French toast sticks are one of those breakfasts that just feel fun. They’re crispy, dippable, and way more exciting than a regular slice of French toast—especially for kids. The best part? You can make them at home with simple ingredients in just minutes.

If you’ve ever relied on frozen French toast sticks, this homemade version is about to become your new favorite. They’re soft and custardy inside, golden on the outside, and perfect for dunking in syrup, powdered sugar, or even a little chocolate sauce.

In high school local fast food places started pushing “French toast sticks” and I’ll tell you what, half the student body rolled in every morning with them. I was from an eat-at-home family so I never indulged which means I just had to make it happen for my own kids to relive my childhood.

What are French Toast Sticks?

French toast sticks are sort of like giant French toast French fries. They are long, thin pieces of bread that are dipped in an egg mixture and baked so that you can pick them up and dip them. They are often deep fried, but we just bake ours which makes them a little healthier. Kids go wild for French toast sticks!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Kid-Friendly: These are made for little hands and big appetites. The dippable sticks and crispy coating make breakfast feel fun (and yes, kids actually get excited about these).

Pantry-Friendly: Everything in this recipe is simple and easy to find—no special ingredients, just basics yo

Blending Oreos with cream and milk makes for a rich, smooth Oreo Ice Cream that tastes exactly like our favorite store-bought cookies. This is most definitely not your everyday cookies and cream ice cream.

After making my longtime favorite cookies and cream ice cream a while back, I had an idea for an Oreo ice cream and I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I picked up more Oreos at the store and as soon as I got home I dumped a dozen of them into the blender and went to work. (It’s a hard life, but someone has to live it.)

Oreo Ice Cream

Oreos are a weakness of mine and I have to admit that they are very rarely allowed into my house, because I have to exercise so much self-control when they are near me. And, while I really love making things from scratch, I also know that there are some things that you just can’t recreate at home.

For me, Oreos are one of those things. So, for the sake of having the best chocolate cookies, swirled together into this Oreo ice cream, keeping them in the pantry is a hardship that I’m willing to bear.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Fresh greens, nutty edamame, sweet cranberries, plenty of cheese, wonton crisps, and a handful of fresh mushrooms tossed in a tangy sweet honey mustard dressing add up to this unforgettable Crunchy Spinach Salad. Inspired by one of my favorite restaurant salads, this salad never fails to remind me of road trips with family.

As you already know, I grew up in New Mexico and I have loved Dion’s Pizza for as long as I can remember. There’s no such thing as a trip back home that doesn’t include a stop there for at least one meal. Even my green chile ranch was inspired by our love for their dressing, since we couldn’t get it after moving out of state. So, I’m thrilled to share another Dion’s copycat salad today.

Dion’s Crunchy Spinach Salad

I fell for the crunchy spinach salad the very first time I tried it. I was visiting my sister Jenny in NM and she ordered this salad along with our pizza. I had always ordered their chef salad, so when this one showed up, I wasn’t sure what to think about it.

It’s hard to believe that was almost ten years ago. I can not believe it took me until this summer’s road trip to Arizona to finally try my hand at this recipe. But, I am proud of myself for remembering to put the ingredients on my shopping list while I was still eating it. How’s that for thinking ahead?

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Groceries seem to get more expensive every time we walk through the store, and feeding a family on a budget has become more challenging than ever. The good news? Delicious dinners don’t have to cost a fortune. This collection of budget-friendly meals is packed with recipes made from affordable pantry staples like pasta, rice, beans, potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and budget-friendly proteins.

Many of these cheap family meals make a big batch, reheat beautifully, freeze well, and are perfect for packing lunches or enjoying leftovers throughout the week, helping you save both time and money without sacrificing flavor.

Chicken Meal Prep

Chicken is one of the most affordable proteins you can buy (especially if you find a good sale!), and these recipes prove it. They’re easy to prep ahead, make generous portions, and are perfect for lunches and dinners all week.

If you have been searching for a high-protein (12g) and low-carb (2g) breakfast that is actually satisfying and easy to make ahead, these are the best cottage cheese egg bites you will ever try. Fluffy, cheesy, packed with bacon, and loaded with protein, they are way better than anything you can order at the drive-through.

These egg bites have become a total staple in our house. The cottage cheese blends right into the egg mixture and creates the most incredibly soft, custardy texture while adding a serious protein boost. The secret to getting that perfectly fluffy bite is the pan of water on the lower oven rack; it creates just enough steam to keep them tender all the way through. Make a batch on Sunday, and breakfast is handled for the entire week.

Ingredients For Egg Bites

These egg bites are even better than the ones at Starbucks! They’re easily customizable and perfect for a quick, on-the-go breakfast. Here is what goes into this egg bite recipe:

• Bacon: Cooked and chopped, bacon adds a salty, smoky flavor throughout every bite.
• Eggs: The base of the entire recipe that provide structure, protein, and that classic egg bite texture.
• Full-Fat Cottage Cheese: The secret ingredient. It blends seamlessly into the egg mixture and creates an incredibly soft, fluffy, custardy texture while adding a significant protein boost.
• Protein Powder: A scoop of plain or vanilla adds even more protein without changing the flavor or texture in any noticeable way. It sounds crazy, but I swear it just works!
• Colby Jack Cheese: Melts into the egg mixture for a creamy, cheesy richness in every single bite.
• Kosher Salt: Seasons the eggs and brings all the other flavors together.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle savory depth that makes these taste like way more than just a basic egg bite.
• Cooking Spray: Essential for keeping the egg bites from sticking so they pop right out of the muffin pan cleanly.

Everything here is simple, affordable, and easy to find, which makes these incredibly easy to keep in your regular rotation.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Egg Muffins

These egg cups could not be more straightforward. A bowl, a muffin pan, and about 30 minutes are all you need.

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 325°F and generously spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Whisk: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cottage cheese, bacon, Colby Jack cheese, protein powder, salt, and garlic powder until well combined.
3. Fill: Evenly distribute the egg mixture among all 12 muffin cups.
4. Steam: Place a pan of water on the lower oven rack to create steam, then gently place the muffin pan on the upper rack.
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