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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Potatoes

Cheesy Chips

Jul 19, 2023 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 14 Comments

96 shares
Diet: Gluten Free / Vegetarian
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Cheese chips with a text title overlay.
Cheese chips with a text title overlay.

Cheesy chips, also known as cheesy fries, are total comfort food and SO easy to make. All you need are crispy homemade or frozen cooked chips covered with melted cheese and a variety of toppings such as bacon bits, jalapenos, sour cream or herbs. Cheesy chips are a popular pub order, but here is how you can make them yourself.

A baking dish full of cooked chips covered in melted cheese.

While cheesy chips may not be the healthiest option, they are definitely a crowd-pleaser, and great for sharing. The combination of crispy potatoes, gooey cheese, and savoury toppings is hard to resist and they are so easy to adapt too.

Cheesy chips are often served as a side dish or snack, but they can also be a meal in themselves. They really do have everything and there are lots of different toppings you can add. Some restaurants offer different variations of cheesy chips, such as chilli cheese fries or poutine and we have shared our favourite variations below.

Looking for more easy potato recipes? Why not try our quick Air Fryer Jacket Potatoes, easy Microwave Sweet Potato, delicious Salt and Pepper Chips, of comforting Cheesy Potato Bake?

Ingredients and Substitutions

All the ingredients needed for this recipe each with a text overlay label.

A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Cooked chips - To make cheesy chips, you will need to cook some frozen chips, or follow our recipe for Easy Oven Chips.
  • Cheese - The most important ingredient in cheesy chips is, of course, the cheese. Cheddar cheese is what we have used, but you can also use other types of cheese such as mozzarella, Monterrey Jack, or even blue cheese. Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the hot chips and bake.
  • Seasoning - We added some spicy Italian seasoning for extra flavour, but any spice blend will work.
  • Spring onions (scallions) and chives - This is added on top before serving for colour, flavour and crunch.

Variations

Cheese - We used a mature cheddar, but there are lots of options when it comes to cheese. You could make a more gourmet cheesy chips recipe by using blue cheese or brie, which are melted into a creamy cheese sauce and poured on. You can use mozzarella too, but they gets super melty and stretchy when cooked on chips.

International variations - Cheesy chips are not just popular in the UK. In fact, many countries have their own unique variations on the classic dish. In Canada, poutine is a popular dish that consists of fries, gravy, and cheese curds. You could add our Onion Gravy as a layer between the chips and cheese for a twist on this.

Toppings - While cheesy chips are delicious on their own, you can add some extra toppings to take them to the next level. Here are some ideas:

  • Bacon bits
  • Jalapeños
  • Sour cream and chive dip
  • Guacamole
  • Homemade Chilli

How to Make Cheesy Chips - Step by Step

Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.

Cooked chips in a rectangular baking dish.
  1. Step 1: Put the cooked chips into a baking dish. sprinkle over the seasoning and carefully mix.
Grated cheese covering the chips.
  1. Step 2: Sprinkle over the cheese.
Melted cheese covering the chips.
  1. Step 3: Put into the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
Chopped spring onions and chives sprinkled over the melted cheese.
  1. Step 4: Sprinkle over chopped spring onions (scallions) and chopped chives (both optional).

Serving Suggestions

Chips and cheese are such a versatile side dish, that they pretty much go with anything. Here are some of our favourite main dishes to serve them with:

  • Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
  • Chicken Kiev
  • Pork and Apple Burgers
  • Chicken Pesto Burgers
  • Air Fryer Burgers
  • Garlic Mushroom Pizza
  • Salmon Fishcakes

You need some sauce to serve these with too. Why not try our healthier Homemade Ketchup, tangy Healthy BBQ Sauce or delicious Healthy Ranch?

Melted cheese covering cooked chips with chopped onions and chives on top.

Extra Tips

  • Don't use pre-grated cheese. It is coated with an anti-stick ingredient and it means it doesn't melt as well.
  • If you want a super creamy sauce, rather than just melted cheese, you can make a cheese sauce to pour over the hot cooked chips.
  • You could do this with sweet potato chips too.
  • Want to make pizza fries? Put some chopped pepperoni on the chips before the cheese.
A baking dish full of cheesy chips in front of a striped towel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do cheesy chips come from?

Cheesy chips, also known as cheese fries, are a popular snack food consisting of French fries topped with melted cheese. The origins of this dish are unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the 1950s.
According to some sources, the dish was first served in a restaurant in Ohio, where a customer requested a side of melted cheese to dip their fries in. The restaurant owner decided to combine the two and serve them together, creating the now-famous cheesy chips.

How to store cheese chips

These are best eaten hot and straight away, as they don't reheat well. I am sure we have all tried to reheat cheesy chips the next day after a night out.

Can I use frozen chips?

