5 Must-Try Loaded Fries Recipes

If you’re craving something comforting, shareable, and seriously satisfying, loaded fries always hit the spot. These recipes prove that simple fries can turn into something spectacular with the right toppings. From BBQ pulled pork to veggie-packed goodness, these loaded fries recipes are perfect for parties, weeknight treats, and big gatherings. And if you’ve ever visited our food truck in Milton Keynes, you’ll know that we’re big fans of taking classic dishes and giving them the full flavour treatment.

How To Make Loaded Fries: Our Top Loaded Fries Recipes

Before we dive into the five loaded fries recipes, let’s quickly cover how to make loaded fries at home, because the method is simple, and once you’ve mastered it, you can customise endlessly.

Making loaded fries is all about three things: crispiness, heat, and layers. Start by cooking your fries until extra golden and crispy (this helps them stand up to all those toppings). Then add whatever you’re piling on: cheese, bacon, veggies, meats, sauces, and return them to the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Loaded fries are incredibly versatile, appearing everywhere from relaxed family dinners to street food stalls, and their toppings can draw inspiration from Tex-Mex, American BBQ, Indian flavours and more.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Chicken Loaded Fries
• Pulled Pork Loaded Fries
• Steak Loaded Fries
• Cheeseburger Loaded Fries
• Vegetarian Loaded Fries

If you’re planning a party or special event and want dishes like this cooked for you, our team offers catering in Milton Keynes, bringing smoky, flavour-packed food straight to your guests.

Chicken Loaded Fries

Chicken-loaded fries are creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavour. This version uses a chicken-bacon-ranch style topping, but you can adapt it with BBQ, buffalo, or peri peri flavours to suit your taste.

Ingredients:

For the Fries

• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into matchsticks
  (or use 1 bag of frozen fries for convenience)
• 3 tbsp olive oil (for homemade fries)
• 1¼ tsp garlic powder
• 1¼ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp dried dill
• ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Toppings

• 1 cup (approx. 135g) shredded cooked chicken
• ½ cup (120g) ranch dressing
• ¼ cup (30g) shredded sharp cheddar
• ¼ cup (30g) shredded mozzarella
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• Fresh chives or spring onions, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fries

• Homemade: Preheat the oven to 220°C. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until crisp.
• Frozen: Cook according to package instructions. Add a pinch of seasoning if you want more flavour.

2. Prepare the Chicken: Warm the ranch dressing in a small bowl or saucepan. Toss the chicken through it until fully coated.

3. Cook the Bacon: Cook until crisp and crumble into small pieces.

4. Assemble the Dish: Spread the fries out on a tray or serving dish and top with the chicken mixture. Sprinkle both cheeses over the top.

5. Melt and Serve: Bake or grill for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Top with crispy bacon and chives.

Variations

• BBQ Chicken: Swap ranch for BBQ sauce and add caramelised onions.
• Buffalo Chicken: Use buffalo sauce and top with blue cheese and jalapeños.
• Peri Peri Chicken: Marinate chicken in peri peri sauce + yoghurt, and finish with peri peri mayo.

If you want to check safe temperatures for cooked chicken, the Food Standards Agency is a helpful reference:

Pulled Pork Loaded Fries

Smoky, sweet, and tangy—pulled pork loaded fries are a signature favourite for barbecue lovers. Using leftover pulled pork makes this incredibly quick.

Ingredients

(Serves 4)

• 1 bag (approx. 680g) frozen waffle fries
• 2 cups (approx. 250g) shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
• 1 cup (approx. 225g) pulled pork
• I¾ cup (180ml) BBQ sauce
• ½ cup (120g) sour cream
• ½ cup (75g) pickled red onions
• 2 tbsp diced green onions

Instructions

1. Spread waffle fries onto a baking tray. Cook according to packet directions until crispy.
2. Once cooked, top with shredded cheese and pulled pork. Return to the oven until the cheese melts.
3. Drizzle barbecue sauce and sour cream over the top.
4. Add pickled red onions and spring onions before serving.

Steak Loaded Fries

Steak-loaded fries are a full-on feast. This version is topped with juicy grilled steak, queso, charred salsa, guacamole, and fresh herbs. It’s bold, messy, and seriously flavourful.

Step 1: Marinate the Steak

Blend the following into a smooth marinade:

• Fresh coriander
• Garlic
• Lime juice
• Orange juice
• Soy sauce
• Green onions
• Chipotle puree
• Archiote paste
• salt

Marinate Tip: Citrus-based marinades help tenderise steak. Here’s a great explainer from Serious Eats on how marinades work.

Pour the marinade over the skirt steak and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, so the flavours penetrate the meat.

