Enjoy these Chili Cheese Fries for a hearty but easy meal. Using frozen French fries as a shortcut, you can load them up with some delicious homemade chili and all the fixings! You’ll love every savory bite!
Chili is one of my favorite meals to make. It’s quick to throw together, and the long, slow cooking time produces such tantalizing flavors and aromas! I love to make a big batch and use it to make a chili dog, serve it over baked potatoes, on top of French fries, or just in a bowl with some cornbread or crackers.
SAVE THIS RECIPE FOR CHEESY CHILI FRIES TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!
As much as I love plain French fries, they are even better with toppings! I’ve had them with everything from plain cheese to saucy pulled pork on top. But these Chili Cheese Fries are definitely at the top of my list!
Ingredients for Chili Fries
This recipe starts with my homemade chili recipe, but of course, you can use any type of chili, even the canned which will make this dish super quick and easy to put together! Here’s what I need to make this chili recipe:
- Olive oil
- Chopped onions
- Minced garlic
- Ground beef
- Stewed tomatoes
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes (or Rotel tomatoes with chiles)
- Tomato sauce
- Chili powder
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Kosher salt
- Kidney beans (I do not drain them first!)
In addition, I need the following:
- Frozen French fries
- Shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Sliced jalapeno
- Chopped red onion
- Fresh chopped parsley or cilantro (for garnish)
I have a detailed list of ingredients in the recipe card below, so make sure you review it before cooking!
How to Make Chili Cheese Fries
Homemade Chili
This chili recipe is pretty quick and easy to make! I start with my aromatics by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, I add the chopped onions and minced garlic, then sauté them until they are soft and fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
Next, I add the ground beef and cook it until it’s completely browned, about 7-10 minutes. I either drain off the excess oil or cook it until the meat sears and most of the liquid evaporates.
Now I stir in the stewed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and all the seasonings (chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt). Don’t forget the unsweetened cocoa—it really adds a depth to the flavor! I mix all of this up, breaking up the stewed tomatoes as I stir. Once it comes to a boil, I cover the saucepan, reduce the heat to low for a simmer, and let the chili cook for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
At the end of the cook time, I add the kidney beans with their liquid and stir to combine. I don’t want these to get mushy! Then I replace the cover and let the chili cook another 20 minutes or so. Now it’s ready to eat or use in your recipes!
Chili Cheese Fries
I cook the fries according to the package directions. I prefer to make them in an air fryer, but the oven works well too. Then I place the hot fries on a rimmed baking sheet or in an oven-proof baking dish like a cast iron skillet. I move a baking rack to the top position in the oven and heat up the broiler.
Next, I spread about a cup of shredded cheese over the cooked fries, then broil them in the preheated oven for 2-3 minutes, just long enough to melt the cheese. I take them back out of the oven, spread 2 cups of chili over the top of the cheese, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the chili. Then the fries go back into the oven for another minute or two.
To serve, I top them with diced red onion, sliced jalapenos, and chopped parsley, but you can use whatever toppings you like!
Recipe Notes
- This chili recipe makes more than the 2 cups needed for the chili fries, so you can save the rest for another day!
- Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking, but I highly recommend you keep the cocoa powder in!
FAQs
Can I make Chili Cheese Fries ahead of time?
I love to make the chili the day before I make the fries, as the chili thickens when it cools and the flavors deepen overnight. Make the fries fresh, though, as they will get soggy overnight.
Can I make this with other types of fries?
I use standard French fries, but you could use waffle fries or even tater tots! I’m not sure how it would taste with fries made from sweet potatoes, but go ahead and give it a try!
How do I store leftover chili?
Store the cooled chili in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days, or for longer storage, transfer it to a freezer bag, lay it flat, and freeze. Frozen chili is good for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating the chili on the stovetop.
Meals that Double as Game Day Appetizers
Chili Cheese fries make a great meal, but they’d also be fun to serve as an appetizer for your tailgate party, too! Here are some other meals that double as game day snacks:
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Chicken Nachos
- Aloha Sloppy Sliders
- Pepperoni Bread
If you enjoyed these Chili Cheese Fries, please leave me a recipe review or a comment below!
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Chili Cheese Fries
Ingredients
Chili Cheese Fries
- 16 ounces frozen French fries
- 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend divided
- 2 cups leftover chili recipe below and see note*
- 1 jalapeno sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
- fresh chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish
Chili Recipe
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 14.5 ounces stewed tomatoes
- 14.5 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes can use Rotel Tomatoes with chiles for additional flavor.
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 15 ounces kidney beans NOT drained
Instructions
Chili Recipe
- Prepare the chili. In a large skillet over medium heat, pour the olive oil. Add the one chopped onion, and 2 cloves of minced garlic and saute until soft and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the pound of ground beef and cook until completely browned, about 7-10 minutes.
- Stir in the 14.5 ounces stewed tomatoes, 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 8 ounces tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Mix well, breaking up the stewed tomatoes as you stir. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
- Add the 15 ounce can of kidney beans with the liquid and stir to completely combine. Cook for an additional 20 minutes, uncovered, again stirring occasionally.
Chilli Cheese Fries
- Cook the French Fries according to manufacturer's directions, spreading them onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil to bake in the oven or by placing them into the basket of an air fryer.
- If using 2 cups of chili that has been refrigerated, place it into a small saucepan and allow to simmer until ready to assemble the fries.
- Once the French fries have been cooked, either move them closer together on the rimmed baking sheet or put them into an oven-proof baking dish, cast iron skillet or pie plate to assemble and serve. Move one of the oven racks to the top position and preheat the broiler on low.
- Spread 1 cup of the Mexican cheese over the French fries and broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Add the 2 cups of heated chili and spread over the cheese covered French fries. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the chili, and return to the oven. Broil for an additional 1-3 minutes until the cheese has melted.
- Sprinkle with the 2 tablespoons red onion, sliced jalapeno, and chopped parsley.
Notes
- The chili recipe is included and makes more than the 2 cups needed for the Chili Fries.
- I like to make the chili at least the day before I make the fries recipe because it thickens as it cools and is not as runny when reheated. However, you can assemble right after cooking.
- Feel free to use more or less of the spices in the chili recipe to adjust it to your taste.
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