Yes, you can save time by using frozen chips. You will need to cook them first and then follow the recipe as stated. You can also use Air Fryer Chips.

Can I use the microwave to melt the cheese

You can do, but it won't melt very well and you will end up with soggy chips.

More Microwave Recipes

  • Two microwave sweet potato on a plate.
    How to Cook Sweet Potato in the Microwave
  • Microwave mashed potato topped with chopped herbs and a pat of butter.
    Microwave Mashed Potatoes
  • Microwave bacon on a round plate.
    How to Microwave Bacon
  • A bowl of microwave Brussels sprouts.
    Microwave Brussels Sprouts

If you’ve tried this cheesy chips recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Cheesy chips in a baking dish.

Cheesy Chips

By: Dannii Martin
Cheesy chips, also known as cheesy fries, are total comfort food and SO easy to make. A popular pub order, but here is how you can make them yourself.
A circular logo saying GF.
Gluten Free
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
4.95 from 17 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, British
Prep: 2 minutes mins
Cook: 5 minutes mins
Total: 7 minutes mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 446kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy

Ingredients

  • 4 serving Cooked chips
  • 140 g (1.25 cups) Cheddar cheese - grated
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • Spring onions (Scallions) - optional; to serve
  • Chives - optional; to serve

Instructions

  • Put 4 serving Cooked chips into a baking dish. sprinkle over 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning and carefully mix.
  • Sprinkle over 140 g Cheddar cheese.
  • Put into the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
  • Sprinkle over chopped Spring onions (Scallions) and chopped Chives (both optional).

Recipe Tips

  • Don't use pre-grated cheese. It is coated with an anti-stick ingredient and it means it doesn't melt as well.
  • If you want a super creamy sauce, rather than just melted cheese, you can make a cheese sauce to pour over the hot cooked chips.
  • You could do this with sweet potato chips too.
  • Want to make pizza fries? Put some chopped pepperoni on the chips before the cheese.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 543mg | Potassium: 1330mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 378IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 306mg | Iron: 3mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Anjali says

    July 30, 2023 at 7:41 pm

    5 stars
    These were so easy to make, and were such a fun and satisfying snack to make with my kids today! The chips combined with the cheese and other ingredients was so addicting - we couldn't stop eating it!

    Reply
  2. Sara Welch says

    July 30, 2023 at 7:32 pm

    5 stars
    This was everything a gourmet recipe should be, and then some! Easy, hearty and packed with flavor; loved all that cheesy goodness, indeed!

    Reply
  3. Andrea says

    July 30, 2023 at 6:10 pm

    5 stars
    These are a favorite in my house. We love them for lunch, as a side at dinner or even an afternoon snack.

    Reply
  4. Charla says

    July 30, 2023 at 6:08 pm

    5 stars
    This reminds me of when I tried poutine when I went to Toronto a few years ago.

    Reply
  5. Stacey Crawford says

    July 30, 2023 at 5:41 pm

    5 stars
    It is so simple to make this with cooked frozen fries, and so cheesy and comforting! My kids call these Irish nachos.

    Reply
  6. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    July 26, 2023 at 6:46 pm

    5 stars
    The combination of perfectly seasoned chips and the melty cheese is pure magic. Whether you're enjoying it as a snack while binge-watching your favorite show or serving it as a party appetizer, these Cheesy Chips are a total crowd-pleaser.

    Reply
  7. dana says

    July 26, 2023 at 6:44 pm

    5 stars
    Being of French Canadian origin, I'm a huge fan of cheesy fries (poutine, hello!) This was a nice variation. Super tasty!

    Reply
  8. Ava M says

    July 23, 2023 at 6:55 am

    5 stars
    These chips are the ultimate comfort snack! Crispy chips smothered in gooey cheese—a heavenly combo for cheesy cravings.

    Reply
  9. Liza says

    July 22, 2023 at 9:57 pm

    5 stars
    These chips with melted cheese and Italian seasoning are amazing! It's such an easy and delicious snack that my family can't get enough of!

    Reply
  10. Casey says

    July 20, 2023 at 4:16 pm

    5 stars
    OOH so yummy! My kids would LOVE these cheesy fries!

    Reply
  11. Kim says

    July 20, 2023 at 3:48 pm

    5 stars
    I'm so excited to try these. It's breakfast time here and I'm so hungry just looking at them!

    Reply
  12. Chenee says

    July 20, 2023 at 3:47 pm

    Cheesy fries are my absolute favorite food! These look absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  13. Nikki says

    July 20, 2023 at 2:30 pm

    5 stars
    Just give me a fork so I can dig into this cheesy, potato goodness! Yum!

    Reply
  14. Toni says

    July 20, 2023 at 2:08 pm

    5 stars
    This quickly became a new favorite at my house! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
4.95 from 17 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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