In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries Recipe
Deliciously indulgent In-N-Out copycat Animal Style Fries featuring crispy fries topped with melted cheddar or American cheese, sweet and savory caramelized onions, and a special tangy sauce that perfectly mimics the iconic fast food favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking, Pan-cooking, Broiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
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 (about 8–10 oz)
- Cheddar cheese or American cheese (about 1 cup grated or sliced)
- 2 onions, diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola oil)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Melt the butter in a pan over medium-low heat and add the neutral oil. Add the diced onions and salt, stirring every few minutes. Continue cooking slowly, turning down the heat if onions start to burn, until they are golden brown and caramelized, roughly 30 minutes or longer.
- Prepare the Special Sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, vinegar, sweet relish, sugar, and chili flakes if using. Mix well and set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Cook the Fries: Bake or fry the frozen fries according to the package instructions until they are crispy and golden.
- Add Cheese and Broil: Once fries are cooked, place them on a baking sheet and top evenly with grated cheddar or sliced American cheese. Place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Assemble and Serve: Remove the fries from the oven, immediately top with caramelized onions, then drizzle the special sauce on top. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade Animal Style Fries!
Notes
- If you prefer spicier fries, increase chili flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the special sauce.
- Use fresh grated cheddar for best melting results or American cheese slices for authentic flavor.
- Caramelizing onions requires patience but adds essential flavor; don’t rush the process.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your oven or air fryer; adjust accordingly.
- For a crispier texture, air frying the fries is recommended.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (half of the recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: In-N-Out Animal Style Fries, copycat recipe, caramelized onions, special sauce, loaded fries, cheesy fries
