This post may contain affiliate links which means I will get a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for details.
Ready to enjoy something indulgent? This list of cheat day food ideas includes casseroles, sliders, and milkshakes. They’re satisfying and simple to make!
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
Believe it or not, cheat day is still an important part of healthy eating.
It gives you something to look forward to and helps make your new habits feel more balanced and not restrictive at all.
You don’t even have to leave the house. Just make something satisfying right in your own kitchen.
Big Mac Tacos
These tacos have everything you love about the iconic burger.
They’re packed with savory goodness, with ground beef, mayo, pickled cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, and seasonings.
Get The Recipe: Big Mac Tacos
One Skillet Bacon Mac and Cheese
This recipe makes an already indulgent dish even more irresistible.
Top it with extra shredded cheese, then pair it with fried chicken tenders and citrus iced tea.
Get The Recipe: One Skillet Bacon Mac and Cheese
Apple Pie Milkshake
This milkshake tastes just like the classic apple pie! It has a thick texture that’s impossible to resist.
Aside from apples, you’ll need heavy cream, vanilla ice cream, butter, and cinnamon.
Get The Recipe: Apple Pie Milkshake
Barbie Milkshake
Can’t get enough of milkshakes? This one is smooth, thick, and as vibrant as your favorite desserts.
You can even make it a bit more playful with candy accents or sprinkles.
Get The Recipe: Barbie Milkshake
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
These ice cream sandwiches are made with dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder, instant espresso powder, and kosher salt.
Just freeze until you’re ready to devour them! You’ll love their salted caramel flavors.
Get The Recipe: Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
There’s something magical about waking up to the scent of strawberries and cinnamon.
Try these treats for breakfast! This recipe also teaches you how to make your own strawberry filling.
Get The Recipe: Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
Cookie Dough Fat Bombs
Everyone will fall in love with these no-bake treats.
They’re made with cream cheese, no-sugar peanut butter, and butter. Enjoy them with a cold glass of almond milk!
Get The Recipe: Cookie Dough Fat Bombs
Apple Crumble Cheesecake
Can’t decide between pie, cheesecake, or crumble? Check out this recipe. It’s a luscious dessert that you can make even as a newbie baker.
Add a drizzle of caramel sauce just before serving!
Get The Recipe: Apple Crumble Cheesecake
Peach Cobbler Pound Cake
This pound cake is loaded with fun summer flavors!
Main ingredients include cinnamon, cream cheese, milk, rum, and of course, fresh peaches.
Get The Recipe: Peach Cobbler Pound Cake
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake
This cheesecake is for anyone who loves bold, zesty desserts. The lemon blueberry sauce really makes it so special!
Remember to refrigerate it for at least four hours before serving for the best texture and flavors.
Get The Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake
Homemade Baked Donuts
Bake these donuts and share them with everyone.
They’re lighter in texture than the fried ones, yet still deliver that melt-in-your-mouth donut experience.
Get The Recipe: Homemade Baked Donuts
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Brown Butter Layer Cake
One bite and you’ll understand why this cake is such a cheat day treasure.
It’s so deeply flavorful thanks to its brown sugar Swiss meringue buttercream. Be creative and decorate it with fresh or edible flowers.
Get The Recipe: Brown Butter Layer Cake
Cookies and Cream French Toast
Turn breakfast into dessert in the best possible way.
This recipe only requires a few simple ingredients like Oreo cookies (use Double Stuf!!), cream cheese, and whole milk.
Get The Recipe: Cookies and Cream French Toast
Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich
Craving something savory, crispy, and a little spicy?
This sandwich brings the heat and the crunch with chicken thighs, buttermilk, hot sauce, and seasonings.
Get The Recipe: Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich
Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls
These rolls feature Oreo sandwich cookies and a mouthwatering cream cheese frosting.
Make the frosting ahead of time and just keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy.
Get The Recipe: Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls
Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes (Cracker Barrel Copycat)
Imagine the best parts of breakfast and dessert coming together on one plate.
These pancakes are sweet, fluffy, and layered with creamy filling and chopped berries. Once you taste this, you’ll never go back to the classic version!
Get The Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes (Cracker Barrel Copycat)
Five Guys Copycat Burger
This burger is made with steak, cheese slices, tomato, mayo, and mustard.
As always, feel free to include your favorite condiments for the best cheat day savory treat. You can even serve it with a peanut butter milkshake.
Get The Recipe: Five Guys Copycat Burger
5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole
This casserole is rich, cheesy, and comforting, with ground beef, potatoes, cheddar cheese, and cream of mushroom soup.
Bake it until golden and bubbling, then enjoy it with a side of green beans.
Get The Recipe: 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole
Buffalo Turkey Pizza
This pizza will make you enjoy it even beyond cheat days.
The recipe recommends turkey or chicken, but you can use any protein you have on hand. Also, add a bit of Sriracha for a touch of heat!
Get The Recipe: Buffalo Turkey Pizza
Pizza Sliders
Cheat day is all about bold new flavors. These sliders are stuffed with cheesy goodness!
Assemble, bake until melty, and brush them with butter right out of the oven.
Get The Recipe: Pizza Sliders
Pasta Carbonara with Bacon
This carbonara is the ultimate comfort food you never knew you needed.
It comes together with only five simple ingredients, including bacon and Parmesan cheese.
Get The Recipe: Pasta Carbonara with Bacon
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Seasoned Grilled Fries
Got some extra potatoes? These fries are so much better than the usual oven-baked version.
Grill them until golden and charred, then serve with BBQ chicken sliders.
Get The Recipe: Seasoned Grilled Fries
Homemade Corn Dogs
Save this recipe and enjoy homemade corn dogs on cheat days and weekend family gatherings.
You only need buttermilk, yellow cornmeal, and other pantry staples. The best part is you get to skip the preservatives and still enjoy flavorful cheat day treats.
Get The Recipe: Homemade Corn Dogs
Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make incredible cheat day food.
These cookies are a classic favorite, made with cocoa powder, buttermilk, cream cheese, and vanilla.
Get The Recipe: Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Dulce De Leche Stuffed Pumpkin Lava Cakes
In the mood for something warm, gooey, and dramatic? You have to try these lava cakes!
They showcase the tasty combo of white chocolate, pumpkin purée, and dulce de leche.
Get The Recipe: Dulce De Leche Stuffed Pumpkin Lava Cakes
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Discover new recipes or make your classic favorites even more indulgent!
It’s time to reward yourself after all your hard work and the stress you’ve been through recently.
Mac and cheese, fries, and no-bake desserts are amazing choices since you can whip them up even when you’re busy.
25 Easy Make Ahead Appetizers for a Crowd That Never Disappoint
These easy make ahead appetizers for a crowd never disappoint. Served cold or kept warm until party time, there’s an appetizer here that everyone will love.
Read it here: 25 Easy Make Ahead Appetizers for a Crowd That Never Disappoint
25 Make Ahead Desserts You Can Prep Tonight and Serve Tomorrow
These make ahead desserts are perfect for potlucks and weeknight treats. From cookies and brownies to cakes and pies, you’re sure to find a new favorite.
Read it here: 25 Make Ahead Desserts You Can Prep Tonight and Serve Tomorrow
Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.
Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Looking for more recipes? These meals are made for lazy weekends and well-earned breaks: