These cheese fries are crispy french fries topped two types of melted cheese, smoky bacon and fresh herbs. A hearty appetizer option that takes just minutes to put together and is always a big hit!
You can never go wrong with french fries, whether it’s sweet potato fries, carne asada fries, or these flavor packed cheese fries.
Whenever I see cheese fries on a restaurant menu, I have to order them. The crispy fries paired with creamy melted cheese just can’t be beat! My homemade cheesy fries are even better than what you’d get at a restaurant, and they happen to be easy to make.
How do you make cheese fries?
This recipe starts with frozen french fries, which you will bake until they’re golden brown and crispy. Next, add a generous amount of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top. Place the pan back into the oven and cook until the cheese melts. Sprinkle bacon, green onions and parsley on top of the fries, then serve and enjoy.
Tips for perfect cheese fries
- You can use any cut of fry that you like – curly fries, crinkle fries, steak fries or potato wedges all work just fine. I typically use thin cut traditional fries as they bake up ultra crispy.
- I recommend grating your own cheese for this recipe – bags of pre-shredded cheese are often coated in anti-caking agents and they don’t melt as well.
- Serve your fries with a side of ranch for dipping, or you can even drizzle some sauce over the top.
- Cheese fries are best when served immediately after they come out of the oven.
- I like to transfer my baked fries to a skillet before I add the cheese and bacon for more of a restaurant-style presentation, but that’s an optional step.
- While this dish is often made with shredded melted cheese, you can also use a homemade or store bought cheese sauce if you prefer. You can even make a Mexican version with queso!
Cheese fry variations
This recipe is delicious as-is, but you can add other ingredients to the mix to customize your fries to your tastes.
- Cheese: Instead of cheddar and mozzarella, you can use other types of cheese such as pepper jack, Swiss, colby jack, American or classic Monterey jack. You can also finish your fries with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese.
- Toppings: Feel free to add other toppings to your fries such as jalapenos, olives, pico de gallo, shredded chicken, cooked sausage, tomatoes, green chilies, diced avocado, cilantro or roasted corn.
- Sauce: Try a drizzle of chipotle mayo, BBQ sauce, sriracha or Mexican crema for a different flavor.
Homemade Cheese Sauce
For a different flavor and texture, try making your own cheese sauce to use instead of the shredded cheese. Place 6 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese in a bowl with 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. Toss to coat the cheese in the cornstarch. Place the cheese mixture with 3/4 cup evaporated milk in a sauce pan over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese has melted and sauce is smooth and thick. Drizzle the cheese sauce over the cooked fries, then top with bacon and herbs.
These fries are perfect for game day, parties, or just those times when you want a hearty snack with minimal effort!
More fabulous party snacks
Cheese Fries Video
Cheese Fries
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen french fries
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup green onions sliced
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
- 3/4 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cook the french fries in the oven on a sheet pan according to package directions.
- Remove the pan of fries from the oven. Turn the oven heat to 400 degrees F.
- You can finish the fries on a sheet pan, or transfer them to a skillet for a restaurant style presentation.
- Sprinkle the cheeses over the fries.
- Return the fries to the oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle the bacon, green onions and parsley over the fries.
- Serve immediately with ranch dressing on the side, or alternatively you can drizzle the ranch over the fries.
Our fries were soggy until we finished them in an air fryer. And then added the cheese to the fries in the fryer. They came out very good
My husband just inhaled this recipe! I think i’ll double it next time.
Just a warning here…. double the recipe as it is so addicting!
Loved this fun recipe! I couldn’t stop eating it!
I cook the fries in air fryer. Leave fries in air fryer and put cheese on top. Does not take long. Crumble bacon over it. Having mine tonight with homemade baked beans and cornbread. Add ice tea and who could ask for anything more.
I used the air fryer and they came out perfect.
OMG! Drooling just looking at the pics! I am definitely trying this
Omg. These are heavenly. I love to dip mine in a little ranch too.
This is the perfect “quarantine” comfort food. Looking forward to trying it this weekend — and the CHEESE! OMG!
I LOVE cheese fries!! I bet these taste amazing!
Who can say “no” to fries with bacon?! So delish, love the photos, too!
Is it bad that I almost ate the whole thing by myself? This fries is seriously addictive and you better make more if you plan to share. 🙂
The perfect party appetizer! Cheese and bacon over fries is always a great idea.
The best fries ever! These did not last long in our house!
I love how flavorful this is!! A new favorite for my family!
These are making me drool – on the menu for this weekend! 🙂
My kids would absolutely love this!! YUMMY!
My crew loves cheese fries. We haven’t had them in a while. We love ours with ranch!
This is the best way to get all the kids to the table for dinner FAST!! No one wants to miss out on these, haha!
I plan to make my own oven fries and then do the bacon and cheese topping.Yum!