Description
Taco Bell Nacho Fries are crispy air-fried thick-cut potato fries tossed with a flavorful blend of Mexican-inspired spices and topped with a creamy, velvety cheese sauce. This snack or side dish is garnished with sour cream, pickled jalapeños, scallions, and your favorite Taco Bell hot sauce, creating the perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and crunch in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Fries
- 2 large potatoes, sliced into thick matchsticks (French fries)
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Fries Seasoning
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Cheese Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp cumin
- 10 slices yellow American cheese
- 1/3 cup milk
Toppings
- Sour cream, as needed
- Pickled jalapeños, as desired
- Scallions, chopped, as desired
- Taco Bell hot sauce of choice, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare fries: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, slice the potatoes into thick matchsticks. Wash and drain them thoroughly to remove excess starch. Place the sliced potatoes in a bowl, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of oil, and season with salt and pepper. Toss well to coat.
- Air fry the potatoes: Transfer the coated potatoes to the air fryer basket, spreading them evenly. Cook at 380°F (193°C) for 10-12 minutes until fries are crispy and golden, tossing halfway through for even cooking.
- Make the cheese sauce: While fries cook, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon taco seasoning, and 1 teaspoon cumin. Sauté the spices for about 30 seconds to release their flavors. Reduce heat to low, then slowly add 1/3 cup milk followed by 10 slices of yellow American cheese. Stir continuously until cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and velvety. Remove from heat and set aside. Reheat gently if needed before serving.
- Mix the fries seasoning: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon taco seasoning, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Mix well.
- Toss fries with seasoning: Once fries are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl. Sprinkle the prepared seasoning blend over the fries and toss thoroughly to coat each fry evenly with the flavorful spices. Transfer the seasoned fries to a serving bowl or individual plates.
- Assemble and garnish: Pour the warm cheese sauce generously over the seasoned fries. Add dollops of sour cream on top, scatter pickled jalapeños and chopped scallions, then drizzle with your favorite Taco Bell hot sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy the vibrant, spicy flavors!
Notes
- Ensure potatoes are well dried before air frying to get crispy fries.
- Adjust the spice levels in the seasoning and toppings to suit your taste preference.
- Use yellow American cheese slices for the authentic creamy texture and flavor of the cheese sauce.
- Warm the cheese sauce gently if it thickens too much before serving.
- For a quicker version, you can use frozen fries but adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
