Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (2024)

Hosting Friendsgiving but not sure what you should serve? Not to worry – I’ve got you covered with 35 of my favorite Friendsgiving Food Ideas!

I love Thanksgiving with my family, but I also really enjoy spending a day in the fall with all my closest friends, cooking and baking together, for a fun, food-filled Friendsgiving celebration.

So, in light of the ever-growing popularity of Friendsgiving, I have put together a list of my favorite recipes to give you plenty of Friendsgiving food ideas.

This list has a little bit of everything, from traditional turkey and pie to more unusual options like chicken pot pie or pizza, plus all of my most delicious side dishes and desserts.

And if you’re not into pies, don’t worry – I’ve added lots of non-pie dessert options that are easy and perfect for your Friendsgiving feast.

There’s something for everyone on this fun list, so grab your BFFs, and let’s get to it!

It’s giving FRIENDS. 😉

Whether you’re looking for traditional or not-so-traditional Friendsgiving recipes, there’s something for everyone on this list!

Friendsgiving Main Dishes

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (1)

My Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with easy gravy requires just 10 minutes of prep time and doesn’t take up valuable space in your oven! Extra tender and moist, this easy turkey recipe is a win-win. As HTH reader Kathy J. says, “About 4-5 years ago I came across this recipe and decided to try it. BEST DECISION EVER!“. Get the recipe >>

Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (2)

This Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits is a delicious, cozy option if you’re not feeling the turkey this Friendsgiving. The pot pie base is creamy, hearty and SO flavorful, filled with shredded meat (grab a rotisserie chicken to make this super easy!), lots of vegetables, spices, and fresh herbs. Topped with buttery, flaky Buttermilk Biscuits to take this dish to another level. Get the recipe >>

Make Your Own Pizza (includes my no-knead pizza dough recipe!)

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (3)

For a super easy, delicious, non-traditional Friendsgiving main dish, try making your own pizza from scratch! My No-Knead Pizza Recipe has a crispy crust and a beautifully soft interior. Prepare bowls of a variety of toppings, so each of your friends can make their own pizza. As HTH baker Heather A. says, “This recipe is a keeper!Get the recipe >>

Friendsgiving Side Dishes

Soft Pretzel Stuffing

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (4)

Soft Pretzel Stuffing is easily my favorite stuffing recipe ever! All the traditional flavors, but with a much more fun soft pretzel base. This recipe is so easy to make and your friends will surely be coming back for seconds. As HTH reader Susan says, “Before this recipe no one liked stuffing in my family, but that’s now changed.Get the recipe >>

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (5)

My Jalapeño Cornbread with Cheddar & Bacon is easy to make, moist, buttery, fluffy, and so delicious. This recipe kicks it up a notch from your typical cornbread with oozy melted sharp cheddar, spicy jalapeños, and crispy bacon! A yummy Friendsgiving side dish with a bit of a kick. Get the recipe >>

Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (6)

Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks are buttery, garlic-scented, and chewy breadsticks that are utterly addictive! Such a fun Friendsgiving food idea, and the perfect complement to your meal. Get the recipe >>

Crowd-Pleasing Sweet Potato Casserole

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (7)

A Thanksgiving staple, but more interesting, you ask? This Crowd-Pleasing Sweet Potato Casserole has both a pecan topping and a marshmallow topping, for the best of both worlds! As HTH reader Amanda reports, “I’ve made this for 6 years now. BEST recipe in my opinion! Everyone I’ve ever made it for loves it too.Get the recipe >>

Homemade Hawaiian Rolls

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (8)

Homemade Hawaiian Rolls are light, fluffy, and utterly delicious – just like the store-bought version, but even better. Sweet, soft, squishy, and surprisingly easy to make, your friends will be asking for these rolls every Friendsgiving for the rest of time! Get the recipe >>

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (9)

This baked Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese recipe has a creamy, silky, rich cheese sauce that’s perfectly balanced by a crispy, crunchy homemade breadcrumb topping. So easy to make, and the perfect side no matter what’s on the rest of your Friendsgiving menu! Get the recipe >>

Red Lobster Homemade Cheesy Garlic Biscuits

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (10)

These Red Lobster Homemade Cheesy Garlic Biscuits are super easy and take only 30 minutes to make – and they taste a million times better than the original cheddar bay biscuits! Slightly flaky and crisp on the outside, ultra-tender and fluffy inside, and bursting with cheesy buttery garlic goodness. As HTH reader Jeni says, “The best recipe we’ve ever tried for these, will never need another!Get the recipe >>

Pumpkin Bread Rolls with Cinnamon Butter

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (11)

