INGREDIENTS
1 (26 ounce) bag frozen french fries
4 cups homemade chili
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon paprika
1 ¼ cups whole milk
1 ½ cups sharp cheddar
salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare chili using attached recipe, your favorite recipe or even canned chili.
Cook fries according to package instructions. Or preheat air fryer to 400 degrees and cook about 10-15 minutes or until crispy.
Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium low heat. Whisk in the flour and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes stirring constantly. Whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika. Next whisk in the milk until it is creamy and smooth. Simmer for a few minutes until thickened. Reduce the heat and slowly stir in the cheddar until smooth and melted.
Assemble by layering first the fries, then the chili ending with the creamy cheddar sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For best results serve promptly.
NOTES
For optimum results use a good thick hearty chili that will help the fries stay crispy longer.
Air fryers work great for cooking fries, especially frozen French fries. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook about 10 minutes. If your cheese sauce is not quite ready hold the fries in the air fryer where they will stay warm. If needed crisp for 1 minute right before assembling.
If the cheese sauce thickens too much add a couple tablespoons of milk at a time till desired consistency.
For optimum flavor purchase good quality sharp or white cheddar. The higher quality the cheese the better the flavor.
