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.
Baked Chili Cheese Fries with Bacon and Ranch
Baked Chili Cheese Fries with Bacon and Ranch - These are chili spiced, not topped with chili. I promise you, everyone will love these fries.
Ingredients
- 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.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0 Total Fat: 0g
This Post Has 57 Comments
the f girl
19 Mar 2012Oh boy, that looks delicious. Good chance I am going to make these tonight. Thanks for sharing!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012My pleasure.
Blog is the New Black
19 Mar 2012Wow. That’s all. 🙂
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012LOL.
Priyanka
19 Mar 2012That looks yummy….very simple and tempting
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012Very, very tempting. These were amazing.
Connecting Four
19 Mar 2012Wow that looks amazing! Can you make me some and send it over? 😛
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012Sure thing!
Brittany
19 Mar 2012Yum!! I’m pregnant and trying to be “good”, but these might just have to be my once a week cheat!!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012Totally worth the cheat.
Deanna
19 Mar 2012The corn starch is a really interesting addition. I bet the fries were super crispy.
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012they were. It really helped.
Paula @ Dishing the Divine
19 Mar 2012I 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!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012I don’t like goopy chili fries, so these are the best of both words, all of the flavor but not as messy.
ErinCroutons
19 Mar 2012My word. These look phenomenal!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012they are!
Helene @ Homebound
19 Mar 2012oh 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 ;-)}
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012Come on over!
Stephanie
19 Mar 2012These look soooo delicious! I’d only make them if someone was there to share/save me from eating all of them!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012Def need a friend to share with!
Bree
19 Mar 2012Oh woooowsers-those look amazing!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012they are! Totally worth the splurge.
anita
19 Mar 2012French fries are my weakness. Must make this asap!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012Me too Anita! I cannot say no to the good fry.
Heather
19 Mar 2012Looks 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!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012Me too, but I would much rather have these.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
20 Mar 2012I’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!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012my pleasure! These were amazing.
Vicky
20 Mar 2012hmmm I looove chili cheese fries! These look sooooo good!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012they are so good!
Kocinera
20 Mar 2012Wow!! Those fries look amazing! The second I saw the bacon I was sold. 😀
Casey
21 Mar 2012Where’s the chili? Or is it chili cheese fries because of the chili powders?
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012Chili-flavored. Not chili-chili.
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012bacon makes everything better.
Lianne
24 Mar 2012This looks sinful but so yummy! Love cheesy fries!
bakedbree
27 Mar 2012So worth the splurge!
MIlk and Cookies
27 Mar 2012Oh, goodness, that looks delicious.
bakedbree
8 Apr 2012It is!
Amy
27 Mar 2012OMG, 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!
bakedbree
8 Apr 2012I know why, I am LAZY!
Judy Auer
29 Apr 2018The potato skin is an excellent source of fibre as well as other nutrients just under the potato skin.
Gina from The High Life
27 Mar 2012Bacon, cheese and potatoes… What more could you ask for?
bakedbree
8 Apr 2012Not much!
Katie
9 Apr 2012My 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! 😀
GoddessMel
25 Oct 2012I am TOTALLY trying these out on the weekend! Hubby loves bacon anything, and ranch on everything, so I think these will be a hit.
bakedbree
2 Nov 2012They are so ridiculously good.
Shannon @ TheDrinkBuzz
22 Dec 2012This recipe sounds absolutely delicious, I love all the ingredients you are using. This is a must make 🙂
bakedbree
24 Dec 2012thank you! Love this recipe!
TERRY
27 Dec 2012WOW Just when I was giving up on 2012 with ONLINE recipes
the found your site…
Great instruction
even greater recipes
did I mention…WOW
bakedbree
29 Dec 2012Don’t give up on online recipes!
The Norfolk Chilli Comapny
12 May 2014I like the idea of using cornstarch to give them a good crunch!
bakedbree
12 May 2014Thank you!
LindaPV
13 Aug 2014Where’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.
bakedbree
19 Aug 2014It clearly says 6 slices bacon in the ingredient list.
Ginny
8 Jun 2015Gotta 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.
bakedbree
10 Jun 2015Excellent! Enjoy!
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