Cheese Fries: Melty Topping Ideas For A Cheesy Delight

Cheese fries are a delicious snack, side dish, or appetizer that can be made in a variety of ways. The classic cheese fry is simply French fries covered in a cheese sauce, but popular toppings include bacon, green onions, jalapeños, and sour cream. While cheddar is a popular cheese choice, other options include mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and pepper jack. Cheese fries can be made with frozen French fries or homemade fries, and the cheese sauce can be made with a variety of ingredients and spices.

Cheddar cheese sauce

Ingredients:

• Butter: Use unsalted or salted butter as the base for your sauce.
• All-purpose flour: Flour helps to thicken the sauce.
• Milk: Any percentage of milk can be used, but higher fat milk will result in a smoother and creamier sauce.
• Cheddar cheese: Opt for full-fat, freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese to ensure the best melt and avoid additives found in pre-shredded cheese that can make your sauce lumpy.
• Seasonings: Add a pinch of cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste.

Instructions:

• Make a Roux: Start by melting butter in a small pot over medium heat. Whisk in an equal amount of flour and cook until you have a lightly golden paste. This step cooks out the raw flour taste.
• Add Milk: Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes bubbly.
• Incorporate Cheese: Remove the sauce from the heat and add the cheese a handful at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition.
• Season and Serve: Once all the cheese is melted, season with cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve your cheddar cheese sauce immediately for optimal texture and flavour.

Tips and Variations:

• Smooth Sauce: For an extra smooth sauce, use full-fat cheese that you grate yourself, let the shredded cheese come to room temperature, and remove the sauce from the heat before stirring in the cheese.
• Spicy Kick: For a spicy twist, switch up the cheese by using pepper jack or adding extra cayenne pepper.
• Customise Your Cheese: While cheddar is a classic, you can experiment with other melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, Gouda, Gruyere, or Asiago.
• Toppings Galore: Cheese fries are a versatile dish, so feel free to add toppings like bacon, green onions, parsley, or even steamed broccoli for a unique twist.
• Dipping Delight: Cheese sauce is also excellent for dipping, so serve it on the side for a fun presentation.
• Storage Suggestions: While best served fresh, you can store any leftover sauce in the refrigerator and gently reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.

Now you're equipped with the knowledge to create mouthwatering cheddar cheese sauce for your cheese fries. Enjoy the cheesy, gooey goodness!

Mozzarella cheese sauce

Ingredients:

• Butter
• All-purpose flour
• Milk
• Italian cheese blend (or just mozzarella)
• Old yellow/sharp cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Garlic powder, onion powder, and ground mustard (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 475°F.
• Cut your potatoes into slices about 1/4 inch thick and soak them in water for at least 25 minutes.
• Set a large pot of water to boil and add the soaked potato slices. Boil for 3-5 minutes until they are partially cooked but still firm.
• Drain the potatoes, pat them dry, and transfer them to a bowl. Season with salt and olive oil.
• Place the potatoes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake on the middle rack for 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
• Move the tray to the lowest rack and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, flipping once, until crispy.
• While the fries are baking, start making the cheese sauce. Heat a pan over medium heat and add butter.
• Once melted, mix in the flour and whisk for 2-3 minutes until it forms a nutty-smelling paste.
• Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to work out any lumps. Continue whisking until the mixture simmers and thickens.
• As soon as the béchamel sauce thickens, season it with cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the shredded cheeses, whisking until fully melted and combined.
• Remove the fries from the oven and arrange them in a bowl or on a plate.
• Pour the warm cheese sauce over the fries. The sauce should be warm to ensure it remains cheesy and has the best texture.
• Garnish with chopped chives or other herbs, if desired.