Pumpkin Bread Rolls with Cinnamon Butter are slightly sweet and SO festive, with their easy and adorable pumpkin shapes. Your friends are going to LOVE these! Get the recipe >>

Pie Recipes for Friendsgiving

Browned Butter Maple Pecan Pie

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (12)

A traditional Thanksgiving pie but elevated, this Browned Butter Maple Pecan Pie is made without corn syrup and uses browned butter for SO much flavor. It has the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. The best Friendsgiving dessert option ever! As HTH baker Marguerite reports, “I followed this recipe exactly and would not change a thing. Even people who were not pecan pie fans in the past liked this one! I will be making it again, for sure!Get the recipe >>

Easy Pumpkin Pie

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (13)

Super traditional but also super easy, this Pumpkin Pie recipe is made with a quick graham cracker crust, homemade spiced filling, and topped with freshly whipped cream. Simple, delish, and can be made ahead of time. Get the recipe >>

Caramel Apple Streusel Pie

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (14)

Caramel Apple Streusel Pie is the most decadently delicious pie you’ll eat all year! Featuring a buttery, flaky pie crust, filled with perfectly-sweetened apples and topped with a toffee-studded streusel topping. Your friends are going to go crazy for this pie. Get the recipe >>

Peanut Butter Pie

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (15)

This homemade Peanut Butter Pie is made from scratch with just a few ingredients and will have all your friends coming back for seconds! Super easy and can be made ahead, for maximum chill time on Friendsgiving Day. As HTH reader Barbara says, “I made this today to take to a friend’s for dinner. It came out great! Highly recommend!Get the recipe >>

No Bake Pumpkin Mousse Pie

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (16)

Want a pie with traditional Pumpkin Pie flavors, but more fun? My No Bake Pumpkin Mousse Pie features a thick Biscoff cookie crust filled with homemade pumpkin spice mousse and topped with fresh whipped cream. A super easy Friendsgiving food idea! Get the recipe >>

French Silk Pie

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (17)

French Silk Pie features an Oreo cookie crust, rich and creamy chocolate filling, and is topped with homemade whipped cream and chocolate shavings. A total crowd-pleaser, this pie is the perfect Friendsgiving dessert. As HTH baker Amy reports, “Truly silky. Perfectly chocolately. Will 100% make again.Get the recipe >>

Butterscotch Pie

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (18)

Butterscotch Pie is made with an easy spiced Biscoff cookie crust and a homemade butterscotch pudding filling, topped with fresh whipped cream. All the fall vibes, but in a pudding pie. Get the recipe >>

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Pie

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (19)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Pie tastes like a giant Reese’s peanut butter cup but so much better because it’s made with thick and creamy pudding! This pie won’t last long on your Friendsgiving table. Get the recipe >>

Non-Pie Desserts for Friendsgiving

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (20)

Pumpkin Pie, but make it cheesecake! Creamy, smooth, rich, and indulgent Pumpkin Cheesecake made with a Biscoff cookie crust and topped with homemade whipped cream. No water bath is needed for this fall-tastic cheesecake. Get the recipe >>

Apple Galette

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (21)

This Homemade Apple Galette is perfect if you want the flavors of an apple pie but find pies intimidating. This recipe has a buttery, flaky tart crust and a perfectly spiced fresh apple filling. The best rustic dessert for your Friendsgiving feast. Just ask HTH reader Lisa, who says, “This galette is amazing! Flaky tender crust and the apples are perfectly flavored with the right combination of spices. The perfect pie without the fuss of a pie!Get the recipe >>

Classic Cheesecake Bars

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (22)

Classic Cheesecake Bars have a buttery graham cracker crust with an ultra-creamy and slightly tangy cheesecake filling. Top with chocolate ganache or salted caramel to take this easy dessert to a whole other level! Get the recipe >>

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (23)

Quick and easy Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake features a moist sour cream pumpkin cake loaded with brown sugar streusel and topped with a maple glaze. Super simple and SO delicious, this 1-hour recipe is my most popular fall recipe for good reason! As reader Esmeralda says, “Made it today and wow! so delicious and moist!Get the recipe >>

Oreo Cheesecake

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (24)

Oreo Cheesecake is the ultimate dessert for Oreo lovers of all ages! A rich, buttery Oreo base sits beneath a luscious, ultra-creamy, Oreo-studded cheesecake filling, all topped with a simple homemade whipped cream. A deliciously indulgent way to end your Friendsgiving meal. Get the recipe >>

Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar Frosting

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (25)

Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar Frosting are the perfect fall crowd-pleasing treat! Thick, soft, & deliciously spiced, these bars feature a generous layer of brown sugar frosting that will have all your friends coming back for seconds. And, bonus: they’re super easy. According to HTH reader Aleta, “These are absolutely phenomenal.Get the recipe >>

