Loaded Fries with Bacon Cheddar and Ranch
I love loaded fries with bacon cheddar and ranch—especially inspired by the cheesy, smoky ones from Shake Shack. Anytime I get to try my own version at home, it's so worth it. They don’t use ranch at Shake Shack, but I’m such a fan, I had to try them. I swapped the crinkle fries for regular ones, added ranch dressing, and they turned out so good!
This recipe is super flexible. You can use frozen fries or make your own from scratch if you’re feeling like it.
Baked fries are a great option, too, if you want something a little lighter. It’s perfect for a show binge night, game day, or just when you want to whip up something fun without the effort.
Why You’ll Love It
- Inspired by Shake Shack, but easy to make at home.
- Simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, like potatoes, cheese, and bacon.
- Great for sharing—or not, no judging – I can eat these all by myself
How It Comes Together
Bake the fries until crispy, then top with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
Pop them back in the oven to melt the cheese, drizzle with ranch dressing, and add any extras you like. Whether you use frozen fries or make your own, they’ll come out just as tasty.
Equipment List
- Knife and cutting board
- Large bowl (for soaking fries)
- Large pot (for boiling potatoes)
- Spider strainer (to remove fries from the water)
- Baking sheet (to bake fries)
- Parchment paper (to keep fries from sticking)
- Oven-safe dish (for broiling cheese and toppings)
Ingredients (with Substitutions)
For the Fries:
- Russet Potatoes: These work best for crispy fries. Yukon Gold potatoes are a good alternative for softer fries.
- Avocado Oil: Ideal for baking or frying. Substitute with olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Water: Needed for boiling the fries before baking, rinsing and soaking.
- Salt: Used to season the boiling water for better-tasting fries.
For the Toppings:
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded. Substitute with Monterey Jack, Colby, or Pepper Jack for extra flavor.
- Bacon: Cooked and crumbled. Turkey bacon works too.
- Ranch Dressing: Use store-bought or homemade ranch. Greek yogurt ranch is a lighter option.
- Green Onions or Chives: Add a pop of fresh flavor.
Recipe Tip
Always go for freshly shredded cheese if you can. It melts way better than the pre-shredded kind because it doesn’t have the extra stuff they add to keep it from clumping.
Your fries will be cheesier and gooier—totally worth the tiny bit of extra effort!
Instructions for Baked Fries
1. Bake the Bacon:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay out 6 slices of bacon in a single layer.
- Bake the bacon for 12-15 minutes, or until crispy. When done, move the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and crumble it once it cools.
- Carefully pour most of the bacon grease off the baking sheet, but leave a light coating for flavor.
2. Prep the Potatoes:
- Wash the potatoes and peel them if you want. Cut them into thin strips, about ¼ inch thick, so they look like fries.
3. Rinse and Soak:
- Rinse the fries 2-3 times under cold water until the water looks clear. This removes extra starch so the fries turn crispy.
- Soak the fries in a bowl of cold water for at least 15 minutes.
4. Parboil the Fries (half cook):
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fries and cook them for 4-5 minutes.
- Use a spider strainer to take the fries out of the water and place them on a clean towel or wire rack. Let them dry.
5. Toss in Oil and Bake the Fries:
- Once the fries are dry, toss them with 1 tablespoon of avocado oil until evenly coated.
- Spread the fries out on the same baking sheet used for the bacon, that has a light coating of bacon fat. Make sure the fries are in one layer and try not to overcrowd the baking sheet.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through so they bake evenly.
6. Add Cheese and Bacon:
- Take the fries out of the oven and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon on top.
- Put the fries under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese is melted.
7. Drizzle with Ranch and Serve:
- Drizzle ranch dressing over the fries, or serve them in a small bowl and sprinkle them with green onions or chives. Serve right away and enjoy!
What To Serve With Loaded Fries
These loaded fries are so good on their own, but I love them with Super Crispy Pollo Empanizado for a simple and crunchy dinner. On game day, they’re perfect next to Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas, Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Bites, or Homemade Chicken Taquitos.
FAQs
Can I use crinkle fries?
Of course! Crinkle fries are classic, but waffle fries, curly fries, or even sweet potato fries are also perfect.
What if I don’t eat bacon?
Skip the bacon or replace it with turkey bacon, grilled chicken, or roasted veggies.
Have you tried making these loaded fries yet? Let me know how they turned out! Share your version in the comments or tag me on Instagram @cocinarepublic—I’d love to see what toppings you added or how you made them your own.
Loaded Fries with Bacon Cheddar and Ranch
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place 6 slices of bacon on the sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, until crispy. Move the bacon to a plate with paper towels and crumble once cooled. Drain most of the grease from the pan, leaving a light coating.
- Wash and peel 3 large potatoes if you want, then cut them into ¼-inch strips.
- Rinse the fries 2-3 times in cold water until clear, then soak in cold water for 15 minutes.
- Boil a pot of salted water. Add the fries and cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove with a spider strainer and dry completely.
- Toss the fries with 1 tbsp avocado oil. Spread them in a single layer on the same baking sheet used for the bacon. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and the crumbled bacon over the fries. Broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Drizzle ½ cup ranch dressing over the fries and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped parsley, green onions or chives. Serve warm.
