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Nacho Fries with Chipotle Queso. I took a little inspo from T-bell and recreated their “nacho” fries at home. Oven baked fries tossed in a homemade mix of smoky Mexican-inspired spices. The fries alone are DELICIOUS and leave you with “nacho” dusted fingertips. But the queso, which is creamy and extra cheesy, really tops them off. Everything together makes for an awesome appetizer.
You know, for someone who’s actually never eaten T-Bell in her life, I sure am racking up a good amount of T-Bell inspired recipes. Some of them just sounded really fun and appealing, you know? So far I’ve made the crunchwrap supremes and the cheesy gordita crunch tacos, both of which have been pretty awesome. These have been some of Creighton’s favorite recipes of mine, especially the gordita crunch tacos.
On Tuesday, I was thinking about some last minute Super Bowl foods. I felt like we needed just one more idea that was super easy to eat with your hands. I remember seeing these fries and I just liked the idea.
What doesn’t sound fun and delicious about nacho fries, you know?
Made them, loved them, and now here we are.
The details
So crazy as it sounds, I think the fries are actually my favorite. Instead of deep frying, I oven baked these fries and I love flavor even more.
They are DELICIOUS. Start off by baking the fries in olive oil until crisp. But what really makes these fries is the “nacho” seasoning. A mix of paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, and cayenne. Once the fries are baked, they get tossed in the seasoning until fully coated.
When you pick them up, they leave your fingertips with “nacho” dust, which might just be the best part. It just means they’re really darn good.
The queso
My queso is pretty simple. I warm together milk and cream cheese, then add in a mix of cheddar and pepper jack cheeses. Finish with some chipotle peppers and simply stir until everything is warm and melty.
Absolutely nothing fancy, but oh so good! We love the kick from the chipotle.
Both the fries and queso are awesome on their own. But when you marry the two…wow, they are so much better.
I’m sure these are pretty different from whatever T-Bell makes, but the idea is fun, and the outcome even more delicious!
These will be great served up for Super Bowl Sunday!
Looking for other appetizer recipes, try these:
Oven Fried Southern Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken
Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Soft Pretzels
Buffalo Cauliflower with Spicy Tahini Ranch
Lastly, if you make these Nacho Fries with Chipotle Queso, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nacho Fries with Chipotle Queso
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 616 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Fries
- 4-6 russet potatoes, cut into ¼-inch-thick matchsticks
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- flaky sea salt
Queso
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 10 ounces Monterey or pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F.2. Toss the potatoes and olive oil together, then spread in an even layer across two baking sheets. Do not overcrowd the pans. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then flip and bake for 15 minutes more.3. In a bowl, combine the paprika, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, pepper, and salt. Add the fries to a large bowl and toss with the seasonings, you may not need all the seasoning. Then season with salt. 4. Meanwhile, make the queso. In a medium pot, combine the milk and cream cheese over low heat. Stir until steaming and mostly smooth. 5. In a bowl, toss together the shredded cheese with the flour, onion powder, and garlic powder. Little by little, add the cheese to the milk, stirring until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the chipotle peppers.6. Serve the queso warm with the fries on the side.
If you don’t want nacho fingers? can you add the spices before you bake the fries?
Hi Kelly,
Sure, that will work! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Hey hey! Love this and trying to figure out.. Do you think the Queso can be prepped ahead of time and reheated?!
Hey there,
Yes, I think that would be just fine for you to do. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Hi! These look amazing. Love your recipes ?. Just wanted to share from personal experience that I’ve found coconut oil makes crispier fries than olive oil! In case that helps someone!
Thanks so much Kate!!
On a spicy scale, how spicy would you say these are. My family loves the T-Bell nacho fries but this sounds way healthier and better on my wallet. ;-). But they don’t do spice so I am wondering how to cut the heat. Thank you.
Hey Amber,
These do have a little kick, I would just omit the cayenne. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Hi, for some reason my queso turned out gooey..
Hi Lily,
So sorry to hear this. Was there anything you may have adjusted in the recipe? What do you mean by gooey? A little more info would be helpful! xTieghan
Do you peel the russet potatoes or soak in salt water first? What’s the best way to cut to get match sticks?
Thanks 🙂
Hey Leslie,
I don’t peel or soak the potatoes, I just cut the potatoes in half and then cut them long ways. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Wow I was just thinking about a homemade queso dip. How long did your dip stay smooth/pliable before becoming solid?
Hey Dana,
This really should not become a solid. While it becomes cold it definitely won’t be as soft and gooey. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Sounds so good. Would the queso work on tortilla chips instead of using the standard, store bought canned version of nacho cheese?
Ooooohhh… I like this idea!
Hey Leslie,
Yes, totally!! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope it turns out amazing for you! xTieghan
Well, my fries were a fail. I should of used parchment because they stuck to the pan. But the the queso was a hit! I had a bag of mesquite BBQ kettle chips & served the queso on the side. Really good and a surprise alternative to the usual chip and dip appetizer. No one was the wiser! I’m going to try again though.
Hey Leslie,
So sorry to hear about your fries! It is key not to overcrowd your pan. Thanks for giving the recipe a try! xTieghan
We have a T Bell about 30 miles away, I’m going to go, but not made it yet either!
These look so good. If you made them as a main side dish, what would you pair them with please? Xx
Hey Kelly-Jane,
Here are some options that would work well:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cheesy-gordita-crunch-tacos/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-crunchwrap-supreme/
Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe!! xTieghan
Was looking for a quick app recipe for this weekend! Thanks. Looks great 🙂
I hope you love the recipe Nadia!!
Are you not worried Taco Bell will steal your ideas and get rich off of them or dumb down your recipe and make it there own. And can I use frozen fries from the store instead of slicing potatoes work keep me busy don’t have time to slice potatoes this weekend and I’m feeding 50 + this Sunday so how many potatoes would I need Ty. Much
Hi there,
Sure, frozen fries would be totally fine to use. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
OMG heaven on earth!!
Miki x
https://www.littletasteofbeauty.com/
Thanks so much!!
I would keep the non-Taco Bell streak going.
Making these tonight
Beware of cream cheese shortages! Totally gone from my supermarket shelves
I hope you love the recipe Michael!!
I cannot believe you’ve never, ever eaten at a Taco Bell!! I can’t remember the last time I was in one, but I couldn’t have grown up without them!! My personal claim to fame was being able to eat a burrito supreme while driving, and not making a mess. It’s the little things, you know ? I can’t wait to try these!
Hey Wanda,
Lol too funny!! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
I recently bought an air fryer and would like to do these fries in it! Any suggestions?
Hey Laura,
I’ve not made these in an air fryer before, but I am sure it would work well for you, just don’t overcrowd them. Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan