Air Fryer Cheese Fries: Quick, Crispy, Cheesy Delight

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier versions of deep-fried foods, and they're perfect for making cheese fries. You can use frozen French fries or make your own, and the best part is that you only need two ingredients: French fries and cheese! The process is simple – just cook the fries in the air fryer, add cheese, and cook for a little longer to melt the cheese. You can also add extra toppings like bacon, sour cream, and green onions, or play around with different types of cheese and sauces.

The best cheeses for air fryer cheese fries

Air fryer cheese fries are a quick and easy snack or appetizer, and the best part is that you can use almost any cheese you like!

Melting cheese

If you want to achieve the perfect cheese pull, you'll need a cheese that melts well. Mozzarella is a great option for this, as it adds stringiness. You can also use a cheese sauce, such as nacho cheese sauce or a squeezy bottled cheese sauce.

Flavour and texture

For flavour and texture, you'll want to add a stronger-tasting cheese to the mix. Cheddar is a popular choice and can be purchased pre-shredded or grated at home. If you're grating it yourself, be sure to avoid pre-grated cheese, as it often contains caking agents that can impact melting. Medium or sharp cheddar will add a nice tanginess to your cheese fries.

Spicy cheese

If you like a little spice, pepper jack cheese is a great option. It will give your cheese fries a nice kick, without being too overpowering.

Other cheese options

You can also use parmesan, halloumi, or pretty much any cheese that can be grated.

Loaded cheese fries

If you want to take your cheese fries to the next level, try loading them up with other toppings. Bacon, sour cream, chives, and green onions are all great options. For the ultimate loaded cheese fries, try using a combination of mozzarella and cheddar, along with crispy bacon bits, sour cream, and chives.

Dips and sauces

Cheese fries are delicious on their own, but if you want to add even more flavour, try serving them with a dip or sauce on the side. Buffalo sauce, blue cheese, ranch dressing, sour cream, guacamole, or salsa are all great options.

So, the next time you're craving cheese fries, fire up your air fryer and get creative with your cheese choices!

How to make cheese fries in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen French fries
• Cheese of your choice (shredded)
• Salt (optional)
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. bacon, green onions, chicken, sauces)

Method

• Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Place the desired amount of frozen French fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid piling them too high to ensure even cooking.
• Cook the French Fries: Set the air fryer temperature to between 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the fries for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes or halfway through the cooking process to prevent sticking.
• Add Cheese: Once the fries are browned, sprinkle shredded cheese over them. Place the basket back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 45 seconds to 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
• Add Toppings: Remove the basket from the air fryer and add your desired toppings. Popular options include bacon bits, green onions, shredded chicken, and various sauces like ranch, buffalo sauce, or sour cream.
• Serve: Serve the cheese fries immediately while they are still hot and crispy.

Tips:

• For the best melting results, shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese, which may contain anti-caking agents.
• You can also use different types of cheese sauce, such as nacho cheese or bottled cheese sauce.
• If you want to make your French fries from scratch, consider soaking the potatoes in water before cooking to remove excess starch and ensure crispiness.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and toppings to find your favorite combinations.

How to make frozen french fries in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen French fries
• Salt (optional)
• Olive oil spray (optional)
• Your choice of cheese (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3-5 minutes.
• Spread the frozen fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can cause the fries to cook unevenly and become soggy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches.
• Set your air fryer to a high temperature. On a Cosori air fryer, for example, you can set the temperature to 185°C (365°F) and cook the frozen French fries for 20-25 minutes. Other air fryers may require a temperature of 390°F or 400°F.
• Shake the basket every 5 minutes or so to ensure that the fries cook evenly on all sides and prevent them from sticking together.
• Depending on the thickness of the fries, you may need to adjust the cooking time. The longer you cook the fries, the crispier they will become.
• Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.
• (Optional) For cheese fries, add a layer of cheese to the top of the fries and air fry for another 3 minutes at 200°C (390°F).

Tips:

• You don't need to defrost the French fries before cooking them in the air fryer.
• You don't need to add extra oil when cooking frozen fries, as they are usually pre-coated.
• You can add your seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or onion powder, once the fries are cooked and crispy.

How to make homemade french fries in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen French fries
• Oil (optional)
• Salt (optional)
• Cheese of your choice (optional)

Method

• Take your frozen French fries and fill the air fryer basket with a single layer of fries. Do not pile them too high as you want them all to cook evenly.
• Set the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) and air fry for 12 minutes. Shake the basket at least once during the cooking process to avoid the fries from sticking.
• If you want to add cheese, sprinkle it over the fries and air fry for another 3 minutes. You can also add other toppings like bacon, chicken, or jalapenos.
• If you want to add salt, do so after the first round of air frying.
• Serve immediately.

Tips

• You can use fresh French fries, but the cooking time will be shorter.
• If you are using fresh fries, soak the potatoes in water first to make them extra crispy.
• You can use any type of cheese, but grating it yourself will help it melt better.
• You can add oil to the fries before cooking, but this is not necessary.

Toppings and sauces for air fryer cheese fries

Air fryer cheese fries are a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of toppings and sauces. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Toppings

• Bacon – Fry or air fry your bacon until crispy, then crumble or chop it into small pieces.
• Green onions – Chopped spring onions or scallions add a welcome crunch to your cheese fries.
• Chicken – Shredded chicken breast or air fryer cajun chicken are tasty options.
• Jalapeños – Sliced jalapeños bring a hit of spice to your cheese fries.
• Olives – Try sliced black or green olives for a savoury, salty kick.

Sauces

• Blue cheese sauce – A classic pairing with cheese and a great way to add extra creaminess.
• Garlic mayonnaise – Also known as aioli, this sauce adds a punch of garlic flavour.
• Buffalo sauce – Spicy and tangy, buffalo sauce is a perfect match for cheese fries.
• Ranch dressing – Creamy and herby, ranch dressing is a popular choice for cheese fries.
• Sour cream – Cool and tangy, sour cream can help balance out the richness of the cheese.
• Tomato-based sauces – Try salsa, chili con carne, or even just plain old ketchup for a fruity, slightly sweet contrast to the cheese.
• Guacamole – Creamy avocado makes a great topping, especially when paired with salsa or chopped tomatoes.
• BBQ sauce – A sweet and smoky sauce that goes well with the savoury cheese and potato.

Remember, the beauty of cheese fries is that you can get creative and combine different toppings and sauces to suit your taste!

Frequently asked questions