There are fries... and then there are loaded fries. You know the kind. Crispy golden fries piled high with melted cheese, smoky bacon, cool sour cream, and just enough tomatoes and red and green onions to add a little freshness. This loaded French fries recipe takes simple homemade oven fries and turns them into the ultimate comfort food situation.
Jump to:
Looking for more easy comfort food recipes like this? You might also enjoy my homemade copycat Crunchwrap Supreme, which pairs well with these cheesy bacon fries. Or try serving these alongside my Big Mac smash tacos or baked honey salmon for a fun dinner night at home.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Loaded French fries are made with simple ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Plus, the toppings can be easily customized!
- This is the perfect appetizer to share with a crowd for a game night or gathering.
- They are ready in under an hour, even if you make the fries from scratch!
Summarize and Save This Recipe Using:
Ingredients You'll Need
- French Fries - Any type of fry can be used for this recipe: homemade fries, sweet potato fries, or store-bought. Even onion rings can be used!
- Bacon - Bacon is the classic option, but it can be substituted for crumbled cooked sausage, cooked ground beef with taco seasoning, shredded chicken, or even crispy tofu can be used as a topping!
- Cheese - Any type of cheese can be used.
- Sour Cream - Can be substituted for Greek yogurt or ranch dressing.
You'll find a full list of ingredients and exact measurements on the recipe card below.
Ways To Customize This Recipe
- Deluxe Loaded Fries - There are no rules when it comes to loaded French fries! Add as many or as few toppings as you like. This recipe gives you a good base to start with, but try adding shredded roast chicken, pulled pork, banana peppers, green pepper, and velvety queso cheese sauce, which is delicious on loaded fries, too!
- Different Fries - Try using my oven-baked sweet potato fries or my crispy baked wedge fries. And of course, store-bought fries can be used as well!
- Make It Spicy - Add homemade Cajun spice blend, chili pepper flakes, jalapeños, drizzle with hot sauce or use sriracha aioli for dipping.
- Sauce It Up - Serve these fully loaded fries with this simple guacamole, caramelized onion hummus, or drizzle with my homemade garlic aioli.
If you love loaded fries, you have to try my authentic Canadian poutine! This poutine can be made with the deep-fried fries described in the post, or, for a lighter option, use my basically oil-free oven fries instead!
Save This Recipe! 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
How To Make Loaded French Fries
Step 1
For these homemade loaded fries, I highly recommend making homemade fries from scratch!
While any French fry can be used, homemade fries hold toppings better than frozen fries because they stay crisp.
Step 2
Spread the prepared French fries onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Top with shredded cheese, cooked bacon, red onions and cherry tomatoes.
Bake loaded fries for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
Step 3
After the cheese has melted, pull the fries out of the oven and add the sour cream drizzle, fresh parsley and green onions on top. Serve immediately.
Pair these loaded fries with burgers and sandwiches, or pair them with a bunch of other appetizers for the ultimate spread!
Expert Tips & Tricks
- If you use store-bought frozen fries, ensure they are fully cooked before adding toppings.
- Be mindful of the toppings. Some topping options hold a lot of excess water, like pineapples. If you want to use a topping that has extra moisture, dry it out with a paper towel before adding it to the fries.
- Freshly grated cheese is best. Prepackaged cheeses often have anti-caking agents added, and when melted, they can taste grainy.
How To Store And Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the fries in the oven or air fryer for best results. If you plan on storing some of these loaded fries, add the sour cream before serving instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Loaded French fries typically include crispy French fries topped with melted cheese and savory ingredients such as bacon, onions, sour cream, and even turkey chili!
Cheddar is the most common because it melts smoothly and adds bold flavor. Monterey Jack and mozzarella are also great options.
Bake the fries until they are very crispy before adding toppings, and avoid overloading them with wet ingredients. These homemade loaded fries are best made fresh, right before serving.
More Comfort Food Appetizers
Looking for more dreamy comfort food appetizers like this? Try these:
If you made these Loaded French Fries or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating, a 💬 comment and share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!
📖 Recipe
Loaded French Fries
↑ click the stars to rate this recipe ↑
Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Cheese Grater
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 907 grams (2 lbs) French Fries cooked
- 2 ½ cups (8 oz) Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 6-8 pieces Bacon cooked and chopped
- ⅔ cup Tomatoes diced
- ½ medium Red Onion diced
- ½ cup Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt or Ranch
- 4 Green Onions diced
- Fresh Parsley finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the French fries, cooking until they are crispy. Remove from the oven, gather them together, but still keep in a single layer. Top fries with shredded cheese, cooked bacon, diced tomatoes and diced red onions. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
- After the loaded fries are done baking, remove them from the oven and drizzle with sour cream, green onions and fresh parsley. Serve immediatley.
Save This Recipe! 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Notes
- French Fries: Any kind of fry can be used for this recipe. Homemade fries are the best, in my opinion, but sweet potato fries, wedge fries, or pre-packaged fries can be used.
- Bacon: Can be substituted for cooked crumbled sausage, cooked ground beef with taco seasoning, shredded roast chicken, or even leftover chili is a great option!
- Sour Cream: Any topping of your choice can be used. Ranch dressing is a classic, or another option is Greek yogurt.
- If you are using store-bought fries, ensure they are fully cooked and crispy before adding the toppings.
- Be mindful of the toppings you choose, some toppings hold extra water and could make your loaded French fries soggy.
- Freshly grated cheese is better than pre-shredded cheese options. Preshredded cheeses have anti-caking agents added, which give the cheese a grainy texture when melted.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or an air fryer. If you are planning on storing some of these loaded fries, consider adding the sour cream per serving, instead of over the whole tray.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
These French fries are soooo delicious! We've been making different versions of loaded fries for years, and it was about time that I shared my base recipe with all of you! I hope that you love it!