Description
A deliciously indulgent recipe featuring crispy golden fries smothered in a creamy, spicy white cheddar cheese sauce seasoned with ranch and cayenne for a flavorful kick. Perfect as a hearty snack or side dish with a balance of rich cheese and bold spices.
Ingredients
Scale
Fries
- 26 ounces frozen French fries
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 2 teaspoons ranch seasoning powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder, divided
- 8 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the cooking device: Preheat your oven or air fryer to 400°F to prepare for cooking the fries.
- Cook the fries: Arrange frozen fries in a single layer on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket. Bake or air fry until they turn golden brown and crispy, following the package’s suggested cooking time.
- Make the roux: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour until fully combined and cook for about 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Prepare the cheese sauce: Gradually pour in milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Stir in the salt, ground white pepper, ranch seasoning powder, and half of the cayenne powder. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded white cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Assemble and serve: Pour the hot cheese sauce evenly over the cooked fries. Optionally, sprinkle the remaining cayenne powder on top for extra heat. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Ensure fries are spread out in a single layer for even cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Whisk continuously when adding milk to avoid lumps in the cheese sauce.
- Adjust cayenne powder amount to preference for spiciness.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately to keep the fries crisp.
- The ranch seasoning powder adds a tangy depth but can be substituted with your favorite seasoning blend if needed.
