Cheesy Loaded Waffle Fries with Bacon

Do you love fries? Do you love cheese? Then you need to make these cheesy loaded waffle fries ASAP! With bacon, jalapeños, red chilis, and fresh chives, they’re loaded with flavor and taste amazing with a side of ranch and a cold beer. Make this snack for parties, game days, and get-togethers with friends!

Earlier this week, I said the actual sentence, “WOW, it’s been a week”. And it was only Tuesday. So needless to say, I needed something covered in cheese by the time Friday rolled around.

For me, the only cure for a long week involves inviting my friends over for wine and early 2000s teen movies. Plus a variety of snacks like garlic butter chicken wings, spicy deviled eggs, spicy ranch snack mix, or cheesy fries!

These fries are by far one of my go-to party snacks. They’re super cheesy, a bit spicy, and made for sharing with friends. Let’s get into it!

These fries are so good

Anyone who tells you that cheesy fries aren’t one of the best foods ever is honestly? Lying. These fries are a superior bar food and one of my go-tos for casual get-togethers at home. They’ve been one of my go-to late night orders ever since I was in college spending my weekends bar-hopping. But they’re also a super easy snack to make at home!

• These fries are melty, crunchy, and topped with crispy bacon.
• You can customize the fries with all of your favorite toppings!
• This recipe is ridiculously easy thanks to a shortcut – frozen fries.
• Serve these fries for movie nights with friends, casual parties, or game day!

The ingredients

• Waffle fries – to keep things nice any easy, this recipe uses frozen waffle fries! I like seasoned fries but feel free to use plain salted.
• Cheese – a mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey jack cheese will add a savory flavor but still lots of meltiness!
• Bacon – look for thick-cut bacon for the best texture. I usually buy it from the meat counter.
• Hot peppers – for a little spice, we’ll top the fries with jalapeños and red chili peppers.
• Chives – a sprinkle of fresh chives add a pop of freshness.
• Ranch – for dipping! Store-bought or homemade will both work.

Ingredient variations

• Fries – use regular fries, sweet potato fries, or tater tots instead.
• Cheese – any melty cheese, like pepper jack, provolone, or mozzarella, will work too. If you’re using a milder cheese like mozzarella, make sure you pair it with something more flavorful like cheddar.
• Peppers – if you’re not a fan of spice, feel free to replace the chilis with sautéed peppers & onions.
• Green onions – these are a great replacement for fresh chives!
• Dipping – you can also serve these fries with fry sauce, ketchup, or sour cream.
• Vegetarian – to make vegetarian loaded fries, leave off the bacon or replace it with vegetarian bacon. You can also replace the bacon with beans or sautéed peppers and onions.

How to make this recipe

Cook the bacon

1. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or tin foil. Line the bacon side-by-side on the pan.
2. Then, bake the bacon for 10-18 minutes, until it’s crisp and cooked through.
3. Transfer the cooked bacon to paper towels to soak up any extra grease. Chop the bacon and set it aside for later.

Bake & assemble

1. Spread the waffle fries in a single layer on a sheet pan.
2. Then, bake the fries according to package directions until they’re crispy.
3. Place half of the fries in an oven-safe serving dish. Top with half of the cheese and bacon.

4. Add the rest of fries, cheese, and bacon.
5. Next, evenly spread the chilis over the top.
6. Broil the fries for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melty and the chilis are lightly charred. Serve with ranch and enjoy!

Can I make this recipe in the air fryer?

Definitely! To make loaded fries in the air fryer:

1. Spread the waffle fries in a single layer and air fry according to package directions.
2. Once the fries are nice and crispy, spread the cheese, bacon, jalapeños, & red chilis on top.
3. Then, air fry at 390°F (198°C) for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and the chilis are lightly charred. Serve with ranch and enjoy!

Serving ideas

These fries are one of my favorite snacks to make when friends are coming over! They’re a huge crowd-pleaser and lovely for sharing – the best party snack! Here are a few serving ideas:

• Eat the fries with ranch, fry sauce, sour cream, or other sauces you like.
• Serve the fries with cold beer or cocktails like spiked strawberry lemonade or sour spaghetts!
• Make these fries for movie nights, house parties, a pre-dinner app, or game day.
• Bring this appetizer to a potluck – I promise, everyone will thank you!

Storing & reheating

To store leftover fries, spoon them into an airtight container. Refrigerate the fries for up to 3 days.

To reheat, you have a few options!

• Air fry – reheat the fries in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for 3-4 minutes until hot. This is my favorite method. They get nice and crispy!
• Bake – place the fries on a greased sheet pan. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes. This is my second favorite way to reheat the fries. They still get crispy, it just takes longer.
• Microwave – transfer the fries to a plate and microwave for 1-2 minutes until they’re heated through. I definitely don’t prefer this reheating method because it makes the fries a bit soggy but it will work in a pinch!

More topping ideas

If you want to elevate these fries even more, you can use all kinds of toppings! Here are some ideas:

• Meat – leftover pulled pork, chicken, ground beef, or smoked tri-tip would be delicious.
• Veggies – try sautéed bell peppers or onions. You can also top the fries with raw cherry tomatoes, avocado, or finely diced onions.
• Gravy – serve the fries with a side of gravy for poutine vibes.
• Cheese sauce – you can also use cheese sauce instead of fresh cheese.
• Nacho – for a nacho twist, top the fries with beans, jalapeños, guacamole, pico de Gallo, etc.
• Buffalo – try adding crispy buffalo chicken, bleu cheese, bacon, and green onions.
• Cheesesteak – use a mix of pepper jack cheese, sliced beef, and sautéed peppers, onions, & mushrooms.
• Carne asada – these fries would be amazing with carne asada, onions, & cilantro!

Helpful tools

• Sheet pans
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Air fryer (optional)
• Small serving bowls

Tips & tricks

• For easy cleanup, line the sheet pan with parchment paper or tinfoil. It’s such a lifesaver against melty cheese!
• Always shred your own cheese. I promise, it’s super worth it! Not only does the cheese taste so much better but it also melts nicer. Pre-shredded cheese will end up being grainy.
• Double layer the ingredients for max coverage! If you just pile the cheese and bacon on top, you’ll end up with a bottom layer of fries sans toppings.
• Serving a crowd? This recipe is super easy to double or triple! Just spread everything out between 2 sheet pans so the fries come out nice and crispy.

More party snacks

Individual Charcuterie Cups
Little Smokies in a Blanket with Puff Pastry
Tempura Fried Cheese Curds with Sriracha Mayo
BBQ Chicken Nachos with Cilantro Lime Crema
Homemade Soft Pretzels with Bleu Cheese Mustard
Sicilian-Style Pizza
Beer Cheese Fondue + Game Day Snacks

If you make this recipe, I would love it if you left a star rating and review! I read every single comment and love hearing what you think about my recipes. Thank you for supporting Sunday Table!

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xo Sara Lynn

Song of the day – No More Lies by Thundercat & Tame Impala