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featured cheese fries.

Cheese Fries Recipe

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 530kcal
Author: Becky Hardin
Texas Cheese Fries are always a crowd favorite on game day. Who doesn't want to devour crispy French fried potatoes smothered in a creamy and dreamy cheese sauce?
Print Recipe

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound frozen french fries
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • 6 ounces medium cheddar cheese freshly grated
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional Toppings

Instructions

  • Bake the fries according to the package directions.
    1 pound frozen french fries
    baked frozen french fries on a white rectangular serving tray.
  • While the fries bake, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add in the garlic and cook until lightly golden.
    1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 2 cloves garlic
    butter and garlic cooking in a cast iron pan.
  • Sprinkle over the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the butter has absorbed all of the flour.
    1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • While whisking, slowly stream in the milk, making sure to quickly break up and lumps.
    ¾ cup whole milk
    flour and milk added to garlic and butter in a cast iron pan.
  • Continue to whisk until the sauce simmers and thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • One handful at a time, add the cheese to the sauce. Stir until the cheese is completely melted before adding another handful. Continue until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
    6 ounces medium cheddar cheese
  • Whisk in the cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste.
    ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    cheese sauce for cheese fries in a cast iron skillet.
  • Arrange the fries on a serving platter. Top with the cheese sauce and garnishes, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
    Thinly sliced green onion, Diced jalapeño peppers

Video

Notes

  • Use your favorite frozen fries, or make your own fries!
  • Feel free to swap some or all of the cheddar cheese for mozzarella, pepper jack, Swiss, Colby jack, or American.
  • For less spicy fries, omit the cayenne; for more spice, double it!
  • It is important to slowly add the cheese to the sauce off heat to prevent the sauce from becoming grainy. If the cheese isn’t melting into the sauce, return it to low heat and stir constantly while it melts.
  • If your sauce is too thick, add in another splash of milk.
  • Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25pound | Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1433mg | Potassium: 599mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 614IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 371mg | Iron: 2mg