Cheese Fries– Easy Outback Steakhouse Copycat

This cheese fries recipe is everything you want in comfort food — crispy fries, melted Colby Jack, bacon, and a creamy homemade ranch dip. It’s fast, low-effort, and honestly hits harder than it should. Great for lazy nights, game days, or whenever your soul needs carbs and melted cheese.

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 10 mins
• Cook time: 23 mins
• Flavor: salty, cheesy, a little smoky
• Great for: snack dinners, solo moods, casual parties

Why I Like This Recipe

There’s no backstory here. Just a craving, an oven, and a bag of fries I forgot I had. I shredded some cheese, fried bacon while zoning out, and threw it all together. Came out gooey, crispy, ridiculously good. That ranch? Not optional. I dipped everything in it, even the stuff I wasn’t supposed to.

Ingredients

For the Ranch

• 1 cup mayo
• ¾ cup + 2 tbsp buttermilk
• 1 oz Hidden Valley ranch seasoning
• 2½ tbsp sour cream
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• Garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, cayenne – just a few pinches of each

For the Fries

• ¾ bag frozen hand-cut fries (Grown in Idaho or whatever’s around)
• 10 oz Colby Jack cheese, freshly shredded
• 6 slices bacon
• ¼ cup green onions, chopped

How To Make Cheese Fries

1. Mix the ranch: Whisk all the ranch ingredients in a bowl. Chill it in the fridge while the rest does its thing.
2. Bake the fries: Spread them on a lined sheet pan. 425°F for 23 minutes or until crispy. No piling — one layer or nothing.
3. Cook the bacon: Pan-fry until shatter-crisp. Drain, cool, and chop. Eat one piece — for morale.
4. Build the magic: Transfer baked fries to an oven-safe dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add cheese and bacon. Return to oven until cheese melts.
5. Finish and serve: Top with green onions. Serve hot with chilled ranch on the side. Eat immediately. Like, now.

Tips for Success

• Fresh cheese melts way better than the bagged stuff.
• Chill the ranch for at least an hour — the flavor gets better.
• Single layer the fries. Seriously. Overlapping = soggy.
• Don’t skip the bacon. Or do, but it’s on you if it feels less fun.
• Colby Jack melts creamy and pulls nice — cheddar’s sharper but not as gooey.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers (if any) in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Not worth it. The texture won’t survive.
• Reheat: Air fryer at 350°F for 4–5 mins. Gets the crisp back without drying out the cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use a different cheese?
  Totally. Cheddar works, mozzarella’s a stretch. Colby Jack is the best balance.
• Do I have to use ranch?
  You don’t, but also… why wouldn’t you?
• Can I make the fries from scratch?
  Sure, but this is a shortcut vibe. Bagged fries keep it simple.
• Is it okay to microwave leftovers?
  If you’re desperate, yeah. But the cheese texture won’t be the same.
• Can I add toppings?
  Go wild. Jalapeños, diced tomatoes, even pulled pork if you’re feeling fancy.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Crowding the fries: They won’t crisp. You’ll get that weird chewy bottom layer.
• Using pre-shredded cheese: It doesn’t melt right. It’s coated in stuff. Grate it yourself.
• Skipping the chill on the ranch: It just tastes flat if you don’t give it time to settle. One hour minimum.
• Overcooking the bacon: You want it crisp, not burnt. Pull it before it goes too far.
• Forgetting to season the fries before cheese: A little salt and pepper under the cheese makes a big difference.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Total Fat: 41g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• Sodium: 910mg
• Potassium: 390mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 27g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 3g
• Protein: 13g

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