Description
A delicious and easy Cheese Fries recipe featuring crispy baked fries smothered in a creamy, cheesy garlic sauce with a hint of cayenne, topped with fresh green onions, jalapeño peppers, and bacon crumbles for added flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Fries
- 1 pound frozen french fries
Cheese Sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (â…› stick)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 6 ounces medium cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
- â…› teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Garnishes
- Thinly sliced green onion
- Diced jalapeño peppers
- Bacon crumbles
Instructions
- Bake the Fries: Preheat the oven and bake the frozen french fries according to the package directions until they are golden and crispy.
- Melt Butter and Cook Garlic: While the fries are baking, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until it turns lightly golden and fragrant.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the butter and garlic mixture. Cook while whisking constantly until the butter absorbs the flour into a smooth paste.
- Incorporate Milk: Gradually stream in the whole milk while whisking continuously to break up any lumps and create a smooth sauce.
- Simmer and Thicken Sauce: Continue whisking and bring the sauce to a simmer. Allow it to thicken for about 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Melt Cheese into Sauce: Add the cheddar cheese in small handfuls to the sauce, stirring after each addition until the cheese fully melts and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Season Sauce: Whisk in the ground cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as preferred.
- Assemble and Serve: Arrange the baked fries on a serving platter, pour the cheese sauce evenly over the fries, and top with thinly sliced green onions, diced jalapeño peppers, and bacon crumbles as desired. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, bake fries on a wire rack over a baking sheet to allow air circulation.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level of the cheese sauce.
- Substitute medium cheddar with sharp cheddar for a stronger cheese flavor.
- To make it vegetarian, omit the bacon crumbles or use vegetarian bacon alternatives.
- The sauce can be kept warm on low heat, but it is best served fresh to maintain its creamy texture.
