Description
Loaded Cheese Fries are a deliciously indulgent snack featuring crispy golden fries topped with melted cheddar cheese, savory bacon, fresh green onions, and optional rich brown gravy and sour cream. Perfect for sharing, these fries combine crunch, gooey cheese, and bold flavors for a satisfying treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Fries
- 32 ounces frozen french fries (or 8 cups homemade french fries)
Toppings
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons cooked and crumbled bacon (or real bacon bits)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Optional
- 1 cup brown gravy (homemade or packet)
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (or prepare to cook fries in an air fryer following the notes).
- Cook Fries: Spread the fries evenly on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until extra crisp, stirring halfway through at 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Broil Setup: After fries are crisp, remove the pan from the oven and switch the oven setting to broil at 500°F.
- Add Toppings and Melt Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon evenly over the fries, then return to the oven under the broiler for 1-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and top with thinly sliced green onions. If desired, drizzle the fries with warm brown gravy and add dollops of sour cream. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For air frying, cook the fries according to the air fryer manufacturer’s instructions until crispy, then proceed with adding cheese and bacon toppings and melting under the broiler as directed.
- Homemade fries can be substituted for a fresher taste; cut potatoes into fries, soak in water to remove excess starch, pat dry, and bake.
- Brown gravy is optional but adds a rich and savory depth to the dish; can use homemade or prepared gravy packets.
- Serve immediately after adding toppings to enjoy the fries crisp and cheese melty.
