally Hull, Homestead, Florida

Chocolate Eclairs

With creamy filling and fudgy frosting, this chocolate eclair recipe is extra special. —Jessica Campbell, Viola, Wisconsin

Confetti Snack Mix

I’ve made this party mix for many years, and I usually double the recipe. It makes a delightful gift, and everyone always asks how I make it. —Jane Bray, Temple Terrace, Florida

Pecan Sandies

Whenever Mother made this pecan sandies recipe, there never seemed to be enough! Even now when I make it, the cookies disappear quickly. These melt-in-your mouth treats are great with a cold glass of milk or a steaming mug of hot chocolate. —Debbie Carlson, San Diego, California

Chocolate-Dipped Phyllo Sticks

Looking for a little something special to share with friends or family? Try these crunchy treats. They’re wonderful with coffee or a glass of milk. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin

Hostess Cupcake Recipe

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LAUREN HABERMEHL FOR TASTE OF HOME

We love this copycat Hostess Cupcake recipe because of its short ingredient list and simple method.

Jalapeno Poppers

These creamy stuffed jalapeno poppers have some bite. They may be the most popular treats I make! My husband is always hinting that I should make a batch. —Lisa Byington, Johnson City, New York

Ellie has spent almost 20 years writing and editing food and lifestyle content for several well-known publishers. As Taste of Home's content director, she leads the team of editors sharing tasty recipes, cooking tips and entertaining ideas. Since joining Taste of Home 13 years ago, she has held roles in digital and print, editing cookbooks, curating special interest publications, running magazines, starring in cooking and cleaning videos, working with the Community Cooks and even handing out cookies and cocoa at local holiday events. Gluten- and dairy-free since 2017, she’s a staff go-to on allergy-friendly foods that actually taste good.If she's not in her plant-filled office, find Ellie in her family’s urban veggie garden, in the kitchen trying new GF/DF recipes or at a local hockey rink, cheering on her spouse or third grader.