Scrumptious Chili Cheese Fries made with a hearty slightly spicy thick beef chili and topped with a lusciously creamy cheddar cheese sauce. They are the perfect appetizer for game days and movie night munchies.
I love to serve these at our gameday shindigs with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, Buffalo Chicken Dip, and Potato Skins. Family and friends just love them and with the ease of an air fryer real crispy French fries are a breeze.
How to make Chili Cheese Fries
Start with a good robust hearty thick bean or no bean, ground beef, turkey, or vegetarian chili so the fries don’t get soggy.. Then decide whether you want some thin crispy fast food fries, tater tots, or homemade steak fries. For this recipe I use frozen thin and crispy fast food fries cooked up perfect in the air fryer. However you could also bake them in the oven.
Now melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium low heat. Whisk in the flour and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes stirring constantly. Then whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika. Next whisk in the milk until it is creamy and smooth. Simmer for a few minutes until thickened. Then reduce the heat and slowly whisk in the cheddar until smooth and melted. Finally layer first the fries, then the chili ending with the creamy cheddar sauce. For best results serve promptly.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- For optimum results use a good thick hearty chili that will help the fries stay crispy longer. For ease make the chili ahead of time.
- Air fryers work great for cooking fries, especially frozen French fries. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook about 10 minutes. If your cheese sauce is not quite ready hold them in the air fryer where they will stay warm. You can always crisp the fries for 1 minute right before assembling.
- This recipe is equally delicious with sweet potato fries and homemade French fries.
- If the cheese sauce thickens too much add a couple tablespoons of milk at a time till desired consistency.
- For optimum flavor purchase good quality sharp or white cheddar. The higher quality the cheese the better the flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave. The fries will no longer be crispy but the dish will still be delicious.
Chili Cheese Fry Toppings
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Sour Cream
- Crispy Cooked Chopped Bacon
- Chopped Green Onions
- Diced tomatoes
- Pepperoncinis
Recipe Variations or substitutions
- Cheese – kick the heat up a few notches by using Pepper Jack Cheese or try white queso in place of the cheddar cheese sauce.
- Chili – for a lighter recipe try turkey chili or vegetarian chili.
- Toppings – try crushed fritos, diced avocado, chopped cilantro or sliced black olives.
More potato recipes you will love!
Chili Cheese Fries
Easy Chili Cheese Fries made with crispy fries, thick hearty chili, and an easy to make creamy sharp cheddar cheese sauce. They are the perfect main dish or party appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: appetizer, main meal
- Method: stovetop/bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 (26 ounce) bag frozen french fries
- 4 cups homemade chili
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare chili using attached recipe, your favorite recipe or even canned chili.
- Cook fries according to package instructions. Or preheat air fryer to 400 degrees and cook about 10-15 minutes or until crispy.
- Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium low heat. Whisk in the flour and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes stirring constantly. Whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika. Next whisk in the milk until it is creamy and smooth. Simmer for a few minutes until thickened. Reduce the heat and slowly stir in the cheddar until smooth and melted.
- Assemble by layering first the fries, then the chili ending with the creamy cheddar sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For best results serve promptly.
Notes
- For optimum results use a good thick hearty chili that will help the fries stay crispy longer.
- Air fryers work great for cooking fries, especially frozen French fries. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook about 10 minutes. If your cheese sauce is not quite ready hold the fries in the air fryer where they will stay warm. If needed crisp for 1 minute right before assembling.
- If the cheese sauce thickens too much add a couple tablespoons of milk at a time till desired consistency.
- For optimum flavor purchase good quality sharp or white cheddar. The higher quality the cheese the better the flavor.
Keywords: how to make chili cheese fries, chili fries, best chili cheese fries
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Fransic verso
Yummy! And what a good way to eat the fries. I think these are the best chili cheese fries I have ever had.
★★★★★
Blair Villanueva
This is a perfect recipe and simple to prepare. We always have extra potatoes at home that we use for snacks so we have make this often. Our family loves this recipe.
