Category: Uncategorized

Introducing the ULTIMATE vegetarian chili recipe! It’s full of tender vegetables, a combination of beans, and loaded with seasonings. It’s an easy one-pot chili bursting with so many flavors and textures that you won’t even miss the meat!

Vegetables can be the star of so many delicious recipes! I love this vegetable stir-fry because it’s so colorful and hearty. Or try my vegetable soup or this vegetable lo mein.

The BEST Vegetarian Chili

Get ready to taste the BEST vegetarian chili you’ve ever had! You won’t even realize it’s meatless because it’s so hearty and flavorful. It’s warm, cozy, and full of beans and veggies! This one-pot chili is a combination of tender beans, colorful vegetables, and a medley of spices. All simmered together to make the ultimate vegetarian chili that is comforting on a cold day. It’s the perfect chili recipe for making over the stove, in the slow cooker, or even the instant pot! You’re going to love how easy it is to throw together no matter what method of cooking you choose.

Adding more vegetables to our dinners is always a goal of mine. Especially when the family gets more nutrients in their day! Try this easy fried rice, these air fryer stuffed peppers, or this incredible vegetable chicken stew. Your family will LOVE them all!

Ingredients You Will Need

Chili doesn’t have to have meat to be chili! In my opinion, chili is ALL about the beans and the flavor. Trust me, you won’t be the meat in the vegetarian chili recipe. The exact measurements are in the recipe card below.

Olive Oil: For cooking the onions and garlic in.

Onion: The flavor booster in the pumpkin chili, chopped to add a touch of sweetness and texture.

Bell Peppers: I used red and green bell peppers to add some color and crunch.

Garlic: A tiny clove with a big punch, garlic makes everything taste better.

Green Chilies: Adds to the Mexican-inspired flavors in this chili.

Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: I love the extra char and flavor from the canned fire-roasted tomatoes in this recipe. It adds depth to the flavor!

Kidney Beans, Chili Beans, Black Beans: The best trio of beans that add protein and creaminess to the vegetarian chili.

Vegetable Broth: A key ingredient to making this a vegetarian chili. The broth is a savory base for the chili.

Spices: Time to break out your spice rack! I used large amounts of chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, and smoked paprika. I like my vegetarian chili seasoned very well!

Salt: Season to taste!

Vegetarian Chili Recipe

Gather those ingredients, grab your soup pot, and let’s get cooking! Vegetarian chili is SO easy to prepare. All you need to do is give your onions and garlic a quick sauté, then combine all of the ingredients together. Let it cook until it’s hearty, rich, and packed with flavor!

Sauté Onion, Peppers, and Garlic: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and onion and cook until the onions are tender. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Combine Ingredients: Add in the canned tomatoes, green chilies, broth, chili beans (with juices), kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt.

Simmer: Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Serve: Taste and adjust the seasonings if desired. Garnish with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Peanut butter granola is the most delicious way to start your day! Rolled oats get tossed in a peanut butter, brown sugar, and honey mixture, then are baked to perfection. You’re going to love having them on hand to much on in the morning or as a snack throughout the day!

It’s the most important meal of the day, so fuel up with this amazing peanut butter granola! And if you’re looking for more great breakfast recipes to switch things up with, try overnight oats, homemade oatmeal, or acai bowls!

Homemade Peanut Butter Granola

My quest for the perfect homemade granola is officially over! This peanut butter version is everything I’ve ever dreamed of – crispy, nutty, and bursting with creamy peanut butter flavor. It’s so easy to whip up, you barely need to turn on the oven (only for 20 minutes!). Plus, the melty brown sugar and honey add a subtle sweetness that makes it impossible to stop at just a handful.

Each bite has the BEST texture. Crunchy oats, pops of salty peanuts, and chewy clusters held together by that glorious peanut butter mixture. Top your yogurt with a generous sprinkle, add it to smoothies for a protein boost, or crumble it over warm fruit for a healthier version of cobbler. This peanut butter granola is so versatile, it’s basically begging to be devoured in a million different ways. I know you’ll love it as much as I do!

Ingredient List

Not only does this recipe for peanut butter granola use simple ingredients, but a lot of them can be swapped out for things you have on hand! You can also add in other mix-ins, check out the tips section below!

Old-Fashioned Oats: These are the base, providing a satisfying chew and that classic granola texture. Quick-cooking oats work too, but for larger clusters, stick with the originals.

Peanuts: Salty and crunchy, these add a delightful contrast to the sweetness. Sunflower seeds, pepitas, or even chopped almonds would also work for a different twist.

Cinnamon: This warm spice is a must-add.

Dash of Salt: Salt enhances all the other flavors and makes the granola even more tempting.

Melted Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Creamy or chunky, it adds richness and binds everything together. Just warm it up before mixing it in.

Melted Coconut Oil: This helps create those perfectly crisp clusters.

Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of golden sweetness and caramelized depth. Maple syrup or more honey work too, depending on your preference.

