Chili cheese dog chili takes classic chili and stirs in the beloved ball park hot dog flavors. Loaded with ground beef, sliced hot dogs, and chili beans cooks right up in your slow cooker and will have the whole family counting down the hours until supper time so they can pile on their favorite toppings and dig in!

Some people wait until fall to start making chili.
Not me.
There is never a ‘right’ time for chili for me because there is never a wrong time to make it!
It’s a food group unto itself with so many different versions and varieties.
While I’d be happy making a huge pot each week, my kids went through a phase where all they ate was hot dogs.

Why not combine their favorite with mine?
That’s exactly what this chili cheese dog chili is.
It’s hearty chili combined with those state fair/ball park flavors my kids loved.
Better yet?
Because you make it in the slow cooker, there’s virtually no effort on your part.

To make this you’ll need:

This chili cheese dog chili is very easy to make.
To do it, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
Drain off the excess grease.
Then transfer the drained, cooked meat to the bowl of your slow cooker.
Add the onion, green pepper, garlic, tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, ketchup, barbecue, mustard, chili powder, and cumin to the crockpot.
Stir everything together until the mixture’s combined.
Cover the slow cooker and cook the chili on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
30 minutes before serving, stir in 3/4 of the cheese and all of the hot dog slices.
Ladle the cooked chili into bowls and top them evenly with the remaining cheese and additional minced onion, and sprinkle of dried parsley.
Let the bowls rest for a few minutes to melt the cheese and serve warm.
Enjoy!

You can really have fun with toppings for this chili because both chili dog toppings and chili toppings would be delicious.
Options include:

Store this chili right in the covered bowl of your slow cooker or transfer it to air tight containers in the fridge.
It will keep in the fridge for 4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire leftover chili in the slow cooker until it’s warm.
Chili freezes very well.
To do it, let it cool to room temperature and then ladle it into airtight, heavy duty freezer bags or freezer safe tupperware containers.
If you’re using freezer bags, squeeze out all the excess air.
Freeze it for 3 to 6 months.
Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating in the microwave.

Slow cooker chili dog chili is a delicious mash up of ball park flavors and stick to your ribs chili.
Make it and enjoy!
Looking for other chili dog recipes?
Try these:
If you’ve tried this CHILI CHEESE DOG CHILI, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

recipe adapted from The Gracious Wife
]]>This copycat Carrabba’s Steak Marsala is a version of sirloin steak marsala that tastes just like the restaurant favorite. With tender steak smothered in a sautéed mushroom and Marsala wine sauce, it’s an easy way to bring restaurant style home.

There’s something extra special about a perfectly cooked steak smothered in savory mushrooms.
That might be why I love Carrabba’s Steak Marsala so much.
The grilled steak is tender and juicy while the mushrooms are flavor bombs loaded with the rich Marsala sauce.
It’s a combination that just hits all the right notes.

This copycat Carrabba’s Steak Marsala brings all those flavors right to your own kitchen so you can enjoy a fancy feeling meal at home for less than the cost of a meal out.
It’s perfect for a date night home, Sunday dinner, entertaining, or special occasions but it’s easy enough for a regular weeknight.
Serve your steak with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, pasta to soak up all that delicious sauce and dinner is done.

To make this you’ll need:

Making this copycat Carrabba’s Steak Marsala is pretty straightforward.
Set the steaks out 30 minutes prior to cooking them so they can come to room temperature and season them with the garlic, salt, and pepper.
Heat the oil and butter to a large cast iron skillet set over medium high heat.
Once the butter is melted, add the steaks to the hot skillet and sear them for 5 minutes undisturbed.
After 5 minutes, flip the steaks over and cook them for 5 more minutes without touching them.
Transfer the steaks to a waiting plate, cover with foil, and set them aside.
Turn the heat down to medium and add the mushrooms and shallots to the same skillet you cooked the steak in.
Cook them for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Then stir in the wine, working all the brown bits off the bottom of the skillet.
Turn the heat down to medium low and let the wine simmer for 2 minutes.
Stir in the broth and dijon mustard.
Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce reduces by half, about 5 minutes.
Plate the steaks, spoon the sauce overtop and serve immediately.
Enjoy!

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For the best results, reheat the steak gently in a skillet over low to medium-low heat with the sauce.
Add a small splash of broth or wine if the sauce has thickened too much.


