Loaded fries are a meal in and of themselves, but they’re also a great side, snack, appetizer, and game day food! Now that I’ve learned how to make air fryer chili cheese fries, I don’t think I’ll ever go back. They’re the perfect mix of crispy, cheesy, and delicious!
What Are Air Fryer Chili Cheese Fries?
Air fryer chili cheese fries are loaded fries, with the actual potato fries being covered in chili and then cheese, all of which is cooked in the air fryer. The air fryer does the perfect job of creating crispy fries from frozen, and then warming the chili and cheese as well for fewer dishes!
Chili cheese fries are a great way to use up leftover chili, but you can make them anytime with canned as well. Starting with frozen french fries gives you a leg up on prep time so you can get your loaded fries on the table in just around 20 minutes.
I’ve pretty much always got a bag of frozen fries and some form of nacho cheese on hand, so I can throw this together in a pinch when we’re hungry, I’m hosting for game day, or have unexpected company!
In fact, it’s easy to swap in things you have on hand, making this a low pressure recipe that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. Plus, it’s simple enough that your older kids and teens can make it themselves!
Katie’s tip
If you crave fast food but don’t want to leave the house, you’ll love my Sonic Chili Cheese Dogs copycat recipe which is a perfect complement to these fries!
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Air Fryer Chili Cheese Fries Ingredients
- One bag frozen seasoned french fries, any cut (approximately 24-26 ounce size)
- 15 ounce can prepared chili (any type) or about 2 cups of leftover chili
- 9 ounce can cheddar cheese sauce (or about a cup of other varieties)
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Any type of frozen fries will do (regular or sweet potato). I like crinkle or waffle cut because I find they hold the toppings on better, but you can use standard cut, wedges, or your favorites
- Choose seasoned or battered frozen fries for additional flavor, or add some french fry seasoning to plain fries
- If you prefer to use fresh potatoes, you’ll want about 1.5-2 pounds of russets cut into fries
- Any type of chili is fine: canned, leftover, with beans, no beans, spicy, vegetarian, or vegan chili – they all work great! Now that they sell Wendy’s brand in cans it’s a perfect choice! You can add more or less as well, depending on your preferences
- Cheddar cheese sauce works best for that true loaded fries feel. Use jalapeno cheddar or queso if you like more heat. Discover my easy Air Fryer Queso Dip recipe!
- You can substitute about 1 cup of shredded cheese if you prefer. Cheddar, pepper jack, colby jack, and monterey jack are all great options if you go this route
- Variations: Substitute cooked, crumbled bacon instead of chili for bacon cheese fries. Omit chili altogether for plain cheese fries
How to Make Chili Cheese Fries in Air Fryer
- Cut a piece of parchment paper or foil to fit in your air fryer basket
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Place the parchment or foil in the basket, and add the frozen fries on top in a single layer (you may need to cook in batches depending on size of air fryer)
- Air fry the fries for 10-15 minutes, pausing to shake and flip them every 5 minutes, or until they’re crispy to the touch and lightly browned. Very thick fries may need 5 more minutes. For fresh cut fries, cook for 20-25 minutes instead
- Pull the basket out, and top the fries with any fry seasoning that’s desired, then add the chili
- Return to the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes at 400°F to warm the chili
- Remove the basket again, this time topping the chili with the cheese
- Place basket back in the air fryer, and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is warm and melted
- Top with sliced green onions, jalapeno slices, sour cream, hot sauce, or anything else you like!
What to Serve With Chili Cheese Fries
- Corn dogs
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Coleslaw
- Burgers
- Sliders
- Jalapeno slices
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Hot sauce
- Bacon crumbles
- Steak
- Elote
Try your chili cheese fries with easy White Castle Sliders in the Air Fryer, crispy Turkey Bacon in the Air Fryer, or these poppable Air Fryer Mini Corn Dogs.
Recipe FAQs
Can You Make Cheese Fries in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make cheese fries in an air fryer. Use parchment or foil under the fries in the basket to prevent the cheese from leaking out.
Cook the fries first, then add the cheese and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until it melts. This method works with both liquid and shredded cheeses, depending on your preference.
Can You Warm Up Chili Cheese Fries in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can warm up or reheat your chili cheese fries in an air fryer. Place the fries on a piece of foil or parchment and air fry at 400°F for 5-6 minutes, or until heated through.
This is a great way to reheat leftovers, whether homemade or from a restaurant.
Can I Use Frozen French Fries for Air Fryer Chili Cheese Fries?
Yes, frozen french fries can be used in an air fryer.
They are convenient and cook quickly, making them a great choice for this dish.
What Kind of Chili Should I Use for Air Fryer Chili Cheese Fries?
You can use any type of chili you prefer, whether it’s homemade, canned, or store-bought.
Some people like to use beef chili, while others prefer vegetarian chili.
What Type of Cheese Works Best for Air Fryer Chili Cheese Fries?
Cheddar cheese is a popular choice, but you can use any cheese that melts well, such as Monterey Jack, Colby, or even a cheese blend.
You can also use a cheddar cheese sauce, which is a thinner consistency already and therefore takes even less time to melt and be ready to enjoy.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Chili French Fries in an Air Fryer?
