Nacho Fries are crispy fries coated in taco seasoning, smothered in cheese, and topped with seasoned ground beef, fresh pico de gallo, and more. Inspired by Taco Bell, this recipe brings a fast food favorite to your kitchen!
For more Taco Bell copycat recipes, try my Chalupa, Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, Taco Bell Breakfast Crunchwrap, and Cheesy Gordita Crunch next.
Taco Bell Nacho Fries
This recipe is a fun twist on Taco Tuesday, combining the best parts of fast food with homemade flair. It’s like a delicious fusion of Taco Bell's Nacho Fries and their Canadian classic, Fries Supreme, but better homemade.
These versatile fries work as a snack, meal, or appetizer. Plus, it’s perfect for kids who love fries and tacos but enjoy getting creative with their food. The best part is that you’re upgrading frozen fries (spoiler alert – Taco Bell uses them too!) and loading them with your favorite toppings.
What are Nacho Fries?
They are a popular Taco Bell dish made with crispy, seasoned fries topped with warm nacho cheese. My recipe goes beyond the original by creating a super-loaded version packed with toppings like seasoned ground beef, refried beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, and more.
Ingredients
Seasoning for the Nacho Fries:
This homemade blend coats the french fries.
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne pepper (optional for spice)
Nacho Fries:
- Ground beef: The preferred protein for this recipe.
- Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries: If you can not get this specific brand, you can use any crispy frozen fries you prefer.
- Vegetable oil: For frying.
- Taco seasoning: To season the ground beef.
- Refried beans: Is it nachos without this ingredient? They add protein and make this a substantial meal.
- Cheese Sauce: To make your own cheese sauce, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan, stir in 2 tablespoons of flour, and cook for a minute. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of milk until smooth, then add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and creamy. For storebought, I prefer Ricos Gourmet Nacho Cheese but you can use your preferred cheese sauce brand or queso dip.
- Guacamole: Prepare this before cooking the nacho fries. Try my guacamole recipe!
- Sour cream: Serve this on the side so the fries do not get soggy too quickly.
- Pico de Gallo: This Pico de Gallo adds a fresh pop of flavor
- Chipotle sauce: Try this Creamy Chipotle Sauce. It is like a copycat version of Taco Bell chipotle sauce! If you want a sauce full of smoky chipotle pepper flavors, try my Super Simple Chipotle Salsa. This has a medium heat level.
How to Make Nacho Fries
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Make Taco Nacho Fries Seasoning
To start, I mix together the seasoning for the fries in a small bowl. I combine paprika, chili powder, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and a little cayenne pepper for spice if I’m feeling bold. Once it’s stirred and ready, I set it aside.
Cook Ground Beef
Next, I cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until it’s browned and no pink remains. After draining any grease, I stir in a packet of taco seasoning with ¼ cup of water, letting it simmer until everything is perfectly combined. Then, I turn off the heat and set the taco meat aside.
Cook the Fries
While the beef rests, I heat oil in a large pan until it reaches 350°F. I fry the French fries in batches, making sure to turn them every minute or so to get them golden brown and evenly cooked. When they’re just right, I transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
For those who prefer baking, frozen fries crisp up well in the oven, too. Once all the fries are cooked, I toss them in a large bowl with the seasoning mix, making sure every fry is coated in that flavorful blend.
Heat Up Beans & Cheese
As the fries cool slightly, I warm up the nacho cheese sauce and refried beans in the microwave.
Assemble Nacho Fries
With all my components ready, I start assembling. I layer the seasoned fries on a plate and pile on the nacho cheese, refried beans, taco meat, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and a drizzle of chipotle sauce. This creates a mountain of flavors and textures that’s perfect for sharing—or not!
Pro Tips
- Adjust the spice level to your taste. If you prefer a milder flavor, skip the cayenne pepper in the fry seasoning or reduce the chili powder. For extra heat, add a bit more cayenne or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature. Keeping the oil at 350°F ensures the fries cook evenly and get perfectly crispy without becoming greasy.