Copycat Carrabba’s Steak Marsala is a delicious dupe of the restaurant favorite you can put together at home in under half an hour.
Make it and enjoy!
Looking for suggestions on what to serve with steak marsala?
Try these sides:
If you’ve tried this COPYCAT CARRABBA’S STEAK MARSALA, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

recipe adapted from Cooking With Curls
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Copycat Cheesecake Factory Buffalo Blasts are crispy fried pasta pockets packed with saucy, cheesy buffalo chicken. They’re an indulgent appetizer to make at home for game day, entertaining, or just when you’re craving the restaurant favorite.

So there are people that go to the Cheesecake Factory just for the cheesecake, and then there are people that know that all the other stuff is just as good- or better than the desserts!
If you’ve ever ordered Buffalo Blasts at The Cheesecake Factory, you already that these are an appetizer lover’s dream food and just as delicious as any slice of cheesecake on their prolific menu.
These crispy little bites are loaded with cheesy, buffalo flavor, all tucked inside a golden, crunchy fried pasta pocket type shell.

They are perfectly dippable and totally delicious dunked in blue cheese or ranch.
We’re talking totally addictive if you love crunchy, cheesy buffalo goodness.
However taking the family out for Cheesecake Factory isn’t in our budget for more than special occasions.

Those dinners add up quick.
But these copycat Cheesecake Factor Buffalo Blasts have all the flavors you love with no need to spend as much as you would eating out.
To make these you’ll need:

Making copycat Cheesecake Factory Buffalo Blasts at home is actually really easy.
It’s a recipe that requires more assembling than actual cooking.






Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer or oven until they are warmed through.


Copycat Cheesecake Factory Buffalo Blasts are a delicious addition to game day or parties or just anytime you want that signature appetizer at home.
Make them and enjoy!
Looking for other copycat Cheesecake Factory Recipes?
Try these:

If you’ve tried these COPYCAT CHEESECAKE FACTORY BUFFALO BLASTS, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

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This restaurant style Mexican white sauce is a beloved staple chip dip you’re practically guaranteed to find at any Mexican restaurant in the state of Virginia. It’s also a regionally specific thing, and one you won’t find with an easy to buy from the store counterpart. Our copycat recipe let’s you enjoy this creamy, zesty white salsa from the comfort of your own home!

One of the best parts of going out for Mexican food is definitely the endless basket of chips.
And sure traditional salsa is delicious, but have you had Mexican white sauce?
This zesty white chip dip is so delicious and something I look forward to every time we go out.
But it’s actually super easy to make at home too, so now when the craving hits I just whip up this at home version of our beloved Virginia white sauce.
Paired with crispy tortilla chips it’s the perfect snack, or appetizer, for virtually any occasion!

Mexican white sauce is also known as white ranch, or sometimes even white salsa, in different parts of the South.
In the 1970’s, the Mexican restaurant craze that swept through our area brought this white sauce in as a salad dressing.
People quickly started realizing how yummy it was when you dunked tortilla chips into it, it became a bit of a phenomenon that caught on, and soon it became a beloved regional condiment that was a mainstay on menus.
It’s most popular in Virginia where it originated, and where if you can’t find it today, there’s an issue.

This Mexican white sauce recipe is easy to make, especially when you consider that it only requires a handful of simple ingredients to come together.
To make this you’ll need:

Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, you’re ready to whip up a batch of this Mexican white sauce recipe!
This Mexican white sauce chip dip is so easy to make. It only takes a few minutes!

Just add all of the ingredients to a small mixing bowl, except for the salt, and whisk them all together until evenly combined with a smooth & creamy texture.
Taste the sauce and then season it will salt to your desired preference. Start with less, and add more only if needed.

Cover and chill for at least 8 hours, but up to 24 hours.
Serve and enjoy!

Store leftover Mexican white sauce in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Mexican white sauce is delicious with chips but also yummy as a dip for veggies or even spooned over a southwest style salad.
It’s also great spooned over tacos, or as a spread on the inside of the shell. Similarly, spread it on the inside of a tortilla before making homemade quesadillas for an easy flavor upgrade.
It’s also great to enjoy as a condiment, whether it’s as a dipping sauce for crispy french fries or drizzled over baked potatoes.
Pretty much anything you would use sour cream on or with, well then this sauce can be used instead!


