19 Times The Homemade Version Was Undoubtedly Tastier

Nile Cappello
Updated

We've all fallen victim to culinary laziness after a long, hard day. It takes close to no effort to pop open a sack of chips, rip open a wrapped Hostess cupcake or make a quick stop for a greasy bagged burger at the drive-thru.

But convenience need not trump taste. Food can be so much more enjoyable when made at home -- thanks, in part, to freshness and less-processed ingredients. So, we're particularly excited bycopycat recipesthat let us have the best of both worlds: delicious indulgences made and enjoyed in the comfort of our own homes. We put together some of our top picks for homemade alternatives -- including Hostess' snack cakes, Cinnabons and McDonald's Big Mac -- that taste way, way better than the original.

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Instead Of Baked! Lays...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/oven-fried_potato_chips/" target="_blank">Oven-Fried Potato Chips Recipe</a> by Simply Recipes </strong>
Try the Oven-Fried Potato Chips Recipe by Simply Recipes

Instead Of Hostess Ding Dongs...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.beantownbaker.com/2010/05/homemade-ding-dongs-or-ring-dings-or.html" target="_blank">Homemade Ding Dongs Recipe</a> by Beantown Baker</strong>
Try the Homemade Ding Dongs Recipe by Beantown Baker

Instead Of Fruit By The Foot...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/09/how-to-make-homemade-fruit-roll-ups/" target="_blank">Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups Recipe</a> by Our Best Bites</strong>
Try the Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups Recipe by Our Best Bites

Instead Of Store-Bought Basil Pesto Hummus...

<strong>Try the<a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/basil_hummus/" target="_blank"> Basil Hummus Recipe</a> by Simply Recipes</strong>
Try the Basil Hummus Recipe by Simply Recipes

Instead Of Dunkin' Donuts' Blueberry Cake Donut...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/06/glazed-blueberry-cake-donuts-the-real-ones/" target="_blank">Glazed Blueberry Cake Donut Recipe</a> by How Sweet It Is</strong>
Try the Glazed Blueberry Cake Donut Recipe by How Sweet It Is

Instead Of Jamba Juice's Apple 'N Greens Smoothie...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.aspicyperspective.com/2013/01/green-smoothie-recipe.html" target="_blank">Green Smoothie Recipe</a> by A Spicy Perspective</strong>
Try the Green Smoothie Recipe by A Spicy Perspective

Instead Of Hostess Cupcakes...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.withsprinklesontop.net/?p=1735" target="_blank">Homemade Hostess Cupcake Recipe </a>by With Sprinkles On Top</strong>
Try the Homemade Hostess Cupcake Recipe by With Sprinkles On Top

Instead Of McDonalds' Big Mac...

<strong>Try the<a href="http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/homemade-big-macs/" target="_blank"> Homemade Healthier Big Macs Recipe </a>by Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice</strong>
Try the Homemade Healthier Big Macs Recipe by Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice

Instead Of Red Lobster's Biscuits...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/garlic-cheddar-biscuits-a-la-red-lobster/" target="_blank">Garlic Cheddar Biscuits (a la Red Lobster) Recipe</a> by Gimme Some Oven</strong>
Try the Garlic Cheddar Biscuits (a la Red Lobster) Recipe by Gimme Some Oven

Instead Of Gas Station ICEEs...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/08/melon-slush/" target="_blank">Melon Slush Recipe</a> by How Sweet It Is</strong>
Try the Melon Slush Recipe by How Sweet It Is

Instead Of Cinnabons...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/epicurious/homemade-cinnamon-rolls_b_3429744.html" target="_blank">Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe</a> by Epicurious</strong>
Try the Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe by Epicurious

Instead Of Auntie Anne's Pretzel Nuggets...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2013/01/28/soft-pretzel-bites-three-ways/" target="_blank">Soft Pretzel Bites, Three Ways Recipe </a>by Annie's Eats</strong>
Try the Soft Pretzel Bites, Three Ways Recipe by Annie's Eats

Instead Of Gerber 1st Foods Sweet Potatoes...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://weelicious.com/2008/11/10/sweet-potato-pudding/" target="_blank">Sweet Potato Pudding Recipe</a> by Weelicious</strong>
Try the Sweet Potato Pudding Recipe by Weelicious

Instead Of Jamba Juice's Peanut Butter Moo'd Smoothie...

<strong>Try the<a href="http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/07/banana-peanut-butter-smoothie/" target="_blank"> Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe</a> by Macheesmo</strong>
Try the Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe by Macheesmo

Instead Of Chipotle's Barbacoa Tacos...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://bevcooks.com/2012/05/spicy-barbacoa-soft-tacos/" target="_blank">Spicy Barbacoa Soft Tacos Recipe</a> by Bev Cooks</strong>
Try the Spicy Barbacoa Soft Tacos Recipe by Bev Cooks

Instead Of Dunkin' Donuts' Peanut Butter Kreme Donut...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/11/peanut-butter-cream-filled-donuts/" target="_blank">Peanut Butter Cream Filled Donut Recipe</a> by How Sweet It Is</strong>
Try the Peanut Butter Cream Filled Donut Recipe by How Sweet It Is

Instead Of Smucker's Magic Shell...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/22873-magic-shell" target="_blank">Magic Shell Recipe</a> by Food52</strong>
Try the Magic Shell Recipe by Food52

Instead Of Kellogg's Pop Tarts...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/05/homemade-pop-tart-mixology.html" target="_blank">Homemade Pop Tart Mixology Recipe</a> by A Beautiful Mess</strong>
Try the Homemade Pop Tart Mixology Recipe by A Beautiful Mess

Instead Of Drake's Devil Dogs...

<strong>Try the <a href="http://whatscookinginyourworld.blogspot.com/2011/03/day-1175-devil-dogs.html" target="_blank">Homemade Devil Dogs Recipe</a> by What's Cooking in your World?</strong>
Try the Homemade Devil Dogs Recipe by What's Cooking in your World?

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.