Top 53 comfort foods that make you feel better every time

Dipping a strip of dark chocolate in a mug of hot coffee. Stirring it, then sucking off a layer of oozy lava. I can enjoy the flavour and texture for longer. It feels so decadent but really is such a simple pleasure. I just forget about everything else. – Paul Westbrook

Marshmallows! Marvellous marshmallows! To me, there’s nothing more comforting than a soft, fluffy, almost cloud-like mallow. – Kerrie Tullipan

Freshly baked bread smothered in butter. It makes the whole house smell wonderful and it’s so fluffy, yet crusty and warm… like a hug! – Simon Buttfield

My all-time favourite comfort food is cookies. I don’t exactly know why I crave these sugar-filled, chewy circles of goodness so much, but there is just something about them. They’re just so adaptable. There’s double choc-chip cookies when you’re having a particularly exhausting day; smartie dotted cookies when you’re feeling fun; shortbread cookies when you’re feeling elegant; snickerdoodles when you want to welcome a neighbour; and, of course, the classic, yet sophisticated, choc chip cookies. Personally, these are my absolute favourites: buttery, sugary cookies oozing with warm, melted chocolate. Cookies just simply bring out the best in people. – Abby Chai

Tender, succulent strawberries – their taste is extraordinary; my perfect fruity snack when hunger pangs attack, every mouthful revealing ‘berried treasure’, giving my tastebuds maximum pleasure! – Peter Walker

Chocolate and pasta. A chocolate pasta would be the dream but I think that could ruin both the things I love. – Brigitte Nieberl

Quite simply, hot buttered toast with salt and pepper. My dear Nan used to make it all the time and after one nibble of her toast one day I was hooked as well! It’s just so easy to make and brings back comforting memories. – Natalie Stoute

Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes with chocolate chips and ice-cream. They’re so light and fluffy, they practically levitate off the plate and melt my heart. – Christina Hatzis

Ice-cream. Any kind. It is tasty and makes me feel like a kid without a care in the world. – Karen Coggan

Tomato soup. It’s a classic that my mum used to make for us. Spiced with a little paprika and rich and creamy. – Melissa Brown

Hot chips. They are cheap, they are greasy and salty and hot but they are as close to a warm blanket as something edible can be. – Amanda Gorton

I like mashed potatoes and sausages in winter. They remind me of cozy things and being a child again. – Narelle Warren

A steaming hot, self-saucing chocolate pudding with vanilla bean ice-cream. That moment when you take a spoonful of it and it the chocolate just goes everywhere. Heaven in a bowl! – Kerrie Moss

Twisties. I remember as a child being given a small packet from my parents whenever we went out. Movies, swimming pool, barbeques, parties. Since then, whenever needing a hug from the inside, I turn to Twisties for comfort. – Deborah Cairns

Liquorice. Maybe I read somewhere that it’s brain food. Regardless, I will believe this, and feel comforted eating liquorice! – Deb Harrison

Aside from chocolate it’s meat pies! When I’m stressed I crave them… just the plain meat pie. It’s hot, delicious and makes me happy. – Maria Pennisi

Sauerkraut. The smell alone of it simmering on the stove, always takes my mind back to a time of innocence and complete security as a child at home with my parents. – Diana Donata

Popcorn as it’s easy to make, smells wonderful and is a light food to eat but fills me up. – Charlotte Black

Vegemite on toast. It makes everything better, especially a hangover. – Karina Lee

Gooey, cheesy, spicy nachos because they’re a decadent treat that feeds your soul when you’re feeling blue. – Melissa Turner

Apple pie and ice-cream – warm AND cold… so delicious. – Claire Evans

Tim Tams and a sweet, hot cup of tea. It feels like a hug from your mum. Warm and sweet. – Janet Hunter

My mum’s meatballs. Hearty, simple and nutritious, they remind me of childhood and are delicious mopped up with bread and butter. – Chrissy Temperley

Cheesecake fits the biblical description of manna: white, delicious and only lasts a day. – Des Bromilow

