I am not even going to bother with chit chat. Let’s just talk about these fries. They are insane. Beyond what I could have ever expected in a French fry. Heaven in a cast iron skillet. Amazing. These might even edge out my love for these babies.
Of all of the things in Joy the Baker’s new cookbook, it surprised me that this was the first thing that I chose to make. Let’s be honest, I am more of a sweet than a savory. If you read this blog regularly, you might have gotten a sense that I have a bit of a sweet tooth. You know what got me though? The cornstarch. It is an intriguing ingredient in a French fry, is it not? It helps crisp up the potatoes. The seasoning blend is smoky and spicy and the cheese and ranch help to cool the whole thing down. And the bacon? Well, why not? These were so good, that it was hard to take pictures because all I wanted to do was finish so that I could eat them.
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- pinch salt
- 1 pound bag fingerling potatoes (or 2 medium russet potatoes)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon grill seasoning
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 Tablespoons chopped chives
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- homemade ranch dressing
Mix together cornstarch, chili powders, paprika, cumin, and a pinch of salt. You can add red pepper flakes and a pinch of cayenne if you want, but I didn’t want to make these too spicy in case the kids wanted to try them.
I did not have any regular potatoes, only fingerlings, so I gave them a half peel, and cut them into wedges. Add them to a large bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and grill seasoning.
Sprinkle the cornstarch mixture over the potatoes.
Toss until the potatoes are completely coated. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray. Put the oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 425 degrees. Arrange the potatoes on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Give them a toss a few times during the cooking time.
I transfered my potatoes to a cast iron skillet, but you can keep the fries on the baking sheet if you want.
Cover the fries with cheese.
And bacon.
Put back in the oven until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with chopped chives.
Send it over the top with a generous dollop of homemade ranch dressing.
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PinIngredients
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- pinch salt
- 1 pound bag fingerling potatoes (or 2 medium russet potatoes)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon grill seasoning
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 Tablespoons chopped chives
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- homemade ranch dressing
Instructions
- Mix together cornstarch, chili powders, paprika, cumin, and a pinch of salt. You can add red pepper flakes and a pinch of cayenne if you want, but I didn’t want to make these too spicy in case the kids wanted to try them.
- I did not have any regular potatoes, only fingerlings, so I gave them a half peel, and cut them into wedges. Add them to a large bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and grill seasoning.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch mixture over the potatoes.
- Toss until the potatoes are completely coated. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray. Put the oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 425 degrees. Arrange the potatoes on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Give them a toss a few times during the cooking time.
- I transfered my potatoes to a cast iron skillet, but you can keep the fries on the baking sheet if you want.
- Cover the fries with cheese.
- And bacon.
- Put back in the oven until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with chopped chives.
- Send it over the top with a generous dollop of homemade ranch dressing.
March 19th, 2012 at 6:03 am
Oh boy, that looks delicious. Good chance I am going to make these tonight. Thanks for sharing!
March 27th, 2012 at 10:03 am
My pleasure.
March 19th, 2012 at 6:48 am
Wow. That’s all. 🙂
March 27th, 2012 at 10:03 am
LOL.
March 19th, 2012 at 7:12 am
That looks yummy….very simple and tempting
March 27th, 2012 at 10:03 am
Very, very tempting. These were amazing.
March 19th, 2012 at 7:13 am
Wow that looks amazing! Can you make me some and send it over? 😛
March 27th, 2012 at 10:02 am
Sure thing!
March 19th, 2012 at 10:22 am
Yum!! I’m pregnant and trying to be “good”, but these might just have to be my once a week cheat!!
March 27th, 2012 at 10:02 am
Totally worth the cheat.
March 19th, 2012 at 11:38 am
The corn starch is a really interesting addition. I bet the fries were super crispy.
March 27th, 2012 at 10:02 am
they were. It really helped.
March 19th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
I don’t usually love chili cheese fries, but you may have just convinced me to try these anyway. Those photos and your comments are pretty convincing!
March 27th, 2012 at 10:01 am
I don’t like goopy chili fries, so these are the best of both words, all of the flavor but not as messy.
March 19th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
My word. These look phenomenal!
March 27th, 2012 at 10:01 am
they are!
