Description
Crispy fries smothered in a creamy, slightly spicy Cajun-ranch cheese sauce and finished with melty white cheddar. Ready in about half an hour, this dish makes a killer snack, shareable appetizer, or indulgent side for burgers and game-day spreads.
Ingredients
Scale
- 26 oz frozen French fries
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper (or black pepper)
- 2 tsp ranch seasoning powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, divided
- 8 oz white cheddar, shredded
Instructions
- Heat your oven or air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the frozen fries in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or inside the air fryer basket and cook until they’re golden and crisp, following the package timing as a guide.
- While the fries cook, make the sauce: melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour into the butter and whisk continuously for about two minutes to form a light roux.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, adding a little at a time so the mixture stays smooth. Stir in the salt, white pepper, ranch powder, and half of the cayenne. Continue cooking on medium-low, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 4–6 minutes).
- Remove the pan from heat and fold in the shredded white cheddar until the sauce is glossy and lump-free. If it needs more heat, stir in the remaining pinch of cayenne.
- Transfer the hot fries to a serving platter, pour the cheese sauce over them, and serve immediately while everything is warm and gooey.
Notes
For the creamiest sauce, use freshly grated cheddar rather than pre-shredded cheese. If you prefer extra crunch, pop the sauced fries under the broiler for a minute to lightly brown the cheese—watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg