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A skillet of chili cheese fries topped with sour cream and green onions.
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Chili Cheese Fries

These chili cheese fries are crispy french fries topped with homemade beef chili and cheese cheese, then baked to melted perfection. An easy and hearty appetizer option that takes like it came from a restaurant!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 296kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the chili

  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound ground beef I use 90% lean
  • 1/2 cup onion finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes do not drain
  • 2 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt divided use
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 15 ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed

For the fries

  • 32 ounces frozen french fries
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • assorted toppings such as sour cream and green onions
  • cooking spray

Instructions

For the chili

  • Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, for 3-4 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  • Add the onion to the pot and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cocoa powder, brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
  • Cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until chili has thickened.
  • Add the kidney beans and cook for another 10 minutes.
  • Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.

For the fries

  • Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
  • Cook the french fries in the oven in a single layer 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.
  • Spoon 1 1/2 cups of chili over the fries, then top with cheddar cheese.
  • Return the fries to the oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  • Add toppings if desired, then serve immediately.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 614mg | Potassium: 575mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1165IU | Vitamin C: 3.4mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2.4mg