These epic Dirty Fries are packed with flavor and perfect for sharing (although let's be real, you might not want to…)! Made with crispy seasoned fries, jalapenos, a cheese sauce, more melted cheese, and topped with pickled slice scallions, fresh herbs, tomatoes, and a few dollops of sour cream these dirty fries are the ultimate indulgence.

Also known as loaded fries, dirty fries typically involve cooking skinny French fries tossed in a cajun-style seasoning, topped with cheese (either a cheese sauce or just grated cheese), bacon (veggie bacon in this case!), onions or another veg, and multiple toppings. However, they're really versatile too - use whatever your heart desires, and you'll create something delicious regardless.

Other potato recipes you might also like to try include these spicy potato tacos, crushed pesto potatoes, and super crispy roast potatoes.

Ingredient Notes

• Fries: Your easiest option is to use frozen oven fries for this recipe - they're quick to cook, easy to coat in seasoning, and uniform in size! Alternatively, you could make homemade cajun fries for this recipe.
  
• Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning works great with this dirty fries recipe, giving the fries a delicious smoky, spicy kick. You can also make your own with paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. The recipe linked above has the exact quantities you need! Alternatively, you could use whatever seasonings you prefer - simple salt and pepper would work.
  
• Red pepper: Diced red pepper adds some great flavor, texture, and color to this recipe! Cut the pepper into small pieces and cook it at the same time you cook the fries.
  
• Cheese: Cheddar and mozzarella work perfectly, although a four-cheese shredded blend is also great.
  
• Cheese sauce: The cheese sauce is made from a simple roux of oil, flour, and milk, with cheese stirred in. If you don't have time to make a cheese sauce, a store-bought nacho cheese sauce works perfectly.
  
• Jalapenos: Add sliced jalapenos to the fries for an extra spicy kick.
  
• Tomato and Herbs: Dice a tomato and add a handful of parsley or cilantro to the top of the fries for some freshness and color.
  
• Spring Onions or Pickled Red Onions
  
• Hot sauce: For extra spice, I love drizzling some buffalo hot sauce over the fries.
  
• Sour Cream: A few dollops of cooling sour cream are perfect on these loaded dirty fries. Alternatively, I love to mix up some Greek yoghurt with garlic granules and a squeeze of lemon juice to make a healthier garlic yoghurt dip for this recipe.

How To Make These Dirty Fries

Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full ingredient notes and instructions - I've provided some more in-depth steps for making this recipe here, however.

Step 1) Prep Your Fries

Add the fries to a mixing bowl and sprinkle over the cajun seasoning (or whatever seasonings you're using) and spray with a little oil. Toss well to ensure the fires are fully coated.

Next, preheat your oven to 200 degrees C | 400 degrees F and line a baking tray with baking paper. 

Spread the fries onto the baking tray (trying to keep them to one flat layer if possible) and sprinkle over the seasoning and oil.  If you're using additional ingredients like the red pepper and bacon bits, add these to the baking tray too. Place the tray into the oven to cook for 15 minutes before adding the other toppings. 

Step 2) Make the cheese sauce

While the fries are cooking, make the cheese sauce if you're making it from scratch. To make the cheese sauce, add the oil to the same dish you were just using, then add the plain flour and stir continuously for a couple of minutes. Add in your milk, always stirring to avoid lumps, and cook until the sauce has begun to thicken (~5 minutes).

Once the sauce has begun to thicken, add the cheddar cheese and mozzarella.

Step 3) Prepare the other toppings

While the fries finish cooking, finely chop your cilantro, get your pickled red onions out of the fridge, dice your tomato, and prepare your homemade guacamole if using.

Step 4) Assemble the fries

Once you've removed the fries from the oven, add the jalapenos, tomatoes, cheese, cheese sauce, and hot sauce. Then, put the fries back in the oven for another 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Step 5) Added the other toppings

Remove the fries from the oven and add the sliced spring onions, cilantro, and sour cream.

Expert Tips

• For a vegan-friendly option, use vegan cheese instead of cheddar and mozzarella.
  
• Top with fried beans and homemade guacamole for nacho fries!
  
• Add some crunch: To add some extra texture to your dirty fries, try sprinkling some crispy fried onions or even some crushed-up tortilla chips on top.

Storage

These dirty fries are best enjoyed straight out of the oven, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Serving Suggestions

These dirty fries are perfect on their own as a snack, but they also work great as a side dish with burgers, hot dogs, or sandwiches. Here are a few recipes I have that would pair well:

• Crispy Baked Tofu Nuggets
• Paprika Smashed Potatoes with Lemon and Garlic Dip
• Roasted Frozen Green Beans Recipe
• Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe

Other Recipes You Might Like

If you're looking for more comfort food recipes, check out some of these other delicious options. These loaded fries could go great with tofu nuggets or some Mexican beans, or even topped with a classic homemade guacamole.

FAQs