Cooking times can vary depending on the air fryer model and the thickness of the fries, but generally, it takes about 20-25 minutes to cook chili cheese fries in an air fryer.
That includes 10-15 minutes for the frozen french fries to make them crispy, and then an additional 8-10 minutes to warm the chili and melt the cheese.
Can I Add Additional Toppings to My Air Fryer Chili Cheese Fries?
Yes, additional toppings such as sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, or bacon bits can be added to customize your chili cheese fries to your taste.
You can also utilize different flavors of fries or french fry seasoning, as well as different types of cheese and chili to customize your flavors.
Can I Reheat Leftover Air Fryer Chili Cheese Fries?
Yes, you can reheat leftovers in the air fryer to help maintain their crispiness.
Set the air fryer to a low temperature of 350°F, and heat fries on a piece of foil or parchment for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through.
Recipe Tips For the Best Chili Cheese Fries
- If you prefer to really shake your fries around, you may want to cook them without the parchment. Then, remove fries, add the parchment in, and assemble from there. However, the basket is hot so use caution
- I use a spatula to help turn my fries during cooking since I don’t want to tear or move my parchment or foil accidentally
- When the fries are done, use the foil to lift them out of the air fryer basket and you’ll have a nearly clean basket. Hooray for no cleanup!
- You can heat your chili ahead of time on the stove or in the microwave to skip that cooking step, but who wants to make extra dishes?
- Especially if you use shredded cheese instead, don’t overcook and add any additional time desired in small increments, as it burns quickly
Storage and Reheating Tips For Air Fryer Chili Cheese Fries
- You can store any leftover chili cheese fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- To reheat chili cheese fries in the air fryer, place a portion on a piece of parchment or foil. Air fry at a lower temperature of 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until warmed through. Note that it will not be crispy where it is soaked with chili and cheese, but this will heat it and crisp the visible edges of the fries, so they’re still tasty!
More Air Fryer Recipes for Cheese Lovers
- Air Fried Babybel Cheese (With Doritos)
Final Thoughts
Making air fryer chili cheese fries is so easy, you’ll want to make them all the time! They’re a great recipe for a snack, appetizer, side, or general party food. Since you can cook everything in the air fryer, the cleanup is minimal as well!
Starting with frozen fries really saves time, and the air fryer does a great job of making them crispy before you load them up with your favorite toppings.
Whether you’re using canned chili or leftover chili, these chili cheese fries always come out great. They’re easy to adjust to your tastes as well, whether you want some heat or not. You can also try to replicate your favorite restaurant version, like Wendy’s or Sonic!
If you love your fries with flavor, make sure to check out my Garlic Parmesan Fries in the Air Fryer as well!
Best Chili Cheese Fries Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
- Parchment paper or foil trimmed to fit in any fryer basket
- Spatula (optional but recommended)
Ingredients
- 1 Bag frozen seasoned french fries, any cut (approximately 24-26 ounce size)
- 15 Ounce can prepared chili, any type or about 2 cups of leftover chili
- 9 Ounce can cheddar cheese sauce (or about a cup of other varieties)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Place the parchment or foil in the basket, and add the frozen fries on top in a single layer (you may need to cook in batches depending on size of air fryer)1 Bag frozen seasoned french fries, any cut
- Air fry the fries for 10-15 minutes, pausing to shake and flip them every 5 minutes, or until they’re crispy to the touch and lightly browned. Very thick fries may need 5 more minutes. For fresh cut fries, cook for 20-25 minutes instead
- Pull the basket out, and top the fries with any fry seasoning that’s desired, then add the chili15 Ounce can prepared chili, any type
- Return to the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes at 400°F to warm the chili
- Remove the basket again, this time topping the chili with the cheese9 Ounce can cheddar cheese sauce
- Place basket back in the air fryer, and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is warm and melted
- Top with sliced green onions, jalapeno slices, sour cream, hot sauce, or anything else you like!
Notes
- Any type of frozen fries will do, and they can be regular or sweet potato. I like crinkle or waffle cut because I find they hold the toppings on better, but you can use standard cut, wedges, or your favorites
- Choose seasoned or battered frozen fries for additional flavor, or add some french fry seasoning to plain fries
- If you prefer to use fresh potatoes, you’ll want about 1.5-2 pounds of russets cut into fries
- Any type of chili is fine: canned, leftover, with beans, no beans, spicy, vegetarian, or vegan chili – they all work great! You can add more or less as well, depending on your preferences
- Cheddar cheese sauce works best for that true loaded fries feel. Use jalapeno cheddar or queso if you like more heat
- You can substitute about 1 cup of shredded cheese if you prefer. Cheddar, pepper jack, colby jack, and monterey jack are all great options if you go this route
- Variations: Substitute cooked, crumbled bacon instead of chili for bacon cheese fries. Omit chili altogether for plain cheese fries
- I use a spatula to help turn my fries during cooking since I don’t want to tear or move my parchment or foil accidentally
- When the fries are done, use the foil to lift them out of the air fryer basket and you’ll have a nearly clean basket. Hooray for no cleanup!
- You can heat your chili ahead of time on the stove or in the microwave to skip that cooking step, but who wants to make extra dishes?
- Especially if you use shredded cheese instead, don’t overcook and add any additional time desired in small increments, as it burns quickly
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, additional toppings, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
