Holiday Fast Food Copycats: 13 Festive Drive-Thru Favorites You Can Make at Home for Less

Holiday fast food copycats are the sweetest way to beat the drive-thru line this year. The new holiday menus dropped this week and people went wild: McRib searches topped 200,000 on Google in a few days, and searches for a peppermint cookies and cream shake jumped 2,300% in seven days. The catch is that these treats are limited time, the lines are long and the prices keep creeping up. So we made our own. Below are 13 seasonal favorites, from a cookie butter latte to a sticky BBQ rib sandwich, each one with a real recipe you can make at home any day you want. They are not the official recipes, just honest homemade versions that taste close and cost less. Which one are you making first..

Holiday Fast Food Copycats Start With a Cookie Butter Latte

McDonald’s announced a cookie butter latte, frappe and iced coffee for its holiday menu on Oct. 27, landing at participating restaurants on Nov. 3, part of the holiday drink lineup reported by USA Today. The idea is simple: a creamy latte with a rich, spiced cookie flavor, topped with sweet whipped cream and caramel cookie crumbs. Good news: you can make it at home right now with a jar of cookie butter from the grocery store. It tastes like a warm gingerbread cookie in a mug, and it is the first of our holiday fast food copycats for a reason..

You will need: 2 tbsp cookie butter spread, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 cup milk, 2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strong coffee, 1/4 tsp vanilla, whipped cream, 2 spiced biscuit cookies crushed, caramel sauce for drizzling.

How to make it: 1. Warm the milk with the cookie butter and brown sugar, whisking until smooth. 2. Froth it with a milk frother or whisk hard for 30 seconds. 3. Pour the espresso into a large mug and add the vanilla. 4. Pour in the frothy cookie butter milk. 5. Top with whipped cream. 6. Finish with cookie crumbs and a thin drizzle of caramel.

Cookie Butter Frappe, the Icy Twin

The same cookie butter flavor comes as a frappe on the new holiday menu, blended with ice and topped with vanilla whip and caramel cookie crumbs. At home, a blender does the job in two minutes. Freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray the night before and your frappe never tastes watered down. Kids can have a coffee-free version with extra milk, which makes it one of the most family-friendly holiday fast food copycats here. Team hot latte or team icy frappe?

You will need: 1 cup cold strong coffee frozen in cubes, 3/4 cup milk, 2 tbsp cookie butter spread, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 cup ice, 1/2 tsp vanilla, whipped cream, caramel sauce, 2 spiced biscuit cookies crushed.

How to make it: 1. Put the coffee cubes, milk, cookie butter, sugar, ice and vanilla in a blender. 2. Blend on high until thick and smooth. 3. Drizzle caramel inside a tall glass. 4. Pour in the frappe. 5. Top with whipped cream. 6. Sprinkle with cookie crumbs and serve with a wide straw.

Frosted Cranberry Splash With Cold Foam

One of the prettiest new drinks this season is a bright cranberry and orange soda topped with fluffy cold foam and cranberry sprinkles. Our homemade version uses lemon-lime soda, cranberry juice and fresh orange, and we skip the energy drink version completely. Of all the holiday fast food copycats on this list, it makes the best party drink for kids and adults. Make the foam right before serving so it stays tall. Would you serve this at Thanksgiving or Christmas?

You will need: 1 cup lemon-lime soda chilled, 1/3 cup cranberry juice, 2 tbsp fresh orange juice, ice, a few fresh cranberries; cold foam: 3 tbsp heavy cream, 2 tbsp milk, 1 tsp powdered sugar, red sugar sprinkles.

How to make it: 1. Fill a tall glass with ice. 2. Add the cranberry juice and orange juice. 3. Slowly pour in the soda so it keeps its fizz. 4. Froth the cream, milk and powdered sugar until thick but pourable. 5. Spoon the foam on top. 6. Finish with red sprinkles and a few cranberries.

Holiday Fast Food Copycats: The McRib-Style BBQ Sandwich

The McRib came back to select markets on Oct. 27, and searches for it shot past 200,000 within days. Fans love the tangy BBQ sauce, the pickles and the slivered onions on a long roll. Our holiday fast food copycats version shapes seasoned ground pork into long patties, then dunks them in warm BBQ sauce. It is messy in the best way. Do you love the McRib or skip it?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb ground pork, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 1/2 cups smoky BBQ sauce, 4 hoagie rolls, dill pickle chips, 1/2 white onion thinly slivered.