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (26)

If you’re looking for the easiest Friendsgiving food idea ever, give my Pumpkin Snickerdoodles a try. They’re ultra thick, soft, and loaded with classic pumpkin spice flavors. Get the recipe >>

Salted Caramel Apple Sheet Cake

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (27)

Salted Caramel Apple Sheet Cake features an ultra-tender, slightly spongy cinnamon apple cake with a thick and shiny salted caramel glaze. Perfect for serving a crowd at your Friendsgiving celebration! Just ask reader Nora, who says, “A fun recipe to make and the results were terrific. So good, moist, and lots of apple goodness.Get the recipe >>

Sweet Potato Pie Bars

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (28)

Pie, but in easy bar form! Sweet Potato Pie Bars have a thick graham cracker crust, fresh sweet potato filling, and tall toasted homemade marshmallow topping. A delicious addition to any Friendsgiving table. Get the recipe >>

Easy Pumpkin Cake with Whipped Ganache

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (29)

Easy Pumpkin Cake with Whipped Ganache features a super simple spiced pumpkin sour cream cake topped with creamy and light whipped chocolate ganache. Quick and super simple to make, and no decorating skills required. Get the recipe >>

Crème Brûlée Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (30)

Crème Brûlée Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Bars are a fun twist on the traditional pumpkin pie. These bars are loaded with incredible flavors, all topped with a crunchy caramelized sugar topping. Texture heaven! Get the recipe >>

Apple Crisp Cookie Bars

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (31)

Apple Crisp Cookie Bars feature a simple chewy cookie crust covered with cinnamon apples and a crispy sweet oat topping for a super easy Friendsgiving dessert. Ready in just over 1 hour. According to HTH reader Mykala, “Amazing!! Pretty easy to make and oh so delicious! Perfect fall treat for potlucks and such!Get the recipe >>

Butterscotch Cake

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (32)

Butterscotch Cake is the perfect Friendsgiving dessert! Super moist and tender brown sugar cake layers, filled with thick homemade butterscotch sauce, all finished with butterscotch buttercream. The perfect centerpiece to wow your friends. Get the recipe >>

Caramel Pecan Blondies

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (33)

Caramel Pecan Blondies feature an ultra-chewy brown sugar blondie with a hidden layer of rich, gooey, and crunchy caramel pecan filling. So many delicious fall flavors, all packed into one bar. Get the recipe >>

Butter Pecan Sheet Cake

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (34)

Looking for a super quick and easy Friendsgiving dessert that will feed a crowd but not require a ton of work? My Butter Pecan Sheet Cake is the way to go! Moist and fluffy sheet cake, studded with butter pecans, and topped with a luscious brown sugar glaze. Bonus: you don’t even need a mixer for this recipe! Get the recipe >>

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Pizookies

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (35)

When it comes to Friendsgiving food ideas, you don’t get more fun than this! Salted Caramel Apple Pie Pizza Cookies are white chocolate chip skillet cookies, topped with fresh caramel apple pie filling, ice cream, and more caramel. Fall decadence at its finest! Just ask reader SharonJo, who says, “I bake a lot, and this might be the best thing I’ve ever made–absolutely delicious!Get the recipe >>

Which recipe will you bring to your Friendsgiving gathering? For even more recipe ideas, head to my Thanksgiving headquarters!

Friendsgiving Food Ideas - The 35 Best Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are good Friendsgiving foods? ›

35+ Friendsgiving Food Ideas
  • Slow Cooker Turkey Breast.
  • Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits.
  • Make Your Own Pizza (includes my no-knead pizza dough recipe!)
  • Soft Pretzel Stuffing.
  • Jalapeño Cornbread with Bacon & Cheddar.
  • Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Sweet Potato Casserole.
  • Homemade Hawaiian Rolls.
Nov 3, 2023

What are the 12 most popular Thanksgiving dishes? ›

Scroll through to take a look at our most popular Thanksgiving recipes.
  • 01 of 24. Perfect Turkey. ...
  • 02 of 24. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 03 of 24. Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • 04 of 24. Homemade Mac and Cheese. ...
  • 05 of 24. Sweet Potato Pie. ...
  • 06 of 24. Granny Kat's Pumpkin Roll. ...
  • 07 of 24. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast. ...
  • 08 of 24. Cream Corn Like No Other.
Oct 26, 2023

What are the 10 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

Here are our favorite traditional Thanksgiving dishes that are delicious and easy to make.
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Serves: Up to 4 people. ...
  • Stuffing. ...
  • Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
  • Baked Corn. ...
  • Mac and cheese. ...
  • Peas & Water Chestnuts. ...
  • Fresh Rolls.
Oct 28, 2021

What do you bring to a Friendsgiving potluck? ›

Next, make sure all of the Thanksgiving side dishes get their moment to shine: baked potatoes, green bean casserole, and candied carrots. You'll want to serve a few appetizers (think: small bites, bread basket ideas, and party dips) and a signature drink or two (apple cider co*cktails and mocktails, included).

