Rating: 3.72
(75)

Jalapeno Fries with Cheddar

February 1, 2024

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.

Jalapeno Fries with Cheddar
Jalapeno Fries with Cheddar
3.72 from 75 votes
Spicy and cheesy fries that will satisfy your craving for flavor and heat.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

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!

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 9gFat: 18gFiber: 3g
Calories: 295kcal
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy snacks, Jalapeno, snack recipes
Cooking Method: Fried
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. 5 stars
    My kids loved these fries! I even added bacon bits, so good!

  2. User avatar myron.romaguera76 says:

    3 stars
    I don’t know about the jalapenos. Can’t handle spice. Might try without them.

  3. 3 stars
    Too much spice for me. My mouth was on fire! Maybe I’ll try less cayenne next time.

  4. 2 stars
    I followed the recipe but they came out mushy. Maybe my oven is broken?

    1. User avatar mary.wolff69 says:

      3 stars
      Nah, it’s probably just your oven. Once I had the same problem and got it fixed!

    2. User avatar rosemarie.lind28 says:

      4 stars
      Maybe try slicing them thinner next time? Sometimes the thickness can make a big diff!

  5. 4 stars
    I love jalapenos, so these were a hit for me! Cheddar on top is just divine.

  6. User avatar nannette.hickle says:

    3 stars
    Isn’t 400°F too high for fries? I usually do them at 375°F. Just sayin’.

    1. User avatar CTRLplusW says:

      5 stars
      I think 400°F is perfect! It gives them that crispy texture. Trust the recipe!

  7. 4 stars
    My family loved them! Perfect side for our BBQ. Thanks for sharing!

  8. User avatar Pasta Fasta says:

    2 stars
    I prefer regular fries. These are weird. 😒

  9. User avatar jarvis.okeefe1991 says:

    4 stars
    Anyone try adding bacon bits? Sounds good right?

  10. 4 stars
    Jalapenos and cheddar? What a combo! I didn’t have paprika, so I used chili powder instead. Still tasty! 🔥

  11. User avatar jayson.boyle39 says:

    2 stars
    I dunno, I thought they would be better. The fries turned out soggy instead of crispy. Maybe I did something wrong…

  12. 5 stars
    These jalapeno fries are amazing! The cheese complements the spice perfectly. Will definitely make again. 😍

  13. User avatar alix.keeling98 says:

    5 stars
    These are the best fries ever! So delicious and cheesy! 😋

    1. User avatar kraig.champlin says:

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe and OMG, I can’t stop eating them! They’re seriously addictive! 😍

    2. User avatar sebastian.swift16 says:

      3 stars
      Sounds good, but can’t be the best fry evar. I mean, can anything beat classic fries? 🤔

  14. User avatar steve_maga says:

    3 stars
    Who puts jalapenos on fries? Seems odd. But my friend said they were good.

  15. User avatar Hotblack Desiato's bodyguard says:

    5 stars
    Made these for game night and they were a hit! Everyone loved them. Super easy and quick! 🙌

  16. User avatar Oolon Colluphid says:

    3 stars
    Followed the recipe exactly, but mine didn’t turn out that crispy. What did I do wrong?

  17. User avatar Edith McGlynn says:

    2 stars
    Fries not looking like the pic. Also, who uses cilantro? That’s gross.

  18. User avatar Saruman the White says:

    4 stars
    My kids loved them! Def making again next weekend.

  19. User avatar scarlet.schamberger1958 says:

    3 stars
    Looks good, but can you make it without cheese? My friend is lactose intolerant. But yeah, I love spicy stuff.

    1. User avatar theodore.langworth80 says:

      4 stars
      You can just leave out the cheese. Maybe try adding extra jalapeños instead? Spicy!!

  20. User avatar april.dooley2025 says:

    2 stars
    Sounds good but where’s the ketchup? You need that for fries!

    1. 4 stars
      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!

  21. User avatar burl.berge80 says:

    5 stars
    So easy to make and healthy! I used olive oil like you said. Great recipe 🙂

  22. User avatar Arthur Philip Deodat says:

    4 stars
    Really easy to make! But I think I used too many jalapenos. They were super spicy! 😅

  23. User avatar hallie.mosciski says:

    2 stars
    Meh, they were okay. More like potato sticks than fries.

  24. 5 stars
    Super easy to make! My kids loved them, and I loved the heat. Thanks for sharing!

    1. User avatar Majikthise says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad to hear your kids loved them! I have to try these with my family. The heat sounds delish!

    2. User avatar graham.kilback46 says:

      3 stars
      I didn’t think kids would like spicy stuff, but hey, if yours did, maybe I’ll give it a shot. Sounds fun!

  25. User avatar Grìma Wormtongue says:

    4 stars
    Homemade fries??? Easy peasy! I used sweet potatoes instead, just as good! 😋

  26. 5 stars
    Made these for the game day and they disappeared so quick! Everyone wanted the recipe.

