TGI Fridays’ New Appetizers: Delicious Copycat Recipes You Can Make At Home!
TGI Fridays has always been a go-to spot for classic American comfort food, especially their craveable appetizers. With their ever-evolving menu, they continue to tantalize taste buds. But what if you could recreate that Fridays’ magic right in your own kitchen? This blog post dives into some inspired-by copycat recipes from what *could be* on their recent appetizer innovations, offering step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to bring that restaurant flavor home. Let’s explore some potential appetizers that you could imitate at home, assuming you wanted to create Friday’s style deliciousness!
## General Tips for Recreating TGI Fridays’ Appetizers
Before we dive into specific recipes, here are some essential tips to keep in mind for achieving that authentic TGI Fridays’ taste:
* **Quality Ingredients:** Using fresh, high-quality ingredients is crucial. Don’t skimp on things like cheese, meats, and spices. The better the ingredients, the better the final product will be.
* **Don’t Be Afraid of Seasoning:** TGI Fridays is known for bold flavors. Don’t be shy with your seasoning! Taste as you go and adjust accordingly.
* **Proper Cooking Techniques:** Pay attention to the cooking instructions. Overcooking or undercooking can significantly impact the taste and texture.
* **Presentation Matters:** Presentation can elevate the dining experience. Take a moment to arrange your appetizers appealingly on a plate.
* **Use Fresh Herbs:** Fresh herbs add a vibrancy and freshness that dried herbs simply can’t match. Consider using fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, or chives to garnish your appetizers.
* **Make Your Own Sauces:** While store-bought sauces are convenient, making your own sauces allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your liking. Plus, it’s often healthier and more delicious.
* **Spice is Your Friend:** Incorporate a touch of heat with ingredients like jalapenos, cayenne pepper, or sriracha to add a kick to your appetizers.
* **Embrace Deep Frying (Responsibly):** Many TGI Fridays’ appetizers are deep-fried. If you’re comfortable with deep frying, it can help you achieve that crispy, golden-brown texture. However, always exercise caution and follow safety guidelines for deep frying.
* **Experiment with Flavors:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations to create your own unique twists on TGI Fridays’ classics.
* **Garnish Generously:** A generous garnish of fresh herbs, shredded cheese, or a drizzle of sauce can add a finishing touch to your appetizers.
## Copycat Fridays’ Loaded Potato Skins
Potato skins are a quintessential TGI Fridays’ appetizer. Here’s how to recreate them at home:
**Ingredients:**
* 6 large russet potatoes
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
* 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
* 1/4 cup sour cream
* 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat and Prep:** Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes clean and pierce them several times with a fork.
2. **Bake the Potatoes:** Rub the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until they are soft when pierced with a fork.
3. **Cool and Halve:** Let the potatoes cool slightly, then cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the potato flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch border of potato inside the skin. Reserve the scooped-out potato for another use (like mashed potatoes!).
4. **Brush with Oil:** Brush the inside and outside of the potato skins with olive oil.
5. **Bake Again:** Place the potato skins on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are crispy.
6. **Add Toppings:** Remove the potato skins from the oven and sprinkle them with cheddar cheese and bacon.
7. **Melt the Cheese:** Return the potato skins to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. **Garnish and Serve:** Top with sour cream and green onions. Serve immediately.
**Tips for Perfect Potato Skins:**
* **Crispy Skins:** For extra crispy skins, broil them for a minute or two after adding the cheese and bacon, but watch them closely to prevent burning.
* **Cheese Variety:** Use a blend of cheeses for a more complex flavor. Monterey Jack or pepper jack would be great additions.
* **Bacon Alternatives:** If you don’t eat bacon, you can use crumbled vegetarian bacon or cooked and crumbled sausage.
* **Scooping:** Don’t discard the potato flesh that you scoop out. It can be used to make mashed potatoes, potato soup, or even potato pancakes.
* **Pre-Baking:** For quicker cooking, you can microwave the potatoes for a few minutes before baking them in the oven.
