Description
Spicy Taco Bell nacho fries bring Mexican street food excitement directly to home kitchens with crispy golden potato strips. Zesty seasoning and creamy cheese sauce create an irresistible snack that delivers restaurant-quality flavor you can enjoy anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into thin fries
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Seasonings and Spices:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Liquids and Extras:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ cup evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small jalapeno, finely minced
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- Carefully slice potatoes into thin, uniform fries and submerge in cold water, allowing excess starch to dissolve for 30 minutes. Thoroughly drain and completely dry using clean kitchen towels.
- Generously dust potato strips with cornstarch, ensuring complete and even coverage. Drizzle with vegetable oil and gently toss to create a light, crispy exterior.
- Craft a robust seasoning blend by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt in a mixing bowl. Set mixture aside for final seasoning.
- Carefully heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to precisely 175C (350F). Gently lower potato strips into hot oil, frying in small batches until achieving a rich golden-brown color and crisp texture, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
- Immediately transfer fried potatoes to paper towels to absorb excess oil. While still piping hot, liberally sprinkle with prepared seasoning mix, ensuring complete flavor distribution.
- Create a velvety nacho cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan. Incorporate minced jalapeno and sauté briefly. Slowly introduce evaporated milk, then gradually blend in grated cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until achieving a silky smooth consistency.
- Season cheese sauce with garlic powder, chili powder, and salt to enhance flavor profile. Maintain sauce at a gentle warm temperature.
- Arrange seasoned fries on a serving plate, accompanying with warm nacho cheese sauce for dipping. Serve immediately to preserve optimal crispiness and temperature.
Notes
- Remove excess starch from potatoes by soaking in cold water, ensuring crispy exterior and soft interior when frying.
- Pat fries completely dry before coating with cornstarch to achieve maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy results.
- Use a neutral oil with high smoke point like vegetable or canola oil for deep frying to maintain consistent temperature and crisp texture.
- Create custom spice blend by adjusting heat levels – reduce cayenne for milder version or add more for extra kick.
- Monitor oil temperature carefully during frying to prevent burning or undercooked fries; use a kitchen thermometer for precision.
- Prepare cheese sauce just before serving to maintain smooth, creamy consistency and prevent separation.
- For gluten-free option, replace cornstarch with rice flour or potato starch when coating fries.
- Make cheese sauce healthier by using low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese without compromising flavor profile.
- Consider baking fries as alternative cooking method for lower-fat version, though texture will differ slightly from traditional deep-frying.
- Store leftover seasoning mix in airtight container for future use on other potato or vegetable dishes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg