Air-Fryer Chili Cheese Fries: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chili cheese fries are a delicious snack, side dish, or appetizer that can be made in an air fryer. They are easy to make and can be customized with different types of cheese, chili, and toppings. The key to making them in an air fryer is to use frozen French fries and cook them in batches to ensure even cooking. The fries are cooked in the air fryer at a temperature of around 400°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until crispy. The chili can be store-bought or homemade, and it is important to use a thick chili to avoid making the fries soggy. The cheese can be shredded or in sauce form, and it is added on top of the chili-loaded fries before serving.

Choosing the right type of fries

The type of fries you choose for your chili cheese fries can make or break the dish. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your fries:

Frozen vs. Homemade

You can opt for either frozen or homemade fries for your chili cheese fries. Frozen fries are convenient and can save time, especially if you're short on prep time. They come in various styles, from thin and crispy fast-food-style fries to thicker steak fries. Look for pre-seasoned frozen fries or choose plain ones and season them yourself with salt or spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper.

On the other hand, homemade fries offer the advantage of customisation. You can cut the potatoes to your desired thickness, ensuring even slices for consistent cooking. Soak the potato slices in water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which will help make your fries crispier. Season and cook them in the air fryer until golden and crispy.

Type of Potato

The type of potato you use will also impact your fries. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for fries as they have a high starch content, making them ideal for achieving that desired crispy texture. However, you can also experiment with other varieties like sweet potatoes for a unique flavour profile.

Cut and Thickness

The cut and thickness of your fries will influence their cooking time and ability to hold the toppings. Thicker-cut fries, such as steak fries, tend to hold the chili and cheese better than thin shoestring fries. If you prefer thinner fries, consider using a mandolin to get even slices, as uneven slices may result in inconsistent cooking. Separating thinner slices and cooking them separately can help ensure consistent cooking.

Toppings

When choosing your fries, consider the toppings you plan to use. If you're loading your chili cheese fries with hearty toppings like beans, ground beef, and cheese sauce, opt for thicker fries that can better support the weight. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with toppings like shredded cheese and green onions, thinner fries might be a better choice.

Preparing the fries for cooking

The first step in making chili cheese fries in an air fryer is preparing the fries. You can use frozen French fries or make your own from scratch. If you opt for frozen fries, simply place them directly into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 15 to 25 minutes, stirring or shaking the basket halfway through. If you're using pre-seasoned frozen fries, there's no need to add extra seasoning. However, if your fries are unseasoned, you can toss them with seasoned salt or other spices like cayenne, garlic powder, or onion powder after cooking while they're still hot.

If you prefer to make your own fries from scratch, you'll need to slice the potatoes into fries about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Rinse the sliced potatoes and soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, to remove excess starch and ensure crispy fries. After soaking, rinse and pat the potatoes dry. Drizzle or spritz them with olive oil and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.

Once your potatoes are prepared, it's time to cook them. Place the fries into the air fryer basket and set the temperature. For homemade fries, air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Then, open the basket and flip the fries, air frying for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until they reach your desired level of crispness.

Whether you choose frozen or homemade fries, the key to success is ensuring they are cooked through and crispy before adding the toppings. This will prevent your chili cheese fries from becoming soggy.

Cooking the fries

If you are making your own fries, slice the potatoes into slices about 1/2 an inch thick. Aim for even slices, as uneven slices will result in some fries burning while others remain uncooked. If you are slicing by hand, it is likely that you will end up with some uneven slices. In this case, separate the smaller slices into a different batch and cook them separately.

Once you have sliced your potatoes, rinse them and place them in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes. An hour is optimal. This will remove excess starch from the potatoes and help them to crisp up while they cook.

After soaking, rinse the potatoes again and pat them dry. Drizzle or spritz the potatoes with olive oil and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.

Place the fries in the air fryer basket and air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Open the basket and flip the fries, then air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes or until crisp.

If you are using frozen fries, you can skip the slicing, soaking, and seasoning steps. Simply place the frozen fries directly into the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes. After 7 minutes, either shake the basket or use tongs to flip the fries, then set the timer for another 7 minutes.

Now your fries are ready to be loaded with chili and cheese!

Preparing the cheese sauce

The cheese sauce is a key component of chili cheese fries, providing a creamy and indulgent texture to the dish. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a delicious cheese sauce for your air fryer chili cheese fries:

Ingredients:

• Butter
• All-purpose flour
• Milk
• Cheddar cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Paprika

Instructions:

• Melt the butter in a medium-sized skillet over medium-low heat. The amount of butter used can vary depending on your preference, but typically around 2 tablespoons is a good starting point.
• Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour. Continue cooking this mixture, known as a roux, for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. This step is important to cook out the raw flour taste and ensure your sauce has a smooth texture.
• Add in your spices: garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika. Whisk these spices into the butter and flour mixture until well combined. This step will infuse your cheese sauce with flavour.
• Slowly whisk in the milk. Keep whisking until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth. You can adjust the amount of milk to control the thickness of your sauce. For a thinner sauce, add more milk, and for a thicker sauce, reduce the amount.
• Simmer the mixture for a few minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to prevent lumps or burning.
• Reduce the heat to low and slowly add in the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and combined with the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• If your cheese sauce becomes too thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding a small amount of milk at a time until it reaches your desired texture.
• For the best flavour, it is recommended to use high-quality sharp cheddar or white cheddar cheese.
• Once your cheese sauce is ready, keep it warm until you are ready to assemble your chili cheese fries.

Your cheese sauce is now ready to be layered on top of your air-fried fries and chili. Remember to serve promptly to enjoy the full flavour and texture of this delicious treat!

Assembling the dish

To assemble your chili cheese fries, start by spreading your air-fried fries onto a baking sheet or into an oven-proof dish. Top the fries with your heated chili sauce. If you're using beans, make sure it's a thick chili so that the beans don't make your fries soggy. You can also add some cooked bacon and diced chives at this stage for some extra flavor and texture.

Next, sprinkle shredded cheese over the fries and chili. You can use cheddar, gouda, feta, pepper jack, or cheese sauce. If you're making a vegan version, use vegan cheese.

Finally, bake in the oven until the cheese has melted. This should only take 4-5 minutes. If you like your cheese particularly gooey, take the dish out of the oven when the cheese is soft but not fully melted, and it will continue to melt over your chili and fries.

Serve immediately, and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions