These Copycat Recipes Perfectly Re-Create Some of the Most Popular Restaurant Appetizers

Damn Delicious

When you can't decide if you'd rather order in or cook for yourself, restaurant copycat appetizers offer the perfect solution. You can have Outback Steakhouse's Bloomin' Onion, The Cheesecake Factory's fried mac and cheese, the delectable queso from Chili's, and more of your favorite appetizers from the comfort of your own home. And the best part is you don't have to wait for a table! Read ahead to discover all the recipes you'll want when you feel like treating yourself without the restaurant prices. Staying in never sounded so good!

Additional reporting by Lauren Harano

01

The Cheesecake Factory's Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

The only thing better than mac and cheese? Fried mac and cheese.

Get the recipe: fried mac and cheese balls

02
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Outback Steakhouse's Bloomin' Onion

Possibly the king of all appetizers is Outback Steakhouse's Bloomin' Onion. This recipe allows you to have the epic dish as an appetizer without even leaving your house.

Get the recipe: Outback Steakhouse's Bloomin' Onion

03
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

TGI Fridays' Mozzarella Sticks

Nothing frozen can compare to homemade mozzarella sticks because these are perfectly crispy, gooey, and savory.

Get the recipe: TGI Fridays' mozzarella sticks

04

Panera Bread's Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

If you're more of a tomato soup fan than a broccoli-cheddar one, you're sure to love some of Panera's other top-notch soups, like this creamy tomato basil soup with roasted garlic and asiago cheese.

Get the recipe: Panera Bread's creamy tomato basil soup

05
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

The Cheesecake Factory's Buffalo Blasts

Like buffalo chicken on crack, these bite-size buffalo blasts are fried to golden-brown perfection and loaded with plenty of shredded chicken and cheese.

Get the recipe: The Cheesecake Factory's Buffalo Blasts

06
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits

The key to making your own Cheddar Bay Biscuits is to not skimp on the butter, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, and parsley.

Get the recipe: Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits

07
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Buffalo Wild Wings' Honey-Barbecue Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings has dozens of sauces to dip wings in, but its Honey BBQ is an all-time fan favorite. This sauce's tangy and sweet taste is hard to beat on top of wings. Seriously, it's finger-licking good.

Get the recipe: Buffalo Wild Wings-Inspired honey-barbecue wings

08

Panera Bread's Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Dumplings Soup

Inspired by Panera's classic broccoli cheddar soup, this recipe takes it to the next level and combines it with chicken and dumplings.

Get the recipe: broccoli cheddar chicken and dumplings soup

09
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Olive Garden's Toasted Ravioli

Crunchy, cheesy, toasted ravioli is one of the best things on the menu, and this copycat makes it easy by using store-bought ravioli.

Get the recipe: Olive Garden's toasted ravioli

10
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

P.F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps

If you want a simple (and semi-healthy) recipe to make at home, P.F. Chang's chicken lettuce wraps is it. The chicken's sauce is what makes the whole thing, and before you ask what it tastes like, we suggest trying it for yourself.

Get the recipe: P.F. Chang's chicken lettuce wraps

11

The Cheesecake Factory's Avocado Egg Rolls

The real star of these avocado egg rolls — besides the crunchy exterior — is the cilantro dipping sauce made with sour cream, jalapeños, garlic, lime, and fresh cilantro.

Get the recipe: The Cheesecake Factory's avocado egg rolls

12

Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana

With bacon, spicy Italian sausage, garlic, potatoes, and cream, this rich soup is the definition of comfort food.

Get the recipe: zuppa Toscana

13
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

TGI Fridays' Loaded Potato Skins

Potato skins are the one appetizer guaranteed to be eaten by everyone at a dinner party.

Get the recipe: TGI Fridays' loaded potato skins

14

Panera Bread's Fuji Apple Chicken Salad

Crisp apples, fresh chicken, crunchy pecans, and savory gorgonzola come together for a quick and easy salad that will actually have you coming back for more bites.

Get the recipe: Panera Bread's Fuji apple chicken salad

15
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Chili's Chile Con Queso

There's nothing quite like the cheesy, beefy queso from Chili's, but with the right mixture of spices like cumin, paprika, onion powder, and cayenne, you can re-create the iconic appetizer at home.

Get the recipe: chile con queso

16
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.'s Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp

These beer-battered shrimp with shredded coconut and orange sauce for dipping would make Bubba Gump proud.

Get the recipe: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.'s Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp

17

Olive Garden's Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This creamy soup has pillowy gnocchi, shredded chicken, and herbs like rosemary and thyme to brighten it up.

Get the recipe: creamy chicken gnocchi soup

18
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Outback Steakhouse's Loaded Bloomin' Onion

Outback took its classic Bloomin' Onion up a notch by topping it with fries, cheese, and bacon.

Get the recipe: Outback's Loaded Bloomin' Onion

19

Panera Bread's BBQ Chicken Salad

This bright salad is loaded with tomatoes, black beans, corn, tortilla strips, and cilantro, and it's finished off with a BBQ-ranch hybrid dressing.

Get the recipe: Panera's BBQ chicken salad

20
POPSUGAR Photography | Susannah Chen

Chipotle's Guacamole

All you need to re-create Chipotle's fresh guacamole are ripe avocados, cilantro, red onions, jalapeños, and tomatoes.

Get the recipe: Chipotle's guacamole

21

Panera Bread's Broccoli Cheddar Soup

No trip to Panera Bread is complete without the iconic broccoli cheddar soup, which is hands down one of the richest, cheesiest, most satisfying soups you'll ever have.

Get the recipe: Panera Bread's broccoli cheddar soup

22
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Chili's Honey Barbecue Chicken Wings

One of the best sauces for Chili's wings is the honey chipotle sauce, which you can re-create with this recipe for honey-barbecue wings. Honey, liquid smoke, chili powder, and more spices join forces for a sweet and sticky wing that's irresistible.

Get the recipe: honey-barbecue chicken wings

23

Olive Garden's Minestrone Soup

Minestrone soup is hands down one of the best things from Olive Garden, and this copycat version does not disappoint.

Get the recipe: Olive Garden's minestrone soup

24

Chili's Southwestern Egg Rolls

No trip to Chili's is complete without the famous Southwestern egg rolls.

Get the recipe: Chili's Southwestern egg rolls

25
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Sonic's Extreme Tater Tots

Like chili cheese fries but with tater tots instead, this is a seriously epic snack inspired by one of the best items from Sonic.

Get the recipe: Sonic's Extreme Tater Tots

26

The Cheesecake Factory's Bang Bang Shrimp

A must-order appetizer at The Cheesecake Factory is the Bang Bang Shrimp. Don't forget to pair it with a homemade sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Get the recipe: The Cheesecake Factory's Bang Bang Shrimp

27

Olive Garden's Pasta Fagioli Soup

Pasta fagioli soup is like a mashup of pasta with tomato sauce, minestrone soup, and Italian sausage soup. It has the best of both the pasta and soup worlds.

Get the recipe: pasta fagioli soup

28
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

McDonald's French Fries

McDonald's fries are a good idea any time, especially as an appetizer.

Get the recipe: McDonald's french fries

29
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Olive Garden's Salad

Bottomless salad is all yours if you make a big batch of this copycat salad with olives, tomatoes, pepperoncini, and more of the good stuff.

Get the recipe: Olive Garden's salad

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