Yield: 6
Best Chili Cheese Fries Recipe
These easy Chili Cheese Fries are the perfect game day or party food! They are loaded with flavor from the smoky homemade chili, crispy fries, and homemade cheese sauce.
Ingredients
- 32 oz frozen French fries
- 1 batch cheese sauce, recipe below
- 3 cups chili
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese, white or yellow cheddar
Optional, for Serving:
- Green onions, sliced
- Jalapeños, pickled or fresh
- Sour cream
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Spread the French fries over a large pan and bake until the French fries are crispy about 20 minutes. (Or follow directions on package to deep fry or air fry the French fries until crispy.)
- While the fries are cooking, make the cheese sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and stir in the flour. Cook for one minute, then add the seasonings: onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika and salt.
- Whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until it begins to thicken slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted and smooth. Set aside.
- Heat the chili in the microwave until hot.
- Spread the chili over the hot French fries, then spoon the cheese sauce over top. Garnish with desired toppings and serve immediately!
Notes
- Cheese: Opt for a shredded cheese blend that melts well, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a combination.
- Chili: Ensure the chili is thick and not overly liquid to prevent the fries from becoming soggy. You can use store bought chili, canned chili or homemade chili. If you want to make your own chili, I highly recommend trying my Hot Dog Chili or this Texas Chili if you want a chili without beans.
- Fries: You can make this recipe with tater tots, sweet potato fries, or even on chips like Fritos!
- More Sauce Ideas: This cheese sauce is also delicious over vegetables.
- Serve Immediately: Don’t let these sit too long, or they get soggy - serve them right away.
Nutrition
Calories: 648kcal, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 41g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 17g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 1239mg, Potassium: 1005mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 1455IU, Vitamin C: 117mg, Calcium: 345mg, Iron: 3mg