Step 2: Grill the Steak

1. Prepare a charcoal grill, or use a gas BBQ if preferred
2. Cook the steak directly over the coals for 4–6 minutes per side, turning once
3. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 49°C (120°F) for medium-rare
4. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain to ensure it stays tender and juicy

Step 3: Make the Charred Salsa:

1. Char on the grill until slightly blackened:

• 1 tomato
• 1 onion
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 jalapeno

2. Remove stems and seeds, peel the onion skin, and blend the vegetables until you reach your desired salsa texture: smooth or slightly chunky.

Step 4: Assemble the Loaded Fries

1. Spread cooked waffle fries onto a plate.
2. Top with:

• Warm queso
• Sliced steak
• Charred salsa
• Guacamole
• Sour Cream
• Red onions
• Chopped coriander

3. Serve immediately while hot, so the fries stay crispy and the toppings are at their best.

This recipe pairs brilliantly with slow-cooked beef dishes. If you’re a meat-lover, we recommend checking out our beef short rib recipes for more BBQ inspiration.

Cheeseburger Loaded Fries

These fries take everything you love about a classic cheeseburger and layer it over crispy potatoes. The key is soaking the potatoes beforehand to remove excess starch and get that perfect crunch.

Step 1: Prepare the Fries

• Cut potatoes into 1cm sticks.
• Rinse thoroughly and soak in cold water for 30 minutes
• Drain and pat dry completely
• Toss the fries with oil, mixed herbs, and a pinch of salt
• Bake at 200°C (fan 180°C) for 20 minutes. Flip and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes until golden and crispy

Step 2: Cook the Beef

• Heat a little oil in a frying pan
• Add the beef mince, season with salt, and spread into a flat layer
• Cook undisturbed until browned and crispy on one side, then flip and cook the other side until fully browned and slightly crisp

Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a saucepan:

• Combine grated cheese, cornflour, and 200ml milk
• Heat gently over low-medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce is smooth and pourable
• Adjust with a little extra milk if too thick

Step 4: Assemble the Loaded Fries

• Place the baked fries in a large baking dish
• Drizzle over two-thirds of the cheese sauce
• Scatter the cooked beef evenly over the fries
• Pour the remaining cheese sauce on top
• Bake for 5 minutes to melt everything together

Step 5: Add Burger Sauce + Toppings

• Mix your favourite burger sauce and drizzle it over the loaded fries
• Top with sliced gherkins
• Serve any remaining sauce on the side for dipping

These fries are rich, indulgent, and always a hit at game nights or parties.

Vegetarian Loaded Fries

Vegetarian loaded fries are anything but boring. With beans, roasted vegetables, cheese, or creamy sauces, you can create big flavour without any meat. These variations are perfect for sharing or building your own fry platter.

Chilli Cheese Fries

• Create a vegetarian chilli using beans, walnuts, and vegetables simmered with spices
• Add cheddar or cheese sauce and top with jalapeños

Nacho-Style Fries

• Top fries with black beans, corn, red onion, peppers, salsa, guacamole, and nacho cheese sauce

Greek Fries

• Season fries with oregano, parsley, garlic, dill, and onion powder
• Add red onion, feta, parsley, and tzatziki

Roasted Veg Fries

• Toss fries with roasted squash, courgettes, and broad beans
• Top with cheddar or mozzarella
• Finish with salsa, sour cream, and coriander

Mushroom & Onion

• Sauté mushrooms and onions with honey chilli or honey sriracha for a sweet and spicy option

Key Ingredients

• Fries: Frozen, homemade, or sweet potato
• Cheese: Cheddar, mozzarella, feta, or cheese sauce
• Protein: Beans, veg chilli, mushrooms, or veggie mince
• Fresh toppings: Tomatoes, red onions, jalapeños, guacamole, herbs
• Sauces: Sour cream, ranch, and chipotle mayo

Tips for Success

• Spread fries in a single layer for maximum crispiness
• Serve immediately
• Mix and match flavours – there are endless combos

For veggie inspiration, the Vegetarian Society has great ideas:

Ready To Try These Loaded Fries At Home?

Loaded fries are one of those dishes that bring people together, easy to make, endlessly customisable, and always delicious. Whether you try the BBQ pulled pork, creamy chicken, vegetarian chilli, or steak-topped version, each recipe delivers huge flavour with minimal fuss.

If all this talk of toppings has you craving smoky meats, sizzling sides, and slow-cooked perfection, we’d love to cook for you. At The Rub BBQ, we bring our passion for great food to events across the region, offering catering in Milton Keynes for weddings, birthdays, corporate gatherings, or festivals. Our food truck brings the full street-food experience straight to your venue, complete with award-winning BBQ flavours.

Let us bring the smoke, the sizzle, and the flavour – just like these loaded fries.