Hearty Sides To Serve With Chili Cheese Fries

Chilli cheese fries are a delicious, decadent treat, perfect for a cosy night in or a fun game-day feast. This American staple is a common fast-food dish and a great side to burgers and hot dogs. But what goes with chilli cheese fries? Well, the options are endless! You can load up your chilli cheese fries with toppings like salsa, black beans, jalapenos, or corn chips. Or, if you're feeling extra indulgent, add some pulled pork, carnitas, or bacon. You can even experiment with different types of cheese—try Colby Jack or a Mexican blend instead of cheddar. And if you're making your chilli cheese fries at home, don't forget to put out some forks and napkins for your guests—this dish is delicious but messy!

Chilli cheese fries with sour cream and green onions

Ingredients

For the chilli cheese fries, you will need:

• French fries (frozen or homemade)
• Chilli (store-bought or homemade)
• Cheese (shredded cheddar or cheese sauce)
• Sour cream
• Green onions

Method

First, prepare your chilli. You can use store-bought chilli or make it from scratch. If making homemade chilli, try a recipe that includes ground beef, spices, tomatoes, and beans for a thick and hearty texture.

Next, cook your French fries. You can use frozen fries or cut and bake your own. If using frozen fries, spread them on a baking sheet and bake according to the package instructions until golden and crispy. If making homemade fries, thinly slice potatoes, toss them in oil and season, then bake in the oven, flipping them halfway through.

Once your chilli and fries are ready, it's time to assemble. Place the cooked fries on a plate or baking sheet, and spoon the chilli over them. Add a sprinkle of cheese, and return the fries to the oven to melt the cheese.

Finally, add your desired toppings. For chilli cheese fries with sour cream and green onions, simply add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of green onions on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

• For the best melt, grate your own block of cheese, as pre-shredded cheese may not melt as smoothly due to added preservatives.
• Make your chilli in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze it for later use.
• Prepare your toppings in advance and store them in airtight containers.
• Serve the chilli cheese fries right away, as the potatoes will soften if left under the chilli for too long.
• Get creative with your toppings! Try adding cooked crumbled bacon, using different types of cheese or potatoes, or including extra toppings like salsa, avocado, or corn chips.

Chilli cheese fries with pulled pork

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need:

• French fries (you can use frozen, or make your own by cutting and baking potatoes)
• Pulled pork (you can use pre-made, or make your own by slow-roasting a pork shoulder)
• Cheese (cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also use Monterey Jack, or a combination of both)
• Chilli (green chilli is a great option, but you can use any type of chilli that you prefer)
• BBQ sauce (optional, but recommended for extra flavour)
• Sour cream (for serving)
• Spring onions/scallions (optional, for garnish and extra flavour)

Method

• Prepare your French fries. If you are using frozen fries, follow the package instructions. If you are making your own, cut your potatoes into the desired shape and size, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven until crispy and golden.
• Prepare your pulled pork. If you are using pre-made pulled pork, simply warm it up and mix in your desired amount of BBQ sauce. If you are making your own, season and slow-roast a pork shoulder, then shred the meat and mix with BBQ sauce.
• Chop your chosen type of chilli and spring onions/scallions.
• In a baking dish, layer half of your French fries. Top with half of your cheese, chilli, spring onions/scallions, and pulled pork.
• Add the remaining fries and top with the rest of your cheese, chilli, spring onions/scallions, and pulled pork.
• Place the dish in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Remove from the oven and serve with sour cream on the side.

Tips and Variations

• You can adjust the amount of chilli to your preference for heat and spice.
• If you want to add some extra vegetables, you can include chopped onions, bell peppers, or garlic.
• For a unique twist, try using sweet potato fries instead of regular French fries.

Chilli cheese fries with sweet potato fries

Chilli cheese fries are a fun and decadent dish, perfect for game day or a cosy night in. They are an American staple, often served as a side to burgers and hot dogs. This classic comfort food can be made even more delicious by using sweet potato fries. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating the ultimate chilli cheese sweet potato fries:

Ingredients:

• Sweet potatoes
• Olive oil or another neutral cooking oil
• Salt & pepper
• Ground chicken or turkey (or beef for a heartier option)
• Yellow onion
• Celery
• Green pepper
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Crushed tomatoes
• Fresh tomato
• Shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese
• Green onions
• Optional toppings: hot peppers, salsa, olives, pickles, lettuce, sour cream, black beans, jalapenos, or corn chips

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Thinly slice the sweet potatoes into fry shapes using a mandoline or a sharp knife.
• Toss the sweet potato fries in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded to promote even cooking.
• Bake the fries for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even crispness.
• While the fries are baking, prepare the chilli. Heat some olive oil in a pan and add the ground meat, onion, and spices. Cook until browned.
• Add the spices, crushed tomatoes, and fresh diced tomato to the chilli mixture. Stir to combine, then simmer on low heat for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a deeper flavour.
• Once the chilli is cooked, remove the fries from the oven and change the oven setting to broil.
• Stack the cooked fries on oven-safe plates or a baking sheet. Ladle the chilli generously over the fries.
• Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the chilli-loaded fries.
• Place the plates or baking sheet in the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Finish with your desired toppings and serve immediately. Chilli cheese fries are best enjoyed fresh, as the toppings can make the fries soggy over time.

