Tom Hanks Wants French Toast, Adele Wants Nuggets: 12 Celebrity Last Meal Recipes You Can Make at Home
Ask a movie star what they would eat one last time and you might expect caviar and lobster. Instead, a celebrity last meal usually turns out to be the same comfort food you grew up with: French toast, cheesesteaks, chicken nuggets and Mom’s dinner rolls. On the Mythical Kitchen YouTube series Last Meals, which pulls in millions of views per episode, and in other interviews, stars named the dishes they would pick for a final feast. Here is what Tom Hanks, Jason Kelce, Adele and Kevin Bacon chose, and how to make each favorite at home..
Tom Hanks Starts His Last Meal With Challah French Toast
Tom Hanks opened his last meal on Mythical Kitchen with challah French toast and sugar-free syrup, according to Mashed. It is a humble start from one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, and honestly, a smart one. Challah is rich with eggs, so it soaks up the custard without falling apart and fries up golden and tender. Would you start your last meal with breakfast too?
You will need: 6 thick slices challah (day-old is best), 4 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, half teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of salt, butter for the pan, maple or sugar-free syrup.
How to make it: Whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a shallow dish. Melt a little butter in a skillet over medium heat. Soak each slice for about 20 seconds per side. Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until deep golden. Keep warm in a 200F oven while you finish the rest, then serve with syrup.
Tom Hanks Ends His Last Meal With a White Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake
To end his last meal, Hanks picked what he calls the Tom Cruise cake, a white chocolate and coconut Bundt cake that Tom Cruise sends him every Christmas. It is a sweet Hollywood tradition, and lots of stars reportedly get one. Our homemade version is moist, coconut-packed and finished with a white chocolate glaze. Who would you send a cake to every Christmas?
You will need: 2 and a half cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, half teaspoon baking soda, half teaspoon salt, 1 cup butter softened, 1 and a half cups sugar, 4 eggs, 1 cup coconut milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 and a half cups sweetened shredded coconut, 4 ounces white chocolate chopped, 2 tablespoons cream.
How to make it: Heat the oven to 350F and grease a Bundt pan well. Whisk the flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, then add the eggs one at a time. Add the flour mix and coconut milk in turns, then the vanilla and 1 cup coconut. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool, then drizzle with white chocolate melted with the cream and sprinkle the rest of the coconut.
Tom Hanks: Greek Salad With Crispy Calamari
Hanks also chose a Greek salad with avocado and calamari, with pita and taramasalata on the side. It is a fresh, bright course in the middle of a heavy feast. Crispy calamari is easier at home than most people think. The key is very hot oil and a quick fry, so the squid stays tender instead of rubbery.
You will need: 1 pound cleaned squid cut into rings, 1 cup milk, 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt, oil for frying; salad: romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta, 1 avocado, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, lemon wedges.
How to make it: Soak the squid in milk for 20 minutes. Toss the salad vegetables with feta, olives and avocado, then dress with olive oil, vinegar and oregano. Heat 2 inches of oil to 375F. Drain the squid, dredge in flour mixed with paprika and salt, and fry in small batches for 1 to 2 minutes until golden. Pile on the salad and serve with lemon.
Tom Hanks: A Classic Combo Plate With Cheese Enchiladas
Hanks also wanted the Taste of History platter from El Cholo, a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles, with a Dr Pepper. He called it an experience second to none. A combo plate like this usually means enchiladas, rice and beans. Our cheesy enchiladas in red sauce bring that cozy restaurant feeling to your own table.
You will need: 10 corn tortillas, 3 cups shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack, 1 small onion finely chopped, 2 cups red enchilada sauce, oil, sour cream and cilantro for serving.
How to make it: Heat the oven to 375F. Warm the tortillas in a little oil so they bend without cracking. Spread half a cup of sauce in a baking dish. Fill each tortilla with cheese and onion, roll and place seam side down. Pour the rest of the sauce over and top with the remaining cheese. Bake 20 minutes until bubbly. Serve with rice, beans and sour cream.
Jason Kelce Wants Mom’s Dinner Rolls in His Last Meal
When former Eagles center Jason Kelce did Last Meals in 2023, one dish was pure family love: his mom Donna Kelce’s dinner rolls, as reported by CBS Philadelphia. We do not have her secret recipe, but these soft, buttery pull-apart rolls are the kind that make a holiday table feel like home. Who makes the best rolls in your family?
You will need: 1 cup warm milk, 1 packet (2 and a quarter teaspoons) instant yeast, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 egg, 4 tablespoons melted butter plus more for brushing, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 and a half cups flour.
How to make it: Stir the warm milk, yeast and sugar together and rest 5 minutes. Mix in the egg, butter and salt, then the flour, and knead 6 to 8 minutes until smooth. Let rise 1 hour until doubled. Shape into 15 balls, place in a greased 9×13 pan and rise 30 minutes. Bake at 375F for 18 to 20 minutes and brush with butter.
Jason Kelce: Philly Cheesesteak With Whiz
Kelce had a Dalessandro’s cheesesteak shipped overnight on dry ice for his last meal. He said he used to like American cheese but now prefers Cheez Whiz. Kevin Bacon, a Philly native, also put a cheesesteak in his final feast. You can make a great one at home with thinly shaved ribeye and a hot griddle. Whiz or provolone, which side are you on?
You will need: 1 and a half pounds ribeye, partly frozen and shaved very thin, 1 large onion thinly sliced, 2 tablespoons oil, salt and pepper, 4 long hoagie rolls, 1 cup warm cheese sauce or Cheez Whiz (or 8 slices provolone).