How to make it: 1. Mix the pork with the salt and spices. 2. Shape into 4 long, flat patties the size of your rolls. 3. Cook in a hot skillet 4 to 5 minutes per side until cooked through. 4. Warm the BBQ sauce in a wide pan and dunk each patty to coat. 5. Toast the rolls. 6. Add the patty, pickles and onions and serve.

Chicken Tortilla Soup for Cold Nights

Chick-fil-A has brought back its chicken tortilla soup in past winters, and searches for it jumped 1,000% on Google in just one week. It is a creamy, gently spicy soup with chicken, white beans, corn and green chiles, finished with crunchy tortilla strips. This homemade version is ready in 30 minutes and tastes even better the next day. For more chain favorites in a bowl, see our copycat restaurant soups. Cheese on top: yes or no?

You will need: 1 tbsp oil, 1 onion diced, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 4 cups chicken broth, 2 cups cooked shredded chicken, 1 can white beans drained, 1 cup corn, 1 can diced green chiles, 4 oz cream cheese, tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, lime.

How to make it: 1. Cook the onion in oil 5 minutes, then add the garlic and spices. 2. Pour in the broth and bring to a simmer. 3. Add the chicken, beans, corn and chiles and simmer 15 minutes. 4. Stir in the cream cheese until melted and creamy. 5. Ladle into bowls. 6. Top with tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Holiday Fast Food Copycats: Peppermint Chip Milkshake

For many families, the first peppermint chip milkshake of the year is when the holidays really begin. Chick-fil-A has made it a winter tradition in past seasons, and it is one of the holiday fast food copycats that is almost too easy at home. Vanilla ice cream, a little peppermint extract, crushed candy canes and mini chocolate chips. That is it. Make it pink with one drop of red food coloring.

You will need: 3 cups vanilla ice cream, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 tsp peppermint extract, 1/4 cup crushed candy canes, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, 1 drop red food coloring (optional), whipped cream.

How to make it: 1. Let the ice cream soften for 5 minutes. 2. Blend the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract and food coloring until smooth. 3. Pulse in most of the candy canes and chocolate chips. 4. Pour into tall glasses. 5. Top with whipped cream. 6. Sprinkle with the rest of the candy canes and chips.

Peppermint Cookies and Cream Milkshake

Searches for a peppermint cookies and cream shake from Zaxby’s jumped 2,300% on Google Trends in seven days, which tells you how much people want this one. It mixes two favorites: crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and cool peppermint. A swirl of chocolate syrup inside the glass makes it look like it came from a diner counter. Poll time: A) peppermint chip, B) cookies and cream, C) both in one glass?

You will need: 3 cups vanilla ice cream, 1/2 cup milk, 8 chocolate sandwich cookies, 1/4 tsp peppermint extract, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, 2 tbsp crushed candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Drizzle chocolate syrup around the inside of two glasses. 2. Blend the ice cream, milk and peppermint extract until smooth. 3. Add 6 of the cookies and pulse just until chunky. 4. Pour into the glasses. 5. Top with whipped cream. 6. Crumble the last 2 cookies on top with the candy canes.

Turkey Club Sandwich, Arby’s Style

Arby’s has brought back its turkey sandwiches every fall in past years, and one of its best is a turkey club stacked with bacon, Swiss cheese and honey mustard. At home there is no need for a pot of frying oil. Thick slices of roast turkey crisp up in a hot buttered skillet in two minutes. It is also the perfect plan for Thanksgiving leftovers. Would you make this the day after Thanksgiving?

You will need: 8 thick slices roast turkey breast (or Thanksgiving leftovers), 1 tbsp butter, 8 slices bacon cooked, 4 slices Swiss cheese, 4 soft rolls or 8 slices toasted bread, lettuce, tomato slices; honey mustard: 3 tbsp mayo, 1 tbsp mustard, 1 tbsp honey.

How to make it: 1. Stir the mayo, mustard and honey together. 2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium high heat. 3. Crisp the turkey slices 1 minute per side. 4. Lay the Swiss on the hot turkey to melt. 5. Spread honey mustard on the toasted rolls or bread. 6. Stack the turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato and serve with fries.

Holiday Fast Food Copycats: The Pretzel Bun Burger

Burger King rolled out a Game Day Pretzel Burger on Oct. 6: a beef patty with American cheese, bacon, crispy onions and nacho cheese sauce on a soft pretzel bun. People are still searching for it now. Pretzel buns are easy to find in most grocery bakeries, so this is one of the simplest holiday fast food copycats to make for a game night or a busy weekend. Messy? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.

