With a simple cheese sauce and crispy bacon, these easy bacon cheese fries are a winner for anything from game day to weeknight dinners. The bacon crisps while you make the cheese sauce and bake fries, so the whole thing comes together in about half an hour.
The contrast of crispy fries with creamy cheese sauce is what makes this recipe so good. The bacon adds a salty crunch while the green onions bring a fresh bite.
The homemade cheese sauce is the real star here. It’s made from scratch, and it’s smooth and creamy. Dijon mustard adds depth, paprika gives a gentle smokiness, and a pinch of cayenne adds a subtle heat to the sauce.
This is a recipe you’ll come back to for movie nights, game day, or just a delicious weekend dinner.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
- French fries: The base of the recipe. Crispier fries hold up better under the toppings and the creamy sauce.
- Bacon: I use maple bacon. Use your favorite.
- Green onions: They lighten the dish, gild a mild bite, and add a pop of color.
- Yogurt drizzle: Use sour cream instead of skip if you want to. Adds a nice tanginess.
- Butter + flour: To create a roux, which thickens the cheese sauce.
- Milk: Make the cheese sauce saucy. I’ve used oat milk, and it works fine.
- Dijon mustard: Adds sharpness and depth to the sauce. I always use mustard in a cheese sauce.
- Paprika: Brings a smoky, slightly sweet note.
- Cayenne pepper: Just a touch of heat. Omit if you don’t tolerate heat.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp, tangy, and melty.
Substitutions
- Fries: Use sweet potato fries or waffle fries for a twist.
Instructions
Prep Tips
Making bacon cheese fries at home is simple and worth the extra step of making your own sauce. Start with your fries, then prepare the toppings while they bake.
Cook the fries according to package directions until golden and crisp.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain on paper towels.
How to Make Cheese Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
Whisk in the flour.
The mixture will be thick and kinda saucy, like in the photo above.
Stir in the mustard and paprika. The mixture will thicken to a paste.
Slowly add the milk while whisking until smooth. It will gradually loosen up.
Once all of the milk has been added, let it heat for a few minutes to thicken.
Add the cheese and whisk until melted into a smooth sauce. Keep warm over low heat.
Assemble the fries by layering on the cheese sauce, bacon, green onions, and yogurt, or sour cream if using. Serve immediately.
Tips for Making Bacon Cheese Fries
- Bake your fries until extra golden so they can hold up under the sauce and toppings.
- Pour in the milk a little at a time while whisking to avoid lumps in the cheese sauce. This is the key to a smooth sauce.
- Grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can make sauces grainy. Freshly grated melts better.
- Serve right away. Fries and cheese sauce are at their best when they are hot and still crispy. Assemble just before serving so the fries stay crispy.
What to Serve With Bacon Cheese Fries
Bacon cheese fries are filling on their own, but they’re even when you pair them with your other favorites. For a casual game day spread, serve these loaded fries with breaded cauliflower or sheet pan sliders so everyone can grab a little of everything.
More Loaded Fries Recipes
Storage
Bacon cheese fries are best served fresh. Save leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Warm the cheese sauce gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or water to loosen it up. (You can also microwave it.)
FAQs
To help prevent your fries from getting soggy, bake them so they are extra crispy and serve them as soon as you top them with cheese sauce. Understand that some sogginess will happen because you are topping potatoes with a hot sauce!
Bacon Cheese Fries Recipe
Ingredients
- 750 grams french fries your favorite
- 8 strips bacon chopped and fried
- 4 green onions chopped
- yogurt or sour cream, optional
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 11/2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bake the fries according to your package instructions.
- Chop the bacon and transfer it to a skillet. Set the skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until it reaches your favorite crispiness level (total crisp for me!). Stir occasionally. This will take about 10 minutes and you can make the cheese sauce while it cooks.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk together. It’ll be thick and kinda saucy. Add the dijon and paprika. Now the mixture will be thick and chunky. That’s fine.
- Add milk slowly, while whisking. This will take a minute or two, it’s fine, you’ll get a really smooth sauce in the end.
- Let the milk heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the cheese. Whisk until melted and then use it or keep it over low heat to keep warm.
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
SHARE THIS RECIPE
Rating, commenting, and sharing my recipes really helps. Thanks for taking the time! Mention @pipercooksblog on Instagram.
