How to build a recipe app with AI

Keep the first version small. A recipe app can grow in many directions, but the quickest path is a clear version one.

Decide on the core user flow:

• browse recipes
• search by name or ingredient
• filter by meal type, cuisine, or prep time
• open a recipe detail page
• save favourites if you need accounts

For a first build, list the screens:

• home or browse screen
• recipe list screen
• recipe detail screen
• saved recipes screen, if needed
• simple profile or sign-in screen, only if accounts matter

Then decide what data each recipe needs:

• title
• short description
• image
• prep time
• cook time
• servings
• ingredients
• method steps
• tags such as vegetarian, quick, gluten-free

Also decide whether this is a website or a mobile app. In Moremade, websites are built as React + Tailwind code. Mobile apps are built in React Native with Expo. If you want people to use it mainly on phones, start as a mobile app.

The first prompt matters because it sets the structure. Be specific about screens, data fields, and behaviour. Do not start with vague requests like "make a recipe app".

A better prompt describes:

• platform: web or mobile
• target user
• required screens
• key interactions
• sample content
• visual style in plain terms

Here is a good starting prompt:

Build a mobile recipe app in React Native (Expo) for home cooks. Include a home screen with featured recipes and categories, a browse screen with search and filters for meal type, cuisine, and prep time, a recipe detail screen with image, ingredients, step-by-step method, servings, prep time, cook time, and tags, and a saved recipes screen. Use sample recipe data for 12 recipes. Style it clean and readable with large recipe photos, simple bottom navigation, and clear spacing. Make search and filters work with the sample data.

That is enough to generate a concrete first draft without overcomplicating the project.

After the first build, open the live preview and inspect the basics:

• does navigation make sense
• can users find recipes quickly
• is the recipe detail page readable while cooking
• are filters obvious
• is text large enough on a phone screen

Use short follow-up prompts that change one thing at a time. That usually works better than asking for a full redesign.

Three useful examples:

• "Move search to the top of the browse screen, keep filters in a horizontal chip row, and make the search placeholder say 'Search recipes or ingredients'."
• "On the recipe detail screen, add a sticky button to save the recipe and increase line spacing in the ingredients and method sections for easier reading."
• "Replace generic sample dishes with more realistic weeknight meals and add tags such as high-protein, vegetarian, and under-30-minutes."

Moremade also includes a visual inspector, so you can point at an element and change it, plus a code view if you want to inspect the generated source more directly. Version history helps if a later change makes the app worse and you need to go back.

Many recipe apps do not need user accounts or payments in version one. Start with static sample data unless there is a real reason to add backend features.

Use Supabase if you need:

• user accounts for saved recipes across devices
• a database for user-created recipes
• file storage for uploaded recipe photos

Use Stripe if you plan to charge for something like:

• a premium meal plan section
• paid recipe packs
• a subscription for advanced features

Moremade includes built-in connectors for Supabase and Stripe. If your app just needs browsing, search, and recipe details, skip both at first. You can add them later once the user flow is working.

A practical order is:

1. build the app with sample recipes
2. confirm the screens and interactions
3. add Supabase if users need accounts or saved data
4. add Stripe only if there is a clear paid feature to buy

This keeps the first version simpler and easier to test.

A recipe app is mostly used in kitchens, on small screens, often one-handed. Test accordingly.

Check these points:

• recipe titles do not wrap awkwardly
• ingredient lists are easy to scan
• method steps have enough spacing
• filter controls are usable with thumbs
• photos load at sensible sizes
• saved recipes are easy to reach again

Also test with realistic content lengths. A short mock recipe can look fine while a real one breaks the layout.

If something feels off, send targeted prompts instead of broad complaints. For example:

• "Reduce image height on the recipe cards so more recipes fit on screen."
• "Make the ingredient checkboxes larger for touch input."
• "Show servings, prep time, and cook time in a single summary row below the title."

If you are building a website instead of a mobile app, still test on phone-sized viewports. Many recipe sites get most of their use from mobile browsers.

When the app is good enough for outside testing, publish it.

Moremade lets you publish in one click to a free yourname.moremade.ai subdomain. On paid plans, you can connect a custom domain. Domains can also be bought inside Moremade.

For an early test, the free subdomain is usually enough. It is useful when you want feedback before paying for a domain or polishing every detail.

If you are working with a client or a team, also export the full source as a ZIP or push it to GitHub. Moremade supports both. That matters because you keep the code and are not tied to one hosting setup.

A sensible release path is:

• publish to a temporary subdomain
• test with a small group
• fix layout and content issues
• connect a custom domain later if the project justifies it

The biggest mistakes are usually about scope and prompts, not code.

Watch out for these:

• asking for too much in the first build
• mixing must-have features with future ideas
• adding sign-in before proving the main recipe flow
• using vague prompts like "make it better" or "make it modern"
• not testing with long ingredient lists and real recipe instructions
• ignoring mobile readability

A few practical habits help:

• define version one in a short bullet list
• use sample data that resembles real recipes
• refine one screen or interaction at a time
• only add backend features when the product needs them
• export the code once you have a stable milestone

If you follow that process, you get a working recipe app sooner and make cleaner decisions about what to build next.