Tips and Variations:

• You can use frozen sweet potato fries for convenience.
• For a vegetarian option, omit the meat and add extra beans to the chilli for protein.
• To prevent soggy fries, ensure they are not overcrowded during cooking and soak them in water before baking to remove excess starch.
• For the best melt and flavour, grate your own cheese blend, such as cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a Tex Mex blend.
• Prepare the chilli in advance and freeze it for up to 3 months. Leftover chilli often works better than fresh, as it thickens with time, making it ideal for loaded fries.
• Load up your chilli cheese sweet potato fries with toppings like salsa, black beans, jalapenos, or corn chips.

Chilli cheese fries with guacamole

Chilli cheese fries are a delicious, indulgent treat, perfect for a game day snack or a cosy night in. This ultimate comfort food can be made healthier by using sweet potato fries, and plant-based alternatives for the chilli and cheese.

The Chilli

The chilli is the star of the show and is usually made with beef. However, for a vegetarian or vegan option, you can use plant-based ground meat or regular veggie chilli. A good chilli should be hearty, smoky, and spicy. It can also be packed with veggies like tomatoes, onion, celery, capsicum, zucchini, and eggplant. This is a great way to make the dish healthier, especially for kids, as the vegetables can be simmered for a long time so they are less noticeable.

The Cheese

Cheese sauce and shredded cheese are the most common toppings for chilli cheese fries. For a vegan option, you can make a sauce from plant-based ingredients like sweet potatoes, cashews, and nutritional yeast. For non-vegans, a good melting cheese like cheddar is a great option.

The Fries

The base of the dish is, of course, the fries. You can use regular French fries, or sweet potato fries for a healthier option. Baked sweet potato fries are lower in fat and sodium than regular fries. For convenience, you can use store-bought frozen fries.

The Guacamole

Guacamole is a delicious, healthy addition to chilli cheese fries. It can be made with avocado, onion, garlic, lime, and coriander. This adds a fresh, creamy element to the dish and is a great way to include more vegetables.

Topping Ideas

Chilli cheese fries are a versatile dish that can be customised with various toppings. In addition to the guacamole, you could add sliced serranos, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, cashew sour cream, sliced green onions, or pickled jalapeños.

How to Serve

Spread a layer of fries on a baking sheet or in a large bowl. Top with spoonfuls of cheese sauce, followed by scoops of chilli. Drizzle with more cheese sauce and add your desired toppings, including the guacamole. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Chilli cheese fries with salsa

Ingredients

The ingredients you will need for this recipe include:

• French fries (frozen or homemade)
• Cheese (shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
• Chili (store-bought or homemade)
• Salsa or pico de gallo
• Optional toppings: sour cream, sliced green onions, diced red onions, avocado, black beans, corn chips, etc.

Instructions

Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing your chilli cheese fries with salsa:

• Prepare your chilli: If you're making homemade chilli, cook the ground beef or plant-based alternative with spices, tomatoes, and beans. You can also add other ingredients like garlic, onion, and bell peppers. Simmer the chilli until it thickens.
• Cook the French fries: Whether you're using frozen or homemade, bake the fries in the oven until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Assemble the dish: Place the cooked fries on a plate or in a bowl. Spoon the desired amount of chilli over the fries. Generously sprinkle or layer your shredded cheese on top.
• Melt the cheese: Place the assembled dish in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
• Add the salsa: Top off your chilli cheese fries with a generous scoop of salsa or pico de gallo.
• Finish with toppings: This is where you can get creative! Add any additional toppings of your choice, such as sour cream, sliced green onions, diced red onions, avocado, or even some pickled jalapeños for an extra kick.
• Serve immediately: Chilli cheese fries are best served fresh, as the fries can get soggy over time. Enjoy your delicious creation while the cheese is still melted and the fries are crispy!

Tips and Variations

• Make-ahead options: You can prepare the chilli up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge. This allows the flavours to develop even more, making your chilli taste even better.
• Customise the ingredients: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, beans, or spices to suit your taste preferences. You can also use vegetarian chilli or vegan cheese sauce to make a plant-based version of this dish.
• Use fresh ingredients: For the best melt and flavour, grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese, which may not melt as smoothly due to added preservatives.
• Choose the right fries: Opt for thicker-cut fries, such as steak fries, waffle fries, or thick-cut traditional fries. These tend to hold up better under the weight of the toppings.
• Avoid sogginess: To prevent soggy fries, ensure they aren't overcrowded in the pan while cooking. You can also soak the potatoes in water before cooking to remove excess starch and achieve maximum crispiness.

Frequently asked questions