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.
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?
I dunno, I thought they would be better. The fries turned out soggy instead of crispy. Maybe I did something wrong…
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.
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 🙂
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!
So easy to make! I forgot cilantro but it didn’t matter. Will try again with it next time.
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!
👍 Yummy!
These look so good! Can’t wait to try them. 🥔🧀
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.
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!