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Taco Bell Nacho Fries

Crispy Homemade Taco Bell Nacho Fries Recipe

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb frozen crinkle-cut fries
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or cooking spray
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp pickled jalapeño brine
  • 1/4 tsp salt (for sauce)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss fries with oil on a baking sheet, spread in a single layer, and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and crispy, flipping halfway.
  2. While the fries bake, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, and salt in a small bowl.
  3. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk, simmer 2–3 minutes until thickened. Off heat, stir in cheddar until smooth, then add jalapeño brine and salt. Keep warm.
  4. Transfer hot fries to a large bowl, sprinkle with seasoning, and toss gently until evenly coated.
  5. Pile fries onto a platter, serve with the warm cheese sauce for dipping.

Notes

For extra-crispy fries, toss the frozen fries with 1 tablespoon cornstarch before baking. The cheese sauce thickens as it cools; add a splash of milk when reheating to restore its creamy texture.