If you’re a fan of bold flavors and crave a little heat, jalapeño fries with cheddar might just become your new favorite indulgence. This snack takes everything you love about loaded fries and turns it up a notch with crispy jalapeño strips and gooey melted cheese.
The magic starts with fresh jalapeños. Slice them lengthwise into thin strips, the seeds can be left in for extra heat or removed for a milder experience. Lightly coat them in seasoned flour or a tempura-style batter to give them a delicate crunch once fried or baked. These fries aren’t just spicy, they’re satisfyingly crisp on the outside while keeping a bit of bite inside.
Once the jalapeño fries are cooked to golden perfection, it’s time for the cheddar. A generous sprinkle of shredded sharp cheddar goes a long way. You can pop the tray back into the oven just long enough to melt the cheese and let it seep into every crevice of the fries, creating a gooey, spicy, salty combo that hits all the right notes.
For an extra punch of flavor, consider adding a touch of smoked paprika or garlic powder to the cheese before melting. Or go full-on indulgent with a drizzle of sour cream, a dash of lime juice, or even a scattering of crispy bacon bits.
These fries are perfect for game day snacks, casual gatherings, or even as a side dish with burgers or grilled meats. They’re easy to make, super customizable, and guaranteed to disappear fast once served.
The balance of spicy jalapeños and creamy cheddar makes these fries addictive, each bite delivers a satisfying mix of heat, crunch, and melty goodness. Serve them hot, with a cold drink and maybe a ranch or chipotle mayo dip on the side, and you’ve got a snack that’s far from ordinary.
Jalapeño fries with cheddar aren’t just a twist on traditional fries, they’re a celebration of bold flavors and creative comfort food.

Ingredients
- 4 potatoes medium
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 jalapeno peppers sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped fresh
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice the potatoes into thin fries.
- In a large bowl, toss the potato fries with olive oil, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper until well coated.
- Spread the seasoned fries in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the fries and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the fries from the oven and sprinkle the sliced jalapeno peppers and shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Place the baking sheet back in the oven for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
My kids loved these fries! I even added bacon bits, so good!
I don’t know about the jalapenos. Can’t handle spice. Might try without them.
Too much spice for me. My mouth was on fire! Maybe I’ll try less cayenne next time.
I followed the recipe but they came out mushy. Maybe my oven is broken?
Nah, it’s probably just your oven. Once I had the same problem and got it fixed!
Maybe try slicing them thinner next time? Sometimes the thickness can make a big diff!
I love jalapenos, so these were a hit for me! Cheddar on top is just divine.
Isn’t 400°F too high for fries? I usually do them at 375°F. Just sayin’.
I think 400°F is perfect! It gives them that crispy texture. Trust the recipe!
My family loved them! Perfect side for our BBQ. Thanks for sharing!
I prefer regular fries. These are weird. 😒
Anyone try adding bacon bits? Sounds good right?
Jalapenos and cheddar? What a combo! I didn’t have paprika, so I used chili powder instead. Still tasty! 🔥
I dunno, I thought they would be better. The fries turned out soggy instead of crispy. Maybe I did something wrong…
These jalapeno fries are amazing! The cheese complements the spice perfectly. Will definitely make again. 😍
These are the best fries ever! So delicious and cheesy! 😋
I tried this recipe and OMG, I can’t stop eating them! They’re seriously addictive! 😍
Sounds good, but can’t be the best fry evar. I mean, can anything beat classic fries? 🤔
Who puts jalapenos on fries? Seems odd. But my friend said they were good.
Made these for game night and they were a hit! Everyone loved them. Super easy and quick! 🙌
Followed the recipe exactly, but mine didn’t turn out that crispy. What did I do wrong?
Fries not looking like the pic. Also, who uses cilantro? That’s gross.
My kids loved them! Def making again next weekend.
Looks good, but can you make it without cheese? My friend is lactose intolerant. But yeah, I love spicy stuff.
You can just leave out the cheese. Maybe try adding extra jalapeños instead? Spicy!!
