Chili cheese fries can go wrong fast, soggy fries, bland chili, or cheese that doesn’t melt right. Not here. That’s not my style. My chili is thick, bold, and sticks to the fries instead of drowning them, and the seasoning makes every bite pop. If you’re going to make chili cheese fries, they should taste like the kind you’d fight over at a diner table, and that’s exactly what this recipe delivers.
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If you've ever enjoyed the chili cheese fries from places like Sonic, Freddy's, the movie theater, local bars.....then you know it's one fabulous combination.
Until now it never dawned on me that this is an excellent way to use up leftover chili. I still love to freeze chili for easy meal prep meals, but this is a fun way to use it up and it's filling!
Chili Cheese Fries Ingredients
- Russet Potatoes: You can skip making homemade fries and use store-bought fries if you wish. In general, I recommend thicker cut fries. Those will hold the chili much better than thin shoe-string potato fries. If that matters to you, use something like steak fries.
- Olive Oil
- Cheddar Cheese: You can use any cheese you like. The best part of making this homemade is you can avoid a fake cheese sauce! Many of the restaurant versions are made with cheese that comes from a can.
- I like to use cheddar cheese. I buy the cheese in block form and grate myself. Trust me, it makes a difference.
- Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, Cumin, Oregano
- Ground Beef or Turkey
- Onions
- Bell Peppers
- Garlic
- Broth
- Chili Beans
- Diced Tomatoes
- Tomato Sauce
Tips for Making Homemade French Fries
If you are making your own fries, slice the potato into slices about ½ an inch thick. If you have a mandolin that allows you to control the size, that will work great! You want nice, even slices.
If you slice the potatoes unevenly, the fries won't cook at a consistent temperature. The smaller, thinner fries will cook first which may result in some burnt fries.
If you are slicing by hand you will likely end up with some uneven slices. It happens to me every time! Try to separate the smaller slices into a separate batch. Cook them separate from the others. This will help ensure consistency.
How to Make the Fries
When you’re making fries from scratch, aim for even slices—about ½ inch thick. From there, season them how you like. I go for smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt for a little kick, but you can play around with your favorite spices. And whether you bake or air fry, both methods give you crispy fries without all the oil. Personally, I love my air fryer French fries recipe, less mess, less grease, and you still get fries that taste like the real deal.
How to Make Chili Cheese Fries
Full detailed instructions and ingredients are listed below in the recipe card.
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- Cook your fries (air fry, bake, or pan fry)
- Heat a Dutch oven or soup pot on medium-high heat and add the olive oil, onions, green peppers, and red peppers. Saute for 3-4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Add in garlic and ground beef. Break down the ground beef.
- Add in beef broth, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and all of the spices. Stir.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer.
- Preheat the oven to Low Broil.
- Spread the fries out on your serving dish.
- Load the fries with chili. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Chili Cheese Fries Variations
- Tex-Mex Style – Add jalapeños, pico de gallo, guacamole, and a drizzle of crema for extra flair.
- BBQ Chili – Mix barbecue sauce into the chili and top with smoked gouda or cheddar for a smoky kick.
- Buffalo Chili – Drizzle buffalo sauce over the top and sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles.
- Loaded Supreme – Pile on everything: chili, cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes, olives, and green onions.
- Breakfast Chili – Top with a fried egg or scrambled eggs and maybe even a little bacon or turkey sausage.
- Sweet Potato– Swap regular fries for sweet potato fries for a sweet and savory combo.
- Spicy Kick – Add chipotle peppers or hot sauce to the chili, then top with pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
Chili Cheese Fries Recipe
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Ingredients
Beef Chili
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- ⅓ cup chopped red pepper
- ⅓ cup chopped green peppers
- 3 garlic cloves Minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 16 oz cans kidney beans rinsed Rinsed
- 16 oz can petite diced tomatoes Drained
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
Chili Seasoning and Spices
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ tablespoon red cayenne pepper Optional for Spicy
- salt and pepper to taste
Fries
- 2 pounds russet potatoes
- cooking oil spray I use olive oil.
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
French Fries
- Slice the potatoes into fries about ¼th to ½ of an inch thick. The size is important because smaller thinner fries will break when you try lift them from under the chili. Or you can eat the dish using a fork and it doesn't matter.
- Rinse the sliced potatoes and place them in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes. An hour or longer is optimal. This will remove excess starch from the potatoes and will help them crisp up while they cook.
- Rinse the potatoes and pat dry. Drizzle or spritz the potatoes with olive oil and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Air Fryer Fries
- Add the fries to the air fryer basket. Air fry on 380 degrees for 10 minutes.
- Open the basket and flip the fries. Air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes or until crisp.
Baked Fries
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and add the fries. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Increase the temperature on the oven to 425 degrees. Cook for an additional 20-25 minutes or until crisp.
Chili
- Heat a Dutch oven or soup pot on medium-high heat and add the olive oil, onions, green peppers, and red peppers. Saute for 3-4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Add in the garlic and ground beef. Break down the ground beef. I like to use this meat chopper. Add in half of the homemade chili seasoning. Cook for 6-7 minutes until the ground beef is cooked through. (If your beef needs to be drained of fat, do so here)
- Add in the beef broth, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and the remaining homemade chili seasoning. Stir.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes.
