Easy Loaded French Fries: Cheese, Bacon, and All the Fixins!

This indulgent comfort food is perfect for game days, casual gatherings, or those days when you need a little cheesy therapy. Trust me, I’ve been known to whip up a batch ‘for a party snack’ only to find myself standing over the plate, devouring them.

These cheesy bacon fries also make a great after-school snack or a fun, no-judgment dinner when you just can’t face another night of ‘real cooking.’

Why I love this recipe (and you will, too!)

• Simple ingredients: You likely already have most of these pantry and fridge staples in your kitchen.
• Quick preparation: These cheese fries are ready in just over 30 minutes and are ideal for weeknight indulgence.
• Customizable: You can customize these loaded French fries with your favorite toppings to suit your family’s taste.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

To make these loaded french fries, you need only a bag of frozen waffle fries and a few other simple pantry ingredients.

• French fries: Frozen waffle or crinkle-cut fries are my go-to as they are sturdy and hold the toppings well. Waffle fries are perfect because they act like scoopable chips, I would avoid skinny fries.
• Cheddar cheese: I admit I use pre-shredded cheese as much as possible to save time, but in this recipe, I recommend freshly shredded cheese because it melts better than pre-packaged varieties.
• Bacon: Making fresh bacon is best, but you, and you know who you are, can use pre-cooked real bacon bits, and I won’t tell.
• Green onions: Add a fresh, zesty bite, or you can substitute fresh chives. If you have picky eaters at your house, leave them off.
• Sour cream and jalapeños: These toppings are optional, but they make the fries even more delicious!

A complete list of ingredients and specific amounts are listed in the recipe card below.

How to make this Loaded French Fries recipe

1. Bake the fries according to the instructions on their package, flipping halfway through for even crispness. Remove them from the oven and set your oven to broil.

2. While your fries are baking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat to make the cheese sauce. Stir in the flour to form a thick paste.

3. Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and there are no lumps. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and smooth—season with salt and black pepper.

4. Layer half the baked fries on a parchment-lined oven-proof baking dish or rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with half the cheese sauce and sprinkle evenly with half the crumbled bacon and green onions. Add the remaining fries and repeat the layering process.

5. Place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning, until the toppings are bubbly and golden.

6. Garnish with sour cream and sliced jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately while it’s still hot.

Serving and menu suggestions

These loaded fries make a fantastic side dish. Pair them with my pimento cheese burgers, shrimp burgers, smoked burgers, or fried chicken burgers, and coleslaw for a casual meal.

Or, for a fun party spread, serve them as an appetizer alongside finger foods such as hot honey chicken wings or lemon pepper chicken wings, and bacon and cream cheese dip.

Recipe variations

• Add a layer of browned ground beef or sausage to make them more filling.
• Replace the bacon with black beans, diced tomatoes, and avocado for a vegetarian version.
• Drizzle with sriracha, buffalo sauce or sprinkle with red pepper flakes for added heat.

French fry toppings: nachos’ crispy cousin

If nachos and French fries had a delicious love child, this would be it. Think of these loaded fries as nachos, such as my macho nachos or ground beef nachos, but with french fries with cheese instead of chips as the base. The possibilities for toppings are just as endless and just as fun to customize.

Here are some topping ideas to get you started:

• Ground beef, pulled pork, shredded chicken, or chili; think chili fries.
• Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack, pepper jack, a sprinkle of feta or blue cheese crumbles, or even queso.
• Diced tomatoes, salsa verde, salsa, pico de gallo, chopped avocado, guacamole, or roasted corn.
• Sriracha, ranch, barbecue sauce, or chipotle mayo.
• Pickled red onions, crispy fried onions, or cilantro.

How to store and reheat leftovers

While best enjoyed immediately after removing from the oven, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To reheat, spread the fries on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) until heated through, about 10 minutes.

While you can store and reheat leftovers, I’ll be honest—this is one of those recipes that’s best enjoyed fresh and piping hot. The crispy fries and gooey cheese sauce are at their peak right out of the oven, and reheating won’t quite do them justice.

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