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
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
57 Comments
Oh boy, that looks delicious. Good chance I am going to make these tonight. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure.
Wow. That’s all. 🙂
LOL.
That looks yummy….very simple and tempting
Very, very tempting. These were amazing.
Wow that looks amazing! Can you make me some and send it over? 😛
Sure thing!
Yum!! I’m pregnant and trying to be “good”, but these might just have to be my once a week cheat!!
Totally worth the cheat.
The corn starch is a really interesting addition. I bet the fries were super crispy.
they were. It really helped.
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!
I don’t like goopy chili fries, so these are the best of both words, all of the flavor but not as messy.
My word. These look phenomenal!
they are!
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 ;-)}
Come on over!
These look soooo delicious! I’d only make them if someone was there to share/save me from eating all of them!
Def need a friend to share with!
Oh woooowsers-those look amazing!
they are! Totally worth the splurge.
French fries are my weakness. Must make this asap!
Me too Anita! I cannot say no to the good fry.
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!
Me too, but I would much rather have these.
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!
my pleasure! These were amazing.
hmmm I looove chili cheese fries! These look sooooo good!
they are so good!
Wow!! Those fries look amazing! The second I saw the bacon I was sold. 😀
Where’s the chili? Or is it chili cheese fries because of the chili powders?
Chili-flavored. Not chili-chili.
bacon makes everything better.
This looks sinful but so yummy! Love cheesy fries!
So worth the splurge!
Oh, goodness, that looks delicious.
It is!
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!
I know why, I am LAZY!
The potato skin is an excellent source of fibre as well as other nutrients just under the potato skin.
Bacon, cheese and potatoes… What more could you ask for?
Not much!
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! 😀
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.
They are so ridiculously good.
This recipe sounds absolutely delicious, I love all the ingredients you are using. This is a must make 🙂
thank you! Love this recipe!
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
Don’t give up on online recipes!
I like the idea of using cornstarch to give them a good crunch!
Thank you!
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.
It clearly says 6 slices bacon in the ingredient list.
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.
Excellent! Enjoy!