Mexican white sauce is a yummy chip dip you can make right at home.
Make it and enjoy!
Looking for other easy salsa recipes to enjoy?
Try these:
If you’ve tried this MEXICAN WHITE SAUCE, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

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Homemade sauerkraut is a surprising easy condiment or side dish that comes together with only 3 ingredients and a bit of time. The result is a crunchy, tangy compliment to bratwurst, hot dogs, Reubens, pork, and more.

Some thing seem so mysterious to make but are in reality actually very easy.
Homemade sauerkraut is one of those things.
It seems like it would be super complicated but it’s much easier than you might think with only 3 ingredients.
Plus most of the work is hands off while the cabbage does its thing and ferments.

That’s right.
You’re not doing much of anything.
The cabbage is.
And the finished sauerkraut has that classic tangy, slightly salty bite with a satisfying crunch.

Making your own also gives you control over the flavor and texture.
A longer ferment time means tangier sauerkraut while a shorter ferment means a milder version.
It does take some patience while the fermentation happens, but there’s something really satisfying about watching a simple head of cabbage transform into something so tasty.
To make this you’ll need:

Making homemade sauerkraut is pretty easy, as long as you have a little patience.
Just quarter the cabbage and then slice it thinly.

Put the cabbage into a large dish and sprinkle it with salt and caraway seeds, kneading the salt and seeds into the cabbage until the cabbage softens and releases liquid.

Pack the cabbage into a 1 liter jar.

Pour the liquid that the cabbage released on top of the cabbage.
Press the cabbage down into the liquid to make sure it is all submerged using weights or a smaller jar nested into the larger jar on top of the cabbage.

Cover the top of the jar with a cheesecloth and secure it with an elastic band.
Let the jar sit at room temperature for 3-7 days to ferment or until the desired tang is achieved.

Once the cabbage is tangy enough for you, remove the cheesecloth and smaller jar or weights.
Secure a regular lid on the jar and store in the fridge or serve with all your favorite recipes.
Enjoy!

Store the jar of sauerkraut in the fridge with the lid secured for up to a month.


Homemade sauerkraut is a surprisingly simple condiment or side dish.
Make it and enjoy!
Looking for recipes that pair well with sauerkraut?
Try these:
If you’ve tried this HOMEMADE SAUERKRAUT, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on.

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Pumpkin French toast is a cozy fall breakfast full of the cozy, warming flavors of the season. Fluffy pieces of brioche bread coated in a rich pumpkin custard get cooked to golden perfection and turn a regular crisp fall morning into something to celebrate.

As soon as the heat breaks and the ‘ber months approach, I start looking forward to cozy fall food.
And of course that means pumpkin and cinnamon and all the warming spices that smell -and taste!- so good.
Breakfast just begs for a little pumpkin pizzazz and this pumpkin French toast has so much of it you’ll be saying, “Oh my gourd!”
It takes everything we love about classic French toast and gives it a cozy fall twist with pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Serve it with butter and plenty of maple syrup, or add whipped cream, chopped pecans, powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of caramel for an extra-indulgent breakfast or to turn it into a holiday morning meal.
But just because it’s worthy of a festive occasion doesn’t mean it’s not as easy to make as pumpkin pie.
It can be on the table from start to finish in just about 20 minutes.
That’s pretty sweet!

To make this you’ll need:

Making pumpkin French toast is pretty easy.
Just beat the eggs, half and half, pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg together with a hand mixer in a mixing bowl until everything is smooth and creamy.
Set it aside.
Then melt some butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Quickly dip a slice of bread into the prepared mixture, just long enough to coat both sides of the bread with the pumpkin custard.
Immediately put the coated bread into the warm skillet.
Cook the French toast for 2-3 minutes per side or just until the exterior is golden brown and the French toast is cooked through.
Transfer the cooked piece of pumpkin french toast to a waiting serving plate and repeat with the rest of the slices.
Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Enjoy!

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For best results when reheating, heat the leftover French toast in a warm oven or on the stove in a warm skillet just until it’s hot.


Pumpkin French toast is a delicious start to any crisp, fall morning.
Make it and enjoy!
Looking for other pumpkin breakfasts?
Try these:
If you’ve tried this PUMPKIN FRENCH TOAST or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on.

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Copycat Costco turkey swiss pinwheels feature the same flavors as the beloved deli tray wraps. They have the perfect blend of sliced turkey, Swiss cheese, sandwich veggies, and cranberry cream cheese spread all tucked into soft tortillas for a beautiful holiday appetizer, game day sandwich, or easy lunch.