March 19th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
oh my, this looks so delicious. i have to make it one of these days… thanks for sharing {even though it is only visual sharing, i wish i could’ve gotten a bite from yours ;-)}
March 27th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Come on over!
March 19th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
These look soooo delicious! I’d only make them if someone was there to share/save me from eating all of them!
March 27th, 2012 at 10:00 am
Def need a friend to share with!
March 19th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Oh woooowsers-those look amazing!
March 27th, 2012 at 9:59 am
they are! Totally worth the splurge.
March 19th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
French fries are my weakness. Must make this asap!
March 27th, 2012 at 9:58 am
Me too Anita! I cannot say no to the good fry.
March 19th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Looks delicious but when I think of “chili cheese fries”, I think of fries with yummy warm chili on top, not just chili powder. I will be making these in any case though!
March 27th, 2012 at 9:58 am
Me too, but I would much rather have these.
March 20th, 2012 at 1:11 am
I’ve bookmarked this recipe in her book and I plan on making it very soon, with the added bacon of course. Thanks for the inspiration!
March 27th, 2012 at 9:56 am
my pleasure! These were amazing.
March 20th, 2012 at 9:46 am
hmmm I looove chili cheese fries! These look sooooo good!
March 27th, 2012 at 9:56 am
they are so good!
March 20th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Wow!! Those fries look amazing! The second I saw the bacon I was sold. 😀
March 21st, 2012 at 8:32 am
Where’s the chili? Or is it chili cheese fries because of the chili powders?
March 27th, 2012 at 9:42 am
Chili-flavored. Not chili-chili.
March 27th, 2012 at 9:54 am
bacon makes everything better.
March 24th, 2012 at 6:13 am
This looks sinful but so yummy! Love cheesy fries!
March 27th, 2012 at 9:32 am
So worth the splurge!
March 27th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Oh, goodness, that looks delicious.
April 8th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
It is!
March 27th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
OMG, I do the same thing! I think you said, “half-peel” and I call it “sorta peel.” Do you know why you do that? Because I don’t. I don’t want them totally peeled, but I feel the need to get rid of some of the skins?? How does that even make sense?
Anyway, thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to try the cornstarch for some added crunchiness. I would’ve NEVER thought of that! Such a great tip!
April 8th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
I know why, I am LAZY!
April 29th, 2018 at 9:48 pm
The potato skin is an excellent source of fibre as well as other nutrients just under the potato skin.
March 27th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Bacon, cheese and potatoes… What more could you ask for?
April 8th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Not much!
April 9th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
My crazy boyfriend doesn’t like beans, but he loves savory & spicy… Whenever I make bean dishes, he will pass, or pick them out of his portion. This dish is perfect, I get the taste of chili and he doesn’t have to pick out beans! Thank you for providing me with another way for me to impress him in the kitchen! 😀
October 25th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
I am TOTALLY trying these out on the weekend! Hubby loves bacon anything, and ranch on everything, so I think these will be a hit.
November 2nd, 2012 at 11:15 pm
They are so ridiculously good.
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:07 pm
This recipe sounds absolutely delicious, I love all the ingredients you are using. This is a must make 🙂
December 24th, 2012 at 10:50 pm
thank you! Love this recipe!
December 27th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
WOW Just when I was giving up on 2012 with ONLINE recipes
the found your site…
Great instruction
even greater recipes
did I mention…WOW
December 29th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Don’t give up on online recipes!
May 12th, 2014 at 8:49 am
I like the idea of using cornstarch to give them a good crunch!
May 12th, 2014 at 10:47 pm
Thank you!
August 13th, 2014 at 6:19 pm
Where’s the bacon in the recipe? Picture & recipe name was a wow. Read the recipe 3x and no bacon mentioned or if it’s only for decoration at least mention how many slices.
August 19th, 2014 at 10:56 am
It clearly says 6 slices bacon in the ingredient list.
June 8th, 2015 at 4:49 pm
Gotta try these ASAP!!! I like the idea of the chili powders without having to make the chili and the mess caused by chili, especially when it involves kids/teenagers. I have everything except for 2 ingredients. Off to the supermarket.
June 10th, 2015 at 10:51 pm
Excellent! Enjoy!
December 27th, 2017 at 4:26 am
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