Take-out recipes are the best but do you know what’s even better? Take-out recipes that you can make at home! These are the best of the best and you will want to try them all!!
Boy, do I have the ultimate round-up of amazing recipes for you today! My husband and I used to really enjoy getting take-out on busy weeknights, at least until I started making better than take-out recipes at home! I’ve rounded up the best versions of Asian-inspired dishes for you. We’re talkin’ all of the favorites – orange chicken, sesame chicken, broccoli beef, chow mein – it’s all here! There’s no need to spend the money on takeout when you can make it better at home!
Not only are these recipes so delicious but they are easy to make! There are grilled options, oven-baked, skewers, wraps, and everything in between. Asian food is one of my all-time favorite foods and it’s because the taste cannot be beaten! There are so many on this round-up that you are going to have a hard time picking a favorite! Which one will you make first??
Tips for Cooking Asian Food
To make sure that your Asian food actually does turn out better than take-out recipes, I’ve compiled a list of quick tips!
Fresh vegetables: I know, I know. It’s tempting to use frozen vegetables or canned ingredients because they are readily available but trust me when I tell you that you must use fresh vegetables! This is key to having your dish turn out perfectly.
Gather up the ingredients first: Sometimes, recipes call for unique ingreients that you might not have on hand. Head to the store before you plan on cooking and pick up all of your ingredients beforehand. So many times people try and substitute for things and then wonder why they didn’t turn out. Don’t do this and make sure you plan ahead!
Know your rice: Rice is not all made equal. Make what the recipe calls for whether thats long grained rice, brown rice or jasmine rice. It makes a difference!
20 Minute Garlic Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein has melt in your mouth tender beef with broccoli, carrots, and noodles. The sauce adds such amazing flavor to this incredibly easy meal!
Ingredients: lo mein noodles, broccoli florets, olive oil, flank steak, garlic cloves, carrot, packed brown sugar, reduced-sodium soy sauce, hoisen sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, pepper
Sticky Asian glazed chicken is tender and juicy chicken coated in a sticky-sweet Asian sauce. This meal is ready in just thirty minutes, and the flavor is incredible!
Ingredients: thinly sliced Chicken Breasts, Olive Oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce, ginger, of dried red pepper flakes, minced garlic, Juice of one lime
Asian turkey lettuce wraps are packed with tender meat and seasoned, crunchy veggies. These light and tasty wraps are the perfect healthy appetizer or even dinner!
Ingredients: ground turkey, shredded carrots, mushrooms, sliced water chestnuts, green onions, garlic, hoisin sauce, low sodium soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, red chili paste, butter lettuce leaves
Asian Barbecue Burgers with Sweet Chili Lime Mayo are crazy and tender juicy burgers infused with asian spices. Topped with an asian slaw and a sweet chili lime mayo you will never go back to boring burgers again!
Ingredients: 85% lean ground beef, package McCormick Grill Mates Korean BBQ Marinade, coleslaw, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, mayonnaise, Sweet Chili Sauce, lime juice
Slow Cooker Sticky Asian Ribs with Sticky Sauce are the very best fall of the bone tender ribs you will ever make! Slow cooked to perfection in a sweet and tangy asian sauce. They get slathered right before serving in a finger licking good sticky sauce!
Ingredients: racks pork baby back ribs, light brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, pepper, kosher salt, ground ginger, ground pepper, onion powder, garlic, sweet chili sauce, reduced sodium soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, honey, cornstarch, water
Asian Pan Seared Salmon Salad is bright and vibrant and complete with an amazing honey sesame dressing that takes this salad to a whole new level of delicious!
Ingredients: 4 ounce salmon fillets (I used sock eye salmon), olive oil, salt and pepper, fresh romaine, red cabbage, shredded carrots, mandarine oranges, edamame, sliced almonds, Tablespoons[url:1]Pearl River Bridge Light Soy Sauce[/url], Gold Plum Chinkiang Vinegar, honey, garlic, fresh ginger, olive oil, Sesame oil, sesame seeds
This Asian chicken salad is packed with crispy greens, crunchy chicken, toasted almonds, and chow mein noodles. It's tossed with a light and delicious creamy vinaigrette and will be your new go-to salad!
