Description
Crispy, golden homemade fries topped with a rich, scratch-made cheddar cheese sauce, tangy pickled jalapeños, sour cream, and fresh cilantro for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large Russet potatoes (about 2 lbs / 900g)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus more for seasoning)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (warmed)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup pickled jalapeños (sliced)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 2 green onions (sliced)
Instructions
- Peel potatoes and cut into ¼-inch thick strips. Soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove starch, then drain and pat completely dry with paper towels.
- Toss dried potato strips with cornstarch and a pinch of salt.
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Fry potatoes in batches for 3-4 minutes until pale gold and soft. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- For extra crispiness, increase oil to 400°F and fry again for 2-3 minutes until golden and crunchy.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in warm milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens and bubbles (3-4 minutes).
- Remove from heat and gradually whisk in grated cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Keep warm.
- Spread crispy fries on a large platter. Drizzle generously with cheese sauce.
- Top with pickled jalapeños, dollops of sour cream, green onions, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Notes
Soaking and drying the potatoes is crucial for crispiness. Always grate your own cheese to avoid anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Keep heat low when adding cheese to the sauce to prevent separation. For a lighter option, bake fries at 425°F for 25-30 minutes. Store leftovers separately; reheat fries in an air fryer or oven to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 620
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: loaded fries, nacho cheese fries, homemade cheese sauce, pickled jalapeños, comfort food, game day food, crispy fries, vegetarian recipe