Tips and Variations:

• For a smoother and silkier cheese sauce, avoid stirring the cheese while the pan is on the stove. Excess direct heat can cause the cheese to curdle.
• If reheating the sauce, use low heat and stir constantly to prevent curdling.
• Prepare the sauce only when you are ready to serve for the best dining experience. Avoid reheating if possible, as the texture will not be the same.
• You can finish your cheese fries with a sprinkle of Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese for extra flavour.
• Load your cheese fries with toppings like bacon, scallions, BBQ chicken, peppers, or other proteins like shredded chicken, tofu, or cooked sausage.
• Experiment with different types of potatoes, such as sweet potatoes, or try air frying or deep frying your French fries.
• Add a drizzle of sauce like BBQ, sriracha, or spicy mayo to enhance the flavours even more.

Nacho cheese sauce

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Flour
• Milk (preferably whole milk for a richer and smoother sauce)
• Cheese (medium or sharp cheddar is recommended, but other melty cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or Pepper Jack can also be used)
• Spices (optional): cayenne pepper, chili powder, or ground beef for a spicy kick

Instructions:

• Start by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add an equal amount of flour to the melted butter and whisk until combined to form a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
• Cook the roux for about 1 minute, whisking continuously, until it becomes bubbly and foamy. This cooks out the raw flour taste.
• Slowly whisk in the milk and continue whisking until the mixture thickens and bubbles around the edges.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat before adding the cheese. Overheating the sauce after adding the cheese can cause it to become thick and grainy.
• Add the shredded cheese a handful at a time, stirring until it melts completely into the sauce. If needed, place the saucepan back on low heat to help the cheese melt, but be careful not to overheat the sauce.
• Once all the cheese has melted, stir in the spices and seasonings of your choice. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, simply whisk in a small amount of milk to adjust the consistency.

Tips for Success:

• Use medium cheddar cheese for a smoother sauce. Sharp cheddar tends to become grainy more easily.
• Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the melt and make the sauce gritty. It is recommended to shred a block of cheese yourself for a smoother sauce.
• Don't overcook the cheese. Remove the saucepan from the heat before adding the cheese, and let the residual heat melt the cheese.
• Serve the nacho cheese sauce immediately or keep it warm. The sauce will start to firm up as it cools, so it's best enjoyed while still warm and melty.

Monterey Jack cheese

When making cheese fries, it is recommended to use shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded cheese, as bags of pre-shredded cheese are often coated in anti-caking agents and may not melt as well. For the best results, grate your own cheese.

In addition to its use in cheese fries, Monterey Jack cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a key component in recipes such as chicken taco dump dinner, mac and cheese cowboy cups, hot cowgirl casserole, and white queso.

Bacon, jalapeños, and sour cream toppings

Bacon, jalapeños, and sour cream are all delicious toppings for cheese fries. This combination of toppings is a great way to add a little extra spice and creaminess to your cheese fries. Here is a recipe for cheese fries with bacon, jalapeños, and sour cream toppings:

Ingredients:

• Frozen French fries (you can use any type of fry you like, such as steak fries, crinkle fries, or sweet potato fries)
• Bacon
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Jalapeños
• Green onions (optional)

Instructions:

• Cook the bacon. You can bake it in the oven or cook it on the stovetop. Let it cool, then crumble it into small pieces.
• Prepare the jalapeños by cutting them into thin slices. Remove the seeds and membranes if you want to reduce the spiciness. It is recommended to wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid skin irritation.
• Cook the French fries according to the package instructions. You can bake them in the oven or use an air fryer.
• Once the fries are cooked, place them on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe skillet.
• Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the fries. You can also use other types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or colby.
• Put the baking sheet or skillet back into the oven and bake until the cheese is melted. This should only take a few minutes.
• Remove the fries from the oven and sprinkle the crumbled bacon and jalapeño slices on top.
• Drizzle sour cream over the fries or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.
• Optionally, you can also add green onions or scallions for some extra flavor and color.
• Serve the cheese fries immediately while they are still hot and crispy.

Feel free to add or remove any toppings to suit your taste preferences. You can also experiment with different types of cheese and fries to create your own unique version of cheese fries. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions