Flickr: Jessica Rossi

17 Fast Food Meals You Can (and Probably Should) Make at Home

Okay, we know you love fast food. Who doesn't like salty french fries or an Egg McMuffin or a cold milkshake available at the drop of a "how may I take your order?" But you can't always make it to your favorite fast food restaurant so how do you get your fix? With fast food copycat recipes!

Videos by Wide Open Country

We'll be honest; these DIY meal reproductions can look a heck of a lot better than the drive-thru originals. And you don't have to go anywhere to get them either. We've rounded up some of the best copycat fast food recipes you can make in the comfort of your own home.

Here are 17 of our favorite fast food copycat recipes.

1. Arby's Roast Beef 'n Cheddar Sandwich

Everyone has had that month or two that he or she couldn't resist driving through Arby's for some mild roast beef goodness far more frequently than he or she would like to admit.

Don't run the risk of the neighbors seeing you drive through the Arby's drive-thru; make your roast beef 'n cheddar sandwich at home instead. This recipe uses American cheese instead of cheddar, so its not an exact copy, but its still pretty tasty!

Get the recipe here.

2. Burger King Whopper

When it comes to the whopper, you can "have it your way," you can "be your way," or you can do both. Be however you want to be and have it any way you'd like from the comfort of your own kitchen. Use fresh ground beef for this homemade version.

Get the recipe here.

3. Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich

It's high noon on a Sunday. You're craving a sandwich from Chick-fil-A, so you hop in your car and head to the drive-thru. Upon arrival, you reach the soul-crushing realization that your favorite chicken sandwich isn't available on Sundays (they're closed, duh). Save yourself the heartache; make your own copycat Chick-fil-A on Sundays.

Use chicken breast and lots of pickle juice for this recipe!

Get the recipe here.

4. Chipotle Chicken Recipe

Though Chipotle has had its issues in the past with some of its menu items, they still have some of the best-tasting chicken out there. And while we do love grabbing fresh Mexican food for lunch, sometimes it's just easier to make at home.

Customize your own version of your favorite Chipotle burrito or bowl at home using their style of chicken with this fast food copycat recipe. Load up your own burrito bowl with all the cilantro lime rice and guacamole you can handle.

Get the recipe here.

5. Dairy Queen Oreo Blizzard

You thought this list was going to be dessert-free? Think again; we're ready, willing, and able to choke down dessert at all times. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor... blizzard... stays these diners from the swift completion of their self-appointed post-meal sweets.

Disclaimer: We're not responsible for the mess that may be made when you try turning your homemade blizzard upside down in the family room.

Get the recipe here.

6. In-N-Out Animal-Style Fries

Believe it or not, every human hasn't experienced the glory that is In-N-Out. Do your friends a favor the next time you are at the grocery store: Make some animal-style fries the next time you have people over to watch the game or host a fast food copycat recipe-themed get together.

Get the recipe here.

7. KFC Original-Style Chicken

Feed your family the famous fried chicken of Kentucky by making this KFC original-style chicken recipe. (This is the only type of fried chicken served in Kentucky, right?) Add some coleslaw and mashed potatoes and you've got yourself a meal!

Get the recipe here.

8. McDonald's Big Mac

"Fast food" and "Big Mac" go together like "two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun." No, we're not quite sure what that simile meant, but we do know that you're going to be obsessed with this copycat Big Mac burger recipe. 

Get the recipe here.

9. McDonald's Chicken McNuggets

Chicken nuggets might be on the list of kids' food, but you're never really too old for McNuggets. This copycat McDonald's recipe is just as good as the real thing, whether you make them for you or for the kids.

Get the recipe here.

10. McDonald's Shamrock Shake

February and March are special months in the milkshake-loving community. These months denote McDonald's Shamrock Shake season, a time when even the strictest of healthy eaters have been known to make an allowance for a quick cup of thick minty goodness.

Why wait until February, though? Make your own shake today with this fast food copycat recipe!

Get the recipe here.

11. Sonic Extreme Tater Tots

This recipe will have all of your friends saying, "Give me some of your tots!" (If you didn't catch that reference, it's okay. If you want to get that reference, click here.)

Get the recipe here.

12. Taco Bell Cheesy Gordita Crunch

Taco Bell's Cheesy Gordita Crunch solves a centuries-long debate over whether to choose a crunchy or soft-shelled taco. Save yourself the potential disappointment of eating one that's been made haphazardly and make one, lovingly, in your own kitchen.

Get the recipe here.

13. Taco Bell Chicken Burrito

Do you see that picture? If every Taco Bell chicken burrito looked that good, we'd be on a newly crafted "Chicken Burrito Diet."

And we'd also probably (proudly) gain some new burrito weight as well. We'd call it: our taco belly.

Get the recipe here.

14. Panda Express Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken is one of the most popular items on the Panda Express menu and now you can make it at home with this fast food copycat recipe. That means you can smother your crispy chicken in as much orange sauce as you like!

Get the recipe here.

15. Wendy's Frosty

We've always viewed the Frosty as something slightly different from standard chocolate ice cream. See if this recipe is up to snuff by trying it out yourself.

Get the recipe here.

16. Whataburger Breakfast on a Bun

Whataburger's beloved breakfast on a bun takes everything that you crave in the morning and places it on, you guessed it, a bun. Can you make your own version taste as good as the chain's?

Get the recipe here.

17. White Castle Cheeseburger Sliders

White Castle burgers hold a special place amongst the lore of fast food favorites. They're small, they taste unique and delicious, and your husband's brother probably ate sixty-four of them one time while you sat and watched him disapprovingly.

Make a couple of them (or sixty-four, if Russell's coming over today) for yourself.

Get the recipe here.