Game Day Chili Cheese Fries (Printable)
Crispy fries layered with savory halal chili and gooey melted cheese—ideal for sharing and satisfying cravings.
# What's Needed:
→ Fries
01 - 1.75 lbs frozen or fresh potato fries
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
03 - Salt to taste
→ Halal Chili
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 10 oz halal ground beef
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
09 - 1 can (14 oz) chopped tomatoes
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
11 - 1 can (14 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
12 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
13 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
16 - 1 teaspoon salt
17 - ½ cup water
→ Toppings
18 - 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese, halal-certified
19 - 2 spring onions, sliced
20 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
21 - 1 jalapeño, sliced
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss fries with vegetable oil and salt. Spread on a baking tray and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
02 - While fries cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
03 - Add halal ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
04 - Stir in diced bell pepper, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes to bloom the spices.
05 - Add tomato paste, canned tomatoes, kidney beans, and water. Stir thoroughly and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens.
06 - Transfer the cooked fries to a large ovenproof dish. Top evenly with the hot chili and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Return the dish to the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove from oven and garnish with sliced spring onions, fresh cilantro, and jalapeño slices. Serve immediately while hot.
# Tips for Success:
01 -
- The contrast between the crispy fries and hearty halal chili creates that perfect bite you cant stop reaching for, even when youre full.
- Its surprisingly adaptable to whatever you have on hand, saving me countless times when friends show up unexpectedly for the big game.
02 -
- Dont skimp on draining the kidney beans thoroughly, as excess liquid will make your chili runny and turn your crispy fries soggy in record time.
- The sweet spot for cheese melting is exactly 4 minutes in my oven, giving it enough time to melt completely without burning the edges of the fries.
03 -
- After getting inconsistent results with different brands of fries, I discovered that parboiling fresh-cut potatoes for 5 minutes before baking gives the absolute best texture, crispy outside and fluffy inside.
- Keep a close eye on your chili as it simmers, because the difference between perfectly reduced and too thick happens in just a couple of minutes.