Description

A quick, indulgent party snack featuring crispy baked fries topped with homemade cheddar cheese sauce, crumbled bacon, and fresh garnishes. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for game days, movie nights, or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds (900g) frozen thick-cut or steak fries
8–10 slices (200g) thick-cut bacon
2 cups (200g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups (360ml) whole milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (e.g., Cholula or Frank’s RedHot)
Salt and black pepper to taste
2–3 green onions, sliced
Jalapeños, sliced or diced (optional)
Sour cream for drizzling
Chili powder for dusting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Lay bacon strips in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until crispy but not burnt.
Remove bacon, let cool on a paper towel for 2 minutes, then crumble into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
While bacon cooks, bake frozen fries according to package directions (usually 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway) until crispy and golden. Keep hot in oven at 200°F if not serving immediately.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until nutty and slightly golden.
Gradually pour in milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted before adding more. Remove from heat once smooth.
Spread hot fries on prepared baking sheets. Drizzle cheese sauce evenly over fries.
Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the top.
Return to oven at 400°F for 3-5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Remove from oven and immediately garnish with green onions, jalapeños, chili powder, and a drizzle of sour cream. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use thick-cut frozen fries to prevent sogginess. Shred your own cheese to ensure smooth melting. Keep the cheese sauce warm on low heat while assembling. For leftovers, reheat in an air fryer or oven at 375°F to restore crispiness; avoid microwaving as it makes fries soggy. Do not freeze assembled fries.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 1/6 of
Calories: 580
Sugar: 2
Sodium: 620
Fat: 35
Saturated Fat: 15
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 3
Protein: 22

Keywords: loaded fries, nacho cheese fries, bacon fries, party snack, easy dinner, comfort food, cheese sauce, game day food