If you’re in the mood for a hearty snack or casual dinner, try my Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries. A crisp bed of French fries is the perfect base for fragrant smoked pulled pork, gooey cheese, and sweet BBQ sauce. With an array of customization options and toppings, you’ve got a winning meal!
This recipe is perfect for a fun date or guys’ night in. My Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries are comfort food at its best: gooey, rich, and satisfying. Chances are, you’ll come back to these loaded cheese fries time and time again!
Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries | Heath Riles BBQ
Consider your French fries a blank canvas. Customize your Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries to fit your preferences. For example, you could swap the pulled pork for chicken, ground beef, or steak. Add some spicy peppers, or keep things mild with my homemade pico de gallo suggestion! The choice is yours. Let me know what you come up with!
The Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make a stellar tray of my Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries.
- French fries. I used frozen hand-cut French fries to create a delicious base. When fried in a little BaconUp Bacon Grease, the fries have an unbeatable crispiness.
- Heath Riles BBQ Everyday Rub. Ditch the salt and pepper and level up with my versatile AP Rub. You can use it on fries, casseroles, steak, burgers, eggs, and even popcorn!
- Arbo’s Cheese Dip. If you’re looking for the best cheese dip/queso around, grab a container of Arbo’s. Arbo’s is veteran-owned and comes in three delicious varieties: mild, spicy, and queso blanco.
- Pulled pork. This recipe calls for pulled pork, a great topping for loaded cheese fries. If you’re looking for a simple pulled pork recipe, try this one.
- Cacique Crema Mexicana Agria. If you’ve never tried crema, you’re in for a treat. This Mexican sour cream is an excellent addition to nachos, loaded fries, baked potatoes, and more. It has a delicate, tangy flavor with a hint of fresh cream.
- Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce. My ketchup-based BBQ sauce took over 10 years to develop and was worth every minute. I love using it to top ribs, roasts, burgers, chicken breasts, wings, and more.
- Toppings. If you like a lot of toppings on your Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries, try adding a dollop of fresh pico de gallo and a spoonful of guacamole. Mm-mm good!
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites can be found in the Equipment and Tools section.
- Flat Top Grill. I cooked these mind-blowing Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries on the Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill. I love using this setup for quesadillas, tacos, and more! Pro Tip: Be sure to “season” your grill before using it! This step creates a slick, nonstick surface.
Cooking with a flat top is easy, especially when you know how to clean it! Check out the video to see my process for cleaning your Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill without much elbow grease.
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- If you’re looking for an excellent flat-top grill, try this one! Its divided heat chambers allow you to cook multiple things simultaneously, making it a beautiful and valuable addition to any outdoor kitchen!
The Process for Making Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries
You can find a detailed demonstration of this recipe within the video and recipe card. Here’s a quick rundown of how I made these loaded cheese fries.
- Fire up the grill. I turned the burners on the Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill to medium. Then, I added a dollop of BaconUp Bacon Grease to season the griddle.
- Cook the fries. Once the BaconUp Bacon Grease was heated, I spread the fries evenly on the griddle and reduced the heat to medium-low. I misted the fries with avocado oil and tossed them every 3 to 4 minutes until they were tender and golden brown.
- Add seasoning. I removed the fries from the Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill and placed them on a tray lined with Heath Riles BBQ Butcher Paper. Then, I seasoned them with Heath Riles BBQ Everyday Rub.
- Assemble the Loaded Cheese Fries. I sprinkled shredded Mexican blend cheese over the fries and drizzled on Arbo’s Cheese Dip. I topped the Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries with pulled pork and a little more cheese dip. I added a drizzle of crema and Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce. Last, I garnished the Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries with pico de gallo and guacamole. The only thing left was to dig in!
The Results
These Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries had all the elements of a great meal: potatoes, cheese, and pulled pork. The combination of toppings was simple yet decadent, letting the pulled pork shine through.
Storing Leftovers
My Loaded BBQ Cheese Fries are best served on the same day. If you don’t mind soggier fries, you can reheat and enjoy within 1-2 days.
Equipment and Tools
Heath Riles BBQ Butcher Paper, Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill, mixing bowls, Nechtik BBQ Gloves, metal spatula, disposable cutting board.
