Cheese Fries

By Becky Hardin

Updated Jan 25, 2026

Cheese Fries are one of my all-time favorite comfort foods. Made with frozen French fries, garlic, cheddar cheese, a little flour, and some fridge staples like butter and milk, they are super easy to make and always disappear fast at my house. Who doesn’t want to devour crispy potatoes smothered in a creamy, dreamy homemade cheese sauce? I love that this delicious snack is something that my entire family enjoys and craves.

partial view of cheese fries on a white rectangular serving dish. - 5

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5-Star Review

“It was a satisfying and indulgent treat that I’d definitely recommend to fellow cheese and fry lovers!” – Shaheen

Easy Cheese Fries Recipe

These cheese fries are the kind of appetizer, side dish, or late-night snack I can throw together in just minutes with a handful of simple ingredients—and honestly, I don’t even want to admit how often we make it at my house. Anytime I’m looking to upgrade a basic bag of frozen fries, this recipe is my go-to. A generous handful of cheese already makes them great, but once I pile on the toppings and garnishes, they become absolutely irresistible.

Tips for Beginners

Use your favorite fries . Choose frozen fries you know you love, or make homemade french fries .
Adjust the spice . For less spicy fries, omit the cayenne pepper. If you want more spice, double it!
Add the cheese slowly . It is important to slowly add the cheese to the sauce off heat to prevent the sauce from becoming grainy. If the cheese isn’t melting into the sauce, return it to low heat and stir constantly while it melts.
Adjust the thickness. If your sauce is too thick, add in another splash of milk.

Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 1 lb. frozen french fries
▢ 1 tbsp unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
▢ 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
▢ ¾ cup whole milk
▢ 6 oz. medium cheddar cheese freshly grated, or use mozzarella, pepper jack, Swiss, Colby Jack, or American.
▢ ⅛ tsp ground cayenne pepper
▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional Toppings

▢ thinly sliced green onion
▢ diced jalapeño peppers
▢ bacon crumbles

Video

Instructions

Bake the fries according to the package directions. 1 lb. frozen french fries
While the fries bake, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add in the garlic and cook until lightly golden. 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 cloves garlic
Sprinkle over the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the butter has absorbed all of the flour. 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
While whisking, slowly stream in the milk, making sure to quickly break up and lumps. ¾ cup whole milk
Continue to whisk until the sauce simmers and thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
One handful at a time, add the cheese to the sauce. Stir until the cheese is completely melted before adding another handful. Continue until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. 6 oz. medium cheddar cheese
Whisk in the cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste. ⅛ tsp ground cayenne pepper, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Arrange the fries on a serving platter. Top with the cheese sauce and garnishes, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy! thinly sliced green onion, diced jalapeño peppers

Equipment

Baking Sheet

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make Cheese Fries Step by Step

Baked frozen French fries on a white rectangular serving tray. - 6

Bake the fries: Bake 1 lb. frozen fries according to the package directions.

Butter and garlic cooking in a cast iron pan. - 7

Cook the garlic: While the fries are baking, melt 1 tbsp butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat and add 2 cloves of garlic, and cook until lightly golden and fragrant.

Sprinkle 1 tbsp flour over the garlic and butter and cook, whisking constantly, until the butter has absorbed all of the flour.

Flour and milk added to garlic and butter in a cast iron pan. - 8

While whisking, slowly stream in ¾ cup milk, making sure to quickly break up any lumps of flour.

Continue whisking until the sauce simmers and thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Cheese added to the roux for cheese fries in a cast iron skillet. - 9

Add the cheese and season : One handful at a time, gradually add 6 oz. cheese to the sauce, making sure the cheese is completely melted before adding another handful. Continue until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

It is important to slowly add the cheese to the sauce off heat to prevent the sauce from becoming grainy. If the cheese isn’t melting into the sauce, return it to low heat and stir constantly while it melts. If your sauce is too thick, add another splash of milk.

Whisk in ⅛ tsp ground cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper

Close up view of cheese fries on a white rectangular serving dish. - 10

Serve: Arrange the fries on a serving platter. Top with the cheese sauce, thinly sliced green onions, and diced jalapeño peppers, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

Change up the fry type: Try my shoestring fries recipe , or pour the sauce over baked potato wedges .
For a Mexican twist: Swap the cheese sauce for white queso , or for a touch of spice, this poblano queso is perfect. Or, try a homemade nacho cheese.
For a heartier cheese sauce: This Rotel dip packs a punch.

How to Store

I really don’t recommend storing these cheese fries. Cheese sauce thickened with flour and butter doesn’t reheat well. I recommend halving the recipe if you think you won’t finish it all in one day.

Serving Suggestions

While I could happily eat cheesy fried potatoes as a complete meal any day of the week, you really can’t beat combining burgers and fries. So, to balance things out—because a girl can’t live on fries alone, I’ll make stovetop burgers , these juicy grilled burgers , or to add even more cheese, smash burgers .

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Chili Cheese Fries

Carne Asada Fries

Fries covered with bacon, cheese, and ranch dressing. - 15

Fries covered with bacon, cheese, and ranch dressing. - 16

Bacon Cheese Fries with Ranch

Garlic Parmesan Fries

Cheese Fries Recipe

Equipment

Baking Sheet