Honey: Adds sweetness and helps to hold the clusters together.

Vanilla Extract: So your peanut butter granola has an extra touch of flavor.

Let’s Make Peanut Butter Granola!

It takes less than 30 minutes, and you can store any extras you may have to enjoy later. This makes it a great option for breakfast meal prep!

Preheat Oven, Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and then line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper.

Oat Mixture: In a large bowl, add the oats, peanuts, cinnamon, and salt. Then toss to combine.

Melt: In a medium saucepan, add the peanut butter, brown sugar, honey, and coconut oil. Heat over medium heat and stur until melted and combined. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Pour Over Oats: Pour the melted peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture. Then stir to coat the ingredients well.

Add to Pan: Spread on the prepared baking sheet pan in an even layer.

Bake: Bake for 20-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. The granola should be toasted and lightly browned.

Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the granola to cool on the pan.

Store: Break up the granola then store in an airtight container.

My air fryer is one of my favorite appliances in the kitchen because it can cook all my family’s favorite recipes, including tender meats, roasted sides, crispy appetizers, and everything in between. The best small air fryers do everything that a full-size model can do without taking up as much counter space! 

Credit: Walmart

Cooking with an air fryer makes all your dishes healthier, achieving foods that taste AMAZING with less oil! After researching multiple popular models, I narrowed down the list to the seven best small air fryers, including my personal favorite, the Beautiful by Drew, and the best compact air fryer, the Instant Vortex Mini.

My Top Picks:

My Top Pick: Beautiful by Drew 3-Quart Air Fryer – $29.96 at Walmart

Best 2-Quart: Instant Vortex 4-in-1 2-quart Mini Air Fryer – $59.95 on Amazon

Best Small Digital: Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini Air Fryer – $49.99 at Walmart

Best Small Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven – $219.99 on Amazon

Best Air Fryer for One Person: Dash Tasti-Crisp Express Air Fryer – $49.99 on Amazon

Best Air Fryer for a Small Family: Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer – $119.99 at Target

Best Compact Microwave Air Fryer Combo: GE 3-in-1 Microwave Oven – $219 on Amazon

Reviews of The Best Small Air Fryers 

1. My Top Pick: Beautiful by Drew 3-Quart Air Fryer

Credit: Walmart

I love my 6-quart Beautiful by Drew air fryer, and the smaller 3-quart version happens to be one of the best-rated small air fryers from my research! It’s so versatile with four presets: air fry, bake, roast and reheat. I regularly use my larger one to cook and reheat food (like my Mushrooms); it’s FAST, and nothing sticks! 

I love that the basket and inner tray are dishwasher safe, and I just wipe down the outside with a damp cloth to keep the finish looking nice. It’s not your standard, black appliance sitting on the counter. It comes in three colors with an attractive, matte finish (less visible fingerprints!) and touches of brushed gold.

The Specs:

Weight: 8 pounds

Dimensions: 20.47 x 9.84 x 10.55 inches

Max Temp: 400°F

Capacity: 3 quarts

Control Type: Digital

The Pros:

Inexpensive

Easy to use

Heats up quickly

The Cons:

Fan runs loud

Digital screen difficult to see on the white model

Buy the Beautiful by Drew 3-Quart Air Fryer:

2. Best 2-Quart: Instant Vortex 4-in-1 2-Quart Mini Air Fryer

Credit: Amazon

The Instant Vortex mini is the best compact air fryer, ideal for small spaces. Plus, it’s backed by tens of thousands of positive reviews–people love it! It has standard presets: air fry, bake, roast, and reheat with a digital display, buttons with a knob to adjust time and temperature. 

What I love about it is that it will tell you when to flip food, so you don’t have to keep popping the drawer open to check on how cooking is coming along. This one handles frozen food with ease–you’ll have golden, crispy fries and nuggets in no time! It comes in four colors so you can match it to your kitchen.

The Specs:

Weight: 7.28 pounds

Dimensions: 12.9 x 11 x 12.9  inches

Max Temp: 400°F

Capacity: 2 quarts

Control Type: Combination

The Pros:

Digital message bar

Lightweight

Easy to clean

The Cons:

Fan runs loud

Drawer can stick

Buy the Instant Vortex 4-in-1 2-quart Mini Air Fryer:

3. Best Small Digital: Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini Air Fryer

Credit: Walmart

The Cosori is a space-saving option that has all the standard functions: air fry, roast, bake and reheat. The digital touch screen on the top is simple to use–just tap the bottom left icon to pick the cooking function, then set the time and temperature and hit start. 

What I love about it is no preheating is needed, even for frozen foods or small cuts of meat. This is the most compact option from my research, and the best portable one, too. It is easy to move around on the counter or tuck in the pantry and it comes in four colors. It’s even small and light enough to pack for a trip if you can’t live without it!

