Dirty Fries Recipe

Introduction

Dirty Fries take classic fries to the next level with a flavorful mix of spices, melty cheese, sautéed veggies, and a creamy, tangy sauce. This dish is perfect for sharing as a snack or enjoying as a comforting main course. Customize it with your favorite toppings to make it truly your own.

Ingredients

• 4 large russet potatoes (or frozen fries)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheese blend)
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 small red onion, finely diced
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (for sauce)
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (for sauce)

Instructions

1. Step 1: If using fresh potatoes, cut them into thin fries and soak in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat dry thoroughly.
2. Step 2: Toss the fries with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
3. Step 3: Cook the fries either in the oven or air fryer:
   • Oven: Preheat to 425°F (220°C). Spread fries on a lined baking sheet and bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
   • Air fryer: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
4. Step 4: While the fries cook, sauté the diced onion and bell peppers in a little olive oil over medium heat until softened and caramelized.
5. Step 5: Once fries are crispy, transfer them to an oven-safe dish. Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly on top and bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Step 6: Remove from the oven and add the sautéed onions, bell peppers, sliced jalapeños (if using), chili flakes, and dried oregano over the cheese.
7. Step 7: In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream (or Greek yogurt), mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until smooth.
8. Step 8: Drizzle the creamy sauce over the assembled fries and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve immediately while hot.

Tips & Variations

• Soaking potatoes before cooking improves crispiness by removing excess starch, but it’s optional if you’re short on time.
• For a healthier twist, swap sour cream for Greek yogurt and use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes.
• Add crispy bacon bits or cooked ground meat for extra savory flavor and texture.
• Adjust the spice level by omitting jalapeños and chili flakes or adding more for heat lovers.
• Set up a topping bar with various cheeses, meats, and sauces for fun customization when serving guests.

Storage

Store leftover dirty fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it may make the fries soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen fries instead of fresh potatoes?

Yes, frozen fries work well and save prep time. Simply season and cook according to the package instructions, then add toppings as directed.

How can I make these fries less spicy?

Skip the jalapeños and chili flakes to keep the dish mild. The other seasonings and toppings still provide plenty of flavor without heat.

Dirty Fries Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 126 reviews

Dirty Fries are a flavorful and indulgent dish featuring crispy baked or air-fried russet potatoes topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese, sautéed onions and bell peppers, spicy jalapeños, and a creamy, tangy sauce made from sour cream or Greek yogurt. This versatile comfort food is perfect as a party snack, side dish, or main course and can be customized with a variety of toppings to suit any taste.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizers
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Fries:

• 4 large russet potatoes (or frozen fries)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Toppings:

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheese blend)
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 small red onion, finely diced
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

For the Sauce:

• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fries: Cut the potatoes into thin fries and soak them in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch and improve crispiness. Drain and pat dry thoroughly. Toss the fries with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to evenly coat.
2. Bake or Air-Fry the Fries: For the oven method, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C), spread the fries in a single layer on a lined baking sheet, and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crisping. For the air fryer method, cook the fries at 375°F (190°C) for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
3. Prepare the Toppings: While the fries are cooking, heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the diced red onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper until softened and caramelized, releasing their natural sweetness and enhancing their flavor.
4. Assemble the Dirty Fries: Once the fries are crispy, transfer them to an oven-safe dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the fries and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
5. Add Additional Toppings: Remove the cheesy fries from the oven and top with the sautéed onions and bell peppers, thinly sliced jalapeños (if using), chili flakes (optional), and dried oregano to add layers of heat and earthiness.
6. Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream (or Greek yogurt), mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
7. Serve and Garnish: Drizzle the prepared creamy sauce over the assembled fries and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro for a refreshing finish. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy.

Notes

• Soaking the fries in cold water is optional but recommended for extra crispiness.
• Frozen fries can be used for convenience but fresh russet potatoes yield better texture and flavor.
• The sauce can be made lighter by substituting sour cream with Greek yogurt and using lower-fat cheeses.
• Customize toppings by adding crispy bacon, different cheeses, or other vegetables as desired.
• For a healthier twist, try sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes.
• Adjust the level of spiciness by omitting or including jalapeños and chili flakes.

Keywords: Dirty Fries, loaded fries, cheesy fries, baked fries, comfort food, appetizer, party snack, crispy fries, homemade fries