Chili Cheese Fries (Print Version)

Crispy fries smothered in savory beef chili and melty cheddar, creating the ultimate loaded snack for sharing.

# What You Need:

→ Chili Base

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 9 oz ground beef
05 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
10 - 14 oz canned chopped tomatoes
11 - 7 oz canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Fries

13 - 1.3 lbs frozen French fries
14 - Vegetable oil, for frying or baking

→ Toppings

15 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
16 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
17 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
18 - Sour cream, for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
02 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add chopped tomatoes and kidney beans. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
05 - While the chili simmers, cook the French fries according to package instructions (bake or fry until golden and crisp).
06 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
07 - Arrange cooked fries on a large ovenproof platter or baking sheet. Spoon hot chili evenly over the fries, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
08 - Bake for 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven and garnish with spring onions and fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve hot, with sour cream on the side if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The homemade chili simmers into something rich and deeply flavored, far beyond anything from a can
  • Everything comes together in one pan, making cleanup almost as satisfying as the eating
02 -
  • Drain excess fat from the beef before adding spices to keep the chili from becoming greasy
  • Let the chili thicken properly so it clings to fries instead of pooling at the bottom
03 -
  • Make the chili a day ahead so flavors deepen and meld
  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer chili onto fries, leaving excess liquid behind
Go Back