Nacho Fries Recipe
These nacho fries take your ordinary fries to a whole new level. This deliciousness is perfect for Friday night dinners, movie nights or just sharing with friends.
These nachos are a fabulous comfort food indulgence. First, you make crispy, seasoned fries, and then you load them up with a gooey cheese sauce, tangy salsa, and all your favorite nacho toppings, then finish them off with a dollop of creamy sour cream and/or guacamole Yum!
While this is not meant to be a copycat recipe of Taco Bell nacho fries, it could certainly be considered a very healthy version or upgrade.
What Are Nacho Fries?
If you’ve had regular nachos before, imagine that but with french fries instead of corn chips. That’s what Nacho Fries are, just a big plate of deliciousness.
What Can I Put On Nacho Fries?
The sky is pretty much the limit. The ingredients below are for basic nacho fries. But there is so much more you can add to them! Here are some suggestions:
- Taco meat
- Jalapenos
- Shredded chicken
- Cilantro
- Avocado
- Refried beans
- Black beans
- Rice
- Guacamole
- Steak
- Ground beef
- Ground turkey
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
What Can I Serve With Nacho Fries?
Nacho fries are pretty much a meal unto themselves. But if you want to serve something on the side, consider other Mexican-style dishes such as refried beans and rice.
About The Ingredients
French fries – These can be cut from potatoes, or purchased frozen at the store. Just make sure to read the ingredients if you buy them.
Sauce
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese – Don’t use mild cheddar unless you need a milder taste for kiddos. The sharpness gives this sauce much of its flavor.
Milk – Any type will work.
Chili powder
Salted butter
Garlic granules – Garlic powder works too.
Salt – Optional, if needed.
Toppings
Tomatoes
Red onions
Sliced black olives
Fresh cilantro
Jalapeño pepper – Seeded and sliced.
Sour cream – Or plain yogurt.
Salt and pepper – To taste.
How To Make Nacho Fries
1. Cook Your Fries.
Oven Method
Preheat your oven to 400 F.
Spread the French fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake them in the preheated oven until they are golden brown and crispy.
Follow the package instructions for the specific cooking time, or bake fresh fries for about 30-40 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Air Fryer Method
Spritz the fries with a bit of oil if they are cut from fresh potatoes. If they are frozen, you can skip this step.
Place the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may have to make a couple of batches to cook all of them.
Air fry at 400 F. for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Some air fryers will need a bit more or less cooking time, so keep an eye on your fries the first time you make these.
2. Make The Nacho Cheese Sauce
While the fries are baking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a small to medium pot, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, milk, spice, and butter.
Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the diced tomatoes, diced red onions, sliced black olives, and chopped cilantro.
3. Build Your Nachos
Once the fries are cooked, remove them from the oven and transfer them to whatever you will be serving them on. Drizzle the cheese over the top.
Top with the prepared tomatoes, onions, olives, cilantro, and any other toppings you wish to add. Serve immediately.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do your best to remove as much of the fresh toppings as you can and store them separately.
Freezing
Freezing this is not recommended.
Reheating
As long as there aren’t a lot of fresh ingredients on the fries, you can easily reheat this in a microwave, or warm up some cheese sauce and add extra to your fries to warm them up.
More Nacho Recipes
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Nacho Fries Recipe Card
Nacho Fries Recipe
Ingredients
Fries
- 1 lb. French fries
Sauce
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (Don't use mild cheddar unless you need a milder taste for kiddos. The sharpness gives this sauce much of its flavor.)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp. chili powder
- 2 tbsp. salted butter
- 1 tsp. garlic granules (or garlic powder)
- ¼ tsp. salt (optional – add to taste if needed)
Toppings
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup diced red onions
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- 2 tbsp. fresh, chopped cilantro (optional)
- ½ medium jalapeno pepper (optional, diced fine)
- ¼ cup plain yogurt (or sour cream)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 F.
- Spread the French fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake them in the preheated oven until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Follow the package instructions for the specific cooking time, or bake fresh fries for about 30-40 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- While the fries are baking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a small to medium pot, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, milk, spice, and butter.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the diced tomatoes, diced red onions, sliced black olives, and chopped cilantro.
- Once the fries are cooked, remove them from the oven and transfer them to whatever you will be serving them on. Drizzle the cheese over the top.
- Top with the prepared tomatoes, onions, olives, cilantro, and any other toppings you wish to add. Serve immediately.