Bacon-Cheddar Cheese Fries: The Best Homemade Version
Bacon Cheddar Fries
Any day is a good day for Bacon Cheddar Fries. Why? Because...Bacon Cheddar Fries, that's why! This recipe uses real potatoes instead of commercial fries. The final product tastes a whole lot better that way.
Use this dish for an appetizer or whip up a quick salad and serve with Bacon Cheddar Fries as a meal. Get the whole family involved in preparing this dish. It's a lot of fun to make this one together, and preparation is faster when everyone participates. It's a great way to get kids more interested in food and cooking.
This recipe serves one, so you'll have to double or triple it according to your needs. Use fresh Russet potatoes and whatever brand of bacon you prefer. (Bacon without nitrites is best). Two or three slices of bacon should be plenty, though I admit I used four slices. Hey, it's bacon. Do I need an excuse to use more of it? Nope. :)
Ingredients
- 2 medium Russet potatoes
- 2-3 slices bacon, diced
- 1/2-1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper, to your taste
- Oil for frying, as needed
- 1/2-1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- 1/2-1 cup Ranch dressing (fresh or bottled)
Instructions
- Assemble all ingredients and kitchen tools. Recommended equipment: small frying pan, 1 quart saucepan, spatula, spider, oven-safe plates, paper towels, vegetable peeler, colander, mixing bowl, cutting board, chef's knife, grater.
- Fry bacon until crisp. Place on paper towels to drain, set aside. Grate cheese (or use pre-grated packaged cheese).
- While the bacon is frying; wash, peel and cut potatoes into french fries. (You can leave the peels on if you wish). Place french fries in a bowl with water to cover to protect them from oxidation.
- Set oven to 350 degrees. In 1 quart saucepan, add about an inch to an inch and a half of oil. Heat oil-medium high to high temperature.
- When oil looks "wavy" and is smoking slightly, quickly drain potatoes in colander, then add to oil right away. Be careful of splatter, (though it's not as bad as when you add frozen fries to oil).
- When the fries are nicely browned (10-12 minutes), drain on paper towels that are on the oven-safe plate. Season immediately with salt and pepper (not too much salt since the bacon contains a lot of salt).
- Remove towels from plate. Sprinkle 1/2-1 cup cheddar cheese on fries. Place in oven until cheese is melted--this won't take very long, maybe 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle bacon over the top. (You may crush the bacon into smaller bits before sprinkling, if desired).
- Add 1/2-1 teaspoon of horseradish to Ranch dressing and stir until well incorporated. NOTE: If you like horseradish, use the whole teaspoon, otherwise use only half.
- Enjoy your Bacon Cheddar Fries! They taste a whole lot better when prepared at home...much, much better than any you'll ever get from a fast food restaurant.
Additional Tips for This Recipe
You can use frozen french fries for this recipe, but fries made from fresh potatoes are definitely recommended. Leave the skins on the potatoes before you cut them if that is your preference. As long as your potatoes are nice and clean, it's okay. I often do it that way. It just depends on my mood.
Always remove your pan from the heat and cover with a lid after frying, even if you have an exhaust fan above your range. This helps prevent any extra odor from permeating your house. It also helps prevent oil build-up on your walls.
Another Great Appetizer:
- Swift Stuffed Mushrooms
Swift Stuffed Mushrooms is a recipe that can be prepared so quickly...it will make your head spin. This recipe uses every part of the mushroom so that nothing goes to waste.