Elevate your fries by making them loaded fries! Crispy French fries loaded with melty cheese, flavorful bacon and then drizzle with Ranch and garnished with green onions.
Try my easy homemade Truffle Fries for another way to elevate simple French fries!
LOADED FRENCH FRIES RECIPE
If you love French fries, then you are going to love these loaded cheese fries! Crispy and crunchy French Fries topped with melty cheese, crispy bacon, Ranch drizzle and freshly chopped green onions. This appetizer is the perfect snack, side dish or appetizer no matter the occasion! Once you try these cheesy loaded fries, simple fries just won’t cut it anymore.
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Fries– You can use either homemade French fries or store-bought frozen French fries for this recipe. They can either be fried, air fried, or baked, whichever you prefer.
- Flavor– I love to season the fries to give them extra flavor! I use a simple blend of salt, pepper, garlic and paprika. You can use any of your favorite seasonings or even a special French Fry seasoning.
- Cheese– For the best results, you want to use shredded mild cheddar cheese or sliced American cheese for this recipe.
- Bacon– You can’t have loaded fries without bacon! You can use either pork, beef or turkey bacon, whichever you prefer.
- Ranch– Drizzling Ranch over these loaded fries totally elevates this dish! You can use either store-bought Ranch or level it up by making my homemade Wingstop Ranch.
- Green Onions– Although topping these loaded nachos with freshly chopped green onions is totally optional, I highly recommend it for added flavor.
HOW TO MAKE LOADED CHEESE FRIES
Have this hearty and flavorful appetizer ready in no time!
- Toss the frozen fries in the seasonings and cook according to package instructions, either in the oven or air fryer.
- Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Transfer the cooked fries to the baking sheet. Top with shredded cheese and crispy bacon bits, spread all over the fries.
- Bake until the cheese has fully melted.
- Drizzle with ranch and top with finely chopped green onions.
- Serve immediately with desired dipping sauces and enjoy!
AIR FRYER LOADED FRIES
You can totally make loaded cheesy fries in the air fryer!
- Toss the fries in the seasonings and air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, until crispy.
- Add the shredded cheese and crispy bacon over the fries and air fry for another 2-3 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
- Drizzle with Ranch and top with chopped green onion and enjoy!
TOPPING IDEAS-
Have fun with your toppings! Here are some great loaded fries topping ideas:
- Bacon
- Popcorn Chicken
- Jalapenos
- Red Onions
- Green Onions
- Ground Beef
- Sour Cream
- Caramelized Onions
LOADED FRIES VARIATIONS-
Skip the fries on the side and make your dinner loaded fries!
- Loaded Nacho Fries– Load up your fries with cheese and taco meat then top with Pico de Gallo, guacamole, and sour cream for a hearty Mexican style! LINK
- Caesar Salad Fries– This is the ultimate girl dinner! Add a Caesar salad with popcorn chicken or chopped chicken cutlets over your fries and drizzle with extra Caesar salad dressing and parmesan cheese!
- Burger Fries– Make this like my burger bowl, load your fries with ground beef and cheese and then top with your favorite burger toppings and drizzle with my burger sauce!
- Crispy Chicken Sandwich Fries– Top your cheesy fries with crispy chicken tenders or popcorn chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and more! LINK
- Spicy Buffalo Chicken Fries– If you like spicy Buffalo chicken, add it to your fries! Crispy or shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce topped with Ranch and crumbled blue cheese.
- Greek Fries– Make your loaded fries Mediterranean style! Add chicken, Greek salad and Feta cheese to your fries and drizzle with homemade tzatziki sauce.
- Cheesesteak Fries- Instead of adding my Philly cheesesteak onto hoagie buns, load it over your fries!
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
No, you can totally make homemade fries for even better results! You can either bake, air fryer or deep fry the French fries. Check out my truffle fries for oven baked fries instructions.
No, you can swap the bacon out for beef bacon, turkey bacon, shredded chicken, pulled pork, steak, or chicken!
Yes, if you prefer a cheesier, saucier loaded fries recipe swap the shredded cheese for a cheese sauce!
Yes, you can swap the fries out for tortilla chips to make loaded nachos!
Once the fries are cooled, cover and store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer and enjoy. Add more ranch drizzle.
OTHER APPETIZER RECIPES-
Loaded fries are a classic appetizer, check out these other delicious appetizer recipes:
Cheesy Loaded Fries Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen French fries
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 8 oz cook bacon chopped
- 1/3 cup homemade Wingstop Ranch
- 1/4 cup green onion finely chopped
Instructions
Baked Loaded Fries-
- Preheat the oven to 425℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss the frozen fries with the seasonings and add to the baking sheet.1 lb frozen French fries, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ¼ tsp paprika
- Bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes, mix halfway through bake time. Bake the fries until warmed through and crispy.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and then top the fries with shredded cheese and bacon bits.1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese, 8 oz cook bacon, chopped
- Bake again for another 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted.
- Top the loaded fries with Ranch drizzle and chopped green onions.1/3 cup homemade Wingstop Ranch, 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped
- Serve immediately with desired dipping sauces.
Air Fryer Loaded Fries-
- Toss the fries in the seasonings and place them into the air fryer basket. (For easier transfer, use an air fryer liner.)1 lb frozen French fries, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ¼ tsp paprika
- Air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, until crispy. (For extra crispiness, toss halfway through cooking time.)
- Once the fries are done, top with shredded cheese and crispy bacon and air fry for another 2-3 minutes, until the cheese has melted.1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese, 8 oz cook bacon, chopped
- Transfer the loaded fries to a serving plate and drizzle with Ranch and top with chopped green onions.1/3 cup homemade Wingstop Ranch, 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped
- Serve immediately with desired dipping sauces.
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