The Specs:

Weight: 4.87 pounds

Dimensions: 5.9 x 6.2 x 3.5  inches

Max Temp: 400°F

Capacity: 2.1 quarts

Control Type: Digital

The Pros:

Small and lightweight

BPA-free

Easy to clean

The Cons:

Must turn food midway for even cooking

Not big enough for more than 1-2 people

What Others Are Saying:

Epicurious named the Cosori Lite as the best compact air fryer, and it has a 4.8-star rating out of over 2600 reviews on Amazon. 

Buy the Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini Air Fryer:

4. Best Small Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven

Credit: Amazon

It’s great when one appliance can replace two, and an air fryer/toaster oven is a natural combination. The trick for getting consistent, crispy food when cooking is having space to spread things out. This Ninja air fryer toaster oven has the width to allow for that–and also has enough room to cook a 13″ pizza–but then it flips up to take up 50% less counter space. 

Once you flip it up, the bottom opens for easy cleaning. It comes with a basket, sheet pan, wire rack, and removable crumb tray–all the things you need to easily air fry, bake, dehydrate, air roast, toast (up to nine slices of bread!), keep warm, and air broil.

The Specs:

Weight: 18.56 pounds

Dimensions: 19.72 x 7.56 x 14.96 inches

Max Temp: 450°F

Capacity: 169 cubic inches

Control Type: Digital

The Pros:

Easy to clean

Enhanced airflow

Large capacity

The Cons:

Heavy

Expensive

What Others are Saying:

Forbes deemed the Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven the best for small kitchens, and Business Insider declared it the best air fryer toaster oven. It also has a 4.6-star rating out of over 27,000 reviews on Amazon. 

Buy the Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven:

6. Best Air Fryer for One Person: Dash Tasti-Crisp Express Air Fryer

Credit: Amazon

This little guy has a single temperature–400°F–so all you have to do is set the timer dial and occasionally check on your food while it cooks. It’s the best mini air fryer because it has a nice, wide crisper drawer to get more of that surface area for uniform cooking. 

You could even fit two chicken breasts or a decent-sized steak or pork chop in there and it’s perfect for making appetizers like my cream cheese wontons! Just don’t forget to use a thermometer to check the internal temperature before serving. It’s great for one person, but the Dash Tasti-Crisp is a great choice for two people, too!

The Specs:

Weight: 6.1 pounds

Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 11.3 inches

Max Temp: 400°F

Capacity: 2.6 quarts

Control Type: Manual (digital version is $59.99)

The Pros:

Non-slip feet

Auto-shut-off feature

Easy to store

The Cons:

Glossy finish shows fingerprints

Trial and error to figure out the best cooking time

What Others are Saying:

The Strategist named the Dash Tasti-Crisp the best for beginners, and it has a 4.5-star rating out of over 31,000 reviews on Amazon. 

Buy the Dash Tasti-Crisp Express:

7. Best Air Fryer for a Small Family: Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer

Credit: Target

This 4-quart model is perfect for a family of three or four because it’s just enough space for tasty side dishes without taking up a huge corner of your countertop. This Ninja does the standard air fry, roast, and reheat with the unique addition of dehydrating, so you can make healthy, chip-like snacks (like my apple chips) right at home. 

The drawer and crisper plate are non-stick with a ceramic coating and dishwasher safe. This is also one of the best-rated small air fryers, which is no surprise given that Ninja is a well-liked brand–and for good reason! Ninja combines high-quality materials and powerful performance with affordable pricing.

The Specs:

Weight: 10.8 pounds

Dimensions: 8.5 x 12.1 x 11 inches

Max Temp: 400°F

Capacity: 4 quarts

Control Type: Digital

The Pros:

Easy to set up

Easy to clean

Roomy capacity

The Cons:

Pricier than other models

Bulkier than others

What Others Are Saying:

Good Housekeeping named the Ninja 4-Quart the best overall small air fryer, and it has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon out of over 50,000 reviews. 

Buy the Ninja 4-Quart:

7. Best Compact Microwave Air Fryer Combo: GE 3-in-1 Microwave Oven

Credit: Amazon

Although microwaves aren’t exactly small, the GE 3-in-1 lets you balance size and convenience by combining arguably the two most popular countertop appliances. The combination will save you space in the end, and this one was one of the most compact – and high-quality –  air fryer microwaves that I found. 

This versatile appliance also has a broil mode, so you can take a piece of meat off the stovetop and finish it under the broiler without turning on your oven and heating up the whole kitchen. 

To air fry, it uses the broil mode and convection fan together to get even cooking, and since it’s wider than your average air fryer, foods can spread out to get that all-over crispiness without having to flip them midway through.

The Specs:

Weight: 35 pounds

Dimensions: 16.6 x 20.6 x 11.88 inches

Max Temp: Not specified 

Capacity: 1 cubic foot

Control Type: Digital

The Pros:

Versatile

Easy to clean

Includes accessories

The Cons:

Heavy

Expensive

What Others are Saying:

Good Housekeeping calls the GE 3-in-1 the best value microwave air fryer and it has a 4.4-star rating out of over 2,600 reviews on Amazon. 

