Description
Spicy Taco Bell nacho fries bring Mexican street flavor straight to kitchen counters, elevating comfort snacking with crispy potato magic. Homemade deliciousness meets restaurant-style indulgence, letting you savor classic fast-food excitement without leaving home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into thin fries
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- ¼ cup evaporated milk
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Additional Cheese Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 small jalapeno, finely minced
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Cleanse potato strips by immersing them in chilled water for minimum 30 minutes to eliminate excess starch, ensuring optimal crispiness.
- Thoroughly drain potato strips and meticulously pat dry using a clean kitchen cloth, removing all moisture.
- Transfer potato strips to a spacious mixing vessel and generously dust with cornstarch, ensuring uniform coating through gentle tumbling.
- Drizzle vegetable oil over potato strips and gently toss to create an even, glossy exterior.
- Craft a robust seasoning blend by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt in a compact mixing container.
- Preheat vegetable oil in a deep cooking vessel to precisely 175C, creating an ideal frying environment.
- Carefully submerge potato strips in small batches, allowing them to transform into golden, crisp delicacies within 3-4 minutes.
- Extract fries using a perforated utensil, letting excess oil drain on absorbent paper towels.
- Immediately sprinkle the prepared seasoning mixture over piping hot fries, ensuring maximum flavor adherence.
- For cheese sauce, gently melt butter in a compact saucepan, incorporating minced jalapeno for subtle heat.
- Pour evaporated milk into the butter mixture, warming gradually to create a smooth foundation.
- Gradually incorporate grated cheddar cheese, stirring consistently until achieving a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Season cheese sauce with garlic powder, chili powder, and salt, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Arrange seasoned fries on a serving platter, accompanied by warm nacho cheese sauce for indulgent dipping.
Notes
- Starch Removal Technique: Soaking potatoes in cold water helps eliminate excess starch, resulting in crispier fries with a perfect golden-brown exterior.
- Cornstarch Coating Trick: The cornstarch creates an extra-crispy layer that locks in moisture and gives the fries a restaurant-quality crunch.
- Seasoning Optimization: Toast the dry spices briefly in a pan before mixing to intensify their flavors and create a more complex taste profile.
- Oil Temperature Precision: Use a thermometer to maintain consistent oil temperature, preventing soggy or burnt fries and ensuring even cooking.
- Dietary Modifications: Swap regular potatoes for sweet potatoes for a nutrient-rich alternative or use gluten-free cornstarch for a celiac-friendly version.
- Cheese Sauce Smoothness: Grate cheese yourself instead of using pre-shredded to achieve a silkier, more melted sauce without anti-caking agents.
- Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare the seasoning mix and cut potatoes in advance, storing them in cold water in the refrigerator to save time during cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg