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Bushra Waheed

Homemade Chili Cheese Fries Recipe

Freshly prepared crispy fries topped with thick homemade beef chili and a smooth cheddar cheese sauce. A delicious sharing snack made completely from scratch.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Homemade Fries
  • 4 large potatoes approximately 900 g
  • Cold water for soaking
  • Cooking oil for deep-frying
  • ½ tsp salt or to taste
For the Homemade Beef Chili
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 300 g minced beef
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup tomato purée or crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup beef stock or water
  • 1 tsp chili powder or to taste
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp salt or to taste
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups milk
  • 1½ cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • Salt to taste
Optional Toppings
  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Chopped spring onions
  • Fresh coriander
  • Sour cream
  • Diced tomatoes

Method
 

Prepare the Fries
  1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into evenly sized fries.
  2. Soak the potatoes in cold water for 20–30 minutes.
  3. Drain and dry the potatoes thoroughly.
  4. Heat cooking oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
  5. Fry the potatoes in small batches for 5–6 minutes, until tender but still pale.
  6. Remove the fries and allow them to rest for a few minutes.
  7. Increase the heat and fry them again for 2–3 minutes, until golden and crispy.
  8. Drain on a paper towel and season with salt.
Prepare the Beef Chili
  1. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a frying pan.
  2. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until soft.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Add the minced beef and cook until browned.
  5. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Add the tomato paste and cook for one minute.
  7. Pour in the tomato purée and stock or water.
  8. Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until the chili is thick.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce
  1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over low-medium heat.
  2. Add the flour and whisk for one minute.
  3. Gradually add the milk while whisking continuously.
  4. Cook for 3–4 minutes, until slightly thickened.
  5. Reduce the heat and gradually add the grated cheddar.
  6. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
  7. Season with paprika and a little salt.
Assemble
  1. Place the hot fries on a serving platter.
  2. Spoon the warm beef chili over the fries.
  3. Pour the cheese sauce on top.
  4. Add your preferred toppings and serve immediately.

Notes

Keep the fries, chili, and cheese sauce separate until serving time. Assemble the dish just before serving to keep the fries crispy.