Buy the GE 3-in-1 Microwave Oven:

Others I’ve Researched

Ultrean 4.2-quart Electric Air Fryer

This option from Ultrean is on the larger side in terms of capacity so it’s a good choice for a small family. It’s comparable to the Ninja 4-quart in size and standard presets, but the Ninja pulls ahead with the unique ability to dehydrate foods. The Ultrean 4.2-quart Electric Air Fryer is available at Amazon for $95.99.

Gourmia 2-quart Digital Air Fryer

With a 60-minute timer that shuts off automatically and a variety of cooking presets this digital model is comparable to others reviewed. Gourmia has an impressive number of compact air fryers in the 2- to 4-quart range that are manual or digital. Because they’re all so similar, it was difficult to determine the value of any of them. The Gourmia 2-quart Digital is available at Target for $49.99.

Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven

This very small, very lightweight (one pound!) air fryer/toaster oven gets up to a whopping 450°F and is easy to move around when you need to clean, but the capacity just doesn’t measure up to the Ninja model that flips up. I’d rather have more room to cook and not need it than be limited by capacity and have to make multiple batches! The Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven is available at Amazon for $129.95.

De’longhi Rapid Crisp Air Fryer 4 Quart

The Rapid Crisp is unique because it has a small viewing window, much like an oven, so you can check progress without opening the drawer. Also, it has a hinged lid instead of a sliding drawer, so it’s just built differently from your average air fryer. This model is unique, but you can spend less for the same capacity and get the same results. The De’longhi Rapid Crisp 4 Quart is available at Amazon for $149.95.

GoWISE USA Electric Mini Air Fryer with Digital Touchscreen

Two quarts is just enough room for one or two people to enjoy crispy tater tots right out of the freezer. This is a pretty basic option that does the job and has an easy-to-use digital display, but there are others in this same capacity that are just as good and more affordable! The GoWISE USA Electric Mini Air Fryer with Digital Touchscreen is available at Amazon for $83.99.

Why You Can Trust Me

Credit: The Recipe Critic

I am Alyssa Rivers, the foodie behind The Recipe Critic. I launched my blog in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. They can be my toughest critics, but they enjoy cooking with me and helping create delicious recipes to share!

My air fryer opened up a whole new way for me to create meals, sides, and snacks that are tasty, healthy, and quick to make. I considered how simple (or hard) it is to cook with one based on capacity, preset functions, special features, and how easy it is to clean to make these recommendations for the best small air fryers.

What to Know About Small Air Fryers

What to Consider Before Buying a Small Air Fryer

Weight: If you’re planning to move your air fryer between the counter and pantry, pick one that is lighter so it’s easier to transport.

Dimensions: Counter space is often at a premium, so keep an eye out for an air fryer that strikes a balance between physical size and cooking capacity (how much food fits in the drawer). Be sure and carefully check the measurements to ensure that the model you choose will fit in the allotted space! 

Max Temp: Most air fryers cook as low as 150°F (reheating and keeping warm) and 400°F (air fry, roast, broil, etc), with some reaching up to 450°F. These temperatures will do pretty much everything, including roast veggies and cook proteins. Temps up to 450°F are ideal for cooking homemade pizzas.

Control Type: Manual or digital comes down to personal preference, and manual air fryers with dials tend to be more affordable than digital displays. Many people feel they have better control with digital because they have absolute clarity on the temperature and cook times they’ve selected.

Capacity: This is how much room the drawer has for food. Remember, good air circulation is the key to getting consistent cooking, so filling the drawer to the top likely won’t produce the results you’re looking for. Smaller air fryers tend to have less room for food to spread out, so if you plan to cook larger batches, you’ll have to toss or flip during cooking for the best results.

Some General Capacity Guidelines:

2 quarts: good for one person, good for two people

3 quarts: good for two people, good for small families of 3+

4 quarts: good for small families of 3+

Are Air Fryers Worth It?

Even if all you do is air fry french fries or reheat chicken tenders, you’re likely to use it pretty regularly. I especially love using it in the summer when I want to avoid using the oven and cooking in a hot kitchen. I love mine and think it’s totally worth the investment!

What Are Air Fryers Good For? 

With the right air fryer, you can do pretty much anything! Most have the standard presets to air fry, roast, bake, and reheat, but you can also dehydrate, broil, toast, keep warm, and more, depending on the model. It’s easy to cook proteins (like Chicken), tasty sides (Potatoes), and even desserts (Oreos). The sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can make, and a lot of them even come with recipe books.

Can You Put Foil In An Air Fryer? 

An easy rule of thumb is if you can put it in a conventional oven, you can put it in an air fryer. So, yes, you can put foil in an air fryer. Although it will block the airflow from the bottom where the crisper tray sits, so you might have to give your food a flip or a little shake occasionally to make sure all sides get evenly cooked. Make sure the foil is weighed down so it can’t blow around inside and accidentally touch the heating element.

