Description
This In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries recipe perfectly replicates the classic fast-food favorite with crispy fries topped with melted cheese, rich caramelized onions, and a tangy special sauce. Easy to prepare with frozen fries and pantry staples, these indulgent fries bring the iconic flavors right to your home kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
In-N-Out Inspired Special Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 2 tbsp sweet relish
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp chili flakes (optional)
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 bag frozen fries
- Cheddar cheese or American cheese (amount as desired for topping)
- 2 onions, diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (e.g. vegetable or canola oil)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Melt the butter in a pan over medium-low heat and add the neutral oil. Add the diced onions and sprinkle with salt. Stir every few minutes, adjusting the heat down if the onions begin to burn, and cook slowly until the onions are deeply golden and caramelized. This process will take at least 30 minutes or longer for best flavor.
- Prepare Special Sauce: While onions cook, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, rice or white vinegar, sweet relish, sugar, and optional chili flakes in a bowl and mix well. Set aside.
- Cook Fries: Bake or fry the frozen fries according to package instructions until crispy and golden.
- Melt Cheese on Fries: Arrange the cooked fries on a baking sheet, top with grated cheddar or sliced American cheese. Broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Assemble and Serve: Remove the cheesy fries from the oven, layer on the caramelized onions evenly, drizzle the special sauce on top, and serve immediately to enjoy the rich and tangy flavors.
Notes
- The chili flakes in the sauce are optional and add some heat; traditional In-N-Out sauce does not include them.
- If onions appear to be burning during caramelization, reduce the heat to cook gently.
- Stir the onions frequently to ensure even caramelization and prevent sticking or burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: In-N-Out fries copycat, animal style fries, caramelized onions, special sauce, cheesy fries, copycat recipe, fast food at home
