Bushra Griffith
Chili cheese fries are a delicious snack or meal made of French fries topped with cheese and chili con carne. The dish is typically made with cheddar cheese, but other types of cheese can be used, such as colby jack mozzarella or pepper jack cheese. The chili can be made with ground beef, turkey, or chicken, and can be customized with various toppings such as sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, and cilantro. Chili cheese fries are a perfect blend of crispy, cheesy, and spicy flavors and can be made at home or enjoyed at restaurants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer, snack, side dish |
| Main Ingredients | French fries, cheese, chili |
| French Fries | Crispy, golden brown, frozen |
| Cheese | Cheddar, colby jack mozzarella, pepper jack, shredded, in sauce form |
| Chili | Beef, turkey, chicken, vegetarian, beans, no beans, tomatoes, onion, garlic, spices |
| Toppings | Sour cream, green onions, red onions, jalapeños, cilantro, avocado, pico de gallo, serranos, cherry tomatoes |
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What You'll Learn
French Fries
To make french fries, potatoes are cut into thin, uniform strips. These can be cut by hand or with the help of a mandoline or french fry cutter. The potatoes are then typically soaked in cold water to remove excess starch, which helps them achieve a crispier texture when cooked. After soaking, the potatoes are dried thoroughly to prevent splattering when they are added to hot oil.
The next step is frying the potatoes. A variety of oils can be used, each imparting a slightly different flavour to the final product. Common choices include vegetable oil, peanut oil, or canola oil. The potatoes are carefully added to a pot of hot oil and fried in batches to avoid overcrowding. This initial fry is done at a lower temperature, blanching the potatoes and cooking them through without browning them. Once blanched, the potatoes are removed from the oil and drained on paper towels.
For the final step, the potatoes are fried a second time at a higher temperature to achieve a golden-brown colour and crispy texture. This step only takes a few minutes per batch. Once cooked, the fries are again drained on paper towels to remove any excess oil. They are then ready to be topped with chili and cheese to make chili cheese fries.
Alternatively, frozen french fries can be baked in the oven until golden brown and crispy. This method is convenient and eliminates the need for deep frying. The oven temperature and baking time may vary depending on the brand of frozen fries used, but typically they are baked at around 425°F for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking.
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Cheese
When choosing cheddar cheese, it is recommended to grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in preservatives and anti-caking agents, which can affect the melting ability and overall smoothness of the cheese. Grating your own cheese ensures a better melting texture and allows you to control the size and thickness of the shreds.
However, cheddar cheese is not the only option. Some variations include using Colby Jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack cheese. These cheeses offer different flavour profiles and melting qualities, allowing for customization based on personal preference. For those who prefer a more spicy kick, pepper jack cheese is an excellent choice. If you're looking for a milder option, Colby Jack or mozzarella can provide a creamy and stretchy texture to your chili cheese fries.
Additionally, some recipes call for a cheese sauce instead of shredded or grated cheese. A cheese sauce can be made from a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, and can be drizzled or poured over the chili cheese fries. The sauce adds a creamy texture and coats each fry, ensuring every bite is packed with cheesy goodness. Whether shredded, grated, or in sauce form, the cheese in chili cheese fries is what brings all the other components together.
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Chili
The chili in chili cheese fries can be made with ground beef, turkey, or chicken, or a vegetarian option with beans. The beef is usually seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked until browned. Some recipes also include onions, garlic, and spices such as chili powder, cumin, and paprika, as well as tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. The chili can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For a vegetarian option, you can use plant-based ground beef and cook it with onions, red peppers, salt, and pepper. You can also add in some guajillo chiles, beer, and chipotles for extra flavor. If you want to make the chili spicier, you can include sliced serranos, jalapeños, or other chili peppers.
The chili is then spooned or scooped over a bed of crispy French fries. Frozen fries or homemade fries can be used, and they are usually baked in the oven until golden brown and crispy. Tater tots or tortilla chips can also be used as a base for a variation on the dish.
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Toppings
The most commonly mentioned toppings are diced red onions, sliced jalapeños, and chopped cilantro. Adding a dollop of sour cream is also a popular choice, providing a tangy and creamy contrast to the spicy and savory notes of the chili and cheese.
If you want to add more spice to your chili cheese fries, you can include sliced serrano peppers or pickled jalapeños. For a burst of freshness, you can add cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, or diced avocado. A scoop of pico de gallo can also add a nice tangy twist to the dish.
For those who enjoy a more indulgent and creamy texture, a cheese sauce can be drizzled over the fries instead of shredded cheese. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as colby jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack cheese.
The versatility of chili cheese fries allows you to get creative and include toppings that suit your taste buds, making it a fun and satisfying dish to customize and enjoy.
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Cooking Method
To make chili cheese fries, start by preparing your chili. You can make this from scratch or buy it pre-made. If you're making your own, heat some oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and add ground beef, turkey, or chicken seasoned with salt and pepper. After a few minutes, add diced onion and, once softened, stir in garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and spices such as chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cocoa powder. You can also add light beer, black pepper, and a pinch of salt.
Next, prepare your French fries. You can make these from scratch or use frozen fries. If using frozen fries, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the fries in an even layer and bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through. If making your fries from scratch, cut potatoes into the desired shape and either fry or bake until golden and crispy.
Once your chili and fries are ready, it's time to assemble. Place the fries on a platter or baking sheet and top with a generous amount of chili. Sprinkle or shred cheese over the chili—cheddar is the most commonly used variety, but you can also use colby jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can use a cheese sauce instead.
Finally, add any extra toppings and serve immediately. Popular toppings include diced red onions, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, and sour cream, but feel free to get creative and add your own twist. If you want to add an extra layer of crispiness, you can bake the assembled chili cheese fries for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.
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Frequently asked questions
Chili cheese fries are French fries topped with chili con carne and grated cheese.
Cheddar is the most popular choice, but you can also use colby jack mozzarella, pepper jack cheese, or American cheese.
The type of chili used varies, but it's typically made with ground beef, onion, tomatoes, and spices. Some recipes call for turkey or chicken instead of beef.
Popular toppings include sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, and cilantro.
Chili cheese fries are typically made by baking French fries until they are golden brown and crispy, then topping them with chili and shredded cheese. The dish is best served immediately as the potatoes can become soft if they sit too long.
