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.

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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 my rice crispy treats 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.

How do you package homemade rice crispy treats? ›

If you are going to package these for sale or an event or picnic or whatever, my favorite way to package is with a strip of parchment and then in plastic wrap. This keeps them looking nice and they don't get melted and stuck to the plastic. Well-wrapped, these really stay great for several days.

What happens if you put too much butter in rice krispie 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.

How do you keep homemade Rice Krispie treats from getting 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!

Do you refrigerate rice crispy treats after you make them? ›

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.

Should you refrigerate Rice Krispie Treats? ›

Rice krispie treats do not need to be refrigerated because they contain so much sugar, which acts as a preservative. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, but I doubt they will last that long!

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.

How do you fix dry rice crispy treats? ›

Another addition that can bring Rice Krispie treats to a whole other level, and make them softer and more moist, is sweetened condensed milk. In fact, it can keep these sweets from being too dry and chewy from the moment that you bite into them.

What can I do with old hard marshmallows? ›

If they're stale, hot cocoa. I use stale ones for Rice Crispy Treats all the time. You melt them so it's fine. They will not melt as well, they will not taste as good.

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