Crispy Loaded Chili Cheese Fries
A quick and easy recipe for crispy fries topped with hearty chili and melted cheese, perfect for casual gatherings and comfort food cravings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds (680g) frozen French fries (shoestring or thin-cut preferred)
- 2 cups (475ml) chili (canned or homemade, ground beef or turkey with beans)
- 1.5 cups (170g) shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or blend with Monterey Jack)
- 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- 1–2 jalapeños, sliced (optional)
- ½ cup (120ml) sour cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Spread the frozen fries on a rimmed baking sheet. Lightly drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over them and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and smoked paprika if using.
- Bake fries for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even crisping. Fries should have golden edges and a firm texture.
- While fries bake, heat the chili in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Once fries are crispy, remove from oven. Spoon the warmed chili evenly over the fries, avoiding excess liquid to keep fries crispy.
- Sprinkle 1.5 cups (170g) of shredded cheddar cheese generously on top. Return the baking sheet to the oven for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Remove from oven and top with sliced green onions, jalapeños (if using), and dollops of sour cream. Drizzle with hot sauce if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the baking sheet to keep fries crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove excess liquid from chili to avoid soggy fries. Fresh shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded. For extra crispness, broil cheese for 1-2 minutes watching closely. Reheat leftovers in oven at 400°F for 8-10 minutes to regain crispness; avoid microwaving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 20
Keywords: crispy fries, chili cheese fries, loaded fries, comfort food, easy recipe, party food, snack