Game Day Chili Cheese Fries (Printable)
Golden fries loaded with spiced halal chili and melted cheddar cheese. A crowd-pleasing appetizer ready in one hour.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 - 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
16 - 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
17 - 0.5 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 Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss fries with vegetable oil and salt. Spread on a baking tray and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and 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 fully cooked through.
04 - Stir in bell pepper, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes to enhance flavors.
05 - Add tomato paste, canned tomatoes, kidney beans, and water. Stir thoroughly and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens.
06 - Transfer baked fries to a large ovenproof dish. Top evenly with hot chili and sprinkle shredded cheese over the surface.
07 - Return to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until cheese melts completely and becomes bubbly.
08 - Remove from oven and garnish with spring onions, cilantro, and jalapeño slices. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These fries strike the perfect balance between comfort food indulgence and surprisingly simple preparation, letting you enjoy the game instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
- The halal chili recipe has converted even my most skeptical friends into believers, with several now requesting I bring this dish to every gathering regardless of whether theres a game on.
02 -
- Never skip pre-heating your oven completely or your fries will steam rather than crisp, a mistake I made during my first attempt that left us with a soggy, disappointing base.
- The chili actually tastes better if made a day ahead and reheated, allowing the spices to meld overnight, something I discovered by accident when plans changed and we postponed our gathering.
03 -
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper thats been lightly oiled, creating a non-stick surface that helps the fries develop that golden crust while making cleanup infinitely easier.
- When adding the cheese, grate it yourself rather than using pre-shredded varieties which contain anti-caking agents that prevent that luxurious, smooth melt that makes this dish irresistible.