Ingredients: Honey, Rice Wine Vinegar, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, sesame oil, chicken breasts*, oil, egg, milk, flour, cornflakes, romaine lettuce, red cabbage, Napa cabbage, carrots, roasted almonds, chow mein noodles, salt and pepper to taste
Crispy, fried to perfection pastry wraps around savory smooth cream cheese filling for a homemade version of everyone's favorite restaurant style Cream Cheese Wonton.
Ingredients: cream cheese, green onion, garlic powder, salt, wonton wrappers, oil for frying
Blanketed with an insanely good soy garlic glaze, this juicy Asian glazed salmon is to die for! With how healthy and delicious it is, it will become your new lunch go-to!
Ingredients: brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, Dried red pepper flakes, minced garlic, lime juice, salmon fillets
Asian turkey lettuce wraps are packed with tender meat and seasoned, crunchy veggies. These light and tasty wraps are the perfect healthy appetizer or even dinner!
Ingredients: ground turkey, shredded carrots, mushrooms, sliced water chestnuts, green onions, garlic, hoisin sauce, low sodium soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, red chili paste, butter lettuce leaves
Summer salads are probably one of my all time favorite things, not that I don’t eat salads all year round because honestly, I do. All. the. time. And that’s one thing that’s so great about this Asian edamame ramen noodle salad, you can make it and serve it all year round.
Ingredients: large 16-ounce bag of tri-color cole slaw, Asian noodles, mandarin oranges, edamame, green onions, shaved almonds, avocado, Asian sesame dressing, optional: sesame seeds, vegetable oil, honey, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and black pepper
Thai Peanut Sesame Noodles is an asian favorite that combines creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic all mixed with linguine noodles tossed in this amazingly sweet and savory sauce.
Ingredients: Peanut Butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, chicken broth, minced garlic, ginger, Sriracha chili sauce, linguine noodles, sesame seeds for garnish, green onions for garnish
Garlic Mushroom Noodles is an easy side that goes well with grilled chicken, pork chops or asian mains. Silky smooth egg noodles are tossed in a quick sauce with sauteed mushrooms and lots of golden garlic!
Mongolian Chicken Noodles – a one pot 30 minute meal perfect to curb those takeout cravings. Made with chicken, veggies, gluten free rice noodles and a delicious savory Asian-inspired sauce.
Ingredients: chicken breasts, sea salt, sesame oil, uncooked 1/4″ inch thick gluten free dried rice noodles, olive oil, broccoli florets, grated carrots, bell pepper, garlic, grated or minced fresh ginger, low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, Hoisin sauce, cornstarch, water, red chili flakes or Sriracha sauce, toasted sesame seeds, thinly sliced green onions
Honey Orange Glazed Chicken combines delicious spices and a sweet and tangy honey orange glaze. This makes the perfect meal for your family and has amazing flavor!
Ingredients: orange juice, cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, chili powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, chicken thighs, olive oil, salt and pepper
This Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken takes just five minutes to throw into the slow cooker and the flavor is out of this world! Tender and juicy slow cooked chicken in a lightened up Mongolian sauce that is sure to wow your family!
Ingredients: boneless, cornstarch, Olive Oil, mince Garlic, Low Sodium Soy Sauce, Water, Brown Sugar, grated Carrots, green onions
Amazing chicken fried rice that is better than take out! This chicken fried rice has moist and tender chicken with flavorful peas and carrots and long rice cooked together. Make this unique and your own with this favorite Chinese rice!
Ingredients: vegetable oil , soy sauce , chicken, cooked rice *, sesame oil, white onion, frozen peas and carrots, soy sauce, eggs, chopped green onions
Egg Roll lovers, this Crispy Air Fryer Egg Roll Recipe is for you! Crispy, crunchy outside, tender filling inside, without the extra fat of frying or drying out from oven cooking. These are what you have been waiting for!
