Easy Homemade chili cheese fries are a complete yummy meal that is so quick to make. Perfect amount of heat, crisp fries, and cheesy goodness. Learn how to reheat those leftovers too.
Who can resist the mouthwatering combination of crispy fries smothered in a rich, flavorful chili sauce, and topped with gooey melted cheese?
Chili cheese fries are the ultimate comfort food that tickles our taste buds and warms our hearts. Whether you’re planning a laid-back weekend treat or a game day feast, these Easy Homemade Chili Cheese Fries are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Let’s bring the classic diner-style comfort food right into your kitchen.
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How can something that is so simple be so deliciously good
Quick and Easy Meal
My niece shared this recipe is one that she shared with me. She is quite the foodie and loves to spend time trying new recipes and making her favorites. This recipe is one that tastes delicious and cooks up quickly. While she made this for her family the other evening, this would be a wonderful recipe to make for a crowd. Just imagine this as a game day snack.
On those days when things are busy, and you must get dinner on the table. This recipe is a real lifesaver.
Venison Recipe
When you have venison in your freezer, it can be difficult to find a good recipe for the lean meat. This is one of those recipes that should be put in your recipe box.
These chili cheese fries are made with venison today; however, ground beef can be substituted easily.
Restaurant Menu Item
Whenever I see cheese fries on a restaurant menu, I always wonder about how they make them so good. The melty cheese paired with the crispy fries and spicy meat is just a scrumptious combination. Now you can make your own chili cheese fries at home. No need to wait until the next time you get to a restaurant. They are easier to make than you might think.
These chili fries are perfect for an easy weeknight meal, parties, game day or just a hearty snack with minimal effort.
Chili Cheese Fries Ingredients
Use a frozen package of French Fries and an air fryer to hurry up the recipe even more. However, if you have time, you can certainly make the fries from scratch.
- Ground meat such as venison or beef
- Celery
- Onion
- Chicken Stock
- Spices
- Bloody Mary mix or Tomato Sauce
- Kidney Beans or black beans
- Cheese, shredded for the melty and gooey topping. Or you can use cheese sauce.
Making the Recipe
The base of this recipe is the French fries, these can be baked in the oven while you are making the chili topping. However, my niece has an air fryer, so it takes much less time and they are golden and crispy in much less time. Therefore, she made the chili topping first.
To make this quick and easy recipe, use frozen French fries. Use any cut of French fry that you like: curly, crinkle, steak, potato wedges, waffle fries, or even sweet potato fries.
Next add the chili to the fries and top with a generous amount of cheese. Give the cheese a minute or so and it will melt from the heat of the chili. If you cooked your fries in the oven, you could pop the chili cheese fries back in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is all melty and gooey.
Put as much cheese as you want on it. Today this was made with cheddar cheese; however, a bit of Mozzarella, Fontina, Queso, Pepper Jack, Swiss, American, or Provolone would be a great choice of cheese for this as they are all good melting cheeses that taste amazing!
Grate your own cheese though. The pre-grated cheeses have an anti-caking agent, which causes the cheese not to melt quite as well.
Topping Options for Cheese Fries
Today, this is topped with simple diced onions. However, there are so many other toppings that can be added.
Chili cheese fries are a delicious and indulgent treat that combines the comforting flavors of chili, melted cheese, and crispy fries. Dress this up in different ways.
Here are some mouthwatering toppings that can take your chili cheese fries to the next level:
Chili: Of course, the star of the show is the chili itself. Spoon a generous amount of your favorite homemade or store-bought chili over the fries. You can use classic beef chili, turkey chili, vegetarian chili, or even white chicken chili for a twist.
Shredded Cheese: Top the chili with a layer of shredded cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, or a cheese blend. As the cheese melts over the hot chili, it creates a creamy and gooey topping.
Sour Cream: Dollop some cool and tangy sour cream on top of the hot chili and cheese. The contrast between the creamy sour cream and the rich chili is simply divine.
Green Onions: Sprinkle chopped green onions or chives over the chili cheese fries for a fresh and mildly oniony flavor. It also adds a pop of color to the dish.
Pickled Jalapeños: For those who love a bit of heat, add pickled jalapeño slices on top. The spicy kick complements the savory chili and cheese perfectly.
Guacamole or Sliced Avocado: Avocado’s creamy texture and mild flavor work wonderfully with the chili and cheese. You can either spread guacamole over the top or add sliced avocado for a more natural touch.
Bacon Bits: Crumbled crispy bacon adds a smoky and savory element to your chili cheese fries, making them even more irresistible.
Cilantro: For an herbal touch, sprinkle some fresh chopped cilantro over the top. It adds a burst of freshness to the hearty dish.
Chopped Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes can provide a juicy and refreshing contrast to the richness of the chili and cheese.
Pico de Gallo: Add a fresh touch with pico de gallo—a combination of diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeños, and lime juice.
Take it to the Next Level
Ranch Dressing: Drizzle some ranch dressing over the chili cheese fries for a creamy and herby flavor.
BBQ Sauce: For a BBQ twist, drizzle some smoky and tangy BBQ sauce over the top.
Fried Egg (Sunny Side Up): If you’re feeling adventurous, add a sunny-side-up fried egg on top of the chili cheese fries. The creamy yolk adds an extra layer of richness.
Feel free to mix and match these toppings based on your preferences and create your perfect combination of chili cheese fries. Whether you’re indulging in a game-day snack or serving a fun meal at a gathering, these toppings will elevate your chili cheese fries to new heights of deliciousness.
How to Reheat Chili Cheese Fries?
