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.
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
- 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, Monterey 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.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make cheesy chips - Step by step
Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
One: Put the cooked chips into a baking dish. sprinkle over the seasoning and carefully mix.
Two: Sprinkle over the cheese.
Three: Put into the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
Four: 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?
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
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
You can do, but it won't melt very well and you will end up with soggy chips.
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.
More microwave recipes
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
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
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.
Anjali
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!
Sara Welch
This was everything a gourmet recipe should be, and then some! Easy, hearty and packed with flavor; loved all that cheesy goodness, indeed!
Andrea
These are a favorite in my house. We love them for lunch, as a side at dinner or even an afternoon snack.
Charla
This reminds me of when I tried poutine when I went to Toronto a few years ago.
Stacey Crawford
It is so simple to make this with cooked frozen fries, and so cheesy and comforting! My kids call these Irish nachos.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
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.
dana
Being of French Canadian origin, I'm a huge fan of cheesy fries (poutine, hello!) This was a nice variation. Super tasty!
Ava M
These chips are the ultimate comfort snack! Crispy chips smothered in gooey cheese—a heavenly combo for cheesy cravings.
Liza
These chips with melted cheese and Italian seasoning are the bomb! It's such an easy and delicious snack that my family can't get enough of!
Casey
OOH so yummy! My kids would LOVE these cheesy fries!
Kim
I'm so excited to try these. It's breakfast time here and I'm so hungry just looking at them!
Chenee
Cheesy fries are my absolute favorite food! These look absolutely delicious!
Nikki
Just give me a fork so I can dig into this cheesy, potato goodness! Yum!
Toni
This quickly became a new favorite at my house! Thanks for sharing!