With back to school season in full swing, the holidays are right around the corner.
And while my sons are growing up, I still remember the days when my youngest was a freckle faced third grader and my oldest was getting ready to graduate from high school.
One of the things I remember most?
Scrambling and juggling to manage their different stages and needs- including school lunch needs.
These copycat Costco turkey Swiss pinwheels kept everyone happy from the youngest through the oldest.

They kept me happy because I could make them one night and have a solid 4 nights of lunches ready to go ahead of time, which kept us from scrambling in the mornings.
These homemade turkey pinwheels taste just like the Costco variety, complete with cranberry spread.
And, thanks to that same festive spread they make an awesome holiday appetizer.
That’s a pretty heavy hitting recipe!

To make these you’ll need:

It’s pretty easy to put together an impressive homemade wrap tray with these Copycat Costco turkey swiss pinwheels.
Start by whipping together the cream cheese and cranberry sauce in a small bowl until combined.
Working with one tortilla at a time, spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture evenly out over the bottom side of the tortilla.
Arrange three lettuce leaves out down the center of the tortilla.
Top the lettuce with two slices of turkey, followed by 4 slices of Swiss in the center of the tortilla.
Top the Swiss with a few slices of tomato if desired.
Pick a side and roll the tortilla up tightly towards the filling until it’s completely wrapped and the filling is rolled inside.
Repeat this until all the tortillas are filled and rolled.
Wrap each turkey pinwheel securely in plastic wrap.
Pop them in the fridge for one hour.
When you are ready to serve them, take as many filled tortillas as you need out of the fridge.
Remove the plastic wrap and use a sharp knife to slice into 6-8 pinwheels.
Discard any unfilled ends.
Repeat with more tortillas as needed.
Serve and enjoy!

These turkey pinwheels make fantastic make ahead lunches and appetizers.
If you are planning on leftovers, keep the filled, wrapped tortillas in the fridge in plastic wrap for up to 3 to 4 days.
If you’ve already cut them into pinwheels, transfer them into an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Unwrapped pinwheels may loose their shape in the fridge.


Copycat Costco turkey swiss pinwheels are an easy make ahead appetizer, snack, or even lunch that are pretty enough for the holidays but effortless enough for every day.
Looking for other easy wraps and pinwheels?
Try these:
If you’ve tried these COPYCAT COSTCO TURKEY SWISS PINWHEELS, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on.

recipe adapted from Culinary Hill
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Homemade buttermilk is an invaluable recipe to know how to make that you can use for so many baked goods and marinades. This easy kitchen staple needs just two ingredients and a few minutes of prep and will save you anytime you run into a recipe that call for buttermilk and you don’t have it on hand!

We’ve all been there, ready to make a recipe only to realize we’re missing one of the ingredients.
It’s almost always buttermilk.
Buttermilk is one of those things I don’t always have sitting in the refrigerator or have on my grocery list consistently because I just don’t use it every week.
But when I do decide I’m making homemade pancakes or or marinading chicken in buttermilk, I don’t want to run out to the store just to buy a jug of it.
Luckily, you don’t need to because making homemade buttermilk substitute at home is incredibly easy.

All you need is milk and an acidic ingredient, and you’ll have a tangy homemade buttermilk that’s ready to use in just a few minutes.
Like the store bought version this buttermilk has that slightly tangy flavor that makes pancakes and biscuits so delicious, while also helping baked goods turn out tender and moist.
It’s especially handy shortcut when you only need a small amount for a recipe and don’t want to buy a whole container that may end up sitting in the refrigerator until it gets forgotten.

To make this you’ll need:

Making homemade buttermilk substitute is so easy!
Just stir together the milk and lemon juice in a mason jar or other container that has a lid.
Let it sit, covered, for 15 minutes at room temperature.
After 15 minutes, use it in your favorite recipes exactly as you would use store bought buttermilk or pop it into the fridge in the sealed container.
Enjoy!

Store the sealed container in fridge for up to 4 days.


Homemade buttermilk is an absolute lifesaver whenever you run into a recipe that calls for buttermilk and you don’t have any on hand.
Make it and enjoy in all your favorite recipes.
Looking for recipes to use up the rest of it?
Try these:
If you’ve tried this HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

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Homemade pancake mix is an easy pantry staple you can make with ingredients you probably already have on hand. This mix is the perfect base for light, fluffy pancakes any morning.