★★★★★
MELANIE E
I’ve been meaning to try this but haven’t gotten around to it. I’d rather make my own so must give this recipe a try. Bet it’s full of flavour.
★★★★★
beautydreams
I never attempted to make chili cheese fries at home. I think I might try it out this weekend, this sounds like a great recipe.
Stephanie
Chili cheese fries are one of my favorite appetizers! It’s so great to be able to make them at home like this. I’ll just hold the hot peppers on mine.
★★★★★
Debbie
I can’t wait to try these Chili Cheese Fries. My husband and I always order this as an appetizer out – it’ll be great for a night at home!
★★★★★
Sonia
My daughter loves chips and cheese. I have not tried them as a combo. It looks yummy and easy to make.
Clarice
Wow! This was absolutely delicious. Perfect for movie nights. Thank you for sharing the recipe. We will definitely make this again.
★★★★★
Angelica
I was having a craving for chili cheese fries just yesterday. These would go great with me ribs.
Alita
This recipe is An easy and hearty appetizer option that tastes as if it came from a restaurant! Thank you.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Alita!
Luna S
Great chili fries! The whole crew loved them!
Rosey
Fries are always a hit here. Add these kind of toppings and the family is racing to the table.
Richelle Milar
Oh my that looks absolutely delicious and yummy! This is such a really amazing recipe! My kids would love this so much !
★★★★★
Rose Ann Sales
Wow! This is such a really amazing recipe! It look so good! I would really love to try this!
★★★★★
Ave
What a perfect comfort food idea for these cold winter days. I have to say that I haven’t tried chili cheese fries yet but can’t wait to cook them.
★★★★★
Lynndee
I love a good chili and I love fries, too. I can’t wait to try this. Looks good!
Swathi
Chili cheese fries looks delicious I would love to try with next game.
★★★★★
Marysa
I have never made loaded fries at home. What a fun idea! I think the whole family would enjoy this. So easy to customize it for each person, too.
LaToyia Dean-Dennis
They look so tasty! The fries look really good. I have to try this for my hubby.
Crystal Carder
This recipe is so good! I love these chili cheese fries!
Ashley Thompson
This is one of my favorite take out favorites but I hate to leave the house just for a snack. I can’t wait to try these over our holiday break and enjoy a little more time at home 🙂
Amber Myers
I love these fries. It’s been ages since I’ve had them, so I really should again.
Samantha
My husband loves chili cheese fries! Going to have to make these for him soon!
★★★★★
Sara
This is my kind of comfort food! A great twist to French fries; loved every bite!
★★★★★
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Oh wow, this looks so delicious. My family is going to devour it!
★★★★★
Kristen
I made these fries today and they turned out great! Thank you for the recipe!
Lindsay
Made this last night as a treat for the fam, and everyone loved it! Thanks!
★★★★★
Kristina
We made these and used a spicy white queso on top and for dipping. It was magical.
★★★★★
Amanda
These look so comforting and tasty. Definitely one for when my boys are home – thanks!
★★★★★
Mairead
Thank you for a wonderful recipe which my family just loves. Homemade comfort food like this is the best way to go – so much tastier than restaurant take away fries.
★★★★★
Jac
These were the most perfect fake-away for my kids! They loved them while watching our movie. Thanks!
★★★★★
Nart
These fries are so good. I like to make them on Friday night. They’re gone in no time every time!
★★★★★
katerina
Oh my goodness, these chili cheese fries are incredible!! I can’t wait to try them!
★★★★★
Cathy
This is such a PERFECT way to use leftover chili!
Allyson Zea
Wow this looks like the perfect meal! I can’t wait to try it!
Vikki
So tasty! Definitely making again
★★★★★
Erin
These Scrumptious Chili Cheese Fries are mouth watering!
★★★★★
Amanda
These came out perfect and my family absolutely loved these!
★★★★★