How To Clean An Air Fryer 

Most air fryers have a drawer and crisper tray that can go in the dishwasher on the top rack and the main unit can be wiped down with a damp cloth after each use. The combination air fryer/microwave and air fryer/toaster oven can be gently wiped down inside and out. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning your device.

Click Here for More Air Fryer Recipes

Click Here for More Air Fryer Recipes

Prices were accurate at the time of publication. 

These Buffalo Chicken Sliders are perfect for feeding a hungry crowd quickly and easily. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together where you use these as appetizers, your guests won’t be able to stop at just one!

Complete the game-day menu with this dill pickle dip, some honey garlic chicken wings, and pizza pinwheels.

Chicken Buffalo Sliders Recipe

I love any thing buffalo chicken flavor (hello, this delicious buffalo chicken dip). But these tiny hand-held buffalo chicken sliders take this yummy flavor to the next level! Their small size makes them ideal to serve as an appetizer with other hand-held bites. But we also love eating a few of these and calling it dinner.

Combining the buffalo sauce with the creamy ranch makes the heat pretty mild, so even my youngest taste tester loved this recipe. But if you’re looking for a spicy kick, add some habanero hot sauce to kick it up a notch!

Ingredients in Buffalo Sliders

And just like that, you have made a recipe that everyone will be raving about! See the full recipe in the recipe card below.

Hawaiian Dinner Rolls: Look for the ones that come in packages of 12.

Shredded Chicken: I love to use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to make this meal quick and easy.

Frank’s Buffalo Sauce: This is my preferred brand because the flavor is right. It’s tangy and not too spicy. Or, you can make it from scratch using this Homemade Buffalo Sauce Recipe.

Ranch Dressing: This keeps the heat nice and mild. Try my homemade ranch dressing recipe if you want it extra delicious!

White Cheddar Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese works great for these sliders.

Veggies: I like to use green onions, matchstick carrots, and celery for this recipe, but you can substitute them for a coleslaw mix if that’s easier!

Butter: Use salted butter for the best flavor.

Garlic Powder and Dried Onion Flakes: Mixing this with the melted butter adds some flavor to the top of the buffalo chicken sliders.

Blue Cheese: Add this to the top as a garnish.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Sliders

These sliders are incredibly simple to make. I used mostly store-bought ingredients so you can whip these up in minutes.

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Slice the Rolls: Cut the rolls in half to have a top and bottom piece. Place the bottom half in a baking dish.

Make Chicken Mix: Add the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, green onions, carrots, and celery to a large bowl. Stir to combine, then spread evenly over the buns in the baking dish. 

Add Cheese: Top with the shredded white cheddar cheese, then place on the top half of the buns.

Brush: Add the butter to a small microwavable bowl. Heat until melted, then mix in the onion flakes and garlic powder. Brush the butter mixture over the buns using a basting brush. 

Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil, then bake it for 15 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the buffalo chicken sliders are hot, the cheese is melted, and the tops of the buns are golden. 

Add Garnish: Garnish with blue cheese crumbles and additional green onion if desired. Then, cut into individual sliders and serve immediately.

This moist and delicious blueberry banana bread is something anyone can make, and that everyone will love. Packed with juicy berries, each bite of this sweet and tender bread will have you wanting another piece.

No one can resist a warm piece of banana bread. After you make this blueberry banana bread, here are a few more great recipes to try: strawberry banana bread, chocolate banana bread, and banana bread bars!

Banana Bread With Blueberries

Let’s be honest, banana bread is one of the best quick breads out there, and adding fruit makes it even better! Blueberries take this homemade banana bread to the next level. Each bite is moist, sweet, and bursting with juicy blueberry flavor!

This blueberry banana bread is really easy to make. Which is great because you’ll want to bake some up whenever you have overripe bananas! So grab those, and a few extra pantry staples, and let’s make some delicious banana bread that you won’t be able to resist.

Ingredients Needed

Banana bread is always one of my go-to desserts because it uses so many simple ingredients. Here’s what you need for this tasty blueberry version:

Vegetable Oil: To keep the blueberry banana bread nice and moist.

Granulated Sugar: For sweetness.

Eggs: Give the bread structure.

Large, Overripe Bananas: The star of the show! These add flavor and a moist texture to the bread.

Sour Cream: Adds a little bit of tang but its main purpose is to make the bread extra tender.

Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor booster. Use pure vanilla extract if you have it!

Flour: For structure.

Baking Soda: So the blueberry banana bread is nice and light.

Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all of the flavors.

Blueberries: Fresh or frozen, either work!

How to Make the Best Blueberry Banana Bread

Here’s how to make blueberry banana bread that turns out perfectly every time! It’s easy to mix up and then hands-off once it hits the oven. The hardest part is waiting. That amazing smell!

Preheat Oven, Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and spray two 9×5 bread pans with pan spray.

