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Tag: easy recipes for dinner
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🍕 Little Caesars Crazy Puffs (Made in a Cupcake Pan!)
If you’ve ever had Little Caesars Crazy Puffs, you already know they’re one of those can’t-stop-eating snacks — soft dough, melty cheese, zesty pepperoni, and that buttery garlic flavor that hits just right. The only problem? They disappear fast and don’t come cheap!
So, I decided to make my own copycat Crazy Puffs right at home — using just a can of crescent dough, a few pantry staples, and my trusty cupcake tray. The result? Golden, cheesy, garlicky little pizza cups that taste just like the real deal (if not better). These are perfect for family movie nights, game days, or when that pizza craving hits but you don’t want to order out.
🧄 Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 package crescent dough
- Olive oil (for brushing)
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Mozzarella or pizza blend cheese
- Pepperoni slices
Optional: Melted butter for brushing after baking (for that Crazy Bread-style finish!)
👩🏽🍳 How to Make Copycat Crazy Puffs:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Lightly grease a cupcake pan with olive oil or nonstick spray.
- Unroll your crescent dough and cut it into 8 even squares (press the seams together if needed).
- Press each dough square into a cupcake cup, shaping it like a little bowl — make sure some dough hangs over the edge so it can puff up beautifully.
- First layer: Add a small spoonful of shredded cheese and one slice of pepperoni to the bottom.
- Second layer: Add another sprinkle of cheese and another slice of pepperoni right on top — because one layer just isn’t enough! 😋
- Brush the tops lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown, bubbly, and slightly crisp on the edges.
- Optional finishing touch: Brush with melted butter and a pinch more garlic powder and Italian seasoning right after baking for that signature Crazy Bread flavor.
🍽️ Serving Ideas:
Serve your puffs warm with a side of marinara sauce, pizza sauce, or even ranch dressing for dipping. These are perfect for:
- After-school snacks 🍴
- Game night appetizers 🏈
- Party trays or potlucks 🎉
- A fun pizza-night twist for the family 🍕
💡 Tips for Perfect Crazy Puffs:
- Use a cupcake pan — it helps the dough puff up and hold all that cheesy filling.
- Don’t skip the butter at the end! It makes them taste exactly like Little Caesars’ buttery, garlicky goodness.
- Try different toppings — sausage, cooked bacon, or even diced veggies work great too.
- Serve hot and fresh — they taste best right out of the oven when the cheese is still melty and gooey.
❤️ Why You’ll Love These:
- Made with simple grocery store ingredients
- No pizza dough kneading required
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Family and kid-approved
- Perfect Little Caesars dupe — but even fresher!
📌 Save this recipe to your Easy Snacks, Copycat Recipes, or Family Favorites board — because once you make these, you’ll never look at regular pizza the same again!
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Quick & Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings You’ll Make Every Week
When you want wings that are bold, flavorful, and perfectly crispy without deep-frying, the air fryer is your best friend. These Mustard & Creole Air Fryer Wings have the perfect mix of tangy mustard, Tony’s Creole seasoning, garlic, and onion powder—all tied together with a light cornstarch coating for that irresistible crunch.
Whether you’re making them for game day, a quick weeknight dinner, or a snack platter, these wings are guaranteed to disappear fast!
Why You’ll Love These Wings
- Crispy without deep frying – The air fryer gives them golden crunch with less oil.
- Flavor-packed – Mustard brings tang, while Creole seasoning adds that signature kick.
- Quick & easy – From prep to plate in under 30 minutes.
- Versatile – Eat them dry, or toss them in your favorite wing sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 lbs chicken wings (flats and drums, separated)
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard (Dijon works if you like more tang)
- 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch (for crunch)
- 1 tbsp oil (vegetable, canola, or olive)
- 1 tbsp Tony’s Creole seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Wings
Pat your chicken wings really dry with paper towels—this step is key to getting crispy skin.
2. Coat & Season
In a large bowl, toss the wings with mustard and oil until evenly coated.
Sprinkle on cornstarch, Creole seasoning, garlic, and onion powder. Toss again until every wing is coated.3. Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 390°F for 3–5 minutes.
4. Cook the Wings
Arrange the wings in a single layer (work in batches if needed).
Air fry for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through. For extra crispiness, bump the temp up to 400°F for the last 3–4 minutes.5. Serve & Enjoy
Enjoy hot as they are, or toss in extra sauce—buffalo, honey mustard, or even BBQ all work great with this base seasoning.
Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Wings
- Don’t skip drying the wings before seasoning.
- Cook in a single layer—crowding = soggy wings.
- Want more heat? Add cayenne or hot sauce to the mustard mix.
- Like saucy wings? Toss them after air frying to keep the skin crisp.
- Cook longer if you like them extra crunchy—air fryers vary, so test your perfect level of crisp!
What to Serve With These Wings
Pair with:
- Ranch or blue cheese dip
- Celery & carrot sticks
- Cornbread muffins or your favorite Southern sides
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5 Easy Weeknight Recipes to Simplify Your Dinner Routine
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Busy weeknights can make preparing dinner feel like a daunting task. To help ease the burden, we’ve compiled five quick, delicious, and family-friendly recipes that will have dinner on the table in no time. These dishes use simple ingredients and require minimal prep work, making them perfect for hectic schedules.
1. One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups baby carrots
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed
- 4 medium potatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange chicken and vegetables on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper over everything. Toss to coat.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
2. 15-Minute Shrimp Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Instructions:
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
- Add garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Toss in vegetables and soy sauce, stir-frying for another 5 minutes.
- Serve over cooked rice or noodles.
3. Creamy Tomato Pasta
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until creamy.
- Toss cooked pasta in the sauce and garnish with basil.
4. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers click for sheet pans
Ingredients:
- 4 Italian sausages
- 3 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place sausages, bell peppers, and onions on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until sausages are cooked through.
5. Quick Beef Tacos
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 8 taco shells
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- Sour cream and salsa, for serving
Instructions:
- Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning and a splash of water. Cook until well combined.
- Assemble tacos by filling shells with beef, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes.
- Serve with sour cream and salsa on the side.
Conclusion
With these five easy recipes, you can create delicious weeknight meals without the stress. They’re versatile, quick to prepare, and sure to please the whole family. Enjoy your time at the dinner table instead of the kitchen!