Sorry, it’s not chocolate, but I love cashews – always have, as I was introduced to them by my late wife and eat them also in memory of her, especially when I am having a down day. – Barry Mansfield

Porridge with milk and sugar, I think because it was a childhood food whenever I was sick. – Sonia Nikadie

Garlic chilli prawns. It’s a delicious yet hot combination. – James Riddle

Drizzled in a sticky marinade, the aroma makes hunger intensified. Beef barbequed ribs… electrifying. Reminds me of growing up on the farm. – Lauren Barnes

Black tea and vegemite toast. It just is. – Narelle Godwin

Rocky Road as it covers all comfort food groups: chocolate, fruit, nuts, chewy, crunchy and sweet. – Amelia Masters

Burger and chips as it satisfies like no other food can. – Bevis Lobo

Homemade Cottage Pie as it was made by my mum, followed by a bowl of vanilla ice-cream with hand-grated block chocolate. Heaven. My final meal right there, Hallelujah. – Cynthia Avery

Lasagne with garlic bread. The test of good comfort food is that it tastes even better the next day. – Sonia Cattley

Besides chocolate, my favourite comfort food is potato and leek soup, especially on a cold winters evening. It’s my favourite comfort food because my grandmother used to make it for me when I was sick. So whenever it’s cold, raining and I’ve had a bad day, I’ll turn on the stove, open a can and have some soup while wrapped around in blankets watching TV. – Riley Naidu

I love tea with a biscuit. My grandparents used to comfort me with this and we would engage in a chat. – Jill Grosert

My ultimate comfort food is of course… the Lamington. Who can resist that sweet sponge with a jam filling, dipped in chocolate and coated in coconut? Simply delicious! – Michelle Olsen

Homemade pikelets with homemade blackcurrant jam. When I was little my nanna would make these for me whenever I was in hospital, sick or just needed cheering up. – Sandra White

Growing up, when I felt down, Mum would make me a cup of hot Milo with a chocolate biscuit. Today, I still enjoy these and instantly feel soothed and calmed. – Wendy Christidis

Four alarm chilli with a side of cornbread. It reminds me of colder northern winters watching footy with my Dad and eating this along with a nice cold beer. Such good memories. – Keith Remmes

Salted potato chips. Just love ‘em, washed down with an icy cold Coke! – David Braybrooke

Peanut butter as I could eat it by the jar, one sandwich at a time. – Phillip Cunningham

Apple crumble because it reminds me of my grandmother in the kitchen, the smell of stewed apples and cinnamon, and the sense of happiness, calmness and safety as a young child. – Estha Atwell

Eggs and bacon on toast. Sets me up for the day. – Stephen Fearnley

Macaroni cheese with tomato sauce mixed through it, because it was something my mum used to make me and reminds me of her every time I have it! – Rebecca Kirk

A good roast chicken, roast spud and seasonal vegetables with homemade gravy. It is so nice and made with love. – Andrina Grigg

Thickshakes made with real ice-cream, with real chocolate and whipped cream on top, because it’s a sensory delight and a favourite from childhood. – Tavia Khaine

Pizza. Hot and cheesy and delivered directly to the door. No need to get out of your pyjamas. – Sophie Van Deursen

Ambrosia. Whipped cream with yoghurt, berries and chocolate. My mother made it every year at Christmas when I was a child. A great big bowl that meant I could eat it for leftovers for a week. It always reminds me of Christmas at home with all my family and good food. It’s also delicious. – Brittany Cox

Nannas homemade vanilla and cinnamon rice pudding recipe. It brings back warm, fuzzy childhood memories! – Rachel Amanatidis

Caramels covered in chocolate as it never fails to cheer me up or add another dimension of happiness to an event. – Jacqui Lagaluga

I love a good cheese with hot salami and olives because it’s perfect with a glass of bubbly to cheer me up. – Tracey Crotty

A cup of tea and a freshly made scone: warming, re-energising and with a dash of nostalgia. – Imogen Saunders

A massive bowl of spaghetti … and if you don’t slurp sauce on your chin, then you are not eating it right. – Angela McNeilly