Combine Wet Ingredients With Sugar: In a large bowl beat the oil and sugar together with a hand mixer until combined. Add in the eggs and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Banana and Sour Cream Mixture: Beat in the mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla until combined.

Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Remove one tablespoon of the flour mixture and toss it in a small bowl with the blueberries.

Combine: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low until just combined. Fold in the blueberries by hand.

Bake: Separate the batter evenly into the two prepared pans and bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the blueberry banana bread loaves cool for 30 minutes before slicing.

Craving cheesy, saucy comfort food that’s perfect for a weeknight meal? This hearty beefaroni is the way to go. Each macaroni noodle traps the cheesy, meaty, garlicky sauce inside, so every bite has incredible flavor. Easy to prepare and picky eater-approved, this is one dinner you don’t want to miss out on.

You’re going to love this beefaroni so much, I’ll give you some ideas on what to try next that’s similar: cheeseburger casserole, taco spaghetti, and American goulash! They’re all meaty, cheesy pasta dishes that are so delicious!

30-Minute Beefaroni

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love, this is it. Beefaroni checks all the boxes. Easy, cheesy, meaty, and ready in 30 minutes. What could be better?

This beefaroni recipe is definitely picky eater approved, my youngest thought it was the most amazing dinner ever and was licking her plate clean. Trust me, once you get a taste you’ll understand! This recipe is so simple and delicious, it’s sure to be in the dinner rotation for a long time!

Ingredient List

This is everything you’ll need to make some homemade beefaroni. Good news is, it’s all pretty simple and also easy to customize with your favorite sauces, mix-ins, you name it! Check out the recipe card at the end of the post for measurements.

Elbow Macaroni: These classic pasta tubes hold the sauce beautifully and bake up perfectly cheesy.

Lean Ground Beef: Go for 85/15 or leaner to minimize grease and keep the dish lighter. Brown it well for rich flavor.

Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce. Mince it finely for flavor in each bite.

Garlic: Because you can never go wrong with garlic! Fresh is best, but jarred will also work. Garlic adds the perfect savory flavor to the beefaroni.

Paprika: Nice and smoky, paprika gives the beefaroni sauce a hint of warm spice.

Oregano: Earthy and delicious, oregano adds a touch of Italian flair to the sauce.

Salt and Pepper: Adjust to your preference!

Canned Tomato Sauce: Choose a good quality sauce for the best flavor base.

Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and also adds a creamy, savory flavor to the sauce. Don’t skimp!

How to Make Beefaroni

It only takes 30 minutes total, the perfect dinner option for busy weeknights! Beefaroni is so easy to make and always a hit. I love it just as much as my kids do!

Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain and then set aside.

Cook Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook the ground beef and onion together until the beef is completely browned and the onions are translucent.

Add Garlic and Seasonings: Add the garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Season with paprika, oregano, salt and pepper. Then stir to combine.

Combine: Add the tomato sauce to the skillet and saute everything together 2-3 minutes. Add the macaroni and mix well. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well incorporated and heated through.

Enjoy: Remove from heat and serve with a generous helping of shredded cheddar cheese.

Crispy coated shrimp gets pan-fried to golden perfection in this better-than-takeout recipe! Tossed with tender veggies in a savory-sweet sauce, Hunan Shrimp is sure to be a new favorite in your dinner rotation.

If you’re a big shrimp fan, you need to add these other Asian-inspired recipes to the dinner lineup: dynamite shrimp, honey walnut shrimp, and bang bang shrimp! They’re all so flavorful and surprisingly easy to make.

Better-Than-Takeout Hunan Shrimp

Listen up, takeout lovers! Craving some juicy Hunan shrimp but tired of soggy, flavorless seafood and limp veggies? Step away from the delivery app and let me introduce you to this homemade Hunan shrimp that’s SO good, it’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about Chinese takeout. Okay, maybe not but it’s delicious and easy to make and you’re going to want it all the time.

Sweet honey meets spicy chili paste, combined with ginger and garlic to coat the tender shrimp in the most amazing flavor. And the best part? Hunan shrimp is ready in under 30 minutes, which is way faster than the time it takes for your order to arrive, and trust me, the flavor is light years ahead. So ditch the takeout menu and whip up this recipe instead. You can thank me later. (Pro tip: serve your Hunan shrimp up with some crab rangoons and easy fried rice for a meal your family won’t be able to stop talking about.)

Sauce and Stir Fry Ingredients

With this simple list of ingredients, you’re ready to stir-fry up some Hunan shrimp that’ll leave takeout in the dust. Check out the recipe card below for measurements.

Shaoxing Wine: Think warm, sweet rice wine. Not a fan? Extra broth works too!

Soy Sauce: Our savory foundation, use low-sodium if you’re salt-conscious.

Chili Paste: Spice central! Gochujang or sambal oelek work, adjust based on your heat tolerance.

Garlic & Ginger: Fresh is best, but powdered garlic works in a pinch. Ginger adds a citrusy kick!