## Copycat Fridays’ Mozzarella Sticks
Who doesn’t love a good mozzarella stick? This recipe will help you make crispy, cheesy sticks that rival the ones at TGI Fridays.
**Ingredients:**
* 12 mozzarella cheese sticks (string cheese works well, cut in half)
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 large eggs, beaten
* 2 cups Italian breadcrumbs
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* Vegetable oil, for frying
* Marinara sauce, for serving
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Breading Station:** Set up three shallow dishes. In the first dish, place the flour. In the second dish, place the beaten eggs. In the third dish, combine the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. **Bread the Mozzarella Sticks:** Dredge each mozzarella stick in the flour, then dip it in the egg, and finally coat it thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the cheese stick is completely covered.
3. **Double Bread (Optional):** For an extra crispy coating, repeat the breading process.
4. **Freeze the Sticks:** Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for at least 30 minutes. This will help prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
5. **Heat the Oil:** Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer or large pot to a depth of about 2-3 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C).
6. **Fry the Mozzarella Sticks:** Carefully drop the frozen mozzarella sticks into the hot oil, a few at a time. Fry for 1-2 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to overcrowd the fryer.
7. **Drain and Serve:** Remove the mozzarella sticks from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with marinara sauce.
**Tips for Perfect Mozzarella Sticks:**
* **Freezing is Key:** Freezing the mozzarella sticks is essential for preventing the cheese from melting too quickly and oozing out during frying.
* **Don’t Overcrowd:** Overcrowding the fryer will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy mozzarella sticks.
* **Oil Temperature:** Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial. If the oil is too hot, the breading will burn before the cheese melts. If the oil is too cold, the mozzarella sticks will absorb too much oil.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick.
* **Air Fryer Option:** For a healthier option, you can air fry the mozzarella sticks. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
## Copycat Fridays’ Boneless Buffalo Wings
Boneless wings are always a crowd-pleaser. Here’s how to make your own version with that classic Buffalo flavor.
**Ingredients:**
* 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon paprika
* 2 large eggs, beaten
* 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
* Vegetable oil, for frying
* 1 cup Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce
* 2 tablespoons butter, melted
* Blue cheese or ranch dressing, for serving
* Celery sticks, for serving
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Chicken:** Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces.
2. **Prepare the Breading Station:** Set up three shallow dishes. In the first dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In the second dish, place the beaten eggs. In the third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
3. **Bread the Chicken:** Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then dip it in the egg, and finally coat it thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs. Make sure the chicken is completely covered.
4. **Heat the Oil:** Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer or large pot to a depth of about 2-3 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C).
5. **Fry the Chicken:** Carefully drop the breaded chicken pieces into the hot oil, a few at a time. Fry for 5-7 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Be careful not to overcrowd the fryer.
6. **Make the Buffalo Sauce:** In a large bowl, whisk together the Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce and melted butter.
7. **Toss with Sauce:** Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Immediately transfer the chicken to the bowl with the buffalo sauce and toss to coat evenly.
8. **Serve:** Serve immediately with blue cheese or ranch dressing and celery sticks.
**Tips for Perfect Boneless Buffalo Wings:**
* **Chicken Size:** Cut the chicken into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
* **Panko Breadcrumbs:** Panko breadcrumbs provide a crispier coating than regular breadcrumbs.
* **Buffalo Sauce:** Use your favorite brand of buffalo wing sauce. You can adjust the amount of butter to control the richness of the sauce.
* **Air Fryer Option:** For a healthier option, you can air fry the boneless wings. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway through.
* **Spice Level:** Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spice level. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
## Copycat Fridays’ Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Spinach and artichoke dip is a classic appetizer that’s always a hit. Here’s how to make a creamy, cheesy version at home.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
* 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
* 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* Tortilla chips, for serving
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Combine Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine the spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
3. **Transfer to Baking Dish:** Transfer the mixture to a baking dish or oven-safe skillet.
4. **Bake:** Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
5. **Serve:** Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
**Tips for Perfect Spinach and Artichoke Dip:**
* **Squeeze Spinach Dry:** Squeezing the spinach dry is essential for preventing the dip from being watery.