Chili Fries
- Preheat the oven to Low Broil. If you don't have the option to Low Broil you can use 450 degrees.
- Spread the fries out on your serving dish.
- Load the fries with chili. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Goeey cheese will take about 2-3 minutes. Fully melted cheese will take 4-5 minutes.
Video
Notes
- This recipe makes 6-8 servings and cups of chili. My favorite way to enjoy this dish is to make a batch of chili and use the leftover chili for these fries.
- Another way to enjoy this is to make more fries that will go with the leftover chili that isn't used.
- You can use frozen fries if you wish. Follow the instructions on the package to cook them.
- If you load the chili onto your fries that fries underneath will become soggy. The best way to avoid soggy fries is to keep the chili separate from the fries. You can warm the chili and cheese separately and eat the chili cheese fries with fork and dip it into the chili.
- If you don't want to make homemade chili seasoning, you can use a store-bought chili packet.
- If you are making your own fries ensure you have even potato slices. If you slice the potatoes unevenly, the fries won’t cook at a consistent temperature. The smaller, thinner fries will cook first which may result in some burnt fries.
-
If you are slicing by hand you will likely end up with some uneven slices. It happens to me every time! Try to separate the smaller slices into a separate batch. Cook them separate from the others. This will help ensure consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips
Bake, air fry, or deep fry the fries until they’re extra golden and crunchy. Don’t pull them out too early, crispy fries are the foundation. Drain your chili. If your chili is watery, the fries don’t stand a chance. Let it simmer until it’s nice and thick, almost scoopable. You want hearty, not soupy.
Chili cheese fries aren’t a “let it sit” dish. Assemble right before serving and dig in while everything’s hot and crisp.
This dish is best consumed same day. You can store leftover chili in the fridge (tightly sealed) for 3-4 days. Store leftover chili separate from fries.
The best way to reheat both the fries and chili together is in the oven or air fryer. You can use 350 degrees for both methods and heat until warm.
You can also make a new batch of fries and serve the chili warm (using the microwave or stove to heat it up).
If you're making homemade fries you will need to budget time to soak the potatoes. This is important if you want crispy fries. Soaking the potatoes in water will remove excess starch. Allow at least 30 minutes, 60 minutes is optimal.
If you have ever made my Southern Soul Food Mac and Cheese you have heard me discuss the difference in pre-shredded cheese that comes in a bag and cheese that you have to grate.
Pre-shredded cheese is coated with potato starch and chemical preservatives to keep it "fresh" longer. The potato starch adds a waxy coating to the cheese, so it won't melt as well. And you don't really need the chemical preservatives.
More Chili Recipes
Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Pumpkin Chicken Chili
Sweet Potato Chili
Leftover Turkey Chili
Creamy Seafood Chili
Buffalo Chicken Chili
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chili Mac
Check out our full listing of Chili Recipes here.
More Appetizers and Recipes
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
Ashley says
Delicious and easy! The whole fam loved it for a weekend movie night. I used frozen fries I had on hand, and look forward to making my own next time. Thanks for this recipe!
staysnatched says
Such an easy recipe for sure!
Coby says
We had these for dinner tonight and they were sooooo good! I used your air fryer French fries, and used ground turkey in the chili to cut the fat a bit more. I love how you take indulgent foods that I generally avoid and make them healthier. Thanks for another great recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I"m glad you enjoyed these.
Sabrina Boucher says
So happy that you dropped this recipe! Chili cheese fries are a bar app favorite of mine. I thought this recipe was perfect, the fries came out great and it's really easy.
staysnatched says
Awesome! I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Kia says
The Easy chili cheese fries was such a fun recipe and my whole family enjoyed it, even my picky eaters. I also appreciate the videos!
staysnatched says
I'm glad it could satisfy a picky eater!
Kathryn says
Amazing!! This was plate-licking good. I used the air fryer for the fries and the instructions were perfect. The seasonings in the chili were amazing and the thickness was just right for the fries. This dinner was such a treat.
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad to hear it.
TCollins says
I had a lot of russet potatoes and didn’t want loaded baked potatoes, came right on over to Brandi’s site and found this. Easy, delicious, flavorful and will be making it again. Love how I had everything I needed right in my kitchen. These are the type of recipes I enjoy.
staysnatched says
Totally the best type of recipes!
Jill says
Not sure why I have never made Chili Cheese Fries before. I used to order them at places as a kid. I loved that I really only had to cook once and got 2 different meals! Also, freshly shredded cheese makes all the difference!
staysnatched says
Yes! Fresh cheese really makes a difference.
Marcellatp says
Needed a quick dinner last night and this chili was perfect. Came together easily and tasted great. We had it over baked potatoes, but definitely going to try the French fry version with the leftovers!
staysnatched says
Perfect for quick dinners!
Erica Martinez says
Great recipe! Perfect easy and healthy weeknight dinner. I had Everything I needed In my pantry.
staysnatched says
Perfect when you have everything on hand!