Honey: A touch of sweetness to balance the heat. Honey also gives the sauce an amazing sticky texture that coats each piece of shrimp perfectly.

Veggie Broth: To add moisture and flavor.

Cornstarch: Makes the sauce silky smooth and also thickens it up, mix it with water first to avoid lumps.

Shrimp: Any kind works, just thaw and pat them dry before cooking. I like to use shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined for easy prep.

Green Beans: Crunchy green goodness, swap in broccoli or asparagus if you like.

Green Onions: Freshens things up and makes your dish photo-worthy (if it lasts that long!).

Hunan Shrimp Recipe

Heat up that wok and get ready to cook up some Hunan shrimp that will make everyone a seafood lover. It’s also great if you’re short on time! This Hunan shrimp recipe only takes 30 minutes from start to finish.

Sauce: In a small bowl whisk together the shaoxing wine, soy sauce, chili paste, garlic, ginger, honey, vegetable broth, and cornstarch. Then set aside.

Cook Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry, then season with salt and pepper and toss in the cornstarch. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium high heat. Then add the shrimp to the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes, tossing frequently to evenly cook.

Stir Fry Vegetables: Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. Add the green beans to the pan and cook them until they begin to soften and brown.

Combine: Add the shrimp back to the pan along with the hunan sauce mixture and green onions. Continue to stir and cook until the sauce thickens.

Enjoy: Serve the hunan shrimp with rice and additional green onions.

Skip the takeout and make your Animal Fries at home! Inspired by In-N-Out Burger, this recipe features crispy, golden fries piled high with melted American cheese, caramelized onions, and homemade animal sauce! (A tasty blend of ketchup, relish, vinegar, and mayo!)

I love recreating fast food recipes at home. They have the same great flavor but are made with fresh ingredients! Plus, you can tweak them to your liking and modify the recipe if you have any dietary restrictions. A few more amazing ‘copycat’ recipes to try out next: Cane’s sauce, Chick-fil-A nuggets and Chick-fil-A sauce, or In-N-Out spread.

Copycat Animal Fries Recipe

If you’ve never tried them before, Animal Fries, or animal-style fries, are an In-N-Out staple. The dish consists of fries topped with caramelized onions, melted cheese, and a zesty sauce similar to Thousand Island. This combination is SO good.

I’ll be honest, though. I’m not big on In-N-Out’s fries, so making animal fries at home is always the way to go for me. You have to have golden, crispy fries as a foundation. The nice thing is, too, you can swap out the fries for any kind you like. Waffle, sweet potato, you name it! Then you top them with all of the delicious toppings. Sweet caramelized onions, American cheese, and a creamy, zesty sauce!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This is everything that you’ll need for caramelized onion topping and creamy sauce. Each simple ingredient comes together to create the best flavor! Once you try a bite of these animal fries, you won’t be able to stop.

Fries: Frozen or fresh work, but crispy is key! Air fry for extra crunch.

Cheese: American melts best, but any melty cheese will do in a pinch. Try cheddar or Colby Jack!

Onion: Diced for even caramelizing, cook slow for sweet and golden goodness.

Olive Oil: To cook the onions in.

Salt & Pepper: Season to taste:

Mayonnaise: Creamy base for the tangy sauce.

Ketchup: Adds a bit of sweetness to the animal fried.

Sugar: So all of the flavors are balanced.

Vinegar: Adds a bit of tang that’s so delicious!

Relish: Sweet and crunchy pops of flavor.

How to Make Animal Fries

Time to caramelize those onions, crisp up those fries, and create a saucy appetizer that everyone will love! Animal fries are so delicious and always a hit wherever they go.

Prepare Sauce: Whisk together all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate to meld the flavors while you prepare the fries.

Cook Fries: Cook the frozen french fries according to the directions. I like to use my air fryer because it’s faster and gets the fries nice and crispy!

Caramelize Onions: To caramelize the onions, heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and diced onions and cook for 6-8 minutes or until the onions soften. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for 5 additional minutes or until the onions are golden brown. Set aside.

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to broil. Line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper. Spread the cooked french fries in an even layer on the prepared pan.

Melt Cheese: Cover the fries with slices of American cheese on top. Broil for 5 minutes, watching it closely.

Remove From Oven: Once the cheese is melted, then remove the fries from the oven.

Add Toppings and Serve: Top with cooked onions and drizzle on the sauce. Enjoy warm!

Enjoy the flavors of the Southwestern states in this tasty southwest seasoning! This homemade seasoning uses classic spices used in Southwestern cuisine. It’s delicious on chicken, in tacos, or added flavoring in many dishes.

Homemade seasoning blends are great because you can customize the flavor just to your liking! Try this homemade Cajun seasoning, fajita seasoning, and my Italian seasoning.

