Description
Spicy Taco Bell nacho fries bring Mexican-inspired comfort straight to home kitchens. Crispy potato strips and zesty cheese sauce create a quick, delicious copycat meal perfect for casual dining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into thin fries
- 1 cup (240 ml) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 tbsps cornstarch
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) evaporated milk
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small jalapeno, finely minced
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp chili powder
Instructions
- Potato Preparation: Slice potatoes into uniform fries, soak in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain and pat completely dry with kitchen towels.
- Coating and Seasoning: Dust potato strips with cornstarch, drizzle with vegetable oil, and create a zesty seasoning blend combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
- Frying Process: Heat vegetable oil to 175C (350F), carefully fry potato strips in small batches until golden-brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Flavor Infusion: While fries are hot, generously coat with prepared seasoning mix to ensure complete flavor distribution.
- Cheese Sauce Creation: Melt butter in a saucepan, sauté minced jalapeno, gradually add evaporated milk and grated cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until achieving a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Sauce Finishing: Enhance cheese sauce with garlic powder, chili powder, and salt. Maintain at a gentle warm temperature.
- Serving: Plate seasoned fries and serve immediately with warm nacho cheese sauce for dipping, preserving optimal crispiness and temperature.
Notes
- Starch Removal Technique: Soak potato strips in cold water for 30 minutes to eliminate excess starch, ensuring a crispier exterior and preventing soggy fries.
- Cornstarch Coating Trick: Thoroughly dust potato strips with cornstarch, creating a light, crispy barrier that enhances golden-brown color and texture.
- Oil Temperature Precision: Maintain oil at exactly 175C (350F) for perfect frying, preventing greasy or undercooked fries and achieving restaurant-quality crispiness.
- Seasoning Application Strategy: Sprinkle seasoning immediately after frying while potatoes are hot, allowing spices to adhere better and distribute flavors more intensely.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg