Bushra Griffith
Cheesy chips, also known as cheese fries, are a British pub classic and a crowd-pleaser. The best cheese for cheesy chips is a matter of personal preference, but popular options include cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and blue cheese. Some recipes call for a cheese sauce, made using a roux or cornflour, while others simply involve sprinkling grated cheese over hot chips. Loaded cheesy chips can also be made by adding toppings such as bacon bits, jalapeños, sour cream, or herbs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Mozzarella, Cheddar, Monterrey Jack, Blue Cheese, Brie, Parmesan |
| Cheese state | Grated, melted |
| Toppings | Bacon bits, jalapenos, sour cream, herbs, chives, spring onions, sea salt, black pepper |
| Chip type | Straight cut, curly fries, wedges, frozen, homemade |
| Sauce | Cheese sauce, cornflour/cornstarch, milk, butter, flour, seasoning |
| Cooking method | Air fryer, oven, deep fryer |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella and cheddar are the best cheeses for the perfect cheese pull
Cheesy chips are a British classic, and while there are many ways to make them, the most important ingredient is always the cheese. The best cheese for cheesy chips should melt well and provide a good cheese pull. Mozzarella and cheddar are the best choices for achieving the perfect cheese pull.
Mozzarella is known for its stretchy, melty texture, making it ideal for creating long, gooey strands when pulled. Its mild flavour also allows other ingredients to shine, such as the crispy potatoes and various toppings. However, it's important to use pre-grated mozzarella for cheesy chips as it has a drier texture due to the potato starch coating. This helps prevent the chips from becoming soggy.
Cheddar, on the other hand, adds a burst of flavour to the dish. Its sharp, tangy taste pairs perfectly with the potatoes and enhances the overall flavour profile. Cheddar comes in various strengths, from mild to extra mature, allowing you to customise the intensity of your cheesy chips. It's recommended to buy a block of cheddar and grate it yourself for the best results, but pre-grated cheddar is also an option.
Combining mozzarella and cheddar creates the perfect balance of flavour and texture. The mozzarella provides the desired stretch and cheese pull, while the cheddar contributes a robust flavour. This combination is commonly used in takeaways, and you can easily recreate it at home.
When making cheesy chips, you can use frozen chips or make your own. Air fryers are a popular choice for cooking the chips to a crispy perfection, but ovens and deep fryers are also viable options. Just remember to cook the chips thoroughly before adding the cheese to avoid sogginess.
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Make a cheese sauce with cornflour for a silky smooth texture
Cheesy chips are a British takeaway classic. While some recipes call for grated cheese on top of the chips, others prefer to cover them in a cheese sauce. Here is a simple recipe for a cheese sauce with cornflour for a silky smooth texture.
To make a cheese sauce with cornflour, you will need cornflour, milk, and grated cheese. Cornflour, also known as cornstarch, is a gluten-free thickening agent that is perfect for creating a smooth and glossy sauce. It is important to remember to always add cornflour to a cold liquid when making a sauce. For this recipe, start by adding cornflour to cold milk and stirring to make a smooth paste. You can use any type of milk you prefer, such as skimmed, whole, or a dairy-free alternative.
Next, pour the mixture into a saucepan and place it over medium heat. Stir constantly as you bring it to a boil. As the mixture thickens, add in your choice of grated cheese. A strong-tasting cheese like mature cheddar or parmesan is ideal, but you can also use a milder cheddar or a vegan cheese option. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and your sauce is ready!
This cheese sauce with cornflour is a quick and easy way to make a silky smooth sauce with a glossy texture. It is a healthier option compared to traditional béchamel sauces as it does not require the use of butter, resulting in a lower-fat sauce. You can adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more milk if you prefer it thinner. This sauce is perfect for pouring over crispy oven chips to make indulgent and comforting cheesy chips.
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Use frozen chips for speed and convenience
Frozen chips are a favourite in most British homes, with both children and adults. They are a tasty staple that can elevate any dish and are quicker and easier to make than homemade chips. Frozen chips also offer both convenience and customer satisfaction. They are a great option when you want to save time and effort without compromising on taste and quality.
