Animal Style Cheese Fries (Printable)
Crispy fries smothered in melted cheese, caramelized onions, and a tangy signature sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fries
01 - 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch strips
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
03 - Salt, to taste
→ Toppings
04 - 1 cup shredded American or cheddar cheese
05 - 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Animal Style Sauce
07 - ¼ cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
09 - 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
10 - 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
11 - ½ teaspoon distilled white vinegar
12 - ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar
13 - Pinch of paprika
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-to Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss the potato strips with vegetable oil and a generous pinch of salt. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 25–35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. Alternatively, deep-fry in oil heated to 350°F in batches for 4–6 minutes until golden, then drain on paper towels and salt while hot.
02 - Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until deeply golden brown and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Add a splash of water if the onions begin to stick to the pan.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white vinegar, sugar, paprika, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
04 - Arrange the hot fries on a serving platter. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and place under a broiler for 1–2 minutes until melted, if desired. Top with the caramelized onions and generous spoonfuls of the Animal Style sauce. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- The sauce alone is worth making, and you will want to put it on everything from burgers to sandwiches.
- Baking the fries means you get all the indulgent flavor without standing over a pot of splattering oil.
- These come together fast enough to satisfy a sudden late night hunger without ordering delivery.
02 -
- Soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking makes a dramatic difference in crispiness, and skipping this step will leave you with soggy fries.
- The sauce tastes significantly better after resting in the fridge for at least 15 minutes because the flavors meld and calm down.
03 -
- Dry the soaked potato strips thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel before oiling them, because any lingering moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
- Make a double batch of the sauce and keep it in a jar in the fridge for up to a week because you will find excuses to use it.