Chili Cheese Fries

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.

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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