Reheating chili cheese fries can be a bit tricky as you want to maintain their crispy texture while ensuring the toppings and cheese are heated through. Here’s a simple method to reheat chili cheese fries:
Instructions:
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread the chili cheese fries in a single layer on a baking sheet or an oven-safe dish. Try to avoid stacking the fries to ensure they heat evenly.
Loosely cover the fries with aluminum foil. The foil will help trap steam and prevent the cheese from burning.
Place the baking sheet or dish in the preheated oven and reheat the chili cheese fries for about 10-15 minutes. The exact time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the fries. Check the fries after 10 minutes to see if they are hot and the cheese is melted.
After 10-15 minutes, remove the foil from the top of the fries. This will allow the cheese to get nicely bubbly and browned.
Broil (Optional): If you want your cheese to get a bit more crispy and browned, you can turn on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on the fries to prevent burning.
Check for Doneness: Once the cheese is melted and the fries are hot, take the baking sheet out of the oven. Use a fork or a toothpick to check the temperature of the chili to ensure it’s heated through.
Serve the Reheated Chili Cheese Fries
Transfer the reheated chili cheese fries to a serving plate. You can top them with any additional fresh toppings or condiments you desire, such as chopped green onions, jalapeños, or a drizzle of sour cream.
Please note that reheated fries might not be as crispy as freshly made ones, but this method should help you maintain the flavors and enjoy your chili cheese fries once again without sacrificing too much texture. Avoid using the microwave to reheat as it can make the fries soggy.
How to Store Homemade Chili Cheese Fries?
Chili cheese fries are best enjoyed when they are freshly made, so it’s a good idea to plan accordingly to avoid unnecessary waste or the need for storing them for an extended period.
Here’s how to store chili cheese fries:
For the best taste and texture, it’s ideal to consume chili cheese fries immediately after they are prepared.
Refrigeration
If you have leftover chili cheese fries, you can store them in the refrigerator to enjoy later. Follow these steps:
a. Remove any toppings that might not fare well in the refrigerator, such as fresh herbs or avocado slices. You can add these back after reheating. If you can, remove the leftover fries and store them separately. They can be toasted up crispy again in a toaster oven or air fryer.
b. Place the remaining chili cheese fries in an airtight container. Try to use a shallow container to avoid stacking the fries, as stacking can cause them to become soggy.
c. Store the container in the refrigerator as soon as possible, ideally within two hours of cooking.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy the leftover chili cheese fries, follow the reheating instructions mentioned in the previous response.
Freezing (not recommended)
While chili cheese fries can technically be frozen, the results are often not as satisfactory due to the potential texture and taste issues. Freezing can make the fries and toppings lose their crispiness and the cheese may not melt as well upon reheating. If you must freeze them, do so in a separate container, without toppings, and reheat them in the oven or an air fryer for better results.
Best Practice
The best way to fully enjoy chili cheese fries, it’s recommended to prepare only the amount you’ll likely consume in one sitting. If you have extra chili or cheese, you can store them separately and make fresh fries when you’re ready to enjoy the dish again.
The leftover French fries tend to stay a bit soggy under the chili sauce. When growing up, my brother loved the soggy leftover fries. Not me, I like hot and crispy French Fries. So for best results, make the fries fresh.
Hosting a Chili Party for Game Day
You can use the chili recipe we have below or make your own favorite chili recipe to top your fries. Another option is to use tortilla chips in place of fries or as another option. Especially if you are having a party.
A great way to let them build their own chili fries is to provide your guests with a large buffet of topping choices. Delicious options from simple ingredients.
I like to make my chili slightly spicy, but not too much when hosting a party. Not everyone can handle the heat. For those that can, provide a few bottles of different hot sauce and fresh jalapenos.
Homemade Chili Cheese Fries
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil or Vegetable oil
- 1 Stalk Celery Diced
- 1 Medium Onion Diced
- 1 1/2 Pounds Ground Venison or Ground Beef, Pork, or Chicken
- 1 Cup Chicken Stock
- 15.5 Ounces Kidney Beans 1 can
- 16 Ounces Bloody Mary Mix or Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1/4 Cup Chili Powder
- 16 Ounces Frozen French Fries
- 1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- 1 Tablespoon Onion Diced
text ingredients
Instructions
- In a large skillet on medium-high heat , add the oil, onions and celery. Cook a few minutes until translucent.2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 1 Medium Onion, 1 Stalk Celery
- Add the ground venison and break apart into small pieces. When the venison is cooked through, add the beans, bloody mary mix, and chicken stock. Then add all of the spices. Cook to heat through, stirring to combine.1 1/2 Pounds Ground Venison, 1 Cup Chicken Stock, 15.5 Ounces Kidney Beans, 16 Ounces Bloody Mary Mix, 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano, 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Basil, 1/4 Teaspoon Salt, 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, 1/4 Cup Chili Powder
- Make the French Fries either in the oven, or fried in oil, or in an air fryer. Whichever you prefer.16 Ounces Frozen French Fries
- Grate the cheese.
Assembly
- On a plate or some other container of your choosing. Place the crispy potatoes down first, then top with the chili, shredded cheese, and onion. Additional toppings of your choosing can be added now as well.1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese, 1 Tablespoon Onion
- Serve the Chili Cheese Fries right away,
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Topping Options for Cheese Fries
Today, this is topped with simple diced onions. However, there are so many other toppings that can be added. Here are a few ideas.- Jalapenos
- Black Olives
- Tomatoes
- Green Chilies
- Avocado
- Salsa
- Crispy Bacon
Homemade Chili Cheese Fries
Nutrition
A few of my favorite things
The Power of Positivity
I hope that you liked this recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other chili recipes that you may enjoy.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.