The holidays are when we crave our favorite restaurant treats the most — and when restaurants are the most crowded. Long waits, packed parking lots and seasonal menu prices add up fast. The good news? You can make those same famous restaurant copycat holiday favorites right in your own kitchen.
Copycat recipes let you serve warm, buttery rolls just like the steakhouse, sip a peppermint mocha in your pajamas, and fill the table with the cheesy hashbrown casserole everyone requests. You control the ingredients, feed a crowd for less, and make as many batches as your family wants.
Below are our favorite copycat holiday recipes from Fork To Spoon, sorted by breads, drinks, sides, mains and sweets so you can plan a complete holiday menu.
Copycat Restaurant Breads and Rolls for the Holiday Table
A basket of warm bread is the first thing guests reach for, so start your copycat holiday menu here.
Air Fryer Texas Roadhouse Rolls
These Air Fryer Texas Roadhouse Rolls come out fluffy, tender and buttery — just like the basket the steakhouse brings before your meal. Made with flour, sugar, milk, eggs, butter, salt and yeast, they bake right in the air fryer, which frees up your oven for the turkey or ham. Since Texas Roadhouse doesn’t sell its rolls in stores, a homemade copycat is the only way to get them at your holiday table.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Honey Butter
The rolls are only half the magic. This Copycat Texas Roadhouse Butter whips softened butter with powdered sugar, honey, cinnamon and a touch of vanilla into a sweet, creamy spread. It takes minutes to make, and it’s just as good on pancakes and muffins on Christmas morning.
Holiday tip: Make the cinnamon honey butter a day ahead, pack it into a small jar, and add a ribbon — it doubles as an easy hostess gift.
Red Lobster Biscuits in the Air Fryer
Cheesy, garlicky Red Lobster Biscuits in the Air Fryer bring Cheddar Bay flavor home. Shredded cheddar melts into gooey pockets, buttermilk keeps them moist, and a garlic-herb butter brushed on at the end makes them irresistible. They’re a great savory option next to the sweet rolls.
Copycat Starbucks Holiday Drinks
Skip the drive-thru line and make your favorite holiday coffee drinks at home for a fraction of the price.
Copycat Starbucks Peppermint Mocha
This Copycat Starbucks Peppermint Mocha is ready in about 5 minutes. You only need espresso or strong coffee, steamed milk, chocolate sauce and peppermint syrup, finished with whipped cream and crushed candy canes. The recipe also includes iced and vegan variations, so everyone in the family can have their favorite version.
Homemade Gingerbread Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
Starbucks no longer serves its gingerbread latte, but this Homemade Gingerbread Latte brings back those cozy, spiced flavors. Gingerbread syrup, coffee and warm milk come together in minutes. Prefer it cold? Use cold milk and pour it over ice for an iced gingerbread latte.
Ninja Creami Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Creamiccino
For a frosty twist, try this Ninja Creami Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Creamiccino. It blends Starbucks Peppermint Mocha creamer with brewed coffee into a creamy frozen treat, topped with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle and crushed peppermint.
Holiday tip: Set up a hot cocoa and coffee bar with peppermint syrup, gingerbread syrup, whipped cream and crushed candy canes so guests can build their own drinks.
Want even more coffee-shop favorites? Browse Easy Ninja Creami Copycat Starbucks Recipes.
Copycat Cracker Barrel and Steakhouse Holiday Sides
Side dishes are where restaurant copycats really shine, because they feed a crowd and travel well to potlucks.
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole (Cracker Barrel Style)
If Cracker Barrel’s hashbrown casserole is the side your family fights over, these Air Fryer Funeral Potatoes are the easy at-home answer. Frozen shredded hash browns, butter, garlic, onion, sour cream and cheese bake into a creamy, cheesy hash brown casserole with a golden, crunchy top. It cooks in the air fryer, which saves precious oven space on a holiday.
Cracker Barrel Green Beans
These Cracker Barrel Green Beans simmer low and slow with bacon, onion and seasoning for that classic country-style Southern flavor. They pair perfectly with ham, turkey or meatloaf.
Texas Roadhouse Green Beans
Want a faster version? These Texas Roadhouse Green Beans cook in the air fryer and deliver the savory, smoky flavor of the steakhouse side — a great match for the rolls above.
For even more down-home sides like mac and cheese, carrots and fried apples, browse this collection of Cracker Barrel copycat recipes.
