Scrumptious chili cheese fries are made with a hearty, slightly spicy, thick beef chili and topped with a lusciously creamy cheddar cheese sauce. They are the perfect appetizer for game days and movie night munchies.
I love to serve these at our gameday shindigs with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, Buffalo Chicken Dip, and Potato Skins. Family and friends love them, and with the ease of an air fryer, real crispy French fries are a breeze.
This chili cheese fry recipe features crispy frozen fries cooked in an air fryer topped with a tasty, thick homemade chili and creamy cheddar cheese sauce. Pickled jalapenos and crisp bacon make this the ultimate game-day food.
How to make Chili Cheese Fries
This is the nutshell version. See the recipe card below for full list of ingredients and instructions.
Start with a good, robust, hearty, thick bean or no bean, ground beef, turkey, or vegetarian chili so the fries don’t get soggy. For this recipe, I included my homemade chili. Then, decide whether you want thin, crispy fast-food fries, tater tots, or homemade steak fries. I used frozen, thin, and crispy fast food fries cooked perfectly in the air fryer for this recipe. However, you could also bake them in the oven.
Now, melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Then, whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika. Whisk in the milk until it is creamy and smooth. Simmer for a few minutes until thickened. Reduce the heat and slowly whisk in the cheddar until smooth and melted. Finally, layer first the fries, then the chili, ending with the creamy cheddar sauce. For best results, serve promptly.
Recipe Tips
- For ease, make the chili ahead of time.
- Air fryers work great for cooking fries, especially frozen French fries. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for about 10 minutes. If your cheese sauce is not quite ready, hold the fries in the air fryer, where they will stay warm. You can always re-crisp the fries for 1 minute right before assembling.
- This recipe is equally delicious, with sweet potato fries and homemade French fries.
- If the cheese sauce thickens too much, add a couple of tablespoons of milk at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
- For optimum flavor, purchase good quality sharp cheddar or white cheddar. The higher the quality of the cheese, the better the taste.
Chili Cheese Fries Toppings
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Sour Cream
- Crispy Cooked Chopped Bacon
- Chopped Green Onions
- Diced tomatoes
- Pepperoncinis
Recipe Variations
- Cheese – kick the heat up a few notches using Pepper Jack Cheese, or try white queso instead of the cheddar cheese sauce.
- Chili – for a lighter recipe, try turkey chili or vegetarian chili.
- Toppings – try crushed fritos, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or sliced black olives.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave. The fries will no longer be crispy, but the dish will still be delicious.
More Potato Recipes
Chili Cheese Fries
Ingredients
- 1 26 ounce bag frozen french fries
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 15-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes NOT drained
- 1 ¼ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 3-4 tablespoons tomato paste see notes
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 15 ounce can dark red kidney beans drained and rinsed
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a Dutch Oven or large pot over medium heat. When the ground beef is about halfway browned, add the onion and continue cooking over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is soft.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
- Stir in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, brown sugar, and Worcestershire Sauce. Simmer for 30-40 minutes over low heat.
- Add the drained kidney beans and simmer for another 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook fries according to package instructions. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for 10-15 minutes or until crispy.
- Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika. Whisk in the milk until it is creamy and smooth. Simmer for a few minutes until thickened. Reduce the heat and slowly stir in the cheddar until smooth and melted.
- Assemble by layering first the fries, then the chili ending with the creamy cheddar sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For best results, serve promptly.
Notes
- For optimum results use a good thick hearty chili that will help the fries stay crispy longer.
- Air fryers work great for cooking fries, especially frozen French fries. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook about 10 minutes. If your cheese sauce is not quite ready hold the fries in the air fryer where they will stay warm. If needed crisp for 1 minute right before assembling.
- If the cheese sauce thickens too much add a couple tablespoons of milk at a time till desired consistency.
- For optimum flavor purchase good quality sharp or white cheddar. The higher quality the cheese the better the flavor.
Nutrition
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Janey
What a fun meal! Thank you for this recipe – it’s very easy to follow and delicious!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Janey!
Indu
Fried chilies add a distinct aroma and flavor in whatever recipe being used. I like the combo of chili and cheese.
Kay
I love Chili cheese fries, and these were excellent. The creammy cheese sauce was really tasty. I could got for another plate of them, right now.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kay! I could go for a plate too!
Catie
These chili cheese fries are a hit in my household! The combination of savory chili and gooey cheese on crispy fries—it’s irresistible.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catie! I am glad that everyone likes them!
Ben
Aww, yeah. Now these are what I call fries! I love all that chili and cheese. Om nom nom.
Erin
I make these at least once every three weeks. They are incredibly delicious! Always a huge hit on our table!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Erin! I am glad that they are always a hit.
Sandra
The best chili cheese fries. So delicious with grilled burgers. They are a new family favorite.
Amanda
Chili cheese fries will always hold a special place in my heart. Your recipe was amazing!
April
I can’t even tell you how much I love these! They’re so perfect when I’ve had a day and just want to pig out in front of the TV.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, April! I am so glad that you enjoyed the chili cheese fries.
Gina
Totally my weakness – I could eat my weight in chili cheese fries!
Fransic verso
Yummy! And what a good way to eat the fries. I think these are the best chili cheese fries I have ever had.
Blair Villanueva
This is a perfect recipe and simple to prepare. We always have extra potatoes at home that we use for snacks so we have make this often. Our family loves this recipe.
MELANIE E
I’ve been meaning to try this but haven’t gotten around to it. I’d rather make my own so must give this recipe a try. Bet it’s full of flavour.
beautydreams
I never attempted to make chili cheese fries at home. I think I might try it out this weekend, this sounds like a great recipe.
Stephanie
Chili cheese fries are one of my favorite appetizers! It’s so great to be able to make them at home like this. I’ll just hold the hot peppers on mine.
Debbie
I can’t wait to try these Chili Cheese Fries. My husband and I always order this as an appetizer out – it’ll be great for a night at home!