I love having homemade mixes like this homemade pancake mix ready to go in the pantry.
It makes mornings easier, and I will take anything I can get to help with mornings from an extra large cup of coffee to a batch of pancake mix that’s just waiting for me to mix in a few wet ingredients.
All you need to do is scoop out the amount you need, add the wet ingredients, and you are ready to flip up some flapjacks with the perfect buttery flavor and fluffy centers.

The base is neutral so you can add in any of your favorite mix ins like blueberries, strawberries, or chocolate chips.
Not only does making a batch of your own mix save you time if you make enough to store for later, but it is about half as expensive as store-bought mix ounce for ounce.
That’s not a bad way to save some pennies!

To make the pancake mix itself you’ll need:
To turn this mix into pancakes you’ll need:

Homemade pancake mix is so easy to make!
Just whisk all of the pancake mix ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until they are evenly combined.
Transfer the mixture to a large ziplocking bag, airtight container, or sealable jar if you are storing for later use.

To make pancakes from this homemade mix, just whisk together all the wet ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
Then whisk the dry pancake mix into the bowl of wet ingredients, until the batter is smooth.
Heat a large skillet or griddle pan over medium heat, grease it with butter.
Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, pour circles of batter onto the hot skillet with room for them to spread.
Cook until bubbles appear on top toward the center of the pancakes.
Carefully flip the pancakes over and continue cooking just until the pancakes are set and are golden brown.
Repeat until all the batter’s been used.
Serve warm with your favorite toppings, and enjoy!

Store the pancake mix in an airtight jar or container or in ziplocking bag in your pantry.
The mix should stay good for about 6 months.
After 6 months, the baking powder won’t have as much leavening.
To store leftover pancakes, either wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate them for up to 3 days.
Reheat them in a warm oven for a minute or two to warm them through.
You can also put them in a freezer safe bag and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Reheat frozen pancakes in a warm oven until the pancakes are warmed through.


Homemade pancake mix makes perfect, fluffy pancakes, easier mornings, and saves you a little money.
Make them and enjoy!
Looking for other homemade mixes?
Try these:
If you’ve tried this HOMEMADE PANCAKE MIX, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

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Copycat Chickie’s & Pete’s crab fries are crispy seasoned fries tossed with Old Bay and served with a rich, creamy cheese sauce for dipping. This easy copycat recipe lets you enjoy the Philly area game day favorite at home whenever the craving hits.

If you’ve ever been to Philly, you know the casual food scene is basically cheesesteaks and Chickie’s & Pete’s crab fries.
Step off the plane in Philadelphia airport and you can buy them there.
And of course, they are a staple at the Linc and Citizen’s Bank Park and so many other locations throughout the city.
They are such a fan favorite for good reason.
The combination of crispy fries, Old Bay seasoning, and that warm, creamy cheese sauce is one of those simple combinations that’s almost impossible to stop eating.

And what do these copycat Chickie’s & Pete’s crab fries have in common with cheesesteak?
The cheese sauce.
Both steak sandwiches and crab fries get served with a smooth, creamy cheese sauce.
And this cheese sauce is smooth, creamy, and rich.
It’s the perfect balance to the bold Old Bay seasoning.
Give this recipe a try whenever you want some Philly flavor for game day and be prepared to make it over and over again.

To make these you’ll need:

Copycat Chickie & Pete’s crab fries are so easy to make!
Just cook the fries according to the package directions for your preferred cooking method.
While the fries cook, warm the milk in a small sauce pan over medium heat, being careful not to boil or scald the milk.
When the milk is warm, stir in the chopped cheese until the cheese completely melts.
Season the fries evenly with Old Bay, tossing them to coat them.
Serve on a serving dish with the cheese sauce on the side for dipping.
Enjoy!

This is one of those dishes that tastes best the day you make it.
However if you have leftover crab fries, I recommend storing the fries and cheese sauce in their own separate airtight containers in the fridge.
Reheat the fries in the oven or air fryer to crisp them up again and reheat the cheese sauce on the stove top, stirring in more milk if needed.

No!
People think there is but they are called crab fries because of the Old Bay seasoning, which is commonly used on seafood and has a crab on the spice jar.
There’s no actual crab, or seafood, in this recipe.

Copycat Chickie’s & Pete’s crab fries are a delicious, Philly style game day snack or appetizer.
Make them and enjoy!
Looking for other game day recipes?
Try these:
If you’ve tried this COPYCAT CHICKIE’S & PETE’S CRAB FRIES RECIPE, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

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