Introduction

These fully loaded cheese fries with ranch seasoning are the ultimate comfort food, combining crispy fries smothered in a rich cheese sauce and zesty ranch dip. Topped with bacon, pickled banana peppers, radishes, and scallions, they offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will satisfy any craving.

A large white oval plate holds a layered pile of crispy golden French fries as the base. On top is a drizzle of creamy light beige cheese sauce and white sauce, both spread unevenly but thick enough to cover many fries. Scattered over this are small pieces of dark reddish-brown crispy bacon, thin round slices of white radish with red edges, bright yellow-green pepper rings, and chopped green onions, adding pops of color. Nearby, a small white round plate holds a smaller serving of fries with the same toppings. The dishes sit on a white marbled surface, with two clear glasses of golden beer and a yellow-and-white checked cloth napkin folded nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 (28-ounce) bag frozen French fries (unseasoned, any shape)
8 ounces sharp cheddar, grated on the large side of a box grater
4 ounces Monterey Jack or Colby cheese, grated on the large side of a box grater
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
Whole milk, as needed (optional)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus more to taste
1 (1-ounce) packet ranch dip mix, divided
8 ounces sour cream
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1/3 cup pickled hot banana pepper rings, plus more to taste
3 to 4 small red radishes, thinly sliced
3 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven and bake the fries according to the package instructions. Spread them out evenly in a single layer without crowding to ensure maximum crispness. Use two sheet pans if needed. Avoid parchment paper if possible, as it may reduce crispiness.
Step 2: In a bowl, toss the grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses with 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons of cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan over medium-low heat.
Step 3: Slowly add the evaporated milk to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, stirring often with a whisk at first. Once the cheese melts, use a heat-proof spatula to scrape the bottom and corners to prevent sticking or burning.
Step 4: Continue stirring the sauce as it thickens, about 5 to 8 minutes, until it coats the back of the spatula. Adjust seasoning with more cayenne pepper if desired. If the sauce is too thick, thin with 1 tablespoon of whole milk at a time. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
Step 5: Mix 2 tablespoons of the ranch dip seasoning with the sour cream and set aside. Chill if making ahead.
Step 6: When the fries are hot and crispy, remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ranch dip seasoning evenly over them. Toss gently with tongs or a spatula to coat.
Step 7: Assemble the loaded fries on the baking sheet(s). Layer half of the fries and drizzle 1/3 to 1/2 of the cheese sauce over them. Sprinkle half the crumbled bacon and some banana pepper rings.
Step 8: Add the remaining fries on top, then spoon over the remaining cheese sauce. Finish with the remaining bacon, dollops of ranch dip, banana pepper rings, radishes, and scallions. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use two baking sheets for crispier fries instead of crowding one pan.
Swap pickled banana peppers for jalapeños or mild pickled peppers based on your heat preference.
For extra richness, add a sprinkle of smoked paprika to the cheese sauce.
Try swapping bacon for cooked chorizo or diced cooked chicken for a different protein twist.

Storage

Store leftover cheese sauce and ranch dip separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat the cheese sauce gently in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each, or warm it slowly in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Leftover fries are best eaten fresh but can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain some crispness.

How to Serve

A white rectangular tray filled with crispy golden fries topped with melted orange cheddar cheese, small pieces of brown cooked bacon, and chopped fresh green onions scattered evenly on top. There is a small white round bowl filled with creamy white sour cream placed on the upper right corner of the tray. The tray is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen fries?

Yes, you can cut russet potatoes into fries, soak them to remove excess starch, and then bake or fry them until crispy. Adjust cooking time accordingly.

What can I substitute for evaporated milk in the cheese sauce?

You can use whole milk or half-and-half, but the sauce may be slightly less creamy. Reduce the amount gradually and monitor the consistency as you heat.

Fully Loaded Cheese Fries with Ranch Seasoning Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 93 reviews

Fully Loaded Cheese Fries with Ranch Seasoning is a deliciously indulgent snack featuring crispy oven-baked French fries smothered in a creamy, spicy cheese sauce and topped with crispy bacon, tangy pickled banana peppers, crunchy radishes, scallions, and a flavorful ranch dip. This crowd-pleaser makes for a perfect appetizer or comfort food treat.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Fries

1 (28-ounce) bag frozen French fries (unseasoned, any preferred shape)
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated (large holes of box grater)
4 ounces Monterey Jack or Colby cheese, grated (large holes of box grater)
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
Whole milk, as needed (optional for thinning sauce)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus more to taste
1 (1-ounce) packet ranch dip mix, divided
8 ounces sour cream

Toppings

4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1/3 cup pickled hot banana pepper rings, plus more to taste
3 to 4 small red radishes, thinly sliced
3 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)

Instructions

Bake the fries: Preheat your oven according to the package instructions and bake the frozen French fries. Spread them out in an even, single layer on sheet pans for maximum crispness. Use two pans if necessary. Avoid using parchment paper as it may reduce crispiness. Bake until fries are golden and crispy.
Make the cheese sauce: In a bowl, toss the grated cheddar and Monterey Jack/Colby cheeses with cornstarch and cayenne pepper. Transfer the cheese mixture to a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Slowly add evaporated milk, stirring continuously with a whisk until the cheese melts and the mixture comes to a gentle bubble. Switch to a heat-proof spatula to scrape the pan constantly to prevent burning.
Thicken the sauce: Allow the sauce to bubble and thicken for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently. The sauce should coat the back of the spatula thickly; it will thicken further as it cools. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more cayenne or thinning with whole milk by tablespoon increments if needed. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
Prepare the ranch dip: Mix 2 tablespoons of the ranch dip seasoning packet with the sour cream in a bowl. Chill if preparing ahead. Reserve the remaining ranch seasoning for the fries.
Season the fries: Once fries are baked, remove them from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ranch dip seasoning evenly over them. Toss gently with tongs or a spatula to coat the fries uniformly.
Assemble the loaded cheese fries: Using the baking sheet(s), layer half the fries and drizzle with ⅓ to ½ of the cheese sauce. Sprinkle half of the crumbled bacon and some banana pepper rings over the fries. Add the remaining fries on top and drizzle with the rest of the cheese sauce. Finish with the remaining bacon, dollops of ranch dip, banana peppers, sliced radishes, and scallions. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Storage and reheating: Store any leftover cheese sauce and ranch dip covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat cheese sauce in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between intervals, or warm gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.

Notes

Use unseasoned frozen fries for best control over seasoning.
Spice level can be adjusted by adding more or less cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
Don’t overcrowd fries when baking to ensure they get crispy.
Cheese sauce thickens as it cools; add milk to thin it if needed when reheating.
The ranch dip seasoning is divided for seasoning fries and mixing into the dip separately to maximize flavor.
For extra crispiness, avoid adding parchment paper under fries during baking.
Leftovers keep well and are great for quick snack reheating.

Keywords: cheese fries, loaded fries, ranch seasoning, baked fries, cheese sauce, bacon, pickled peppers, appetizer