- Work in batches when frying. Overcrowding the pan lowers the oil temperature, resulting in soggy fries. Fry a few handfuls at a time for the best results.
- Reheat the beans and cheese right before serving. Warm toppings are key to keeping the nachos flavorful and preventing the fries from becoming soggy too quickly.
- Customize the toppings to suit your preferences. Add shredded lettuce, pickled jalapeños, or even crumbled bacon to make the dish your own.
- Serve the fries immediately after assembling. These loaded nacho fries are best enjoyed fresh, while the fries are still crisp and the toppings warm.
- Try baking the fries for a lighter option. Follow the package instructions to bake the fries until crispy, then toss them in the seasoning blend for all the flavor without frying.
Storage
Store the ground beef, cheese sauce, and toppings separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Fresh fries are best for texture, but seasoned fries can be reheated to restore their crispiness.
When you reheat them, bake them at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, air fry them at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes.
Recipe Variations
- Meat: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, shredded turkey, or even plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian twist.
- Add-Ins: Enhance the dish with black beans, sautéed mushrooms, or other vegetarian-friendly options for added flavor and texture.
- Cheese: Top the fries with shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese and broil for one minute before adding the other toppings.
- Fries: Sweet potato fries, tater tots, or waffle fries work great, but crinkle or curly fries might not stay crisp under the toppings.
- Spicy: Add heat with sliced jalapeños, a drizzle of hot sauce, or even a sprinkle of chili flakes for extra spice.
FAQ
Does Taco Bell still have nacho fries?
Yes, Taco Bell currently offers Nacho Fries, but their availability has been on and off since 2018. Skip the wait and enjoy this recipe anytime.
What's the difference between Taco Bell Nacho Fries and Fries Supreme?
Taco Bell Nacho Fries are crispy, seasoned fries topped with warm nacho cheese. Fries Supreme, the Canadian version, takes it a step further by adding sour cream, seasoned ground beef, and diced tomatoes.
How do I prevent the fries from getting soggy?
Serve the dish immediately after assembling to keep the fries crispy. You can also reheat the fries in an air fryer before adding the toppings if needed.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
After you try this Nacho Fries recipe, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
Seasoning for the fries:
- 2 tablespoons Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Chili powder
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper optional for spice
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 bag Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 packet Taco seasoning
- 1 can Refried beans
- 1 15 ounce can Ricos Gourmet Nacho Cheese see post for alternative cheese sauce idea
- 1 cup Guacamole
- 1 cup Sour cream
- 1 cup Pico de Gallo
- 1 cup Chipotle sauce
Instructions
- Add the French fry seasonings into a small bowl. Including the paprika, chili powder, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (which is optional if you like spice). Stir this up until it is fully incorporated, then set it aside.
- Add the ground beef into a skillet and cook it over medium heat until all of the pink is cooked out. Drain any excess grease. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, and stir in ¼ cup of water. Stir it until everything is combined, and remove the taco meat from the heat.
- In a separate pan, heat up the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F. Gently place the French fries into the hot oil and cook until they are golden brown (about 7 minutes or so). Be sure to turn them every minute or so so that they cook evenly.
- While the fries are cooking, heat up the nacho cheese sauce in a microwave safe dish, and set it to the side. Next, heat up the pinto beans in a microwave safe dish and set them aside.
- Once the fries are golden brown to your liking, remove them from the hot oil and let them drain on a bed of paper towels. Continue cooking the remaining fries in batches until they are all done.
- Add the cooked fries to a large bowl, sprinkle in the nacho fry seasoning and toss them around until the fries are coated evenly with the seasonings.
- Assemble your 7 layer nacho fries by adding the french fries to a plate, and layer with all of your toppings including: the nacho cheese, refried beans, ground beef taco meat, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and chipotle sauce.
Maria says
Yummy
Tina says
Yum