Cheesy Chips: The Best Cheeses To Use

Whether you call them cheesy chips or cheese fries, this dish of French fries covered in cheese (and sometimes other toppings) is a staple of many English-speaking countries. In the UK, cheesy chips are often served in pubs, with cheddar cheese or cheddar sauce poured over a bed of chips, sometimes with added extras like beef gravy or curry sauce. In the US, cheese fries are commonly served at fast-food locations, diners, and grills, and loaded fries are often covered in melted cheddar cheese, bacon bits, jalapeño slices, and chives. But what type of cheese is best for that gooey, stringy, melted cheese texture?

While some suggest that the cheese used in fast-food outlets is not real cheese at all, but a cheese-based substitute, others say that the cheese used is likely to be cheddar, mozzarella, or a mixture of the two. One source suggests that the cheese used in the UK might be more similar to the American cheese, Monterey Jack.

If you're making cheesy chips at home, you could try using a strong block of cheddar, or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella for a stringy texture.

Cheddar cheese is a popular choice

Chips covered in cheese sauce are a comforting British chip shop classic. The cheese sauce is made by melting grated cheddar with milk, and adding cornflour/cornstarch to thicken the sauce. The sauce is then poured over the chips. This is a better option than sprinkling cold grated cheese over the chips, which can be disappointing and less indulgent.

Cheddar cheese is also used in other countries for cheesy chips. In Ireland, "garlic cheese chips" are served in fast-food restaurants and consist of chips covered in garlic sauce and cheddar cheese. In the US, cheddar cheese is used in "chili cheese fries", which are topped with chili con carne. In Cincinnati, Ohio, they use their own Cincinnati chili for their chili cheese fries.

Cheddar cheese is a versatile and popular choice for cheesy chips, providing a comforting and indulgent dish, especially when served with a thick, glossy cheese sauce.

Mozzarella makes it stringy

Mozzarella is a popular choice of cheese for making cheesy chips, especially in takeaway restaurants that also sell pizza. It is also a common cheese used in the US for cheese fries.

Mozzarella is a stretchy, stringy cheese when melted, which is why it is often used on pizzas. This means it is perfect for creating indulgent, stringy, cheesy chips.

Mozzarella is a high-moisture, low-fat cheese. It has a relatively high water content of up to 80%. It is also a young cheese, which means it has a high-water content and is therefore stretchier and stringier than harder, aged cheeses.

When making cheesy chips with mozzarella, it is important to note that it can be greasy. This is because, as a high-fat cheese, it will turn greasy if heated too much. Therefore, when making a cheese sauce with mozzarella, it is best to use a mechanical method to keep the cheese melty, rather than a chemical method. Starches are a good way to do this, as they physically stop the proteins and fats from joining together and pooling.

Mozzarella is a good choice of cheese for those on a keto, low-carb, grain-free, or gluten-free diet.

Cornflour/cornstarch is key to a smooth sauce

Cornflour, or cornstarch, is a common thickening agent in cooking. It's a fine, powdery starch derived from corn kernels, and its ability to transform thin liquids into luscious sauces makes it an essential ingredient in many culinary creations.

When making a sauce, it's important not to add cornflour directly to the liquid you want to thicken, as it will clump up. Instead, you should first make a slurry by mixing equal parts cornflour and cold liquid (usually water, stock, or wine). This slurry can then be added to your simmering sauce, creating a smooth, glossy texture.

Cornflour is particularly useful for thickening sauces that will be used in takeout-style dishes, as it makes a thick, glossy sauce that can be adjusted after cooking. With a classic roux, you need to melt butter, add flour, cook it, and then slowly add the liquid, which can be a time-consuming and finicky process. Cornflour also has twice the thickening power of flour, so you need to use less of it.

To make a cornflour-thickened cheese sauce for cheesy chips, simply follow these steps:

• Put cornflour into a small bowl and add a splash of milk, stirring until you have a smooth paste.
• Add the remainder of the milk and grated cheese to a saucepan and heat gently until the cheese has melted.
• Add the cornflour mixture, along with any optional flavourings such as mustard, garlic powder, or turmeric.
• Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture thickens.
• If you want a thicker sauce, make a little more cornflour paste and stir it into the pan.

And there you have it—a silky smooth cheese sauce for your cheesy chips, made easy with cornflour!

Evaporated milk prevents curds and oil

Evaporated milk is a useful ingredient when making cheese sauce for cheesy chips as it prevents the cheese from breaking into curds and oil, ensuring a smooth and creamy sauce. This is because the emulsifiers in evaporated milk help to keep the cheese in a stable, liquid emulsion.

An emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that are usually unmixable, such as oil and water. In the case of cheese, the milk fat is suspended in the form of microscopic globules held in a tight matrix of protein micelles. When cheese is heated, the fat globules can come into contact with each other, forming larger globules, and the proteins can bind into long, tangled strands. This results in the cheese becoming greasy and stringy.

Evaporated milk is milk that has had a lot of its water content removed. This means it is a very concentrated source of milk proteins. These extra proteins help to stabilise the cheese sauce and prevent the fat and proteins from separating and pooling.

How to Make a Basic Cheese Sauce with Evaporated Milk

To make a basic cheese sauce with evaporated milk, you will need cheese, cornflour/cornstarch, and evaporated milk. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, pepper Jack, or mozzarella, depending on your preference for flavour and texture.

First, coat the grated cheese with cornflour/cornstarch to ensure an even distribution and prevent clumping. Then, add the cheese to a saucepan with the evaporated milk and heat gently until the cheese has melted. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy. You can adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more evaporated milk.

Tips for the Perfect Cheese Sauce

• Do not add cornflour/cornstarch directly to the hot sauce, as it will clump and be impossible to mix in smoothly.
• For a thicker sauce, make a cornflour/cornstarch paste with a small amount of liquid and stir it into the sauce.
• For a spicy kick, substitute half the cheddar cheese with pepper Jack and add minced pickled jalapeños to taste.
• For a stringy texture, substitute some of the cheddar with mozzarella.

Chilli cheese fries are a variation

Chilli Cheese Fries: A Variation

Ingredients

The ingredients for chilli cheese fries are quite simple and customisable. Here's what you'll need:

• French fries (frozen or homemade)
• Chilli (homemade or store-bought)
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix of both)
• Optional toppings: sour cream, green onions, bacon, jalapeños, cilantro, etc.

Preparation

Preparing chilli cheese fries is quite straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Bake or fry your French fries until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Prepare your chilli, either from scratch or using a store-bought option.
• If you're making a cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, add flour and spices, then gradually add heavy cream and cheese until you have a smooth, thick sauce.
• Assemble your dish by placing the French fries on a serving platter, topping them with chilli, and pouring the cheese sauce over everything.
• Add your desired toppings and serve immediately to enjoy the full crispy experience.

Variations

Chilli cheese fries can be customised to your taste preferences. Here are some variations to consider:

• Chilli: You can use any type of chilli you like. Try using turkey, beef, vegetarian, or bean chilli to suit your dietary preferences.
• Cheese: While cheddar is a popular choice, you can experiment with other cheeses like colby jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack. You can also use a cheese sauce for a creamier texture.
• Toppings: The possibilities are endless when it comes to toppings. Try adding cooked crumbled bacon, using sweet potato fries, or including diced red onions, jalapeños, or sour cream for extra flavour and texture.

Chilli cheese fries are a fun and flavourful twist on the traditional cheesy chips/cheese fries. They are a perfect blend of crispy fries, zesty chilli, and creamy, melted cheese. Whether you're making them at home or ordering them at a restaurant, chilli cheese fries are sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings.

Frequently asked questions