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    Home » Recipes » Party Appetizers

    Jersey Disco Fries (Gravy Mozzarella Cheese Fries)

    Published: Jan 17, 2020 · Modified: Feb 8, 2022 by Aleka Shunk · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

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    These Disco Fries are smothered with a homemade brown gravy and topped with melty, gooey mozzarella cheese. They are an indulgent late night snack popular in many New Jersey diners and one that is sure to have you licking every finger clean. Friends and family will love this indulgent late-night snack!

    Other fry recipes you will love are my Loaded Waffle Fries or my Greek Feta Cheese Fries.

    Disco fries on a baking sheet smothered with gravy and mozzarella cheese.
    Contents hide
    1 What Are Disco Fries?
    2 How To Make Disco Fries
    3 How To Make Your Gravy
    4 The Main Difference Between Disco Fries and Poutine
    4.1 What are cheese curds you ask?
    4.2 Here are some other EASY potato appetizers you may also like!
    5 Disco Fries (Gravy Mozzarella Cheese Fries)
    5.1 Equipment
    5.2 Ingredients
    5.2.1 Gravy
    5.3 Instructions
    5.4 Recipe Notes
    5.5 Nutrition

    What Are Disco Fries?

    Disco fries (aka gravy fries) are a New Jersey diner staple that's very similar to the famous "poutine" from Canada. They are simply gravy and cheese fries typically smothered with a homemade brown gravy and topped with lots of shredded cheese. The result is a gooey, savory, rustic looking appetizer that never fails to disappoint.

    These "Jersey Fries", typically use steak cut French fries since they're thicker. They are then topped with lots of gooey, melty mozzarella cheese and then smothered in a savory brown gravy! A Jersey version of Canada's poutine. Really, how can you go wrong? The difference is that disco fries are made with mozzarella cheese instead of cheese curds. And since cheese curds are a little more expensive and sometime hard to find, mozzarella is the next best substitute!

    Being from NJ, I just had to add this recipe to the blog! They are perfectly bite sized and best of all, can be eaten for lunch, dinner, an appetizer OR best of all, a late night snack...after "hittin' up" those disco clubs of course.

    Have you checked out my Avocado Fry recipe yet?

    Supposedly "disco fries" were a very popular late night snack for many disco goers back in the late 70's early 80's! They are also called "diner fries" around these parts.

    I think they STILL are a very popular late night snack today! They should, in my opinion, change the term to "Club Fries", no? A bit more with the times. 🙂

    Disco fries on a sheet pan with gravy and cheese.

    How To Make Disco Fries

    If you use frozen French fries and store-bought gravy, this recipe is just THREE ingredients and could not be easier! The best part is you can make a large batch for a crowd using a sheet pan.

    Step 1: Choose your fries!

    Frozen fries these days come in multiple cuts and forms. Here are some of my favorites! For gravy fries, I find steak cut or crinkle cut to be the best.

    French fry choices diagram.
    Disco fries are best with thicker cuts of fries.

    Once you choose your fry (the hardest decision in the world) just bake your fries in the oven at 425 degrees F until they are golden brown and crispy. This usually takes between 20-30 minutes.

    If you do not want to spend money on frozen fries, you can make your own fries! Or use my easy potato wedges recipe here.

    Step 2: Choose your gravy!

    The gravy is where ALL the flavor comes from and for Disco fries, brown gravy or chicken gravy is where it's at. You have a few different options when it comes to gravy.

    Store-bought. Using jarred gravy is convenient when you don't have time or feel like making your own. With that said, I don't recommend using store-bought. Homemade gravy is SO easy and doesn't take more than 10 minutes. Plus, you can control your salt, seasoning and thickness.

    Vegetarian? Use vegetable stock to make a veggie gravy! Just substitute it out for the beef gravy I use here.

    Gluten-free? Use a GF flour! You can follow the same recipe below.

    The BEST kind of gravy is made with pan drippings from a roast. The flavor is something you just can't replicate. Tip* If you are using your own gravy from a homemade stew or pot roast, it is important to remember to strain your gravy.

    Stock Choices:

    • Vegetarian broth
    • Beef broth
    • Chicken broth

    Use what suits your dietary needs!

    Step 3: Choose your cheese!

    Canadians use cheese curds, which are made from cheddar cheese, and Jersey diners use mozzarella cheese. But really, you can use ANY cheese...just as long as it melts well!

    These cheeses are some of the best melting cheeses that are perfect for gravy cheese fries.

    collage of different types of cheese to use on your disco fries.

    You could also make your own cheese sauce if you prefer a cheese that will not thicken up as it cools. Cheez Whiz is not recommended. Here is a great cheese fry sauce!

    Once you have your ingredients set, place your fries onto a baking sheet, sprinkle with shredded cheese. Broil until the cheese is fully melted. Then top with your gravy.

    How To Make Your Gravy

    Making a gravy is easy! Don't be intimidated by it. The ingredients in a standard gravy is just beef broth, flour and butter.

