These Loaded Cheese Fries are the ultimate indulgence! Crispy French fries are smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce and topped with crispy bacon, chicken tenders, jalapeños, green onions, and even more cheese. This dish is perfect as a game-day snack, a delicious appetizer, or a late-night treat. It’s a crowd-pleaser that combines all your favorite flavors into one crispy, cheesy masterpiece!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Fries

• 2 (32 oz) packages frozen French fries

For the Cheese Sauce

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup unsalted butter (4 tbsp)

• 2 cups whole milk

• 1½ cups Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

• 1½ cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded

• 8 oz processed cheese, such as Velveeta®, cubed

• ½ cup hot sauce (optional)

For the Toppings

• 6 chicken tenders, cooked and chopped

• 1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled

• 3 jalapeños, sliced

• ½ cup green onions, chopped

• Ranch dressing (optional, for drizzling)

Directions

1. Cook the Fries: Prepare the fries according to the package instructions until they’re crispy. You can bake, air-fry, or deep fry them based on your preference.

2. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens. Add half of the Cheddar cheese, half of the Colby Jack cheese, and the Velveeta cubes, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in hot sauce if desired.

3. Layer the Fries: Preheat your oven’s broiler to high. Place half of the cooked fries on a baking sheet or cast iron pan. Top with a generous portion of cheese sauce, chicken tenders, bacon, jalapeños, and the remaining shredded cheeses. Repeat with the other half of the fries.

4. Broil: Broil for 1-2 minutes, or until the shredded cheese is bubbly and melted.

5. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with additional sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, and drizzle with ranch dressing if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Estimated Nutritional Value per Serving (Based on 10 servings):

• Calories: 500-550 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 45-50g

• Protein: 20-22g

• Fat: 30-35g

• Saturated Fat: 15-18g

• Cholesterol: 15-20mg

• Sodium: 2021mg

• Potassium: 400-450mg

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 2-3g

• Vitamin A: 350 IU

• Vitamin C: 10mg

• Calcium: 200-250mg

• Iron: 2-3mg

This is an approximation and can vary based on the specific brands of ingredients used and portion sizes.

The Ultimate Cheese Sauce: Creamy and Rich

At the heart of Loaded Cheese Fries is the cheese sauce, which is rich, creamy, and completely indulgent. This sauce is what takes the dish to the next level. The sauce starts with a butter and flour roux, which thickens the sauce and gives it a smooth, velvety texture. Then, whole milk is added to create a creamy base, and a combination of sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, and Velveeta cheeses ensures the sauce is both tangy and melty.

• Cheddar cheese provides a sharp, tangy flavor that perfectly balances the richness of the other cheeses.

• Colby Jack cheese adds a mild, creamy note to the sauce, making it smooth and luscious.

• Velveeta gives the sauce its signature smooth and gooey texture, which is ideal for coating the fries evenly.

For those who enjoy a bit of heat, adding hot sauce to the cheese sauce can give it a nice spicy kick that complements the richness of the cheese. The sauce is incredibly versatile, and you can adjust the amount of hot sauce depending on your heat tolerance. The cheese sauce is generously poured over the fries, ensuring that every bite is loaded with flavor.

Crispy Fries: The Perfect Base

The fries are the foundation of Loaded Cheese Fries, so it’s important to get them just right. You can choose to bake, air-fry, or deep-fry the fries depending on your preference. All methods will work, but each brings something different to the table:

• Baking the fries is the healthiest option and will result in crispy fries with less oil. Tossing them in a bit of oil and seasoning before baking ensures they get perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside.

• Air-frying is another great option that results in crispy fries with minimal oil. The air fryer creates a similar crispiness to deep frying but uses much less oil.

• Deep-frying the fries will give them a golden, crispy exterior and a fluffy interior, but it is the highest in calories due to the oil.

Once cooked, the fries are arranged on a baking sheet or cast iron pan, ready to be topped with the cheese sauce and all the delicious fixings. Be sure to cook the fries until they are crispy and golden brown to ensure they can hold up to the weight of the cheese sauce and toppings.