Sounds good but where’s the ketchup? You need that for fries!
I guess ketchup is a must for fries, lol! But these sound super tasty even without it. Maybe a spicy dip would go well too!
So easy to make and healthy! I used olive oil like you said. Great recipe 🙂
Really easy to make! But I think I used too many jalapenos. They were super spicy! 😅
Meh, they were okay. More like potato sticks than fries.
Super easy to make! My kids loved them, and I loved the heat. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad to hear your kids loved them! I have to try these with my family. The heat sounds delish!
I didn’t think kids would like spicy stuff, but hey, if yours did, maybe I’ll give it a shot. Sounds fun!
Homemade fries??? Easy peasy! I used sweet potatoes instead, just as good! 😋
Made these for the game day and they disappeared so quick! Everyone wanted the recipe.
Just ok. Would’ve been better if the cheese was more melty. Dissatisfied.
Paprika with fries? Sounds weird, but I gave it a shot. Too spicy for me though. 1 star.
I think you might have used too much cayenne! Maybe try less next time? I love this recipe!
yummy delish 10/10 would fry again.
So easy to make! I forgot cilantro but it didn’t matter. Will try again with it next time.
These fries are AMAZING! The spice level is perfect. I didn’t even need ketchup!
I don’t think the jalapenos add much. Should stick to plain fries with cheese.
I totally disagree! The jalapenos give it a nice kick! Plain cheese fries are boring! 🙄
I think regular fries are better. These taste weird with jalapenos. Not for me.
I added some bacon bits on top as well. 10/10 would eat again.
These fries were amazing! The blend of spices really brought them to life! Will definitely make again.
Fries? With cheddar and jalapenos? Is that even a thing? Sounds kinda weird to me.
I tried this recipe too, and it was fantastic! The spices were just right. Can’t wait to make them again!
Is cilantro really necessary? I don’t like it at all. Fries would be fine without it.
These fries are the best! Spicy and cheesy, just how I like it.
I totally agree! These fries are a game changer. Spicy and cheesy combo is the best!👍
I dunno, sounds like too much spice for me! Can’t handle the heat. 😅
👍 Yummy!
These look so good! Can’t wait to try them. 🥔🧀
Yum! The best fries I ever had. Better than the ones at McD’s for sure!
I gotta try this! I love fries and jalapenos. Are they really better than McD’s? 😊
I didn’t have jalapenos but used bell peppers instead. Still tasty but not the same kick. Next time I’ll stick to the recipe!
These fries are AMAZING! The jalapenos have just the right kick, and the cheese makes it even better. Definitely a new favorite in my house! 🌶️🧀
I tried this recipe and it was so good! But I thought it would be too spicy for my kids, actually they loved it too! Thanks for sharing! 😊
Yummy!!!
What a waste of potatoes. They turned out soggy! Something went wrong here…
These are the best fries ever! So cheesy and spicy. Will make again!
I totally agree! These fries are a game changer! I never knew spicy and cheesy could go so well together.
Why do you have to heat the oven so much? Can’t we just fry them? Just sayin’.
Fries are too soft! I like them crispy. Oven might not be hot enough.
Fries good. Cheese taste nice! Me like!
I followed the recipe but my fries turned out soggy. I think I cooked them too long. 😟
I made these before and they came out perfect! You sure you cut them thin enough? That’s the secret!
Soggy fries? I think maybe you didn’t use enough oil or the oven was too low. Gotta follow the temps!
I was skeptical at first about jalapenos on fries, but woah! This is a game-changer.
I thought they were too spicy! Maybe tone down the jalapenos a bit.
Too spicy? Nah, just eat some bread after! 😅
I love spicy food, but I get it! Maybe 1 jalapeno instead of 2 could work? Just a suggestion!
I tried this recipe, but my fries turned out too soggy. Maybe I didn’t bake them long enough? Not sure if I’ll try again.
Next time I might add some bacon bits for extra flavor! YUM!