Most Popular Recipes of 2020: Chicken Casserole, Rice Krispies Treat in a Mug & More (2024)

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Q&A to bring you the most popular HG recipes of 2020! It's been one heck of a year, and we've all been cooking up a storm... Did your favorites make the list?

King Ranch Chicken Casserole1/6th of casserole: 252 calories, 11g total fat (5.5g sat. fat), 626mg sodium, 14g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g sugars, 24g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 7*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 5*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 5*

If there's one kind of recipe we can predict will be a hit with the HG readers, it's a chicken casserole like this one. And we're glad you all loved it as much as we do! This easy family meal requires just six main ingredients and is full of lean protein, creamy cheese, and lots of flavor. Hmmm, maybe we should pop one in the oven right now...

2-Ingredient Banana Oaties1/12th of recipe (1 cookie): 42 calories, 0.5g total fat (0g sat. fat), 25mg sodium, 9g carbs, 1g fiber, 2.5g sugars, 1g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 1*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 1*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 0*

Does it get any better than healthy cookies with just two main ingredients? If you've got bananas and old-fashioned oats on hand, you can make oaties ASAP! We've also got suggested add-ins, in case you wanna get nuts, add a topping, and go up to (GASP!) three ingredients. We highly recommend making these any time... including now!

Rice Krispies Treat for OneEntire recipe: 104 calories, 2.5g total fat (0.5g sat. fat), 120mg sodium, 19g carbs, 0g fiber, 6.5g sugars, 1g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 5*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 5*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 5*

We made a LOT of recipes in a mug this year, and clearly you appreciate ‘em! This is such a great hack for anyone who thinks "I could really go for a Rice Krispies Treat right now, but I don't need an enormous panful." If you've got the three essential ingredients, you can make a single fresh treat just for you in minutes. The hardest part: Waiting for it to cool so you don't burn your mouth.

3-Ingredient Pineapple Cake in a MugEntire recipe: 135 calories, 1.5g total fat (0.5g sat. fat), 244mg sodium, 27.5g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 16g sugars, 2.5g protein

Green PlanSmartPoints® value 6*
Blue Plan (Freestyle)SmartPoints® value 6*
Purple PlanSmartPoints® value 6*

Yes, it's ANOTHER easy single-serving mug recipe. (Told you they were popular!) We whipped up this speedy cake hack, and the results are stellar. Just three easy ingredients! And while the whipped topping is optional, it's highly recommended.

Air-Fryer Hawaiian BBQ Chicken WrapEntire recipe: 207 calories, 5.5g total fat (2g sat. fat), 632mg sodium, 24g carbs, 10g fiber, 7.5g sugars, 20.5g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 5*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 4*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 4*

Air fryers rule, and ours has certainly gotten a workout this year. One thing we discovered (and you loved) is that air fryers work great for making hot handheld wraps in a snap. This one is savory, sweet, saucy, creamy, and cram-packed with protein. Pair it with a veggie side dish for a seriously amazing and satisfying lunch!

Ding Dong Protein FreezeEntire recipe: 148 calories, 5.5g total fat (2.5g sat. fat), 170mg sodium, 16g carbs, 2.5g fiber, 7.5g sugars, 11.5 protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 4*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 4*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 4*

After all the quality time Lisa spent with her blender on Facebook Live, the most popular of this year's frozen drinks has emerged... and of course it's the one inspired by a chocolate snack cake. When your sweet tooth comes a-calling, answer with this shake: under 150 calories, complete with filling fiber and protein, and soooo chocolatey!

Honorable Mentions: More Recipes You Love!

  • Mushroom Swiss Turkey Burger Bowl318 calories
  • Air-Fryer French Toast Sticks157 calories
  • Chicken Chili in a Mug254 calories
  • Nacho Casserole223 calories
  • 100-Calorie Dalgona Coffee100 calories
  • Scoopable Strawberry Cheesecake165 calories
  • Naked Eggplant Parm in a Mug220 calories
  • Deep-Dish Cauliflower Pizza Bowl217 calories

More Fan Q&A on the Latest Hungry Girl Podcast!

Most Popular Recipes of 2020: Chicken Casserole, Rice Krispies Treat in a Mug & More (15)

We’re back with another Hungry Girl to the Rescue episode of Hungry Girl: Chew the Right Thing! Tune in as Lisa tackles fan-requested topics like…

⭑ how to handle diet saboteurs who challenge your healthy habits
⭑ how to stock your kitchen when working from home (turkey & pickles are at the top of Lisa’s list!)
⭑ all about putting the 80/20 philosophy into action
… and so much more!

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*The WW Points®values for these products and/or recipes were calculated by Hungry Girl and are not an endorsem*nt or approval of the product, recipe or its manufacturer or developer by WW International, Inc., the owner of thePoints® trademark.

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Hungry Girl provides general information about food and lifestyle. This information and any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.Click herefor more information.