Homemade Southwest Seasoning

This Southwest seasoning is a delicious combination of unique bold flavors found in the cuisine of Southwestern states. The states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are highly influenced by spices used in Mexican cuisine. You will Specifically smokey spices with lots of chili powder and garlic powder. Southwest seasoning is sure to make your tastebuds wake up!

If you’re looking to add some zesty flavors to your recipes, try adding it to these grilled fajitas, this shrimp salad, or sprinkle it on this Mexican street corn. You won’t be disappointed! The added flavor is out of this world!

Ingredients Needed

All together these spices make the perfect homemade southwest seasoning. Perfect flavors to spice up and enhance every bite. It’s easy to make and you’ll love having it on hand. It’s one of the best seasonings out there!

Chili Powder: A pop of spice from the chili powder is especially important in Southwest seasoning.

Smoked Paprika: The smokey flavor in the paprika is particularly important in this seasoning. It also adds a hint of sweetness mixed with some heat.

Ground Cumin: Earthy flavoring that blends well with paprika.

Garlic Powder: Garlic is a key flavor in Southwest seasoning.

Kosher Salt/Ground Black Pepper: To balance out the flavors.

Dried Oregano: The texture and flavor overall is key with oregano. Don’t skip adding this herb to the seasoning mix!

Ground Coriander: Coriander pairs well with the other herbs and seasonings in this recipe.

Onion Powder: The onion flavor is delicious in seasoning.

Red Pepper Flakes: A little spice and texture to the seasoning.

Ground Cayenne Pepper: Add a little spice to the seasoning, however, this is optional.

Southwest Seasoning Recipe

Double up the ingredients to make a big batch of this southwest seasoning! It stores well and is a perfect blend of spices to keep in the pantry. Follow the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Combine the Spices: Place all of the seasonings into a bowl and whisk to combine.

Enjoy in Recipes: Use to season chicken, beef, or fish. It’s also great on vegetables or to use in recipes that need southwest flavors or seasoning.

Store: If you aren’t using it right away, then store it in a sealed container for up to 6 months.

This delicious Cajun Rice and Sausage Skillet has become an instant favorite in our house! It’s easy to make in one pan with flavorful andouille sausage, veggies and rice with an incredible cajun seasoning blend. A complete meal on the table in just 30 minutes!

I cannot get enough of one-pan recipes because they are so easy and fast to make, yet taste wonderful! We also love the variety they bring to the table! Try some of our other favorites next, like this cajun shrimp and sausage vegetable skillet, ground beef stroganoff, or creamy spinach artichoke chicken!

Cajun rice and sausage skillet is so incredibly easy that it makes a perfect weeknight meal! It’s also so tasty, bursting with amazing Cajun flavor and a mix of sausage, colorful vegetables and seasoned rice.

Skillet dinners are my favorite because you cook everything in the same pan, and it makes clean-up a breeze. Start the sausage in the skillet, then add in and sauté the veggies. Next, add the tomatoes, rice and broth, and simmer everything for about 20 minutes. It’s ready to enjoy with very little effort, is a complete meal, and your family will love it!

Ingredients Needed

This sausage skillet recipe is made with simple ingredients and a homemade cajun seasoning blend that takes this meal to the next level. See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Andouille Sausage: A smoked sausage commonly used in Cajun cuisine.

Oil: For sautéing the sausage and veggies.

Vegetables: A combination of red bell pepper, green bell pepper and yellow onion adds lots of flavor and texture.

Garlic: Adding garlic to any dish adds such a delicious taste! If you don’t have fresh garlic cloves on hand, you can use minced garlic from your fridge, 1/2 tsp equals about 1 clove of garlic.

Cajun Seasoning: Use this homemade Cajun Seasoning for the best flavor.

Diced Tomatoes: Use Rotel or any other brand of diced tomatoes with green chilies.

Rice: We like long grain white rice best in this recipe.

Chicken Broth: Adds enough liquid to cook the rice.

Sliced Green Onions: Optional for garnish.

How to Make a Cajun Rice and Sausage Skillet

This is such a super simple dinner recipe that delivers insanely delicious results! Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this one. Plus, it’s simple to make and even easier to clean up. Here’s how everything comes together:

Cook the Sausage: Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the sausage in and sauté for 3-5 minutes, mostly browning the sausage.

Sauté the Vegetables: To the skillet add in the bell peppers and onion, continue to sauté everything for another 5 minutes, the vegetables should brown and become tender.

Garlic & Seasonings: Add the garlic and cajun seasoning and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, just until the garlic becomes fragrant.

Add Rice and Simmer: Add in the fire diced tomatoes with green chilies, rice, and chicken broth and bring everything to a boil. Once the liquid is boiling, cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low, keeping the liquid at a low simmer.

Cook: Continue to simmer the liquid, covered for about 20 minutes, the rice should have absorbed all the liquid.

Fluff the Rice: Remove the skillet from heat, keep it covered and let it rest for another 5 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the rice to redistribute all the vegetables and sausage throughout.

Serve: Serve fresh with sliced green onions and enjoy!