This delicious Chicken Chow Mein is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your entire family will love! It’s made with fresh veggies, noodles, and sautéed chicken, tossed in a simple chow mein sauce.
Ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breasts, oil, shredded cabbage, carrots, ribs celery, green onions, garlic, refrigerated Yaki-Soba noodles, For the sauce:, low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, freshly grated ginger, light brown sugar, cornstarch
These egg rolls are filled with a filling of ground chicken and vegetables and deep fried till crispy and golden brown. Serve them with a sweet chilli dipping sauce for a fantastic appetizer!
I can’t believe that it has been 10 years since the blog started! It’s crazy to think that something I created on a whim in 2012 as a way to share some of my favorite recipes has grown so much! The Recipe Critic now has a team of amazing women working to bring you the best content possible. To celebrate the blog’s 10th anniversary, our team went to the Happiest Place on Earth! These are a few of our favorite foods that you must try when you visit Disneyland and California Adventure!
The truth is, there are so many amazing treats at Disneyland, no post could ever cover them all. Here we are featuring both classics and hidden gems for a mix of food at Disneyland that will elevate your next trip! Each of these Disney treats has been personally tested by the team. (I’m glad we were able to walk off the calories in the park!) I’ve reserved number 10 for my personal favorite. Let’s get started!
California Adventure
The best part about a trip to Disneyland is being able to try all of the delicious food from both parks! Get yourself a park hopper ticket and try out some of these tasty treats scattered throughout Disney’s California Adventure!
1. Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums, Pixar Pier
This is no ordinary chocolate chip cookie, it’s outrageously oversized and perfectly soft and chewy! Each deep-dish cookie is served in a muffin liner so you don’t lose any delicious buttery crumbs! In Pixar Pier, you can also find Jack-Jack’s shortbread cookie as well as the IncrediCookie- a gluten-free treat filled with rich blackberry jam!
2. Chili Cone Queso from Cozy Cone Motel Snacks, Cars Land
Next on the list is one of the heartier snacks we tried in California Adventure- Chili Cone Queso from the Cozy Cone Motel! This treat comes in a cone-shaped bread bowl filled with meaty chili and shredded cheddar. I’m a fiend for chili cheese dogs, fries, tots, you name it – so getting a Chili Cone Queso was a no-brainer! Plus, you get to eat it in one of the coolest places in the park. Cars Land is so fun and immersive! Other notable things to try from the Cozy Cone Motel: the PopCone (a cone filled with popcorn), their bacon mac & cheese cone, and of course – soft serve ice cream! (Pictured below.)
3. Choco-Smash Candy Bar, Avengers Campus
This was one of our absolute favorite finds from the brand new Avengers Campus in California Adventure! The Choco-Smash is enormous- big enough to share with a few of your friends or family! This Hulk-sized candy bar is made with layers of brownie, nougat, caramel, peanuts, and dark chocolate. The combination is absolutely mouthwatering! You won’t be able to stop after one bite. Another Avengers Campus honorable mention- the giant pretzel! These are 2 delicious treats to munch on while you chat it up with superheroes.
4. Fluffernutter Churro, Buena Vista Street
Honestly, all of Disneyland’s churros are amazing, but this Fluffernutter Churro from Buena Vista Street really stood out from the pack! The churro is warm, soft, and perfectly spiced as per usual – but topped with chocolate chips, marshmallow fluff, and a creamy peanut butter drizzle! You can find this at Willie’s Churros in California Adventure and it’s definitely worth waiting in line for!
Disneyland Park
Now it’s off to Disneyland for our next set of favorite treats! From Star Wars land to New Orleans Square, here are a few of the best foods to try along your way!
