Wendy’s Chili Cheese Fries ain’t got nothing on our Loaded Chili Cheese Fries recipe! Crispy French fries are topped with homemade or canned chili, cheese and your favorite french fry toppings. 

The chili recipe we use is the same one featured in our Chili Cheese Dip recipe. Of course, you can always use your favorite homemade chili recipe or even our popular Smoked Chili recipe.

More Game Day Appetizers: Carne Asada Fries, Carne Asada Nachos, Smoked Cream Cheese and Refried Bean Dip.

Potato wedges topped with stew.

Chili Fries

The recipe for chili fries takes about 50 minutes to make when using our homemade chili recipe or 20 minutes when using canned chili.

The homemade chili recipe itself is quick to prepare, full of flavor and has the perfect consistency (THICK)! Thinner chili does not work when used as a topping. Take note.

To make, you’ll need a few basic chili ingredients and a pound of ground beef. See the recipe card below for the full list of chili ingredients. 

Canned Chili

If going with canned chili, only 3 ingredients are required to make + any toppings you prefer:

  • Canned Chili
  • French Fries (Frozen or Fresh)
  • Fresh Cheese

Sheet of frozen french fries along with a bowl of chili and cheese.

Cheese For Fries

French fries with cheese are a pretty flexible bunch. You can pretty much use any cheese in your refrigerator, as long as it melts well. Here are a few ideas:

  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Monterey Jack
  • Pepper Jack
  • Colby Cheese
  • Mozzarella Cheese
  • American Cheese
  • Provolone
  • Oaxaca

Cheese Sauce For Fries

To make fully ultra loaded cheese fries, why not add cheese sauce ON TOP of the melted cheese? Any of these queso recipes would be killer:

The below pictured cheese dip would be AMAZING on french fries. It’s like chili and cheese on top of chili and cheese on top of fries.

Chili Cheese dip in a cast iron skillet with chips.

Type of Fries

We usually stick with using Air Fried Frozen French Fries as they have a golden brown exterior and a soft interior.

Here are other options to consider if you’re looking to mix it up or already have some on hand:

  • Homemade French Fries
  • Crinkle Cut Fries
  • Steak Fries
  • Curly Fries
  • Waffle Fries (Make Loaded Waffle Fries!)
  • Air Fryer Tater Tots
  • Sweet Potato Fries
  • Seasoned Fries

Frozen uncooked french fries on an air fryer tray.

Loaded Chili Cheese Fries

Any toppings that belong on a bowl of chili, belongs on loaded french fries. No rules, baby! Here are a few of our favorite chili toppings to consider:

How To Make

This recipe is any easy recipe to tackle, especially if using canned chili. Reference the recipe card below for full instructions. Here’s a quick overview with pics to see how we roll:

Overhead shot of basic chili in a silver soup pot.

Prepare the Chili

Either whip up a batch of homemade chili or heat up canned chili. No matter which route you take, make sure you select a “thick” chili or else your french fries will become water logged from the excess moisture.

Potato wedges with a bowl of chili on the side.

Build the Fries

Bake the french fries according to the directions on the back of the package. Add the first layer of cheese and bake for 1-2 minutes. Add the chili and a second layer of cheese and bake for 1-2 minutes. 

Keep your eyes on the oven as cheese can burn quickly. Ain’t nobody want burnt fries or hard cheese!

Chili on top of french fries.

Add the Toppings

Top the fries with your favorite chili toppings and get to grubbing! It’s best to serve this dish immediately to keep the best taste and texture. As it sits the fries will become soggy and cold.

No Beans or Beans?

We have to address one of the most fierce debates in cooking: should chili have beans or stay bean-less? Both versions are delicious, so do what you love.

If you’re “pro bean”, just throw in a can of drained kidney beans if making chili from scratch or grab canned chili with beans.

Expert Tips

  • As the ground beef will be drained, you can utilize any % of fat. It won’t matter to the final product.
  • Don’t care for ground beef? Sub in ground turkey or even chicken.
  • You must shred the cheese! Do not buy pre-shredded cheese as it’s coated in cellulose, which prevents it from melting. Break out your cheese grater and get to shredding.
  • Get a nice mix of cheese going to amp up the flavor. We love going with a 75% cheddar/ 25% pepper jack mix.
  • Make the chili up to 3 days in advance to cut down on prep time, if serving at a party.

Fork digging into a tray of chili cheese fries.

Can I Make This Recipe In Advance?

The chili, yes. The fries themselves, nope. This cheesy fries recipe is best straight from the oven. Even 10 minutes sitting on the stove will mean cold and/or soggy fries, cold chili and semi-hard cheese. 

Side Dish Ideas

This is a meal in itself…no side dishes are necessary if you do it right! If you’re serving it as a shared appetizer, and need some ideas to serve it with, we recommend: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Chicken Wings, or Nachos.

Drink Pairings

An ice cold beer, cider, MicheladaMargarita, or Mexican Mule would pair extremely well.

Fork digging into a tray of chili cheese fries.

Chili Cheese Fries

Loaded Chili Cheese Fries! Crispy French fries are topped with homemade or canned chili, cheese and your favorite french fry toppings. 

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Game Day Appetizer, Queso Recipes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 458kcal

Author: Darcey Olson

USING CANNED CHILI

  • Cook the french fries according to the directions on the back of the bag.

  • While the fries are baking, make the chili: Add the chili to a medium saucepan and heat over medium until hot throughout.

  • Once cooked, remove the fries from the oven and turn the oven to “broil.” Immediately top with half the cheese and place back in the oven for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven.

  • Evenly divide the chili over the top followed by the rest of the cheese. Place back in the oven for 1-2 minutest until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and turn it off.

  • Add your favorite toppings and serve immediately for best taste and texture.

USING HOMEMADE CHILI

  • Pre-heat a medium skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat.

  • Add the ground beef and cook until browned (approx. 8-10 minutes), using a wooden spoon to break into small crumbles as it cooks.

  • Push the ground beef to one side of the pan and add the onions to the other. Cook until the onions are softened 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic to the onions and cook about 30 seconds, until fragrant.

  • Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika and salt and cook for 1 minute.

  • Stir in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste and Worcestershire Sauce. Let simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened (approx. 15 minutes).

  • When the chili is simmering, cook the french fries according to the directions on the back of the bag.

  • Once cooked, remove the fries from the oven and turn the oven to “broil.” Immediately top with half the cheese and place back in the oven for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven.

  • Evenly divide the chili over the top followed by the rest of the cheese. Place back in the oven for 1-2 minutest until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and turn it off.

  • Add your favorite toppings and serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Note 1 – You must shred the cheese! Do not buy pre-shredded cheese as it’s coated in cellulose, which prevents it from melting. Break out your cheese grater and get to shredding.
Nutritional information is just an estimate and is calculated using our homemade chili and no extra toppings. 

Calories: 458kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 922mg | Potassium: 580mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 979IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 451mg | Iron: 3mg

Darcey Olson

Source link

You May Also Like

What Exactly is Jam?

Curious about what exactly is jam and how it differs from jelly,…

Pinoy Buger Steak With Gravy

If, like me, and most other Filipinos, you enjoy eating tender, juicy…

Southwest Seasoning – The Recipe Critic

This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can…

After Days of Testing and Countless Smoothies, 5 Blenders Outperformed the Competition

Straight to the Point For 10 years and running, the Vitamix 5200…