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Craving super crunchy nacho fries like Taco Bell’s but wanna stay home Skip the drive and make a batch quicker than takeout The punchy spices totally nail that familiar vibe That gooey cheese dip keeps everyone snacking Make extra if you’re set for movie night or just want something salty to munch on
The first time I made these was at a party and seriously, folks couldn’t stop grabbing more They vanished so fast and now my family begs for them whenever snack cravings hit
Addictive Ingredients
- Ore Ida Extra Crispy Frozen Fast Food Fries: These seriously crunch up just like those restaurant ones Try to buy a bag with no extra ice clumps for crispiness
- Vegetable Oil for Frying: Use canola or peanut oil—anything with a mild taste and can take high temps
- Salt: Brings out every bit of flavor Kosher or sea salt is best so the dust goes on even
- Paprika: Kicks in the smokiness Spanish sweet paprika gives deeper flavor if you want
- Garlic Powder: Throws in a little sweetness and earthiness Make sure it’s fresh and not clumpy
- Chili Powder: Adds that nacho color and a flavor hit Fresh blends deliver better taste
- Onion Powder: Gives you more savory oomph Use fine powder so every fry gets coated
- Cayenne Pepper: Turns up the heat if you like it hot—just skip if you don’t
- American Cheese: Absolute classic for crazy creamy dip Just grab one that melts easily
- Milk: Loosens that cheese up to just the right thickness Whole milk makes it extra rich
- Liquid from the Jar of Jalapeño Slices: Pops the cheese with punchy, tangy heat
Easy Step-By-Step
- Coat the Fries:
- Right when the fries are hot, tip them in a big bowl Toss with the seasonings so every fry is covered and glistening
- Melt Cheese Sauce:
- Break up the cheese slices Toss them in a bowl with the milk and jalapeño juice Zap in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, plus stirring, until creamy
- Heat Oil:
- Pour oil into a deep pot about three inches deep and crank the heat up to 350 degrees Use a thermometer to watch—it gets hot quick
- Fry the Fries:
- Put frozen fries right into the hot oil but only a few at a time Fry six to eight minutes Give them a stir so each side browns Spoon them onto paper towels when they look golden Let them chill for a second before tossing on your spices
- Mix the Seasonings:
- Stir up salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and cayenne in a bowl Make sure nobody’s lumpy
- Serve Up:
- Move fries to your plate Drizzle over cheese sauce, or dunk fries while they’re warm and fresh
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Best tip ever Splashing in jalapeño juice takes the dip to another level Tried it with water once and it just flopped My cousin still cracks up about that every time we cook these
Keep Leftovers Fresh
Nacho fries are best straight from the fryer If you do end up with extras, store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two days Reheat on a baking sheet at 400 for five minutes—crisps ‘em up without going soggy Cheese dip can be chilled too Just give it a stir and gently microwave to warm it back up
Easy Swaps
If regular frozen fries are all you have, no sweat—they’ll still work, just won’t be as crispy Try cheddar for sharper cheese flavor or go pepper jack for a kick If there’s no jalapeño juice handy, a touch of pickle juice does the trick
Serving Inspiration
These fries are always the highlight of any snack spread Try dunking in guac, salsa, or add a scoop of sour cream Want to level it up Use on burgers, throw next to some grilled chicken, or pile on green onions and jalapenos for more zing
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Nacho Fries Craze
Nacho fries popped up on Taco Bell’s menu in 2018 and fans freaked out The spice blend totally hits that Tex Mex vibe and the cheesy dip keeps everyone coming back You can grab that same taste at home with a few simple tricks
Common Questions
- → How come these fries burst with flavor?
The magic’s in that bold seasoning—a mix of onion, garlic, chili, paprika, plus a shot of cayenne. It turns boring fries into snacks you can’t stop eating.
- → How do I get my fries extra crunchy every time?
Toss frozen fries into oil heated to 350°F. Once they’ve turned a deep, crispy gold, lay ‘em on paper towels and sprinkle seasoning while they’re hot.
- → What cheese melts the smoothest for dipping?
Go with American cheese. When it melts with some milk and pickle juice from jalapeños, you get a silky, zippy sauce perfect for dunking.
- → How much heat can I add or skip?
It’s your call! Nix the cayenne for gentle fries, or pour in more if you want a bigger kick. Tweak that spice, no problem!
- → Is there a way to make these with hardly any oil?
Absolutely. Bake your fries just like the box shows, then toss them right away in the seasoning so they’re lighter but still punchy with flavor.