I tested my saved viral recipes…and ranked them

Over the years, I’ve built up a very large collection of saved recipes on TikTok and Instagram. You know, the ones you save then never actually make? But no longer, because I am actually making them! I went into that expansive folder, picked the most viral (and intriguing) ones and finally discovered what makes these recipes so popular. Obviously, I had to rank them too. But read on to discover if they actually lived up to the hype…

1. Nachos are a concept not a dish

The inspiration: @eddiesteadycook

What is it?!

Right, so it’s basically a plate of crispy aromatic duck legs, shredded and piled high with cucumber, spring onions, hoisin sauce…but instead of pancakes, you’ve got prawn crackers. Sounds amazing doesn’t it. Genius actually.  And it’s true, nachos truly are a concept so please let me know in the comments if you have any other nacho style plates for me to try out. 

Anyway, back to the recipe. You bang all those ingredients altogether (preferably with the duck still warm), then dig in. It’s giving takeaway vibes, but without the cost of shelling out for the full Chinese set meal. 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 packets prawn crackers
  • 2 spring onions
  • 1/2 cucumber 
  • 2 aromatic duck legs
  • hoisin sauce

Would I make it again…

100% yes. It was ridiculously simple to pull together and tasted phenomenal. Plus, it works so well as a sharer.  It’s one of those dishes that feels a bit fancy (duck always does, doesn’t it?) but is actually minimal effort for maximum reward. How could I not want to make this again?!

Also, aromatic duck from a takeaway is spenny. Especially when you get carried away and order the half duck pancakes…so this is a solid alternative.

Ranking: 9/10

2. Jacket potato bolognese lasagne bake 

The inspiration: @superhomecook (aka the jacket potato queen)

What is it?!

This one is basically fluffy baked jacket potatoes, leftover bolognese, creamy bechamel and a whole load of cheese. Butter in the jackets is non-negotiable too. I think eating a jacket potato without butter should be a crime. 

To construct this dish, you need to take your already baked potatoes (I used standard baking potatoes), split them open, absolutely slather them in butter and place them in a deep tray. Pile on your cheese, bolognese and bechamel then bake until golden, bubbling and ridiculous. How could I not enjoy this? You’re essentially replacing pasta sheets with potatoes. And I’m very much on board with that.

Ingredients

  • 4 jacket potatoes
  • leftover bolognese (enough to pile on top)
  • Bechamel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • grated mozzarella 
  • parmesan 
  • butter 

Would I make it again…

ERM…YES. OBVIOUSLY. Anything on top of a potato is usually a win for me, but this felt like a proper comfort food upgrade and I love that you got perfectly formed portion sizes, so this would work amazingly well for a family dinner. 

My only tweak would be that I’d have to throw in some garlic parsley butter, but that’s me being extra and because I can’t help myself.

Ranking: 8.7/10

3. Sweet potato…stuffed with a block of cheese

The inspiration: @courtneylcook

What is it?!

I mean, the title says it all really. Not sure how else to word it tbh. But it’s essentially just a beautifully baked sweet potato stuffed with a literal rectangular slab of cheese. No real skill here, just some shoving. I used slightly different cheese variations in mine, because I struggled to find the original “butter cheese” in the UK, so I went for the closest/tastiest alternatives. 

I went in with: Gouda (for that nutty, melty goodness) and cheddar (because we’re in the UK and we respect it). 

Ingredients

  • 2 large baked sweet potatoes
  • block of desired cheese (gouda, cheddar or butter cheese work well)

Would I make it again…

I’d say yes, because I did enjoy it. I’m yet to be convinced that this dish is viral because of the taste though, and not just because it’s a bit odd. But I mean cheese and potato together was never going to be terrible, was it?! The Gouda worked really well, super melty and rich. But the cheddar version? That was my favourite.

Ranking: 6/10

4. Honeycomb pasta

The inspiration: Delish

What is it?!

Think lasagne, think cannelloni and then present it as a honeycomb style structured dish that is messy yet weirdly fascinating to look at. I did enjoy filling all those little tubes with a creamy filling and topping with seasoned tomato sauce and cheese. 

Would I make it again…

Yes, I would. It wasn’t overly complex, just a bit time consuming. The presentation at the end was a bit suspect, but oh the wonders a pile of grated parmesan and a few basil leaves can do. 

The taste is familiar and not uniquely new but it’s a fun dish that may make dinner that little bit more exciting. 

Ranking: 8/10

5. Cheese pickles

The inspiration: Kroger

What is it?!

Like the sweet potato and cheese situation, it’s pickles…and cheese. You fry the cheese in a pan, place your pickles of choice on top and then coat in that wonderfully melted cheese. So if you’re a savoury lover, this is for you. Personally, I’d have preferred a pickle with more vinegar, but this definitely won’t be the last time I make this. 

Would I make it again…

If you read the above, then you’ll know the answer is yes. This feels like one of those guilty pleasure midnight snacks, as it’s ready in minutes and requires only two ingredients. Mess is minimal and I’m slightly obsessed tbh. 

Ranking: 10/10

6. Air fried milk

The inspiration: Two plaid aprons

What is it?!

You essentially mix and heat milk (I went the proper creamy gold top stuff) with cornflour and sugar til it’s thickened. Once the desired consistency, you refridgerate til solid and then slice and coat finger shapes in a panko coating and air fry. The filling is almost like a set custard and I think it would be incredible with a little caramel dip. 

Would I make it again…

Yes. It was different, easy and would make a great baking activity with kids. I think it needs a few little tweaks like a dash of vanilla to the filling and maybe a play around with the coating to make this a little more exciting, but the basics are there. It also absolutely needs a selection of dips. 

Ranking: 7.5/10

Watch me make each dish on my YouTube channel

You can watch the calamity unfold over on my YouTube channel, with a surprise appearance from baby spud. 

So, should you trust your saved folder?

Honestly? Yes, because you owe it to yourself to actually make one for once. Don’t let them linger there because you could be missing an absolute gem like the duck nachos, which I will be making ALL THE TIME. They were so good, I can’t get over it. 

Do I do more?!

Send me your viral saves and tell me in the comment section below what I absolutely need to try next.