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.

Questions on the WW Points® values listed?Click here.

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? ›

Corn syrup is a main ingredient of packaged rice crispy treats and is not a good option, especially for those who are concerned about blood-sugar levels and other health concerns like heart disease.

Why did my homemade rice crispy treats get hard? ›

High heat is the prime culprit for rock hard rice krispie treats. → Follow this tip: It will take a few more minutes of cook time, but melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat. You'll be rewarded with delicious, soft and chewy treats!

How do you keep homemade rice crispy treats from getting 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.

What are the ingredients in Rice Krispies? ›

INGREDIENTS: Rice, sugar, salt, barley malt extract, niacin, iron, vitamin B6, riboflavin, thiamin, folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin B12.

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? ›

Can you use stale marshmallows to make rice krispie treats? You can but I would not recommend it. The marshmallows will clump instead of melting into a nice even goo.

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? ›

Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of vanilla flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the treats. Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. Rice Krispies: The star ingredient, these crisped rice cereal pieces absorb the melted marshmallow mixture and provide a crispiness.

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.

Should you refrigerate homemade rice crispy treats? ›

Do Rice Crispy Treats Need to be Refrigerated? No. I recommend keeping these Rice Crispy Treats in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigerating will make the marshmallow in them super hard, so I advise to leave them at room temperature.

What happened to the purple box of rice krispies? ›

Yes! Rice Krispies Treats Cereal has been discontinued. Yes it's sad. Yes it's unfair and YES YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Why are my Rice Krispie treats hard? ›

Well, that's what will happen if your marshmallow is exposed to heat that's too high, so keep the heat on low to avoid rock hard Rice Krispie Treats. Slow on low heat is the way to go for chewy results! Another problem could be using too much pressure when spreading them into your prepared pan.

Are Rice Krispies made from puffed rice? ›

If you love eating rice and everything cripsy, this is the cereal for you! Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® are puffed grains of rice that's so fun, tasty, and nutritious.

Why do bodybuilders eat Rice Krispie Treats? ›

Carbs are the body's primary fuel source, so eating them before training can boost energy and performance. Rice Krispies treats have recently gained popularity as a pre-workout snack on social media platforms such as TikTok. Users claim that the treats improve workouts and give them more power during training sessions.

Is Rice Crispy Treats actually rice? ›

Ingredients. Ingredients: Toasted rice cereal (rice, sugar, salt, malt flavor, niacinamide, reduced iron, vitamin B2 [riboflavin], folic acid), corn syrup, fructose, marshmallows (corn syrup, sugar, modified food starch, gelatin), sugar, vegetable oil (soybean and palm with TBHQ for freshness), corn syrup solids.

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!)

What are rice crispy treats made of? ›

Rice Krispies Treats (also called 'Rice Krispie Treats', 'Marshmallow Treats', 'Marshmallow Squares', or 'Rice Krispies Squares' in the United Kingdom & Canada, and 'LCMs' in Australia) are a confection commonly made through binding WK Kellogg Co's Rice Krispies or another crisp rice cereal together with butter or ...

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