5. Cheddar Garlic Bagel Twist from Maurice’s Treats, Fantasyland
Nested away in Fantasyland, Maurice’s Treats is one of the best hidden gems in Disneyland. We all loved the cheddar garlic bagel twist! It tastes like the lovechild of a breadstick and a bagel. It’s soft, cheesy, and the best binge of carbs. For the best experience, pair it with a side of their delicious marinara dipping sauce! (And if you’re looking for a knockout drink, try their Boysen Apple Freeze as well!)
6. Bengal Beef Skewer, Adventureland
Before you jump on the Indiana Jones ride, get some protein from a skewer at Bengal Barbecue! We started getting super hungry midday and these skewers were a life-saver. Their beef skewers were melt-in-your-mouth tender and sauced to perfection! The pork belly and bacon asparagus skewers were equally delicious. When you’re wanting something quick and hearty, Bengal Barbecue is the answer.
7. Corn Dogs from the Little Red Wagon, Main Street
Look, I know Disneyland corn dogs may seem overrated but there’s a reason why everyone raves about them! Not only are they deliciously oversized but they have the perfect batter. Each hand-dipped, golden-brown corn dog is a masterpiece. One bite and you’ll be a believer, too.
8. Mickey Beignets from the Mint Julep Bar, New Orleans Square
When you get a sweet tooth, head over to the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square for some amazing beignets! We always grab some before heading over to ride Haunted Mansion. Although deep-fried, they’re light and fluffy with the most scrumptious golden shell. I always eat way too many in one sitting! A word of caution- you will get powdered sugar everywhere but it’s well worth it. When you grab a beignet, don’t forget to pick up a refreshing mint julep too!
9. Ronto Wrap from Ronto Roasters, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars land is honestly one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced, and the food is just as good! We were all super impressed with the Ronto Wraps from Ronto Roasters. It’s flavorful sausage wrapped in a warm pita with tangy coleslaw and cool yogurt drizzled on top. It has the most incredible flavor and quickly became one of my favorite foods at Disneyland! They also have a meat-free version featuring impossible sausage for those wanting something plant-based!
10. Pineapple Dole Whips from Tiki Juice Bar, Adventureland
This is my favorite treat at Disney! I always get one when I go, no matter how long the line. It will cool you down on a hot afternoon at the park and has the juiciest pineapple flavor. I know that a lot of places try to recreate Dole Whips but no one does it better than Disneyland! Their Dole Whips always have the perfect flavor and consistency. I’m not sure what it is, must be that Disney magic. (You can recreate a little bit of that magic at home with my homemade Dole Whip recipe here!)
I hope you try a few of these Disneyland foods out next time you’re there! Food is honestly the best part of going to any Disney park and finding hidden gems is all of the fun! Thanks for sticking around for the last 10 years and helping The Recipe Critic grow! Let me know what your favorite foods at Disneyland are below in the comments!
These taste exactly like a Twix bar with a delicious shortbread crust, caramel center, and a chocolate layer on top. The best part about them is that you can make them right at home!
I have had these Twix Bars on my list of things to make ever since I started the blog. I love Twix, my kids are obsessed with Twix, it’s one of my favorite candy bars. So why haven’t I made them until now? I don’t know but I have been missing out! I have made these other homemade candy bars like this Snicker’s bars, these Homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and now that I have made these copycat Twix bars… my life is complete.
Twix Bars have always been a favorite of mine. But my boys are obsessed! Can you imagine how excited they were when I told them I was making a big batch? They didn’t take long to make and the chilling in the fridge between the layers definitely sped up the process. I also melted the caramel and chocolate in the microwave and they were done in no time at all. We all loved them and I know that if you love Twix as much as we do, you will be in heaven!
Ingredients in Homemade Twix Bars
Once you see this ingredients list, you won’t ever want to buy these at the store again! They are so simple and I bet that you already have most of these ingredients at home! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
Shortbread Layer:
Butter: I used unsalted butter in this recipe. If you wait until the sticks are at room temperature then they will mix in better.
Confectioners Sugar: This will dissolve easily which creates a smooth texture.
