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 Rice Krispies banned in other countries? ›

Japan's ban on Rice Krispies is part of a larger initiative to reduce the presence of legal food additives which are linked to health risks. One such additive, Trisodium Phosphate (TSP), is used in small quantities in some food products, including Rice Krispies, as an emulsifier or nutritional supplement.

Why are Rice Krispie Treats bad for you? ›

Besides the fortified cereal's iron, folate, and B vitamins, the packaged version of Rice Krispie Treats has virtually no nutritional value. It also has too much added sugar which can affect blood sugar. The homemade version is significantly less unhealthy.

What is the difference between old and new Rice Krispies? ›

Rice represents only 48% of the Rice Krispies Vanilla – from 89.8% in the original. Corn flour (13%) (which may be genetically modified, according to the company) as well as whole wheat flour (10%) are some of the new ingredients. In addition, the company added much more sugar to “enhance the crispiness”.

Why did my homemade rice crispy treats get hard? ›

Don't crank the heat on the stovetop too high.

We get it, you want to get these quick-to-make squares set as soon as possible so you can dig in. It's tempting to turn up the heat to speed up melting the butter and marshmallows, but resist the urge. High heat is the prime culprit for rock hard rice krispie treats.

Why are Ritz crackers banned? ›

As of 2003, every country that has banned Ritz crackers has done so because the ingredients include trans fats such as partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils.

Why are Rice Krispies banned in Japan? ›

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.

Why do bodybuilders eat Rice Krispies? ›

“Rice Krispies are an awesome source right before a workout because they hit your stomach, they get digested really quickly, they enter your bloodstream, and boom, you have carbs to power your workout. This is why as sports dietitians, we recommend cereal as a pre-workout snack,” Klinger says in a video post.

Are Rice Krispie treats bad for your teeth? ›

Many of these foods also contain high levels of sugar, which can cause plaque build-up if not brushed away properly. Also, be wary of hard foods that can harm your orthodontic appliances. Avoid eating hard taco shells, chips, Rice Crispy treats, hard candy, beef jerky, and popcorn.

Is puffed rice the same as Rice Krispies? ›

This is because the rice grains of Rice Krispies are prepared with a sweetening, drying, rolling, and cooling process before the puffing, which does not happen to regular puffed rice. Another difference is that Rice Krispies are popped in the oven with oil, instead of a popping gun.

What is the new flavor of Rice Krispie Treats? ›

Rice Krispies Treats Chocolatey Peanut Butter will officially be hitting snack aisles at retailers nationwide starting this spring. The snack's suggested retail price is $4.49 for a box of seven bars or $8.42 for a box of 14.

What was Rice Krispie Treats originally called? ›

Kellogg's decided to test-try what it initially called “marshmallow squares,” and put Day on a train for Kansas City. She took with her huge, specially made baking trays and a giant mixer. Day set up a temporary kitchen and and proceeded to make batch after batch of the treats, working long 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.

Can you put expired marshmallows in rice krispie treats? ›

Using old marshmallows for Rice Krispies treats presents a problem because as marshmallows age, they become stale and dry. Lack of moisture means old marshmallows don't melt properly. Instead, the dehydrated marshmallows congeal into a thick mass, says Eating Expired.

Why do my Rice Krispies treats taste stale? ›

Recipe Notes

* Make sure your marshmallows are fresh. Stale, hard marshmallows won't result in nice, chewy bars. ** Any brand is fine, but be sure the cereal you use is fresh. Stale cereal will make for stale-tasting Rice Crispy Treats.

What countries are Rice Krispies banned in? ›

Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies

You can't share breakfast with Tony the Tiger or Snap, Crackle, and Pop in the EU and Japan. That's because these cereals contain a flavor enhancer called BHT.

Why is Rice Krispies banned in 30 countries? ›

Cereals like Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies are widely believed to be banned in other countries due to the preservatives they contain, but as it would happen, cereal heavyweights like Kellogg's actually go so far as to remove the harmful preservatives from the food they sell internationally but continue to add them ...

What is the Rice Krispies scandal? ›

In 2014, a man recorded himself urinating on a conveyor belt of Rice Krispies. He waited two years to upload the video online. The products were distributed to customers and presumably consumed. Kellogg took action and prosecuted the employee.

Why is Mountain Dew banned in other countries? ›

Mountain Dew

Although some companies have made efforts to limit or remove BOV from certain drinks, Mountain Dew still contains the ingredient, which is why it's been banned in other countries, such as Japan, the Netherlands, and the European Union.

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