Treat your family to a platter of creamy, cheesy fries any time with this quick and easy recipe, ready in only 30 minutes!
There’s never a wrong time for French fries, at least not if you ask your children. They make the perfect game-day snack, dinner side, or anytime treat for your family. But, as good as they are as is, when you turn them into these creamy, delectable cheese fries, get ready for a round of cheers from the youngsters in the house. After all, cheese makes everything better!
Yes, they are indulgent. And yes, when it comes to comfort food, cheesy fries are about as good as it gets. If there were such a thing as a food that could hug you, this would probably be it. Instead of going out for dinner and paying restaurant prices for this dish, make it at home for a fraction of the cost. Besides, that way, you get to control the ingredients. For example, if the restaurant tells you that their version is not gluten-friendly, no worries when you make this at home. You can substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour, cornstarch, arrowroot flour, or tapioca starch as a thickener for the cheese sauce.
This recipe requires very little preparation since you can use a bag of frozen fries. In fact, it works equally well with steak fries, Tater Tots, curly fries, sweet potato fries, or any similar item you have on hand. You can even pour this cheese sauce over some cooked vegetables, which can come in handy if that’s the only way you can get your children to eat their veggies. Make a game out of dipping broccoli or asparagus spears in the sauce. Other uses for this cheese sauce include as a dip for pretzels, bread, and raw veggies, or as a topping for baked potatoes, grits, rice, nachos, or pasta.
Elevate your cheese fries by topping them with crumbled, cooked bacon, fried onions, chopped chives, diced avocado, or even a ladle of homemade chili. Add some sour cream or ranch dip, and you have a hit on your hands. Nothing says delicious like loaded chili cheese fries!
Try different cheese combinations on your fries
The first thing to know when choosing cheese for your cheese fries is that it is best to shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often contains fillers, such as cellulose, to prevent caking. Those fillers also hinder smooth melting. I recommend going with mild or medium cheddars over sharp or aged varieties, as their flavors may be a bit too strong. You can also use a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack or cheddar and mozzarella for a fun taste twist.
Other fun combinations include an Italian-style four-cheese sauce using Asiago, Fontina, Romano, and Parmesan. Add a sprinkle of cayenne and nutmeg for added flavor. Some of my other favorite cheeses to melt for sauce include smoked or regular Gouda and Gruyère. These are all great over fries.
How do I store leftovers?
Cheese fries are best eaten right away, as the sauce doesn’t hold up that well to storing. If you have leftover cheese sauce, allow it to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat it over medium-low heat on the stove, stirring constantly. Add a little more milk, if necessary, to thin it out. If you have leftover cheese fries, allow them to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Leftover cheese fries should be reheated in a 350°F oven until warm. These leftovers do not freeze well.
Serving suggestions
Cheese fries are the perfect side dish to Buffalo Chicken, Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken, and Healthy Oven-Fried Chicken. Serve them alongside Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes, Cheeseburger Sliders, and this Mushroom Swiss Burger Recipe. Other great pairings include this Salmon Loaf Recipe, Tuna Patties, and this Delicious Roasted Cod Recipe.
Cheese Fries
Ingredients
- 4 cups frozen French fries
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Garlic powder to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- Fresh parsley chopped (for optional garnish)
Instructions
- Bake the frozen French fries according to the package directions until golden and crisp. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until lightly golden.
- Slowly whisk in the half-and-half and continue stirring until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Gradually add the cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place the fries on a serving platter and drizzle the warm cheese sauce evenly over the top. Garnish with parsley if using. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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