Copycat Restaurant Main Dishes for Holiday Gatherings
Not every holiday meal needs a turkey. These restaurant-style mains are perfect for Christmas Eve, a casual family dinner or feeding out-of-town guests.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
This Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf combines ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, cheddar, sauteed onion and bell pepper under a tangy ketchup glaze. It’s tender inside with a slight crust outside, just like the restaurant version.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Beef Stew
Cracker Barrel discontinued its beef stew, so Fork To Spoon recreated it. This Copycat Cracker Barrel Beef Stew features fork-tender chuck roast, potatoes and carrots in a thick, thyme-scented gravy — ideal for a cold December night.
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken (Cracker Barrel Copycat)
This air fryer Broccoli Cheddar Chicken layers tender chicken, broccoli and a rich cheese sauce under a crispy panko topping. It’s comforting, simple and kid-approved.
Texas Roadhouse Killer Ribs
For a holiday party with a steakhouse feel, these Texas Roadhouse Killer Ribs use baby back ribs, a sweet-and-smoky dry rub and a sticky barbecue glaze. Serve them with the rolls and cinnamon honey butter for the full Texas Roadhouse experience.
Copycat Holiday Desserts and Christmas Morning Treats
Finish the meal — or start Christmas morning — with these sweet restaurant favorites.
Cracker Barrel Cinnamon Roll Pie
Cracker Barrel’s seasonal favorite is easy to make at home. This Cracker Barrel Cinnamon Roll Pie uses refrigerated cinnamon roll dough baked into a pie and finished with icing. Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the glaze for an extra-festive twist.
Cracker Barrel Carrot Cake
This Copycat Cracker Barrel Carrot Cake is packed with warm spices and crushed pineapple and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. It freezes for up to 3 months, so you can bake it well before the holiday rush.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Beignets
These Copycat Cracker Barrel Beignets are fluffy inside, lightly crisp outside and dusted with powdered sugar — a fun treat for Christmas morning or a dessert table.
Copycat Cracker Barrel French Toast
This Copycat Cracker Barrel French Toast cooks in about 6 minutes, so you can serve a restaurant-style holiday breakfast without spending the morning at the stove. Top it with a spoonful of the cinnamon honey butter.
Tips for a Copycat Restaurant Holiday Menu
- Use your air fryer to free up the oven. Many of these recipes, including the Texas Roadhouse rolls, Red Lobster biscuits, hashbrown casserole and green beans, cook in the air fryer while the main dish roasts.
- Make sauces and spreads ahead. The cinnamon honey butter can be made a day or more in advance and stored in the fridge; soften it before serving.
- Bake desserts early. The carrot cake freezes for up to 3 months, and the cinnamon roll pie freezes for up to 1 month.
- Set up a drink station. Keep peppermint and gingerbread syrups, whipped cream and crushed candy canes out so guests can make their own copycat Starbucks drinks.
- Mix restaurants for variety. Pair Texas Roadhouse rolls with Cracker Barrel sides and a Starbucks-style dessert drink for a menu that feels like a night out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy Texas Roadhouse rolls in stores? No. Texas Roadhouse does not sell its rolls in grocery stores or online, so a homemade copycat is the best way to enjoy them at home.
What is Texas Roadhouse butter made of? The copycat version is softened butter whipped with powdered sugar, honey, cinnamon and vanilla.
Can I make a Starbucks peppermint mocha at home? Yes. You need espresso or strong coffee, steamed milk, chocolate sauce and peppermint syrup, topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
Does Starbucks still sell the gingerbread latte? No, which is why a homemade copycat gingerbread latte is a popular holiday recipe.
Can I make these copycat recipes ahead of time? Many of them, yes. Spreads, sauces and baked desserts hold well, and casseroles can be assembled ahead and cooked just before serving.
Bring the Restaurant Home This Holiday Season
With these famous restaurant copycat holiday favorites, you can serve warm Texas Roadhouse rolls with cinnamon honey butter, sip a Starbucks peppermint mocha and pass around a cheesy Cracker Barrel-style hashbrown casserole — all without leaving home. Pick a few favorites, mix and match restaurants, and build a holiday menu your family will request every year.
Looking for more? Explore the full list of 100+ Best Copycat Recipes from Your Favorite Restaurants and more Cracker Barrel copycat recipes on Fork To Spoon.