Most Popular Recipes of 2020: Chicken Casserole, Rice Krispies Treat in a Mug & More (2024)

FAQs

Why are rice crispy treats bad for you? ›

Packaged Rice Krispie Treats are highly processed and contain harmful ingredients like corn syrup, fructose, vegetable oil, TBHQ, and BHA. It contains milk and soy, two common allergens, and high quantities of sugar. It is not a healthy product.

Why did my homemade rice crispy treats get hard? ›

If you melt the marshmallows too fast, it might result in a Rice Kripsy treat that is harder and crunchy than chewy. Take your time and let the butter and marshmallows melt slowly. Use an 8×8 or slightly smaller pan. Use a small and deep pan if you want thick and chewy rice Krispy treats.

How do you keep homemade rice crispy treats from getting hard? ›

Don't crank the heat on the stovetop too high.

High heat is the prime culprit for rock hard rice krispie treats.

How far in advance can you make rice crispy treats? ›

Allow to thaw at room temperature before serving. Make-ahead- I truly believe the best rice krispies are the ones fresh from the pan but if you want to make them in advance remember to make them no more than 3 days before you plan to serve them or freeze them right away.

Why can't Muslims eat Rice Krispie Treats? ›

What about Rice Crispy Treats that have marshmallows in them, are they Haram too? Yes, they also use gelatin from pork. All pig products like pork are Haram (forbidden) for Muslims to eat.

Why are rice crispy treats banned? ›

Three of the most popular cereal brands, Frosted Flakes, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Rice Krispies, are banned by Japan and the European Union. Why? They contain BHT, a preservative which some fear is cancer-causing.

What happens if you put too much butter in Rice Krispies treats? ›

What happens if you put too much butter in Rice Krispies Treats? If you put too much butter in rice krispies treats they will become oily, the cereal will soak up the butter and the treats will become soggy, rather than crispy.

Can I use old marshmallows for rice krispie treats? ›

Ever cautious, I googled to make sure ahead of time this was possible, and it turns out, no, don't use stale marshmallows for rice krispie treats.

Is it cheaper to make or buy rice krispie treats? ›

It's Cheaper – The ingredients in this recipe cost me $5.01 and made 16.1 ounces of rice krispies, roughly 30 cents per ounce. I bought an 8-piece box at the store for $4.43 cents, with each piece weighing 0.78 ounces. That's about 70 cents per ounce.

What makes rice krispies taste better? ›

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the original back-of-the-box Rice Krispie treat recipe, but it can be made so much better with almost no effort. Here's how: Use more butter (lots more) and brown it to deepen the flavor. Increase the marshmallows and stir in some at the end for extra gooeyness.

Why are my rice crispy treats falling apart? ›

An important factor in a rice krispie treat recipe is the ratio of marshmallow to cereal. Too much cereal and the squares will taste dry, crunchy, and bland. Too much marshmallow and the squares will be too sticky and fall apart.

When making rice crispy treats do you put them in the fridge? ›

Rice krispie treats do not need to be refrigerated because they contain so much sugar, which acts as a preservative. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, but I doubt they will last that long!

What is a substitute for marshmallows in Rice Krispie treats? ›

Sweet And Sticky Alternatives To Marshmallows

Honey and maple syrup are some of the more common choices, as they're less processed, but other syrups will work fine. Just be cautious of using more strong flavored syrups like molasses or treacle, as that intense flavor may overpower all others.

Why are my rice crispy treats hard as a rock? ›

Why do my rice crispy treats get hard? The biggest reason people end up with hard Rice Krispie Treats is because they use high heat. Make sure that you melt both the butter and the marshmallows on medium heat. It may take just a little bit longer, but the soft and gooey treats you end up with are so worth it!

Why are my Rice Krispie treats so sticky? ›

Too much marshmallow and butter can make a super sticky, wet or soggy slice, while too little makes a hard, dry or crumbly one. I recommend using a baking scale for my recipe to get the ratio JUST right, creating the perfect chewy but crispy Rice Krispie Squares. Melted marshmallow = sticky mess.

Why do bodybuilders eat Rice Krispie Treats? ›

Rice Krispies treats are high in sugar and simple carbohydrates while remaining relatively low in fat and protein. Therefore, they give the body easily accessible energy without slowing digestion. This means someone can eat a portion shortly before a workout and not worry about getting an upset stomach or cramps.

How long does it take for rice crispy treats to digest? ›

For foods like sugary cereals, rice krispy treats or sugary candies, anywhere from 15 min-1 hour is plenty. These foods digest rapidly and almost immediately elevate blood sugar. If they've eaten too far out from the start of a training session, your blood sugar levels will have likely already dropped.

Are rice crispy treats bad for acne? ›

The foods that you should avoid:

Therefore, foods with this effect should be monitored, limited, or removed altogether from the diet in people with acne-prone skin. Foods with a high glycemic index (GI) *list not exhaustive! Sweet breakfast cereals: corn flakes, rice crispies (even granola!)

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