    Add equal parts butter to flour (1-2 tablespoons) and let it bubble up until it turns golden brown. Then whisk in your broth and let it simmer until it thickens up!

    Amp up the flavor by adding sauteed onions, Worcestershire, mustard, fresh herbs, garlic, etc.

    The Main Difference Between Disco Fries and Poutine

    Disco fries are simply made with mozzarella cheese while poutine is made with cheese curds. One was originated in NJ and the other in Canada.

    What are cheese curds you ask?

    Cheese curds are actually made from cheddar cheese. They are the moist pieces of the curdled cheddar that are meant to be enjoyed right away rather than waiting months for the cheese to age.

    They have a chewier consistency and do not melt easily. This is why they are so great for gravy fries. You get chunks of cheese in every bite.

    Could you technically use white cheddar cheese too? Of course! Any cheese would be delicious! I actually used a combination of yellow cheddar and white mozzarella in this recipe. The colors are just so appetizing!

    Make sure to check out this article on potato appetizer ideas!

    Here are some other EASY potato appetizers you may also like!

    Baked Yukon Gold Potato Wedges

    Roasted and Stuffed Baby Potatoes

    Polenta Fries Baked in the Oven

    Roasted Eggplant Fries with Panko

    Feta Fries (with Greek Yogurt Sauce)

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    disco fries on a baking sheet with gravy.

    Disco Fries (Gravy Mozzarella Cheese Fries)

    These Disco Fries are smothered with a homemade brown gravy and topped with melty, gooey mozzarella cheese. They are an indulgent late night snack that will have you licking every finger.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 5 people
    Calories: 665kcal
    Author: Aleka Shunk
    Cost: $6

    Equipment

    • Wire Whisk
    • Sheet Pan
    • Sauce Pot

    Ingredients

    • 1 32 oz Bag Frozen French Fries ((I like traditional cut or steak cut))
    • 8 Oz. Shredded Mozzarella (or cheddar) Cheese ((I actually used half of each))

    Gravy

    • 3 tablespoon Flour
    • 3 Tbsp. Butter
    • 2 Cups Beef Broth or Stock ((you can also use vegetable or chicken))
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Mustard Powder (or Dijon)

    Instructions

    • Bake your french fries according to the package directions. Make sure you lay your fries out evenly on your baking sheet so they crispy up nicely.
      If using homemade fries, bake them at 425°F or until your fries turn golden brown.
    • To make your gravy, add butter to a small sauce pan and melt over medium heat. When fully melted, add in your flour and whisk it together. Allow the flour to bubble up for a minute or so and then add in your broth. Whisk until all lumps are dissolved! Bring to a boil then turn down heat and allow to simmer until it thickens into a gravy. This should take about 5 minutes or so.
    • Once you have achieved your desired gravy consistency, mix in your garlic and onion powder, salt and mustard (you can add pepper if you like too) and remove from heat.
    • When fries are ready, remove from the oven and sprinkle your cheese(s) evenly over top. Place back in the oven until cheese is fully melted. Remove and pour as much gravy over top as you wish! Top with green onions and serve hot!

    Recipe Notes

    You can choose any cut of fries for this recipe. Just keep the fry thicker.
    You can use a store-bought gravy to make these quicker! (it just won't taste as delish!)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 665kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 22.3g | Fat: 32.7g | Saturated Fat: 10.8g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 1540mg | Potassium: 1102mg | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3mg
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    Comments

    1. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness

      April 18, 2020 at 8:36 pm

      5 stars
      I love that you can customize this to however you want with the cheese and fries. I am definitely going to be doing so many different combinations of this, thank you so much for the idea!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Aleka Shunk

        April 18, 2020 at 8:40 pm

        Yes totally customizable!!! 🙂

    2. Bhawana

      April 18, 2020 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      woohoo this looks absolutely delicious and mouthwatering french fries. Loved this idea and your pictures are really awesome.

      Reply
      • Aleka Shunk

        April 18, 2020 at 8:40 pm

        Thank you!!

    3. Patty at Spoonabilities

      April 18, 2020 at 8:08 pm

      5 stars
      OMG these fries are HEAVEN! I'm concerned about eating them all the time now. LOL

      Reply
      • Aleka Shunk

        April 18, 2020 at 8:39 pm

        Lol 🙂

    4. Colleen

      April 18, 2020 at 6:46 pm

      5 stars
      As a poutine loving Canadian, I can totally get on board with this version! It looks mouth-watering!

      Reply
      • Aleka Shunk

        April 18, 2020 at 8:39 pm

        Thank you!

    5. Biana

      April 18, 2020 at 6:02 pm

      5 stars
      Omg, these fries look so good!! I love that they are made with mozzarella and not cheese curds, as mozzarella is much easier to find. Will be making them very soon.

      Reply
      • Aleka Shunk

        April 18, 2020 at 8:39 pm

        Thanks Biana!

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