5-Ingredient Recipes

Make meal time a breeze with my favorite five-ingredient recipes for appetizers, snacks, dinners, desserts and more quick-fix favorites.

Who says you need a long list of ingredients to create something amazing? Whether you’re short on time, supplies or just want to keep things simple, these 5-ingredient recipes prove that less can truly be more. From crispy snacks and crowd-pleasing appetizers to comforting main dishes and sweet treats, each recipe on this list is easy to whip up and packed with flavor.

Perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute gatherings or when you want to keep things simple in the kitchen.

Snacks & Appetizers

Zucchini Fritters: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—these zucchini fritters are a quick, savory snack packed with veggie goodness.

Avocado Egg Rolls: Creamy avocado wrapped in crispy egg roll wrappers makes these an irresistible, easy-to-make appetizer.

Crispy Baked Onion Rings: Crunchy, golden onion rings without the deep fry! Baked to perfection for a healthier take on a classic.

Cauliflower Tots: Bite-sized and cheesy, these cauliflower tots make a fun and tasty alternative to traditional tater tots that can be oven-baked or air-fried.

Cheesy Baked Zucchini Tots: Packed with zucchini and melty cheese, these baked tots are a simple, wholesome snack the whole family will love.

Healthy Broccoli Tots: Loaded with broccoli and baked until crispy, these tots are an easy way to sneak more veggies into your day.

Main Courses

Strawberry Breakfast Pastries: Flaky puff pastry filled with sweet strawberry jam and cream cheese for a delicious morning treat.

The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich: This quick and easy recipe stars two perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese, all brought together by my secret ingredient that makes this the ultimate egg sandwich.

Roast Chicken with Garlic and Lemon: A classic, flavorful roast chicken that’s juicy, aromatic and perfect for any dinner table.

Apple and Sage Roast Chicken: This cozy roast chicken gets an upgrade with sweet apples and fragrant sage for a fall-inspired meal.

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo: It’s made with a quick homemade Alfredo sauce for a restaurant-worthy meal that’s easy enough for any weeknight.

Cast Iron Pan Pizza: Crispy-edged, chewy-centered, and loaded with your favorite toppings, this easy cast-iron pizza delivers pizzeria-quality results in under 30 minutes. No fancy dough skills required.

Homemade Smash Burger: Crispy, caramelized edges and juicy centers, these smash burgers are diner perfection made at home.

Juicy Stove Top Chicken Breasts: Say goodbye to dry chicken! This easy technique guarantees golden, juicy chicken breasts every time.

Chicken Schnitzel: Crispy, pan-fried chicken cutlets that are tender inside and perfect when paired with mashed potatoes or salad.

5-Ingredient Beef Satays: These savory beef skewers are marinated and grilled to perfection for an easy, flavorful dinner.

Homemade Egg Drop Soup: Cozy, comforting and better than your favorite restaurant version.

Pan-Seared Steak: A foolproof way to cook steak on the stovetop with perfectly browned crust and juicy, tender centers. All you need is your favorite cut of beef, a hot pan and a few simple seasonings to rival any steakhouse. Pair with roasted green beans and creamy mashed potatoes for the ultimate dinner.

Quick Gnocchi with Crispy Garlic: Store-bought gnocchi and garlic are the stars of this super simple, yet flavorful weeknight meal.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup: This velvety, rich cauliflower soup is a warm and cozy meal made with just a handful of ingredients.

Ham and Cheese Egg Cups: Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or serving them at brunch, these egg cups are sure to please everyone at the table.

Cheesy Puff Pastry Baked Eggs: Flaky puff pastry cups filled with baked eggs and melty cheese for a simple and elegant brunch option.

Side Dishes

No Yeast Bread: Fresh, homemade bread without the hassle! This no-yeast recipe yields a soft, rustic loaf perfect for any occasion.

Butternut Squash Fritters: Sweet and savory butternut squash gets the fritter treatment in this quick side dish.

Drop Biscuits: Fluffy, buttery biscuits that come together in minutes—no rolling, no cutting, no fuss. Just stir, scoop, and bake for warm, tender biscuits that pair perfectly with soups, stews or my favorite honey butter.

Mozzarella Sticks: Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, and made with just five ingredients! I’ve included easy directions for both oven-baked and air-fried versions so you can enjoy this cheesy snack any time a craving strikes.

Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread: Buttery, cheesy, and garlicky—this pull-apart bread is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Pizza Dough Soft Pretzel Knots: If you’re craving classic soft pretzels but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen, this recipe’s got you covered! With only five ingredients and ready in 40 minutes or less, these tasty, savory snacks come together fast. And don’t forget to whip up some beer cheese sauce for the ultimate dipping experience!

Creamy Coconut Rice: Fluffy jasmine rice meets creamy coconut milk for a side dish that’s simple yet irresistible. It’s the perfect pairing for stir-fries, curries, grilled meats or honey garlic glazed salmon.

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus: Tender asparagus wrapped in salty, crispy bacon. With just five ingredients and minimal prep, this side dish doubles as a crowd-pleasing appetizer for any occasion.

Baked Parmesan Garlic Pizza Dough Croutons: Homemade croutons made from pizza dough, baked to golden perfection with Parmesan and garlic.

Mashed Cauliflower: Creamy mashed cauliflower with melty cheese and fresh chives for a comforting, low-carb side.

German Spaetzle: These easy German noodles are a perfect side for saucy dishes, like paprika chicken, or as a simple carb-loaded comfort food.

Leftover Stuffing Waffles: Turn your leftover stuffing into crispy waffles for a fun and delicious post-holiday twist.

Desserts

Banana and Nutella Dessert Bruschetta: Toasted bread, banana slices and a generous drizzle of Nutella come together for a quick and easy sweet treat.

Peanut Butter Cup S’mores Dip: A gooey, chocolatey, peanut buttery dip that turns s’mores into an easy, shareable dessert.

Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas: A classic, chocolate-dipped frozen banana dessert that’s healthy and satisfying.

Healthy Strawberry Frozen Yogurt: This refreshing strawberry frozen yogurt comes together in just 5 minutes with only 5 ingredients.

Ice Cream Cake: Turn a store-bought pound cake into the ultimate easy homemade ice cream cake! Best of all, you can get creative with your favorite ice cream flavors, fruits, nuts and toppings.

Shortcut Choco Tacos: Your dessert life really begins when you discover that store-bought stroopwafels make the most epic time-saving tip for DIY Choco Tacos. 

Healthy Peach Frozen Yogurt: Sweet peaches and a few simple ingredients make this creamy, homemade frozen yogurt a breeze to whip up.

Homemade Mango Fruit Roll-Ups: Skip the store-bought version with this healthy, homemade mango fruit leather recipe.

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