These Loaded Waffle Fries are a spin off of an appetizer a local Irish Pub serves. Served on crispy waffle fries and topped with a homemade cheese sauce, they are the perfect Irish appetizer for any sports party or tailgate!
Chick-Fil-A definitely changed the way we ALL look at waffle fries.
I mean, could there BE a better waffle fry?! Maybe if we load them up!!
While we don't have access to a fresh waffle fry machine to make homemade waffle fries, there ARE tons of delicious frozen options we have access to!
These loaded waffle fries achos are THE BEST "nachos" I have ever had! I mean, replacing tortilla chips with WAFFLE FRIES? How can you go wrong?
I used a horseradish sour cream and homemade cheese sauce that makes these waffle fries so addictive!
Try my Air Fryer Cheesy Loaded Nachos that are ready in just 5 minutes!
Loaded Waffle Fries
This recipe is a twist off of an appetizer my husband and I ordered last St. Paddy's day at a local Irish pub. I immediately knew I wanted to re-create them somehow since what we ordered looked very messy.
Most nachos are served sky high topped with loads of cheese, ground beef, veggies, sour cream, etc., but I wanted to make these more finger food friendly so guests can grab ONE waffle fry nacho at a time and get everything in ONE perfect bite!
Other ingredients you can add to your nacho fries:
Love jalepeños? Add them! Want some ground beef? Toss it on! I chose to leave the beef out because I wanted a quick nacho recipe that allowed me to prep ahead of time.
The Cheese Sauce
When it comes to loaded waffle fries and nachos, we want cheese that does not HARDEN when cooled..or after an hour, they will look unappetizing.
So I have a super easy way to make a deliciously creamy nacho cheese! I have been using this recipe for the past few years and love it!
Since nacho cheese is made with cheddar, that's what I like to use.
First I make a "roux" by melting some butter with flour. This helps to thicken the sauce. Then I add some milk and cheddar cheese. Want a thinner sauce? Add more milk! Thicker? Add more cheese!
If you're looking for a gluten-free option, here is a cheese sauce without flour!
I added some diced green chilies to my sauce but you can add anything you want to it really. Beer? Jalapeños? Tomatoes? Why not.
Remember, as it cools, it will thicken a bit so keep this in mind when deciding on consistency. The consistency for the nacho sauce I used was JUST thin enough to pour/scoop.
Of course there are some cheeses that melt better than others but because we are melting it in a sauce so it wont matter whether you use sharp cheddar cheese or mild cheddar cheese for this sauce.
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If you want to use another cheese or a mixture of pre-shredded cheese, like the kind that comes in the bags, go for it. A Monetrey jack or Mexican blend would work too!
How To Load Up Your Waffle Fries
Once you have your cheese sauce and horseradish sour cream, you can set up an assembly line to assemble your nachos quickly!
Try not to assemble them too early or they will become too soggy.
Waffle Fry Dipping Options
Although these waffle fries are LOADED with delicious toppings, who doesn't love dipping?
I suggest serving these with any or ALL of these sides:
- ranch dressing
- ketchup
- honey mustard
- fry sauce
...for guests to have fun experimenting with the different flavors!
Variations
• Potatoes: You can also use sweet potato waffle fries, tater tots or regular fries.
• Protein: To make these vegetarian, omit the bacon and replace with spinach or mushrooms.
• Cheese Sauce: For a healthier version, you can use reduced-fat cheese. You can also use Chees Whiz!
• Toppings: Feel free to add other toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and more!
Waffle Fry Tips
- For extra crispiness, I like to finish my Loaded Waffle Fries off in the oven for a few minutes. This ensures that everything is cooked and melted together nicely.
- Serve your Loaded Waffle Fries with a side of sour cream, guacamole, or salsa. To finish them off, sprinkle with some scallions or parsley and voila!
- Make sure to purchase a quality brand of waffle fries. Alexia and Ore-Ida brands are always delicious.
- Don't bake your waffle fries too far in advance or they will get hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Loaded waffle fries aren't a great recipe to store, but you can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll last for up to 3 days.
Place them into a baking dish covered with aluminum foil. Reheat in the oven at 350F for 5-7 minutes.
Here are some other delicious appetizers!
Crispy Philly Cheesesteak Appetizer Cups
Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Rounds
Chicken Lollipop Drumsticks (with Asian Glaze)
Crispy Oven Baked Eggplant Fries (with Parmesan)
Other articles for entertaining at home:
📖 Recipe
Loaded Waffle Fries
Ingredients
- 1 20 oz. Bag Frozen Waffle Fries
- 2 Scallions Chopped
- ¼ Cup Cooked Bacon Bits ((About 4-5 strips))
- ½ Cup Diced Tomatoes
Horseradish Sour Cream
- ½ Cup Sour Cream
- ¾ Tsp. Horseradish
Cheddar Cheese Sauce
- 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 3 oz. Can Diced Green Chilies
- ¾ Cup Whole Milk
- 1 Tbsp. Flour
- 1 Tbsp. Butter
- ⅛ Tsp. Salt
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Instructions
- Bake waffle fries a little longer than package says. I baked mine at 425° F for about 20 minutes turning halfway through. You want SUPER crispy fries so they can withhold the toppings and not become soggy.
- While baking, cook your bacon and crumble into bits. Set aside.
- In the meantime, mix sour cream and horseradish. Set aside.
- Have your milk and cheese ready before you start your cheese sauce. Add your flour and butter to a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk until butter melts. It will form a thick bubbly paste with the flour. This should only take a few minutes.
- Add your milk and whisk until you do not have any more lumps. Keep whisking slowly until you start to see the mixture thicken. After about 2-4 minutes, take off the heat.
- Add your cheddar cheese and diced chilies. The consistency should be pretty runny like a thick chowder. This is good because it will thicken as it cools. If you cannot "pour" the mixture easily with a ladle, add a few more tablespoons of milk.
- Once the waffle fries are baked, let them cool slightly before topping. Place them on your serving platter and start assembling with your sour cream and cheese first. Then add tomatoes and bacon bits. Finish with a dollop of sour cream on top and garnish with green onions.
Recipe Notes
- You can serve these as a mound of fries if you choose.
- Your cheese sauce will thicken as it cools. If it gets TOO thick before serving, add a little milk until it is "pourable".
- You can omit any of the ingredients or add other toppings if you'd like!
Wendy Hampton
Ohhhhhh this is amazing! So much better than plain ol' tortilla chips! The cheese sauce came out perfect. I have tried to do cheese sauce many times it was always a failure. THIS is perfect. Because I know how it comes out with cheddar, I think I will try adding some pepperjack for the next batch! Wonderful snack! Thanks so much! I'm snacking as I read through the list of appetizers. To heck with calories!
Aleka Shunk
Lol thank you for your comment Wendy! I am glad you liked them! 🙂