* **Artichoke Prep:** Make sure the artichoke hearts are well-drained and chopped into small pieces.
* **Cheese Blend:** Use a blend of cheeses for a more complex flavor. Gruyere or Asiago cheese would be great additions.
* **Garlic Lovers:** Add an extra clove of garlic if you love garlic flavor.
* **Slow Cooker Option:** You can also make this dip in a slow cooker. Combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours, or until heated through.
* **Toasted Bread:** Serve with toasted baguette slices or pita bread instead of tortilla chips.
## Copycat Fridays’ Whiskey-Glazed Sesame Chicken Strips
These savory and sweet chicken strips are a unique and flavorful appetizer.
**Ingredients:**
* 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 large egg, beaten
* 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
* Vegetable oil, for frying
**For the Whiskey Glaze:**
* 1/2 cup whiskey (such as bourbon or rye)
* 1/4 cup soy sauce
* 1/4 cup honey
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
* 1 tablespoon sesame oil
* 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 2 tablespoons water
* Sesame seeds, for garnish
* Green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Chicken:** Cut the chicken breasts into strips.
2. **Prepare the Breading Station:** Set up three shallow dishes. In the first dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. In the second dish, place the beaten egg. In the third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
3. **Bread the Chicken:** Dredge each chicken strip in the flour mixture, then dip it in the egg, and finally coat it thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs. Make sure the chicken is completely covered.
4. **Heat the Oil:** Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer or large pot to a depth of about 2-3 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C).
5. **Fry the Chicken:** Carefully drop the breaded chicken strips into the hot oil, a few at a time. Fry for 5-7 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Be careful not to overcrowd the fryer.
6. **Make the Whiskey Glaze:** While the chicken is frying, prepare the whiskey glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the whiskey, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
7. **Thicken the Glaze:** In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the simmering sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
8. **Toss with Glaze:** Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Immediately transfer the chicken to a bowl with the whiskey glaze and toss to coat evenly.
9. **Garnish and Serve:** Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately.
**Tips for Perfect Whiskey-Glazed Sesame Chicken Strips:**
* **Whiskey Choice:** Use a good quality whiskey for the glaze. Bourbon or rye whiskey works well.
* **Don’t Overcook:** Be careful not to overcook the chicken strips, as they will become dry.
* **Glaze Consistency:** The glaze should be thick enough to coat the chicken strips but not too thick that it becomes sticky.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze for a spicy kick.
* **Air Fryer Option:** For a healthier option, you can air fry the chicken strips. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway through. Then, toss with the whiskey glaze.
## Copycat Fridays’ Cajun Shrimp & Chicken Pasta
Although not technically an appetizer, a smaller portion of this dish works beautifully as a starter. Creamy, spicy and filling!
**Ingredients:**
* 8 oz fettuccine pasta
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
* 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
* 1 red bell pepper, sliced
* 1 green bell pepper, sliced
* 1 onion, sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/4 tsp black pepper
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and shrimp and cook until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Add bell peppers and onion to the skillet and cook until softened. Add garlic and Cajun seasoning and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce has thickened slightly.
5. Add pasta, chicken, and shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
**Tips for Perfect Cajun Shrimp & Chicken Pasta:**
* **Cajun Seasoning:** Use a good quality Cajun seasoning. You can adjust the amount to control the spice level.
* **Don’t Overcook:** Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they will become rubbery.
* **Creamy Sauce:** The sauce should be thick and creamy. If it is too thin, simmer for a few more minutes to thicken.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
* **Vegetable Variety:** Add other vegetables such as mushrooms or zucchini.
## Final Thoughts
Recreating TGI Fridays’ appetizers at home is a fun and rewarding way to enjoy your favorite restaurant flavors without leaving the house. By following these copycat recipes and tips, you can impress your friends and family with delicious and crowd-pleasing appetizers. So gather your ingredients, put on some music, and get ready to create your own Fridays’ experience in your kitchen! Remember to adjust the recipes to your liking, experiment with different flavors, and most importantly, have fun!