Vanilla Extract: Add a splash of vanilla to these Twix bars!
Flour: All purpose flour works great in these bars.
Caramel Layer:
Caramel: I get a 14 oz bag and unwrap the caramels to make this part easy.
Heavy Cream: This will mix with the caramels, making it nice and creamy.
Chocolate Layer:
Milk Chocolate: You can get milk chocolate chips or baking chocolate. Whatever you have on hand works because it will be melted up anyways. You can also use dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate.
Vegetable Shortening: This ingredient is optional and you only need it if you are trying to thin your chocolate.
How to Make Homemade Twix Bars
This part is pretty simple and these Twix bars take less than an hour from start to finish. And that includes baking time! You may want to make a second batch. The first one is going to fly off of your table!
To make the crust:
Prep: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
Mix and press: In a medium sized bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add the flour. Beat at medium speed with a hand mixer until mixture comes together. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan. Lightly flour your fingers to prevent sticking.
Bake: Prick the crust with a fork and and bake for 35-40 minutes or until edges and top are lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let it cool completely.
To make the caramel layer:
Melt: Melt the caramel and cream over low heat in small saucepan.
Add to crust: Pour the caramel over the cooled crust.
Chill: Pop into the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
To make the chocolate layer:
Melt: Melt the chocolate and shortening (if using) in a small saucepan over low heat.
Pour: Pour over the caramel layer
Chill: Put the bars in the fridge and chill until set.
Eat up: Cut the Twix bars into squares and enjoy!
Shortcut
I have a little shortcut for you when making these Twix bars! To speed up the process and to be able to make this dessert in a flash, I melted caramel and chocolate in the microwave. In a microwave-safe bowl, cook them on high and stir them in 30-second increments. Stir in between to avoid burning and melt them until they are smooth and creamy.
How to Store Twix Bars
If you have leftover Twix bars (or want to make some ahead of time!) they store great! You can have these as a treat for days if you plan ahead!
At Room Temperature: Cut them up and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last about
Freeze Ahead of Time: Once you have made these, place them in an airtight container and put them in the freezer. When you are ready to eat them, all you need to do is put them out on your counter to defrost. Then, they are ready to go!
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
I love these Twix bars because they are not only delicious but they are easy to transport and bring to and from parties or events. It makes this dessert a great go-to for just about any occasion! I’ve gathered up a few more that you definitely need to try making after these!
These taste exactly like a Twix bar with a delicious shortbread crust, caramel center, and a chocolate layer on top. The best part about them is that you can make them right at home!
CourseDessert
CuisineAmerican
Keywordcandy bar, twix bar recipe, twix bars
Prep Time20minutes
Cook Time35minutes
Total Time55minutes
Servings12Bars
Calories468kcal
AuthorAlyssa Rivers
Ingredients
Shortbread layer:
1cupsalted butter2 sticks, at room temperature
1cupconfectioners sugar
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
2cupsAll-Purpose Flour
Caramel Layer:
2cupscaramelcut into small chunks (about 14 oz)
3tablespoonsheavy cream
Chocolate Layer:
2cupsmilk chocolatechopped, melted
1tablespoonvegetable shorteningoptional
Instructions
To make the crust:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
In a medium sized bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add the flour. Beat at medium speed until mixture comes together. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan. Lightly flour your fingers to prevent sticking.
Prick the crust with a fork and and bake for 35-40 minutes or until edges and top are lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let it cool completely.
To make the caramel layer:
Melt the caramel and cream over low heat in small saucepan. Pour the caramel over the cooled crust. Pop into the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
To make the chocolate layer:
Melt the chocolate and shortening (if using) in a small saucepan over low heat. Pour over the caramel layer and chill until set.
Cut into squares and enjoy!
*To speed up the process I melted caramel and chocolate in microwave. Stir in 30 second increments until smooth and creamy to avoid burning.
Notes
Originally Posted July 12, 2015Updated June 1, 2022