Frozen chips are pre-fried and then frozen, offering a convenient solution for those who want to enjoy crispy chips without the time-consuming preparation. They are coated with starch, which ensures a consistently crunchy surface and helps to achieve that perfect crispness every time. When using frozen chips, it is important to avoid overcrowding your oven trays or air fryer baskets as this can lead to soggy and unevenly cooked chips.
To make cheesy chips, you can use frozen oven chips and top them with grated cheese. The heat from the chips will melt the cheese, creating that comforting, indulgent dish. For the cheese, a combination of grated mozzarella and cheddar is recommended, as it provides a good balance of flavour and the desired cheese pull.
If you're short on time and want to speed up the cooking process even further, you can microwave the frozen chips before putting them in the oven or air fryer. This will help you achieve crispy, golden brown chips faster. Using an air fryer instead of a traditional oven can also reduce cooking time and energy consumption.
So, if you're looking for a quick and convenient way to make cheesy chips, frozen chips are a great option. Just remember to give them enough space to crisp up and you'll be well on your way to enjoying a delicious, indulgent treat.
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Add toppings like bacon, jalapenos, sour cream or herbs
Cheesy chips are a British classic, and a great comfort food. While cheddar is the most common cheese used for cheesy chips, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Provelone are also good substitutes. Mozzarella is a popular choice, especially in takeaway restaurants that also sell pizza, as it has a stretchy, stringy texture when melted.
To make the perfect cheesy chips, it is essential that the cheese is melted. A cheese sauce can be made by heating milk and grated cheese in a saucepan. Chips covered in a cheese sauce is more common in the US, whereas in the UK, grated cheese is sprinkled on top, and the heat from the chips causes the cheese to melt.
To add toppings like bacon, jalapenos, sour cream, or herbs, follow these simple steps:
- Fry bacon until crispy, and put it aside to crisp up.
- When the chips have 5 minutes of cooking time left, remove them from the oven and top with cheese.
- Return the chips to the oven and cook for the remaining time.
- Scatter the bacon, jalapenos, and herbs such as spring onion, chives, or sesame seeds over the chips.
- Drizzle with a dip such as sour cream, ranch dressing, sriracha mayonnaise, or even leftover chilli.
Garnish with herbs such as coriander or spring onion, and serve hot!
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Blue cheese or brie can be used for a gourmet option
For a gourmet take on the classic comfort food, blue cheese or brie can be used to make a creamy cheese sauce to pour over the chips. These cheeses can be melted into a sauce and poured over the chips, creating an indulgent and luxurious version of the dish.
Blue cheese and brie have strong, distinct flavours that can elevate the dish, making it more sophisticated and complex. The sauce can be made without a roux, using cornflour to thicken it, which is a simple and quick method. This sauce can then be seasoned with spices such as turmeric, smoked paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper.
The sauce should be poured over the chips while both are hot, and the chips should be cooked to be crispy as they will soften slightly when the sauce is added. The cheese sauce can be paired with various toppings such as bacon bits, jalapenos, sour cream, herbs, or even leftover chilli con carne.
Blue cheese or brie sauce can be used as a more indulgent alternative to the more commonly used cheddar or mozzarella, creating a gourmet, restaurant-style version of the classic cheesy chips.
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Frequently asked questions
The best cheese for cheesy chips is a matter of personal preference. Cheddar, mozzarella, Monterrey Jack, and blue cheese are all popular options.
To make cheesy chips in the oven, cook your chips, sprinkle grated cheese over them, and bake until the cheese has melted.
To make a cheese sauce, you can use a simple combination of butter, flour, milk, and grated cheese. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour, and stir. Then, add the milk and whisk until smooth. Finally, turn off the heat and stir in the cheese until melted.
There are many toppings that can enhance the flavour of cheesy chips. Popular options include bacon, chilli, spring onions, chives, and spices such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne.
