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Home » Appetizers » Cheese Fries with Bacon

April 22, 2020 By Sara 16 Comments

Cheese Fries with Bacon

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These cheese fries are crispy potatoes topped with plenty of melted cheese, bacon and herbs. #fries #dinneratthezoo

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.

These cheese fries are crispy potatoes topped with plenty of melted cheese, bacon and herbs. #fries #dinneratthezoo These cheese fries are crispy potatoes topped with plenty of melted cheese, bacon and herbs. #fries #dinneratthezoo

A skillet of cheese fries with bacon, and a hand reaching for one.

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.

Baked french fries on a sheet pan.

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.

A skillet of fries topped with shredded cheese.

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.

Cheese fries topped with bacon and green onions.

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

  • Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Bean Dip
  • Coconut Shrimp
  • Fried Pickles
  • Baked Brie

Cheese Fries Video

A skillet of cheese fries with bacon, and a hand reaching for one.
Print Pin
5 from 13 votes

Cheese Fries

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!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese fries
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 408kcal
Author Sara Welch

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 867mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 401IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 236mg | Iron: 2mg

Filed Under: Appetizers, Side Dishes Tagged With: Bacon, Cheese, Potatoes

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Comments

  1. Sandra says

    November 23, 2020 at 7:24 pm

    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.

    Reply
  2. Lisa says

    June 8, 2020 at 7:57 pm

    5 stars
    I used the air fryer and they came out perfect.

    Reply
  3. Cookilicious says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:05 pm

    5 stars
    OMG! Drooling just looking at the pics! I am definitely trying this

    Reply
  4. Michelle says

    May 7, 2020 at 2:02 pm

    5 stars
    Omg. These are heavenly. I love to dip mine in a little ranch too.

    Reply
  5. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

    May 7, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    5 stars
    This is the perfect “quarantine” comfort food. Looking forward to trying it this weekend — and the CHEESE! OMG!

    Reply
  6. Beti says

    May 7, 2020 at 12:28 pm

    5 stars
    I LOVE cheese fries!! I bet these taste amazing!

    Reply
  7. Alison says

    May 7, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    Who can say “no” to fries with bacon?! So delish, love the photos, too!

    Reply
  8. Anita says

    May 7, 2020 at 12:15 pm

    5 stars
    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. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Emily Liao says

    May 7, 2020 at 11:54 am

    5 stars
    The perfect party appetizer! Cheese and bacon over fries is always a great idea.

    Reply
  10. Suzy says

    May 4, 2020 at 2:40 pm

    5 stars
    The best fries ever! These did not last long in our house!

    Reply
  11. Toni says

    May 1, 2020 at 11:02 am

    5 stars
    I love how flavorful this is!! A new favorite for my family!

    Reply
  12. Kimberly says

    May 1, 2020 at 9:00 am

    5 stars
    These are making me drool – on the menu for this weekend! 🙂

    Reply
  13. katerina @ diethood.com says

    May 1, 2020 at 6:07 am

    5 stars
    My kids would absolutely love this!! YUMMY!

    Reply
  14. Dorothy Reinhold says

    April 30, 2020 at 5:59 pm

    My crew loves cheese fries. We haven’t had them in a while. We love ours with ranch!

    Reply
  15. Jen says

    April 30, 2020 at 1:04 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Victoris says

      July 10, 2020 at 5:33 pm

      I plan to make my own oven fries and then do the bacon and cheese topping.Yum!

      Reply

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