What are 3 foods that are eaten on Thanksgiving? ›

Millions of people across the United States will sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, potatoes, squash, corn, and cranberries.

What are 3 main foods on Thanksgiving? ›

The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. But the way these dishes are made or added to is everchanging because of food trends and different dietary requirements.

What is the number one side dish for Thanksgiving? ›

Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for a reason, and we definitely look forward to serving up this delicious dish every November.

What is the most commonly eaten food on Thanksgiving? ›

America's different regions can favor different local cuisines, and Thanksgiving dinner provides no exception. While turkey is the top selection in every region, side-dish challenger mashed potatoes are tied for first place in the Midwest (both winning 85% of matchups) and West (both winning 79%).

What is the basic Thanksgiving menu? ›

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner has Turkey, stuffing (also called bread dressing), gravy, potatoes (mashed or scalloped), rolls with butter, green beans or some other cooked green like cabbage or collards, one orange thing (cooked carrots, sweet potato casserole, or squash), something cranberry flavored, and pie ( ...

What is served at a black Thanksgiving dinner? ›

You will likely be eating roast turkey, barbecued turkey, deep fried turkey, glazed country ham, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes mashed and covered with marshmallows, corn, cornbread, yeast/potato rolls, black eyed peas, rice, gravy, potato salad, cranberry sauce from ...

What is the least favorite Thanksgiving food? ›

"For the third year in a row, cranberry sauce takes first place as the most disliked traditional Thanksgiving food. Over 31% of respondents, 82 million American adults, do not want cranberry sauce for their Thanksgiving dinner.

How do I make Friendsgiving more fun? ›

31 Friendsgiving Party Ideas That Will Make Your Guests Actually Want to Attend
  1. Decorate with banners.
  2. Everyone gets a special (non-plastic) straw.
  3. Lay out place cards.
  4. Make an ice cream bar.
  5. Play Thanksgiving bingo.
  6. Send out actual invites.
  7. Gift everyone their own special wine glass.
  8. Turn it into a pajama party.
Sep 29, 2023

How do I assign dishes to Friendsgiving? ›

Be specific with assignments.

Ask everyone to bring one specific dish. If you want your former coworker to bring her famous crab dip, tell her as much. If you need your best friend to handle the stuffing, assign it out.

What drinks to bring to Friendsgiving? ›

Here's our list of the best dinner party drinks for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving.
  • Cranberry Moscow Mule. ...
  • Apple Cider Prosecco Spritz. ...
  • Apple Cider Old-Fashioned. ...
  • Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy. ...
  • Apple Cider Bellini. ...
  • Irish Cream Affogato. ...
  • Cranberry Cobbler Smash. ...
  • Cranberry Margarita.

What do you need for a Friendsgiving? ›

How to Host Your First-Ever Friendsgiving
  1. Make sure you have enough plates, silverware, and cups. ...
  2. Assign everyone a dish to bring. ...
  3. Let your friends help you. ...
  4. Give people something to eat (and drink) upon arrival. ...
  5. Don't get too hung up on the classics. ...
  6. Get creative with your space. ...
  7. Skip formal place settings.
Oct 20, 2023

What does Friendsgiving consist of? ›

Friendsgiving is a blend of friend and Thanksgiving, and it refers to a large meal eaten with friends either on or near Thanksgiving. People are serious about their Friendsgiving celebrations: there are how-tos, sample menus, rules, and even commandments for Friendsgiving.

What are 4 common foods at Thanksgiving? ›

The 10 Most Popular Thanksgiving Dishes
  • Roast turkey. We've already filled you in on how to carve a turkey like a chef. ...
  • Stuffing. Good stuffing is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner. ...
  • Mashed potatoes. ...
  • Green bean casserole. ...
  • Corn casserole. ...
  • Sweet potato casserole. ...
  • Honey-glazed Brussels sprouts. ...
  • Cranberry sauce.
Nov 2, 2022

What are the rules of Friendsgiving? ›

The 10 Essential Rules for Every Friendsgiving Guest
  • Put your host first. ...
  • Arrive on time, with a bottle of wine. ...
  • Do not arrive with extra, unexpected people. ...
  • Let your dietary needs be known in advance. ...
  • Don't bring anything fussy. ...
  • Bring your own serving dish. ...
  • Bring your own container for leftovers.
Jun 8, 2019

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