I love a good shared appetizer, and can never resist crispy French fries piled high with yummy toppings.
Much like my Pulled Pork Nachos, setting a plate of cheesy fries on the table is akin to feeding time at the zoo with everyone clamoring for a spot, and the chance to devour some deliciousness.
This is a favorite snack for my family! Make these for game day, holidays or any kind of day where you have people that like good finger food.
Try my Greek Fries for a yummy variation!
Love cheesy appetizers? Check out my Fried Cheese Curds my Irish Nachos or these awesome Mini Taco Bites!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!
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Why you’ll love this recipe:
This is an easy recipe, made using simple ingredients. Super adaptable to your tastes, mix it up and make it your own!
Some fun twists on Loaded French Fries
- Make Greek Fries – add feta, tomatoes, red onions and olives and season with oregano, salt and pepper.
- Make Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos)
You can mix it up and make loaded tots by just switching out the fries for tater tots. You’re welcome. - Make Cheesesteak Fries
Load your fries up with sliced roast beef (or cooked ground beef), sautéed green bell peppers, onions and use provolone and mozzarella (Cheez Whiz optional). Or keep the roast beef theme going and serve French Dip Sliders on the side for dipping. - Carne Asada Fries
Use carne asada steak, onions, guacamole and pico de gallo. Sprinkle with Cilantro. - Chili Cheese Fries
Top fries with chili, jalapenos, and sour cream and more cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best frozen fries to use for cheese fries?
I like straight cut or natural fries, but will take any kind of fry I can find. Waffle cut, shoestring, thick cut…. all work well.
What to serve with Loaded Fries
Ranch, blue cheese, ketchup are all good dippers.
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Kylee’s Notes
Substitutions/Additions
Add some finely diced red onion.
Add some sliced jalapenos under the cheese.
Add pulled pork to the toppings, instead of bacon. Drizzle with barbecue sauce.
Key Recipe Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- French Fries. Choose your favorite kind and brand. I like steak fries, regular cut fries waffle fries, crinkle cut fries, curly fries, shoestring fries and sweet potato fries.. I am an equal opportunity fry eater.
- Bacon. Use any kind of bacon you like. The thick cut kind is my favorite. You can also use bacon bits.
- Shredded Cheese. I like mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese for this. Monterey jack is also good. I shred my own for optimal melty-ness. You can also use nacho cheese sauce in addition to, or instead of cheese if you prefer.
- Seasonings. I like seasoned salt and pepper. Other options are garlic powder and onion powder. Ranch seasoning is also good.
- Green Onions. A pop of color and yummy onion flavor.
- Ranch. You can use ranch dressing, ranch dip or keep it simple and just use sour cream.
Recommended Equipment/Tools
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- Chopping Board
- Knife
- Sheet Pan
- Grater
How to make this recipe
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This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Shred the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, slice the green onions. Dice the bacon and cook until crispy. Crumble, and set aside.
Cook the French fries
Arrange fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 24-28 minutes (or according to package directions) until fully cooked and golden brown.
Remove the fries from the oven.
Assemble
Sprinkle the cheeses evenly over top of the fries.
Place fries on serving platter, season the fries with seasoned salt and pepper.
Place the platter of fries back in the oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Sprinkle the bacon and onions over the fries.
Serve
Serve your loaded cheese fries immediately with ranch dip, sour cream or any kind of dip you like best!
More delicious appetizer recipes:
- Baked Coconut Shrimp. These easy baked coconut shrimp are the perfect appetizer or light dinner. Crispy, crunchy and with a dipping sauce, this one is a winner!
- Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball. Make this easy Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball for your next party or gathering, and watch it disappear fast! This is a great make ahead appetizer!
- Buffalo Chicken Dip. Super easy to make, and always the first to be devoured, this Buffalo Chicken Dip is a great appetizer recipe for parties and gatherings!
- Sausage Stuffed Mini Peppers. These little beauties are the best appetizer in town! A yummy mix of spicy sausage, cream cheese, onion and garlic mean these disappear fast! Make a double batch for a crowd.
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Loaded Fries Recipe (Cheese Fries)
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pound frozen regular cut french fries
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 tablespons sliced green onions
To serve
- 1 cup ranch dressing to serve
Directions
Get prepped
- Preheat the oven to 425░F.
- Shred the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Slice the green onions. Slice the green onions
- Dice 6 slices bacon and cook until crispy. Crumble, and set aside.
Cook the French fries
- Arrange 2 pound frozen regular cut french fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 24-28 minutes
- Remove the fries from the oven.
Assemble
- Place fries on serving platter, season the fries with 1 teaspoon seasoned salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Sprinkle the 1.5 cups cheddar cheese and 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese evenly over the fries.
- Place the platter of fries back in the oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle the bacon and 2 tablespons sliced green onions over the fries.
Serve
- Serve immediately with 1 cup ranch dressing to serve
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Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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