This issue rounds up 10 of our favorite recipes from Fork To Spoon to carry you from New Year’s brunch through the bowl games and into the first busy weeknights of January. Most use an air fryer, Instant Pot or Blackstone griddle, so dinner comes together fast and cleanup stays easy.
Tap any recipe name for the full ingredients and step-by-step instructions.
New Year’s Day Brunch
1. Air Fryer French Toast
A slow holiday morning calls for French toast, and the air fryer means no standing over a skillet flipping slices. Make a batch while the coffee brews and set out syrup and fresh berries.
2. Bob Evans Candied Bacon
This copycat of the Bob Evans favorite gives bacon a glossy brown sugar glaze. It’s the sweet-salty side that makes brunch feel like a celebration.
Bowl-Game Snacks
3. Easy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
New Year’s Day means football, and football means dip. This one comes together in the Instant Pot, so the oven stays free for everything else. Serve with celery, crackers or tortilla chips.
4. Copycat Pizza Hut Sweet Chili Wings
Crispy wings tossed in sticky sweet chili sauce, made in the air fryer or the oven. Double the batch; they disappear by halftime.
Cozy January Soups
5. Denny’s Chicken Noodle Soup
The classic cure for a late night: egg noodles, carrots, celery and chicken in a golden broth. Make it on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot.
6. Instant Pot Panera Baked Potato Soup
All the comfort of a loaded baked potato in a bowl. Pile on bacon, shredded cheese and green onions.
7. Copycat Panera Turkey Chili
A lighter chili for the new year that works in the Instant Pot, on the stovetop, in a slow cooker or in a Ninja Foodi. It makes a big pot, so freeze the leftovers for busy nights.
Easy Weeknight Dinners
8. Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer
Forgot to thaw dinner? No problem. Salmon goes straight from the freezer to the air fryer and comes out flaky and tender in about 16 minutes. Add a salad and dinner is done.
9. Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas
A crowd-pleasing 30-minute dinner, finished with melted cheese, sour cream and fresh cilantro. A great pick for the first school night of the year.
A Sweet Finish
10. Instant Pot Banana Pecan Bundt Cake
The best use for those overripe bananas on the counter. This cake is made in the Instant Pot, and it is equally good for dessert or with morning coffee.
Before You Go
Three tips for an easy start to 2027
- Batch and freeze. The turkey chili and both soups freeze well for busy weeks.
- Let the appliances work. Fork To Spoon’s frozen food cooking chart is handy to keep by the air fryer.
- Plan ahead. The weekly meal plan takes the guesswork out of what’s for dinner.
If you make any of these, reply and tell us how it went. We read every note.
Coming next issue: cozy slow cooker dinners for the coldest weeks of winter.
Here’s to a delicious 2027.
