Description
These Cheesy Loaded Fries combine crispy baked russet potatoes with a rich homemade cheese sauce, melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, crispy bacon, sour cream, and fresh green onions for the ultimate indulgent snack or side dish. Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, these fries are topped with a creamy cheese sauce and savory toppings, making them irresistible and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Fries
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch thick fries
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Soak the Fries: Place the cut fries in a large bowl filled with cold water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This step removes excess starch and helps achieve a crispier texture when baked.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the fries.
- Dry the Fries: Drain the fries from the water and pat them completely dry using paper towels to ensure they bake crispy and not soggy.
- Season the Fries: In a large bowl, toss the dried fries with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to coat evenly with the seasoning.
- Bake the Fries: Spread the seasoned fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet, avoiding overcrowding. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the fries and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Test doneness by piercing a fry with a fork—it should be tender inside and crispy outside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth, then bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Finish the Cheese Sauce: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble the Loaded Fries: Once fries are baked, remove from oven and immediately pour the cheese sauce over them. Sprinkle the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses on top.
- Melt the Cheese Toppings: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 2-3 minutes, or broil for 1-2 minutes watching carefully, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add Toppings: Remove the loaded fries from the oven and top with crumbled bacon, sour cream, and chopped green onions.
- Serve: Serve immediately while hot, cheesy, and gooey for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Soaking the fries is essential for crispiness; do not skip this step.
- Ensure fries are dried thoroughly before baking to avoid sogginess.
- Keep an eye on the fries when broiling to prevent burning the cheese.
- You can substitute other cheeses like mozzarella or pepper jack for variation.
- For a spicier version, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mix.