You will need: 1 lb ground beef (80/20), salt and pepper, 4 slices American cheese, 8 slices bacon cooked, 1 cup crispy fried onions, 4 pretzel buns; quick nacho cheese: 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp flour, 3/4 cup milk, 1 cup shredded cheddar, pinch of chili powder.

How to make it: 1. Melt the butter, stir in the flour, then whisk in the milk until thick. 2. Stir in the cheddar and chili powder until smooth. 3. Shape the beef into 4 patties and season well. 4. Cook in a hot skillet 3 to 4 minutes per side and add the cheese at the end. 5. Toast the pretzel buns. 6. Stack the patty, bacon and onions and spoon the nacho cheese over the top.

Holiday Sprinkle Doughnuts

Krispy Kreme rolls out festive doughnuts every holiday season, and searches for its new glazed doughnut climbed again this week. Like most holiday fast food copycats, a homemade batch is easier than you think, with no frying at all. These baked doughnuts are soft and cakey, dipped in a simple vanilla glaze and covered in holiday sprinkles. Let the kids pick the colors. It turns a cold Saturday morning into a party. Which sprinkles win at your house?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 3/4 cup milk, 2 eggs, 4 tbsp butter melted, 1 tsp vanilla; glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla, food coloring (optional), sprinkles.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease two doughnut pans. 2. Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl. 3. Stir in the milk, eggs, butter and vanilla until just combined. 4. Pipe into the pans and bake 10 to 12 minutes. 5. Cool, then whisk the glaze ingredients. 6. Dip each doughnut in glaze and add sprinkles right away.

Holiday Fast Food Copycats: The Peppermint Mocha

No holiday drink list is complete without the peppermint mocha, the coffee shop classic that comes back every winter. The homemade version takes five minutes, costs a fraction of the coffee shop price, and you control the sweetness. The trick is to melt real chocolate into the milk, not just syrup. Crushed candy canes on top make it look like a treat from a holiday cafe. Which of these holiday fast food copycats beats it?

You will need: 1 cup milk, 2 tbsp chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp peppermint extract, 2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strong coffee, whipped cream, crushed candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Warm the milk in a small pot over medium heat. 2. Whisk in the chocolate, cocoa and sugar until melted. 3. Stir in the peppermint extract. 4. Pour the espresso into a mug. 5. Add the hot peppermint chocolate milk. 6. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

Biscuit Donut Bites With Salted Caramel Dip

Bojangles added Donut Bites to its fall menu this October: little pieces of fried biscuit dough tossed in sugar and served with a salted caramel dip. A tube of canned biscuits makes a homemade batch in 15 minutes. Shake them in cinnamon sugar, or dust with powdered sugar like the ones in the photo. The caramel dip is the real star. Poll: A) cinnamon sugar, B) powdered sugar, C) plain with extra caramel?

You will need: 1 can refrigerated biscuits (8 count), oil for frying or an air fryer, 1/2 cup sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon (or powdered sugar); salted caramel dip: 1/2 cup brown sugar, 4 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp flaky salt.

How to make it: 1. Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and roll into balls. 2. Fry in 350 F oil for 2 minutes, turning, or air fry at 350 F for 6 to 8 minutes. 3. Drain and toss in the sugar while warm. 4. For the dip, melt the butter and brown sugar in a small pot. 5. Whisk in the cream and simmer 2 minutes. 6. Stir in the vanilla and salt and serve warm with the bites.

Chicken Cheesesteak, the Newest Drive-Thru Craze

Arby’s launched a lineup of chicken cheesesteaks on Oct. 12, made with seasoned chicken, melted white American cheese and caramelized onions on a toasted roll. It is a great weeknight dinner that feels like takeout. Slice the chicken very thin so it cooks fast and stays juicy. Want the classic? Swap in thin shaved steak. Thank you for cooking along with these holiday fast food copycats. Which one are you trying first?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb chicken breast very thinly sliced, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, salt and pepper, 2 tbsp oil, 2 onions thinly sliced, 1 green bell pepper sliced (optional), 8 slices white American or provolone cheese, 4 hoagie rolls toasted.

How to make it: 1. Toss the chicken with the spices, salt and pepper. 2. Cook the onions in 1 tbsp oil over medium heat 12 to 15 minutes until golden. 3. Push the onions aside, add the rest of the oil and the chicken. 4. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, chopping with a spatula, until cooked through. 5. Mix with the onions and lay the cheese on top to melt. 6. Scoop into the toasted rolls and serve hot.