By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 4
855 cal · 45 min
Homemade Cheese Fries
Recipe GLPRed18743d149866
Golden, crispy fried potato wedges topped with melted Colby-Monterey Jack cheese and smoky bacon bits. A satisfying American side dish that is quick to prepare and impossible to resist.
Save recipes you love
Create a free Grocery List Plus account to save recipes, rate them, and add every ingredient to your grocery list in one tap.
Ingredients
2 lbs potatoes
Vegetable oil for frying
2 cups Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/2 cup bacon bits
Sour cream or ranch dip, optional for serving
Directions
Rinse and pat dry the potatoes thoroughly. Cut them into 1/2-inch thick strips and place on paper towels to ensure they are completely dry.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F. Carefully place the dried potato strips into the hot oil in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry until golden brown, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Remove fries with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Preheat your oven to broil setting. Divide the hot fries evenly among four oven-safe serving dishes or plates, about 1/2 pound per plate.
Top each plate with 1/4 cup of shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese and sprinkle 1/8 cup of bacon bits over the cheese.
Place the oven-safe plates under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
Carefully remove the plates from the oven using oven mitts, as they will be very hot. Place on a heat-resistant surface and serve immediately with sour cream or ranch dip on the side if desired.
Comments
This is a straightforward side dish that hits on availability and cost: potatoes, oil, and a common cheese blend are staples at every Charlotte chain, and bacon bits from the grocery shelf cost pennies. The real issue is timing—45 minutes assumes the potatoes are already prepped and fried, but actual hand-cut fries from raw potatoes need at least 60 to 70 minutes when you factor in peeling, cutting, and the two-fry method (if done properly). It's a decent crowd-pleaser that reheats tolerably in a 350-degree oven, though the fries lose their crispness. At roughly $1.50 to $2 per serving, it's cheap enough for a weeknight side, but not a meal on its own.
Sign in or create a free account to add your review.