How to make it: Cook the onion in 1 tablespoon oil until soft and golden, then set aside. Turn the heat to high, add the rest of the oil and the steak in a thin layer. Season and cook 2 to 3 minutes, chopping with a spatula. Mix in the onions, divide into 4 piles and add cheese. Scoop each pile into a split roll.
Jason Kelce: An Old-Fashioned Pound Cake
Kelce finished his last meal with pound cake from a Philadelphia area bakery. Pound cake got its name from the old recipe: a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs and flour. It is simple, rich and perfect with coffee. Craving more old-school comfort? Try our comfort food casseroles that taste like Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house. Ours makes one big loaf with a tight, buttery crumb and a golden crust.
You will need: 1 cup butter softened, 1 cup sugar, 4 eggs at room temperature, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 and three quarters cups flour, half teaspoon salt, half teaspoon baking powder, 2 tablespoons milk.
How to make it: Heat the oven to 325F and grease a 9×5 loaf pan. Beat the butter and sugar 5 minutes until very light. Add the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla. Fold in the flour, salt and baking powder, then the milk. Pour into the pan and bake 60 to 70 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes before turning out.
Adele’s Last Meal: Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets
In a 2021 British Vogue video, Adele said her ideal last meal would be chicken nuggets, a Big Mac and fries, according to The Takeout. A superstar with a fast food order, how relatable is that? These baked nuggets are crispy, juicy and kid-approved, and you can dip them in anything. What is your go-to dipping sauce?
You will need: 1 and a half pounds chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup panko, half cup grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, half teaspoon salt, cooking spray.
How to make it: Soak the chicken in buttermilk for 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 425F and set a rack on a sheet pan. Mix the panko, Parmesan and spices. Lift the chicken from the buttermilk, press into the crumbs and place on the rack. Spray lightly with oil and bake 15 to 18 minutes, turning once, until golden and cooked through.
Adele: A Double-Decker Burger With Special Sauce
The second part of Adele’s last meal was a Big Mac. Our homemade double-decker burger has two thin patties, melted cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles and a creamy, tangy special sauce on a toasted sesame bun. It tastes like the drive-thru, only fresher. Have you ever tried making a famous burger at home?
You will need: 1 pound ground beef, salt and pepper, 4 slices American cheese, 4 sesame buns plus 2 extra bottom buns for the middle, shredded lettuce, pickles, minced onion; sauce: half cup mayo, 2 tablespoons sweet relish, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon vinegar, half teaspoon paprika, half teaspoon onion powder.
How to make it: Mix the sauce and chill. Divide the beef into 8 thin patties and season. Toast the buns. Cook the patties on a hot griddle 2 minutes per side and top 4 with cheese. Build: bottom bun, sauce, lettuce, onion, cheese patty, middle bun, sauce, lettuce, pickles, second patty, top bun.
Kevin Bacon’s Last Meal Starts With Fish Tacos
In his 2025 Last Meals episode, Kevin Bacon started with wood-fired pizza, broccoli rabe and fish tacos, with a glass of wine, as reported by Laughing Squid. Fish tacos are light, crunchy and full of flavor. A quick spice rub, a hot pan and a creamy lime slaw are all you need for a taco night that feels like the beach.
You will need: 1 pound cod or tilapia, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, half teaspoon garlic powder, salt, 1 tablespoon oil, 8 small corn tortillas, 2 cups shredded cabbage, quarter cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons mayo, juice of 1 lime, salsa and cilantro.
How to make it: Rub the fish with the spices and salt. Cook in hot oil for 3 to 4 minutes per side until it flakes. Mix the cabbage with sour cream, mayo and lime juice. Warm the tortillas, break the fish into chunks and fill each taco with fish, slaw, salsa and cilantro.
Kevin Bacon: Wood-Fired Style Pizza at Home
Bacon also picked wood-fired pizza. You do not need a pizza oven to get close. A very hot oven, a preheated sheet pan or pizza stone and a simple Margherita topping make a crisp, blistered crust. Fresh mozzarella and basil keep it classic. What is the one topping you would want on your last pizza?
You will need: 1 pound pizza dough at room temperature, half cup crushed tomatoes, 1 clove garlic grated, pinch of salt, 8 ounces fresh mozzarella torn, fresh basil, olive oil, flour or cornmeal for dusting.
How to make it: Put a pizza stone or upside-down sheet pan in the oven and heat to 500F or higher for 45 minutes. Stretch the dough thin on a floured sheet of parchment. Spread the tomatoes mixed with garlic and salt, add the mozzarella and slide onto the hot stone. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until blistered. Top with basil and olive oil.
Kevin Bacon: Banana Cake With Chocolate Frosting
For the final course of his last meal, Bacon chose banana cake with chocolate frosting, plus a peanut butter Tastykake. It is the kind of dessert a grandmother makes, and it is a great way to use spotty bananas. Which last meal from this list would you pick for yourself? Tell us in the comments.
You will need: 3 very ripe bananas mashed, half cup butter melted, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, half cup sour cream, 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, half teaspoon salt; frosting: half cup butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, half cup cocoa, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla.
How to make it: Heat the oven to 350F and grease a 9×13 pan. Mix the bananas, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Stir in the flour, soda and salt. Bake 30 to 35 minutes and cool completely. Beat the frosting ingredients until fluffy and spread over the cake.