Toppings Galore: Bacon, Chicken, and Jalapeños

The fun doesn’t stop at the fries and cheese sauce. Loaded Cheese Fries are all about piling on the toppings to create a deliciously decadent dish. These toppings add a variety of textures and flavors, ensuring that every bite is packed with something new and exciting.

• Chicken tenders: Crispy, juicy chicken tenders add a savory, protein-packed layer to the dish. Chopping them up into pieces ensures that every forkful of fries gets a bit of chicken. The flavor of the chicken complements the cheese sauce and provides a hearty element to the dish.

• Bacon: Bacon adds a crispy, salty, and smoky flavor to the fries, creating a wonderful contrast with the creamy cheese sauce and the tender chicken. The crumbled bacon easily spreads over the fries, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor.

• Jalapeños: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, sliced jalapeños bring a spicy kick to the dish. The fresh jalapeños cut through the richness of the cheese and bacon, offering a bit of refreshing heat that balances the overall flavor profile.

• Green onions: Chopped green onions are the perfect finishing touch, offering a mild onion flavor and a pop of color. They also add a crisp texture that contrasts nicely with the richness of the cheese and bacon.

These toppings create a symphony of flavors and textures that are perfect for anyone craving a comforting and satisfying snack or meal. You can also get creative with additional toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or even chopped tomatoes if you prefer.

The Broiling Step: Melting Everything Together

Once all the toppings are piled onto the fries, the dish is ready for the broiler. Broiling the fries with the cheese sauce and toppings allows the cheese to melt and bubble, creating a perfectly gooey, golden layer on top of the fries. This step takes only 1-2 minutes, so be sure to watch closely to avoid burning the cheese or the toppings.

The broiling process also gives the fries a slight crispiness around the edges of the cheese, which makes each bite even more satisfying. The result is a melted cheese masterpiece that combines all the rich, savory flavors of the fries, cheese, chicken, bacon, and jalapeños.

Serving Suggestions: Dips and More

Once your Loaded Cheese Fries are broiled and perfectly golden, they’re ready to be served. To add even more flavor, consider drizzling some ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing on top of the fries. This extra creamy layer adds another dimension to the dish and is a great pairing with the spicy jalapeños.

For a more substantial meal, these fries can be served alongside a side salad or coleslaw to balance out the richness of the cheese and toppings. They also pair wonderfully with a cold drink like a soda, beer, or iced tea—perfect for cooling down after that spicy kick from the jalapeños.

Nutritional Information: Indulgent but Satisfying

Loaded Cheese Fries are undeniably indulgent, but they can still fit into your meal plan when enjoyed in moderation. Each serving (based on 10 servings) provides around 500-550 kcal, which is reasonable considering the richness of the dish. With 20-22g of protein from the chicken and bacon, this dish is more than just a snack—it can be a meal in itself.

• Carbohydrates: 45-50g, mainly from the fries.

• Fat: 30-35g, thanks to the cheese, bacon, and oil, contributing to the dish’s richness.

• Sodium: 2021mg per serving, which is high, so consider adjusting the amount of salt or using a lower-sodium alternative for a healthier version.

While these fries are high in saturated fats and sodium, they are also packed with flavor and can be enjoyed as an occasional treat. For a lighter version, you could use air-fried fries and lower-fat cheeses, or adjust the toppings to reduce the richness.

Conclusion

Loaded Cheese Fries are a fun, indulgent, and satisfying dish that brings all your favorite flavors together. From the crispy fries to the creamy cheese sauce, crispy bacon, juicy chicken tenders, and spicy jalapeños, every bite is packed with richness, flavor, and texture. Whether served as a snack, appetizer, or a main dish, these fries are guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. With their customizable toppings and simple preparation, Loaded Cheese Fries are a crowd-pleasing treat that will satisfy even the heartiest appetites. So grab your fries, cheese, and toppings, and get ready to indulge in the ultimate cheesy masterpiece!