  27. User avatar harlan.turner79 says:

    3 stars
    Just ok. Would’ve been better if the cheese was more melty. Dissatisfied.

  28. User avatar carroll.bergstrom says:

    1 star
    Paprika with fries? Sounds weird, but I gave it a shot. Too spicy for me though. 1 star.

    1. User avatar tommy.lindgren says:

      4 stars
      I think you might have used too much cayenne! Maybe try less next time? I love this recipe!

  29. User avatar winifred.armstrong67 says:

    5 stars
    yummy delish 10/10 would fry again.

  30. 4 stars
    So easy to make! I forgot cilantro but it didn’t matter. Will try again with it next time.

  31. User avatar deneen.jast1963 says:

    5 stars
    These fries are AMAZING! The spice level is perfect. I didn’t even need ketchup!

  32. 3 stars
    I don’t think the jalapenos add much. Should stick to plain fries with cheese.

    1. User avatar Rod N. Reel says:

      5 stars
      I totally disagree! The jalapenos give it a nice kick! Plain cheese fries are boring! 🙄

  33. User avatar Frostbite Spider says:

    1 star
    I think regular fries are better. These taste weird with jalapenos. Not for me.

  34. User avatar kip.hudson53 says:

    5 stars
    I added some bacon bits on top as well. 10/10 would eat again.

  35. User avatar sanjuanita.fritsch12 says:

    5 stars
    These fries were amazing! The blend of spices really brought them to life! Will definitely make again.

    1. User avatar shawn.mertz says:

      2 stars
      Fries? With cheddar and jalapenos? Is that even a thing? Sounds kinda weird to me.

    2. User avatar Hwi Noree says:

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe too, and it was fantastic! The spices were just right. Can’t wait to make them again!

  36. 3 stars
    Is cilantro really necessary? I don’t like it at all. Fries would be fine without it.

  37. User avatar Maxima Lueilwitz III says:

    5 stars
    These fries are the best! Spicy and cheesy, just how I like it.

    1. User avatar charles.runolfsson2003 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! These fries are a game changer. Spicy and cheesy combo is the best!👍

    2. User avatar Prostetnic Vogon Kwaltz says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, sounds like too much spice for me! Can’t handle the heat. 😅

  38. User avatar gilbert.ortiz1953 says:

    5 stars
    👍 Yummy!

    1. User avatar carlota.bergstrom58 says:

      5 stars
      These look so good! Can’t wait to try them. 🥔🧀

  39. User avatar Effrafax of Wug says:

    5 stars
    Yum! The best fries I ever had. Better than the ones at McD’s for sure!

    1. 4 stars
      I gotta try this! I love fries and jalapenos. Are they really better than McD’s? 😊

  40. 4 stars
    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!

  41. 5 stars
    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! 🌶️🧀

    1. User avatar ludivina.gusikowski says:

      5 stars
      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! 😊

  42. User avatar mica.bernier60 says:

    5 stars
    Yummy!!!

  43. User avatar madalyn.mccullough says:

    2 stars
    What a waste of potatoes. They turned out soggy! Something went wrong here…

  44. User avatar Dr. Mundo says:

    5 stars
    These are the best fries ever! So cheesy and spicy. Will make again!

    1. User avatar sina.friesen28 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! These fries are a game changer! I never knew spicy and cheesy could go so well together.

  45. User avatar Kid Trunks says:

    2 stars
    Why do you have to heat the oven so much? Can’t we just fry them? Just sayin’.

  46. User avatar kenna.jacobson27 says:

    1 star
    Fries are too soft! I like them crispy. Oven might not be hot enough.

  47. User avatar Uh Shenlong says:

    4 stars
    Fries good. Cheese taste nice! Me like!

  48. User avatar markita.feil says:

    2 stars
    I followed the recipe but my fries turned out soggy. I think I cooked them too long. 😟

    1. User avatar david.douglas says:

      5 stars
      I made these before and they came out perfect! You sure you cut them thin enough? That’s the secret!

    2. User avatar yoshie.streich67 says:

      4 stars
      Soggy fries? I think maybe you didn’t use enough oil or the oven was too low. Gotta follow the temps!

  49. User avatar Uh Shenlong says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical at first about jalapenos on fries, but woah! This is a game-changer.

  50. User avatar rodrigo.beier13 says:

    3 stars
    I thought they were too spicy! Maybe tone down the jalapenos a bit.

    1. 2 stars
      Too spicy? Nah, just eat some bread after! 😅

    2. User avatar lane.hudson36 says:

      4 stars
      I love spicy food, but I get it! Maybe 1 jalapeno instead of 2 could work? Just a suggestion!

  51. 2 stars
    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.

  52. User avatar donella.gislason says:

    4 stars
    Next time I might add some bacon bits for extra flavor! YUM!

3.72 from 75 votes
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