Loaded French Fries
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Loaded French Fries make the ultimate comfort food snack! Think crispy fries piled high with melted cheese, smoky bacon, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of green onions. One bite and you’ll see why these cheesy fries are the star of Game Day!
Best Loaded Fries Recipe!
- Ultimate Snack: Combine golden brown fries with a variety of toppings for the best snack or side.
- Flavor Explosion: Each bite is a delicious combo of flavors, from gooey cheese and crispy bacon to tangy sour cream and green onions.
- Customizable: Go bold with Greek-style toppings, or enjoy a taste of the south with BBQ pulled pork on top.
Did someone say Loaded French Fries? They’re basically my spirit animal. I love that I can take a pile of frozen fries, add a bunch of awesome toppings, and turn them into a party!
If you love loaded fries like I do, try my version of cheesy Loaded Nachos and this crunchy Walking Taco Casserole for a snacking good time. Serve all three of these recipes together and you'll have the ultimate Game Day Trio!
Ingredient Notes
See quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Bag of frozen french fries - I used crinkle cut fries, but you can substitute steak fries, the skinny type of potatoes, waffle fries, or even tater tots to make totchos!
- Spices - garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper
- Cheeses - shredded cheddar cheese and colby jack
- Toppings - crumbled bacon, sliced green onions
- Serve with fry sauce, ketchup, sour cream or ranch dressing
Instructions
1 - Mix the Seasoning: Stir garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
2 - Layer Potatoes: Spread frozen fries on a large sheet pan or baking sheet in a single layer.
3 - Season Potatoes: Spray potatoes lightly with cooking spray or drizzle with a small amount of oil. Sprinkle seasoning mix evenly over the top of the fries.
4 - Bake in the Oven: Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through.
5 - Add Cheese and Bacon: Remove baking sheet from oven, sprinkle with both cheeses, and add the pre-cooked crumbled bacon on top.
6 - Bake Again: Return to the oven for 2-3 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bacon is warmed through.
7 - Add Toppings: Top with optional toppings like green onions, tomatoes and lettuce with your favorite dipping sauce (like ketchup or sour cream) on the side.
Customize It!
Loaded fries can be customized in so many delicious ways! Here are some fun variations to try...
- Buffalo Chicken: Top with shredded buffalo chicken, a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing, and a sprinkle of celery for that classic buffalo wing flavor.
- Mexican: Add seasoned ground beef or chicken, black beans, cheese, salsa, guacamole, and a dollop of sour cream for a nacho-inspired twist.
- BBQ Pulled Pork: Smother with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, and a sprinkle of coleslaw.
- Brunch: Top with scrambled eggs, crumbled sausage, cheese, and a bit of hot sauce for brunch-for-dinner.
- Vegetarian: Sprinkle with roasted vegetables, hummus, and a dash of feta for a veggie-packed version. Throw in some cayenne pepper to spice it up!
What to Serve with Loaded Fries
- Burgers: A juicy Carolina burger pairs perfectly with cheese fries.
- Chicken Wings: Add some variety with tangy or crispy smoked wings.
- Sloppy Joes: For a hearty meal, serve your fries with classic sloppy joes.
- Salad: Balance things out with a harvest salad.
- Grilled Veggies: For a lighter side, try some grilled or roasted vegetables.
- Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of sauces like ketchup, blue cheese dip, or Carolina barbecue sauce for extra dipping fun.
Tips for Success
- Crispy is Best: For fries that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, bake them before adding toppings, and then again after the toppings are added.
- Use Sharp Cheddar Cheese: To get that great cheese-pull action, make sure to use plenty of sharp cheddar cheese.
- Season Generously: Don’t forget to season immediately before baking.
Storing Leftovers
- Separate Toppings: To avoid sogginess, separate the toppings. Keep the cheese, bacon, and other toppings in separate airtight containers or bags in the fridge.
- Reheat: For the best results, reheat leftovers in an oven or air fryer to bring back some crispiness. Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake fries for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re hot and crispy again. If you’re using an air fryer, do the same at 350°F for a shorter time.
- Add Fresh Toppings: After reheating, consider adding fresh toppings like a bit more cheese or green onions to give them a just-cooked taste.
Enjoy leftovers within 1 to 2 days for best results. Freezing is not recommended.
More Potato Recipes
Are you a potato lover? Try these additional recipes that will fit the bill...
Recipe Card
Loaded Fries
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- sheet pan (or baking sheet)
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen french fries (32 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled (6 slices)
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
- ¼ cup sour cream (or ketchup)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Mix garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Spread frozen fries on a large baking sheet in a single layer.
- Spray fries lightly with cooking spray or drizzle with a small amount of oil.
- Sprinkle seasoning mix evenly over the fries.
- Bake for 25 minutes, turning once halfway through. Bake longer if fries are not crispy.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle with both cheeses, and add the crumbled bacon on top. Return to the oven for 3-5 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bacon is warmed through.
- Top with green onions and dip in your choice of sour cream, ranch dressing or ketchup.
Notes
- Separate Toppings: To avoid sogginess, separate the toppings. Keep the cheese, bacon, and other toppings in separate airtight containers or bags in the fridge.
- Reheat: For the best results, reheat leftovers in an oven or air fryer to bring back some crispiness. Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake fries for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re hot and crispy again. If you’re using an air fryer, do the same at 350°F for a shorter time.
- Add Fresh Toppings: After reheating, consider adding fresh toppings like a bit more cheese or fresh chives to give them a just-cooked taste.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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Do you ever use ranch dressing instead of sour cream? We made these fries and drizzled ranch dressing over them and they were so good. Definitely a favorite with the fam.