Cheese Fries: Outback's Signature Cheese Choice Explained

Outback Steakhouse's Aussie Cheese Fries are a popular dish at the Australian-themed restaurant chain. The dish consists of French fries smothered in melted cheese and bacon, served with a side of ranch dressing. While the exact blend of cheese may vary, Colby Jack and Monterey Jack are commonly used, with some recipes also including cheddar. The cheese is shredded and sprinkled over the fries, creating a delicious, cheesy appetizer or side dish.

The cheese used is a mix of Monterey Jack and Cheddar

Outback Cheese Fries

The Cheese

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cheese with a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavour. It is a good melting cheese, which is why it works so well in this recipe. It is also fairly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches to soups and casseroles.

Cheddar

Cheddar is a hard cheese with a slightly sharp flavour. It is one of the most popular cheeses in the world and is known for its versatility. Cheddar has a strong flavour that can stand up to other ingredients, which is why it works well in combination with the Monterey Jack in this recipe.

The Method

To make Outback Cheese Fries, the fries are first cooked, seasoned, and placed on an oven-safe plate. The mixed shredded cheeses are then sprinkled over the fries, along with crumbled bacon. The plate is then baked in the oven until the cheese is melted. The cheese and bacon are what set these fries apart from regular French fries, adding a delicious, indulgent twist.

Serving Suggestions

Outback Cheese Fries are often served with ranch dressing on the side for dipping. They can be served as a side dish, an appetizer, or a snack and are a great dish to share with friends or family.

The fries are seasoned with garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, and thyme

Seasoning is an important step in the process of making Outback Cheese Fries. While the cheese and bacon toppings are certainly key components, it's the seasoning that gives the fries their unique flavour and aroma. The combination of garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, and thyme creates a savoury blend that enhances the overall taste experience.

Garlic powder, a staple in many kitchens, adds a punch of garlic flavour without the need for fresh garlic cloves. It's convenient, easy to use, and provides a consistent garlic taste in every fry. Black pepper, another common seasoning, contributes a sharp and slightly spicy note that complements the other ingredients. Onion powder brings a subtle onion flavour to the dish, adding depth and a hint of sweetness. Thyme, a versatile herb, provides a subtle earthy and slightly minty aroma, rounding out the seasoning blend.

When making the fries, it's important to combine these seasonings in the right proportions. Too much garlic powder or black pepper can overpower the other flavours, while too little onion powder or thyme may go unnoticed. Finding the right balance is essential to creating the signature taste of Outback Cheese Fries.

Once the seasoning blend is mixed, it can be sprinkled over the fries before baking. This ensures that each fry is coated with the perfect amount of seasoning, enhancing the overall flavour profile of the dish. The baking process then brings out the flavours of the seasonings, creating a mouthwatering aroma that is hard to resist.

Whether enjoyed as a snack, side dish, or appetizer, Outback Cheese Fries showcase the power of seasoning. The combination of garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, and thyme transforms ordinary fries into a flavourful and indulgent treat, making them a favourite among cheese fry enthusiasts.

The bacon is cooked, then crumbled and sprinkled on top

Cooking Crispy Bacon for Cheese Fries

Bacon is a key ingredient in Outback Cheese Fries, adding a delicious savoury crunch to the dish. The bacon is cooked until crispy, then crumbled and sprinkled on top of the cheese-covered fries. This process ensures the bacon is full of flavour and has a satisfying texture that contrasts with the melted cheese.

Cooking the Bacon

To cook the bacon, start by placing the desired amount of bacon slices in a pan. Cook the bacon over a medium heat until it is brown and crispy. This should take around 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. Once the bacon is crispy, remove it from the pan and drain the excess grease on a paper towel.

Crumbling the Bacon

Once the bacon is cool enough to handle, crumble it into small pieces. You can use your hands to break it up, or chop it with a knife. The bacon should be crumbled into bite-sized pieces that will be easy to eat when sprinkled on top of the cheese fries.

Sprinkling on Top

After the cheese fries have been removed from the oven, it's time to add the bacon. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the melted cheese. This step should be done just before serving to ensure the bacon remains crispy. The combination of crispy bacon, melted cheese, and hot fries is what makes this dish so delicious.

Serving the Cheese Fries

Outback Cheese Fries are often served with a side of ranch dressing for dipping. This creamy dressing complements the savoury bacon and cheese, making these cheese fries a decadent and indulgent treat. The bacon is a key component of this dish, adding a salty, crispy texture that takes the cheese fries to the next level.

The fries are baked in the oven

Outback Cheese Fries

Ingredients:

• 2 medium russet potatoes
• 6 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 slice of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Ranch dressing (optional)

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
• Cut the potatoes into french fry slices using a vegetable slicer or mandolin. Try to keep the thickness consistent so that the fries cook evenly.
• Submerge the potato slices in a large bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, ensuring crispier fries.
• Combine the garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, and thyme in a small bowl and set aside.
• Remove the potato slices from the water and blot them dry with a clean towel.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer to 375°F. Fry the potato slices in batches for 8-12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Drain the excess oil by placing the fries on a rack or paper towels.
• Sprinkle the fries with the seasoning mixture.
• Arrange the seasoned fries on an oven-safe plate or baking dish.
• Mix the shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses together and sprinkle the blend over the fries.
• Crumble the bacon and sprinkle it over the cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
• Serve immediately with ranch dressing on the side, if desired.

Tips for Baking Fries:

• Soaking the cut potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes before baking can help create crispier fries. This step disrupts the starch molecules and washes away excess starch from the surface of the potatoes.
• For even cooking, arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet, leaving space between each fry. Use multiple baking sheets if needed.
• Baking times may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your fries. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking or burning.
• For extra crispness, some recipes suggest covering the baking sheet with foil for the first 5 minutes of baking, then removing the foil and continuing to bake until the fries are golden and crispy.

Ranch dressing is served on the side

Outback Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing on the Side

Outback Steakhouse is an Australian-themed restaurant chain that began in the United States. One of its most popular appetizers is the Aussie Cheese Fries, which are French fries loaded with cheese and bacon. This dish is inspired by the Australian Outback, but it is not actually an Australian dish.

The key to making delicious Outback Cheese Fries at home is to use the right type of French fries, cheese, and bacon. For the French fries, it is recommended to use Ore Ida "Simply" Olive Oil-Sea Salt Country Style Fries. These fries have the perfect thickness and texture for this recipe. You can also cut your own fries using Russet potatoes.

For the cheese, a combination of shredded Colby Jack cheese and shredded Cheddar cheese is ideal. You can also add some crumbled bacon to the mix for an extra savory touch. The bacon should be cooked until crispy and then chopped into small pieces.

To prepare the Aussie Cheese Fries, start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the French fries according to the package directions until they are crispy. Remove them from the oven and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pile the fries into the center of the pan and top them with the shredded cheese and bacon.

Put the pan back into the oven for another 3 to 5 minutes, just until the cheese is melted. Remove the pan from the oven and top the fries with green onions or chives for a pop of color and extra flavor. Serve the Aussie Cheese Fries immediately with a side of ranch dressing.

The ranch dressing is what takes these cheese fries to the next level. You can use a store-bought ranch dressing or make your own by combining mayonnaise, buttermilk, sour cream, and various spices. If you want to get creative, you can even add some jalapenos to your ranch dressing for a spicy kick.

Whether you're serving them as a side dish, appetizer, or snack, Outback Cheese Fries are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The combination of crispy French fries, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing is irresistible. So, go ahead and give this recipe a try! Your family and friends will thank you.

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