Description
Cheesy Loaded Fries combine crispy oven-baked russet potato fries seasoned with garlic, onion, and smoked paprika, topped with a rich homemade cheddar cheese sauce and melted shredded cheeses, then finished with crispy bacon, sour cream, and fresh green onions for the ultimate indulgent snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Fries
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch thick fries
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Soak Fries: Place the cut fries in a large bowl filled with cold water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours to remove excess starch for crispier fries.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the fries.
- Dry Fries: Drain the fries and pat them completely dry with paper towels to ensure they crisp up well during baking.
- Season Fries: In a large bowl, toss the dried fries with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper for maximum flavor.
- Arrange Fries: Spread the seasoned fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet, making sure not to overcrowd them to allow even baking.
- Bake Fries: Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the fries and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Check Tenderness: Pierce a fry with a fork; it should be tender inside and crispy outside to be perfect.
- Make Cheese Sauce – Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat to start the roux.
- Make Roux: Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until combined and slightly cooked to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the milk a little at a time, ensuring the mixture stays smooth with no lumps.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add Cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season Cheese Sauce: Add salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
- Top Fries with Cheese: Once fries are baked, remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Pour the prepared cheese sauce over the fries if using.
- Melt Cheese: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 2-3 minutes or use the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add Toppings: Remove fries from oven and top with crumbled bacon, sour cream, and chopped green onions.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy loaded fries immediately while hot and the cheese is melty and gooey for best enjoyment.
Notes
- Soaking the fries in cold water removes starch and helps achieve crispier fries when baked.
- Make sure fries are completely dry before tossing with oil to avoid sogginess.
- Use a large baking sheet and avoid overcrowding to ensure fries bake evenly and crisp up properly.
- The cheese sauce can be omitted if you prefer to only use shredded cheeses.
- Keep an eye on the fries while broiling to prevent the cheese from burning.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend.
- Leftover loaded fries can be reheated in the oven for best texture retention.
