Dinners · 3 min read
Cheddars Texas Cheese Fries (Copycat)
Make Cheddar's Texas Cheese Fries at home. Crispy fries topped with melted Cheddar Jack cheese, crunchy bacon, and ranch for dipping.
★ 5.0 (2)
At Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, the Texas Cheese Fries are one of the most requested appetizers, and it's easy to see why. Crispy fries get piled with melted Cheddar Jack and crunchy bacon, then served with a bowl of cool ranch for dipping. This copycat recipe brings that same plate home with just a handful of ingredients and a short bake in the oven. It's the kind of easy appetizer that disappears fast at game day gatherings, tailgates, or any casual movie night.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cheese Fries Recipe
- Only five ingredients: frozen fries, bacon, Cheddar Jack, ranch, and oil. No complicated steps or hard-to-find items.
- The cheese melts and browns in just 7 to 8 minutes in the oven, so the fries stay crisp and the topping gets bubbly.
- You can have this appetizer on the table in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Key Ingredients for Homemade Texas Cheese Fries
- Cheddar Jack blend: This mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack melts smoothly and gives both tang and creaminess. You can use all cheddar or all Monterey Jack if you prefer, but the blend gives the classic flavor.
- Bacon: Thin-sliced bacon crisps up faster and distributes evenly. Look for bacon with a good smoke flavor, and cook it until deeply browned for the most crunch.
- Ranch dressing: The cool, tangy ranch balances the salty cheese and bacon. Use your favorite bottled ranch or homemade; just make sure it's thick enough to dip.
Kitchen Tools for Making Cheese Fries
- Deep saucepan or small deep fryer for frying the fries (needs to hold 3 inches of oil)
- Wire cooling rack for draining the fries
- Ovenproof platter or baking dish large enough to hold the fries in a single layer
- Skillet for cooking the bacon
Tips for Making the Best Cheddars Texas Cheese Fries
- If you'd rather not deep-fry, use an air fryer for the fries. Cook them until crisp, then follow the same topping and baking steps.
- Drain the fried fries on a wire cooling rack instead of paper towels. This keeps them from steaming and getting soggy before the cheese goes on.
- When you spread the fries on the ovenproof dish, press them into an even layer and leave a clear well in the middle. That well is where the ranch bowl sits, so make it big enough to hold your dipping bowl.
Loaded Cheese Fries Variations to Try
- Swap the ranch for blue cheese dressing or a spicy chipotle ranch.
- Add sliced jalapeños or green onions on top before baking for extra heat and freshness.
- Use sweet potato fries instead of regular fries for a different texture.
- Make it a meal by adding shredded chicken or ground beef under the cheese.
What to Serve with Cheddars Texas Cheese Fries
- Top with extra crumbled bacon or a sprinkle of chopped green onions before serving.
- Add pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Serve alongside a crisp green salad or a bowl of chili for a heartier meal.
How to Store Leftover Cheese Fries
Leftover cheese fries keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Place them in an airtight container. The fries will soften, but you can reheat them to crisp up again.
Best Ways to Reheat Bacon Cheese Fries
To reheat, spread the fries on a baking sheet and warm them in a 400°F oven for about 5 minutes. This helps the cheese melt again and the fries crisp up. Avoid the microwave, which will make them soggy.
Source recipe: Cheddars Texas Cheese Fries (Copycat) (SnapChef ID 8ef9e4a1-8cb9-4a09-9f80-90864dd7c506). Nutrition is estimated per serving.
Ingredients
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Pour vegetable oil into a deep saucepan until it is 3 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
- Cook the fries in the oil according to the package directions until they are golden and crisp. Drain fries on a wire cooling rack. If you are using a small deep fryer, fry them in small batches.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Spread out the cooked French fries on an ovenproof dish. Be sure to leave a well in the middle that's the size of the small bowl you'll have ranch dressing in when you serve the fries.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese and bacon pieces over the fries.
- Bake for 7 to 8 minutes or until the cheese melts and begins to brown.
- Place a small bowl of Ranch dressing in the middle of the fries. Serve immediately.
Tap a step number to check it off as you cook.
Nutrition Facts per serving · estimated
Amount per serving
% Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet (FDA).
Good to know
Questions, answered
Can I use a different type of potato for these fries?
Yes, you can use sweet potato fries or curly fries. Just follow the package directions for frying, then top and bake as directed.
How do I keep the cheese from burning before it melts?
Bake at 425°F for 7 to 8 minutes, watching closely. The cheese should melt and start to brown, not burn. If your oven runs hot, check at the 6-minute mark.
Can I make this without bacon?
Yes, you can omit the bacon or use turkey bacon. The fries will still be cheesy and tasty, just with less smoky flavor.
What's the best ranch dressing to use?
Any thick ranch works. Homemade or bottled, just make sure it's not too thin. A thicker ranch holds up better for dipping.
