The good news is this: even if it’s not a Friday night, even if you live far away from an actual Applebee’s, even if you don’t really know anything about cooking… you can make EXTREMELY GOOD copycat recipes at home. Right here, right now, tonight. It’s on.
We love, love, love these recipes. You’re going to get that steak nice and tender and full of spicy flavor, and then you’re going to serve it with a pile of garlicky mashed potatoes and top it with whatever else your restaurant-loving heart desires.
The textures, the colors, the satisfying and crunchy I-might-be-in-a-booth vibe? It’s all there.
1. Applebee’s Maple Butter Blondie Copycat Recipe
Oh my gosh, you guys. We need to talk about this one. A blondie is basically a giant, thick cookie, right? And this one is pure magic.
That chewy center is all thanks to brown sugar, and the butterscotch chips bring in this amazing creamy sweetness. It’s just so good.
But the sauce? GAH! It’s a life-changing mix of cream cheese, sugar, maple syrup, and butter that tastes like a warm caramel cheesecake. I’m telling you, make a double batch of that sauce. You’re gonna want it on everything.
2. Copycat Applebee’s Chicken Fajitas
You know that moment in a restaurant when the sizzling plates go by? We all turn our heads! There’s just something so comforting about it, and these fajitas are especially yummy.
I think they are a fantastic lighter dinner idea, and you can totally make it your own by tossing in any veggies you have on hand. It’s one of those recipes that just works.
3. Copycat Applebees Quesadilla Burger
If you’re already dreaming about quesadillas, just think about one combined with a burger! I’m one of those people who sometimes finds burger buns to be too thick or a little dry.
This dish is the perfect answer. It takes two meals we all love and brings them together for a dinner that is just ridiculously delicious.
4. Applebee’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake
This cheesecake is a total showstopper. Not only does it have a chocolate cookie crust, but it uses brown sugar to get a deeper caramel flavor throughout the whole thing. YUM.
After you get the cream cheese, sugar, and peanut butter all smooth, just gently stir in everything else so you don’t get too much air in there. The chocolate topping is amazing, but I think a caramel frosting would be an A++ addition.
5. Fiesta Lime Chicken
This might be my new favorite on the whole list. I seriously recommend it! The key is to start a day ahead so the chicken can soak up all that incredible flavor from the marinade.
While it’s best when cooked on a grill, it also bakes perfectly in the oven. It stays so moist, even after you broil the cheese on top. It’s just a winner.
6. Apleebee’s 4-Cheese Mac and Cheese
This mac and cheese is just no-nonsense goodness and is so ridiculously easy to put together. You don’t have to mess around with making a flour-based sauce or steeping milk. Nope.
Just throw all the ingredients into a pot and heat it gently until everything is combined.
The cornstarch helps thicken the sauce, and you can have this on the table in 30 minutes. Easy, minimal, and delicious!
7. Applebees Triple Chocolate Meltdown
Okay, here’s a little secret: most lava cakes are really just under-baked cakes. And these are no exception! They only need about eight minutes in the oven, which lets the outside set up perfectly while the inside stays wonderfully liquid.
The trick is to whip the eggs and sugar until they’re thick and pale, and then just barely fold in the rest to keep all that nice volume. For the best results, I always make these in individual ramekins.
8. Applebee’s Pico de Gallo
Maybe you only get this with your nachos, or maybe you’re like me and love this fresh salsa on everything from eggs to chicken. No matter what, it’s great to have a go-to recipe for it, and this one is just it.
The mix of onion, jalapeños, and tomatoes is spot-on, and you absolutely cannot skip the vinegar. It’s what brings it all together!
9. Steak and Shrimp Parmesan Applebee’s Copycat
Doesn’t a plate of steak and shrimp just feel so incredibly decadent? It’s the kind of meal you usually only get when you’re treating yourself. Well, I’m a huge fan of treating yourself at home, and I really think you should start with this recipe.
When you’re making steak, try to get a good cut from a butcher or meat counter if you can. It truly makes all the difference in the world!
10. Copycat Applebee’s Clubhouse Grille Sandwich Recipe
Thick bread is totally the key to this mammoth of a sandwich. When you’ve got all those fillings packed in there like cheese, ham, turkey, bacon, tomato, and lettuce, you definitely need a solid base!
I don’t always keep deli meat around, so a lot of the time I’ll just use some sliced chicken instead, and it’s just as good.
11. Applebee’s Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Copycat)
Using red potatoes is the secret to making these potatoes so delicious. I’m a big fan of leaving the skin on for some extra nutrients and a little bit of texture.
But let’s be real, the true star here is the roasted garlic. Seriously, trust me on this, it’s so worth the little bit of extra time it takes!
12. Applebee’s Apple Chimicheesecake
This dessert is such a fun and unique way to serve up cheesecake! You get a fresh, spiced apple cheesecake filling that’s packed into a tortilla, which then gets rolled in cinnamon sugar and fried to perfection.
If you haven’t already run to the kitchen, just be sure you dice your apples pretty small. I find that piping the filling helps keep it right in the middle where it belongs.
13. Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad
I am a huge fan of loading up a salad with more than just some sad, wilted greens and a few tomatoes. For me, it has to have lots of crunch and be drenched in dressing.
And this salad? It totally delivers! Not only is it covered in noodles and almonds, but the chicken is crispy too, which gives it even more amazing flavor.
14. Applebee’s Beer Cheese
I really don’t know why fondue ever went out of style. This wild mix of blond ale and cheese is a total revelation! Lighter beer is recommended here, but if you love a deeper beer flavor, you can always experiment with something a little darker.
Just be sure to pick a blend of cheeses that are mature and packed with flavor. American cheese might be cheap, but it just doesn’t have much taste. Go for something like a gruyere or a mature cheddar!
15. Copycat Applebee’s Garlic And Peppercorn Fried Shrimp
When you use it the right way, black pepper can really boost a dish in a way that salt just can’t. And I bet you have one of those jars of colorful peppercorns from TJ Maxx in your pantry right now! We all seem to have one.
Because shrimp has such a mild flavor on its own, the pepper gets to be the star in the crust, and it makes for such a wonderful change of pace with the flavor.
16. Copycat Applebee’s Chicken Quesadilla Grande
I feel like people are so often let down by quesadillas they make at home. Usually, they just pop them in the microwave, and they end up soft and kind of bland.
But Applebee’s uses a special blend of cheese and a ton of chipotle sauce, and that makes all the difference!
For that perfect finish, you should fry the quesadilla in a pan or put it on a griddle to get the tortilla nice and toasted.
17. Copycat Applebee’s Lemonade
Adding some sparkling water to your lemonade might seem like a small step, but trust me, it perfectly kicks up the citrus flavor. You can start with this recipe as your base and then have fun experimenting by adding different fruits.
Personally, I love to top mine with some strawberries for a little sweetness that cuts through all that zest.
18. Applebee’s Three-Cheese Chicken Penne Recipe
I’ve said this before, but it’s worth saying again: salad dressings make for the most amazing marinades! They’re already packed with all the flavor you need and do a great job of keeping your chicken super juicy and tender.
The only cheese I would say you have to keep here is the mozzarella, for that perfect cheese pull. Otherwise, feel free to play around with different cheeses to create something new!
19. Applebee’s Vegetable Medley
While the mix of zucchini, carrot, squash, and corn is a fantastic combination, you should totally keep this sauce in your regular rotation for all kinds of roasted veggies. Just try to chop the vegetables to a similar size so they all cook at the same time.
And for a perfect finishing touch, sprinkle some sesame seeds over the top before serving.