Best Loaded French Fries Healthy and High-Protein
These healthy Loaded French Fries are baked, not deep fried, to crispy perfection! Then they’re loaded with layers of melty cheese, crispy bacon, and green onions. Served with my instant honey-sweetened ketchup, they are the ultimate snack or easy appetizer for game day, a BBQ or to serve with your cheeseburgers.
This is the best-tasting recipe for healthy Loaded French Fries that are perfectly seasoned and baked to extra crispiness. Made with homemade fries, they’re transformed into loaded cheese fries with layers of melty cheese, crispy bacon, and green onions. Whether you prefer steak fries or crispy french fries, this dish delivers cheesy goodness and melted cheese that oozes over every bite. These easy loaded french fries are the ultimate snack or easy appetizer for game day.
Why is this homemade Cheesy Bacon Fries recipe healthy?
Because it uses baked potatoes instead of deep-fried, which lowers the fat content. It features turkey bacon, which has less fat and calories than regular bacon. Light olive oil is used for its heart-healthy benefits, and the fries are seasoned with spices instead of added salt. The cheese and turkey bacon provide protein, making the dish more filling and balanced. Green onions add vitamins and minerals, making this a nutritious and delicious snack or meal.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cheese Fries Recipe
- You only need a few simple ingredients.
- It is super easy to make for an impressive result.
- It is full of delicious flavor!
- All the ingredients are easily digestible for a gentle tummy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make an easy Loaded French Fries recipe:
Russet potatoes: You can use any variety of potatoes. Substitute with sweet potatoes for a lower glycemic option.
Light Olive Oil: Replace it with virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
Paprika: You can omit it or replace with chili powder for more heat.
Garlic powder: Replace with fresh minced garlic for a more intense garlic taste.
Onion powder: Use finely chopped fresh onion for a natural flavor boost.
Loaded Toppings:
Turkey Bacon: You can use any variety of bacon you like. You can also replace it with ground meat, ground turkey, lean ground beef, or bacon bits. For a vegetarian option, substitute lean chicken bacon or a plant-based bacon alternative.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: You can use your favorite shreddable cheese, including mozzarella cheese and Monterey Jack. Use a low-fat or vegan cheese alternative to reduce saturated fat.
Chopped Green Onion: Replace with chives for a milder onion flavor.
How to Make My Bacon Cheese Fries Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my easy baked cheese fries. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Prepare Potatoes
Wash and peel the russet potatoes. Slice them into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which helps them become crispier when baked.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
In a large bowl, toss the dried potatoes with light olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a dash of black pepper until evenly coated.
Step 2: Bake the Potatoes
Spread the seasoned potato strips in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
You can cook the bacon separately in an air fryer or frying pan. Or, you can spread the bacon out on a smaller cookie sheet and place it in the bottom rack of the oven under the French fries tray. Bake them for 10 minutes, flip them over and bake until desired crispiness.
Step 3: Load the French Fries
Grate the cheddar cheese and chop the green onions.
Once the fries are done baking, remove them from the oven and transfer them to an oven-safe dish or leave them on the baking sheet. Sprinkle the fries evenly with the cheddar cheese and turkey bacon pieces. Return the fries to the oven and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the loaded fries from the oven, sprinkle with chopped green onions, and serve immediately. Dip in my homemade ketchup with honey.
Helpful Recipe Notes
Soaking Potatoes: Soaking the potatoes in cold water is crucial for removing excess starch, which helps achieve a crispy exterior. Don’t skip this step for the best results.
Seasoning Variations: Feel free to customize the seasoning to your taste.
Serving Suggestions
- Big Mac Fries: Turn these into Big Mac Fries by adding shredded lettuce, diced red onions, and your favorite Big Mac toppings. Drizzle with a homemade Big Mac sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
- Greek Fries: Create Greek fries by topping the golden French fries with crumbled feta, diced red onions, and a dollop of tzatziki sauce. Add some shredded lettuce and a squeeze of lemon for a fresh twist.
- Texas Cheese Fries: Make Texas cheese fries by adding a blend of different kinds of cheese, such as cheddar and Monterey Jack. Top with chopped turkey bacon, jalapeños, and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce. Serve with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.
- Loaded Tortilla Chips: Use the seasoned fries as a base and treat them like tortilla chips. Top with melted cheese, black beans, diced tomatoes, and a drizzle of fry sauce. Add a dollop of sour cream and a splash of hot sauce for an extra kick.
- Classic Ranch Fries: For a classic touch, top the hot fries with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped turkey bacon, and chopped green onions. Serve with ranch dressing on the side for dipping.
- Ultimate Nacho Fries: Transform the fries into nacho fries by adding melted cheese, jalapeños, black olives, and diced red onions. Serve with a side of hot sauce and a dollop of sour cream.
- Healthy Big Mac Fries: Recreate the flavors of a Big Mac with these healthy fries by adding shredded lettuce, diced pickles, and a homemade Big Mac sauce. Top with a mix of different kinds of cheese for a cheesy delight.
- Cheesy Ranch Fries: Top the hot fries with a mix of melted cheeses and drizzle with ranch dressing. Add some chopped green onions and red onions for a crunchy, tangy bite.
- Loaded Fry Platter: Serve these fries as a great side dish to your favorite grilled meats or burgers. Add a side of creamy cheese sauce for dipping and a sprinkle of red onions and green onions for added flavor.
Do you love potatoes? Check out more of my easy and nutritious potato recipes:
Best Loaded French Fries Healthy and High-Protein
Ingredients
- 3 russet potatoes (1-1/2 pounds)
- 3 tablespoon light olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- dash black pepper
Loaded Toppings:
- 8 oz turkey bacon
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoon chopped green onion
Instructions
- Wash and peel the russet potatoes. Slice them into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which helps them become crispier when baked.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.In a large bowl, toss the dried potatoes with light olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a dash of black pepper until evenly coated.
- Spread the seasoned potato strips in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- You can cook the bacon separately in an air fryer or frying pan. Or, you can spread the bacon out on a smaller cookie sheet and place it in the bottom rack of the oven under the French fries tray. Bake them for 10 minutes, flip them over and bake until desired crispiness.
- Grate the cheddar cheese and chop the green onions.Once the fries are done baking, remove them from the oven and transfer them to an oven-safe dish or leave them on the baking sheet. Sprinkle the fries evenly with the cheddar cheese and turkey bacon pieces. Return the fries to the oven and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.Remove the loaded fries from the oven, sprinkle with chopped green onions, and serve immediately. Dip in my homemade ketchup with honey.
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Thank you for sharing this recipe! I loved the flavor!
Thank you for the review, Kristen! I’m so glad you liked them 🙂
these are the bomb!! They did not last long!! I used colby jack cheese and they tasted great.
Thank you for the review, Fred!
I’m so excited to share this healthy french fries recipe with you! I hope you love it 🙂