Description:
Craving pizza but also in the mood for fries? Why not have both with these Pizza Fries! Crispy fries topped with all your favorite pizza ingredients—cheese, pepperoni, veggies, and a drizzle of pizza sauce. It’s the ultimate snack, appetizer, or game-day treat that’s bound to satisfy everyone’s cravings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
Pizza Fries are everything you love about pizza and fries combined into one indulgent dish. Crispy fries, melted cheese, savory toppings, and a burst of pizza flavor—all in every bite. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish or enjoying them as a fun snack, these loaded fries will disappear fast. Plus, they’re super easy to make, and you can customize them with all your favorite pizza toppings!
Ingredients
Here’s a quick look at the ingredients you’ll need:
- Frozen French fries or homemade fries
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pizza sauce
- Pepperoni or other favorite pizza toppings (sausage, olives, mushrooms, etc.)
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Italian seasoning or oregano
- Olive oil (for drizzling)
You’ll find the full list of ingredients down below!
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Fries
Start by preheating your oven according to the instructions on the frozen fries package, usually around 425°F (220°C). Spread the fries evenly on a baking sheet, and bake them until they’re golden brown and crispy. If you prefer homemade fries, cut your potatoes into wedges or thin strips, toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake or fry them until crispy.
Step 2: Layer with Pizza Toppings
Once your fries are perfectly crispy, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a baking dish or leave them on the same baking sheet. Drizzle a bit of pizza sauce over the fries, just enough to give them a nice layer of flavor. Next, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the fries, making sure to cover every inch.
Step 3: Add the Toppings
Now, layer on your favorite pizza toppings. Classic pepperoni works wonderfully, but you can get creative! Add cooked sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, black olives, or even a few fresh basil leaves. The beauty of Pizza Fries is that you can customize them with whatever you love on your pizza.
Step 4: Bake and Melt the Cheese
Put the fries back in the oven for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You’ll want the cheese to be nice and gooey, with the toppings slightly crisping up. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once the cheese is melted and golden, remove the fries from the oven and garnish them with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning or oregano. Add a little fresh basil or parsley on top for color and freshness. Serve immediately with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping, and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Crispy Fries: For extra crispy fries, bake them in a single layer on a baking sheet and avoid overcrowding them. If you’re frying your fries, make sure the oil is hot enough so they cook quickly and evenly.
- Cheese Choices: If you love a more complex flavor, add a sprinkle of parmesan or provolone cheese alongside the mozzarella for a richer taste.
- Sauce: If you like a little heat, try drizzling some spicy marinara or a bit of hot sauce over the top before baking.
- Make it a Meal: If you want to turn these into a full meal, add cooked chicken or even some crumbled bacon to the fries for added protein.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Veggie Lover’s Pizza Fries: Top with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives for a veggie-packed version.
- BBQ Chicken Fries: Swap the pizza sauce for BBQ sauce and top with grilled chicken and red onions for a BBQ-inspired version.
- Cheese Lover’s Fries: If you’re a cheese fanatic, try adding a blend of different cheeses—cheddar, gouda, or even blue cheese—on top of your fries.
- Spicy: For a spicy kick, add jalapeños or drizzle with buffalo sauce before baking.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Pizza Fries are perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or snack for game day. They’re also great when served with a simple side salad or a big bowl of fresh fruit. For a more indulgent treat, pair them with a milkshake or a cold beer. They also go wonderfully with a side of garlic bread or a fresh veggie dip.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Pizza Fries are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, place the fries on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is re-melted and the fries are hot and crispy again.
4 FAQs
- Can I use frozen fries for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen fries are perfect for this recipe since they bake up crispy and golden. Just follow the package instructions for baking and layer with your pizza toppings. - Can I make Pizza Fries ahead of time?
You can prepare the fries and toppings ahead of time, but it’s best to bake and serve them immediately to enjoy that melty cheese and crispy texture. - Can I use different pizza sauce for this?
Definitely! Feel free to use marinara, spicy marinara, or even pesto sauce as the base for your Pizza Fries—anything that will give that pizza flavor you love. - How do I make this vegetarian?
Just skip the meat toppings and load up with extra veggies like mushrooms, onions, peppers, and olives for a tasty vegetarian option.
Conclusion
Pizza Fries are a fun, flavorful, and ridiculously delicious dish that brings together two beloved comfort foods—pizza and fries. Whether you’re making them for a casual meal, a party snack, or just because you’re craving something cheesy and satisfying, these loaded fries are sure to be a hit. Easy to customize, quick to prepare, and oh-so-tasty, Pizza Fries are your new go-to comfort food for any occasion!
Pizza Fries – A Fun and Flavorful Twist on Classic Fries
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (if using frozen fries)
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Game Day Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Description
Craving pizza but also in the mood for fries? Why not have both with these Pizza Fries! Crispy fries topped with all your favorite pizza ingredients—cheese, pepperoni, veggies, and a drizzle of pizza sauce. It’s the ultimate snack, appetizer, or game-day treat that’s bound to satisfy everyone’s cravings.
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen French fries or homemade fries (about 24 oz)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup pepperoni or other favorite pizza toppings (sausage, olives, mushrooms, etc.)
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or oregano
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fries:
Preheat your oven according to the instructions on the frozen fries package, typically 425°F (220°C). Spread fries on a baking sheet and bake until golden and crispy. For homemade fries, cut potatoes into wedges or strips, toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake or fry until crispy. - Layer with Pizza Toppings:
Remove fries from the oven. Drizzle a thin layer of pizza sauce over them. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the fries to ensure coverage. - Add the Toppings:
Add your pizza toppings: pepperoni, sausage, olives, mushrooms, etc. Customize based on preference. - Bake and Melt the Cheese:
Return to the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Be sure to keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking. - Garnish and Serve:
Once melted, remove from the oven and sprinkle Italian seasoning or oregano. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve immediately with extra pizza sauce on the side.
Notes
- For extra crispy fries, avoid overcrowding them on the baking sheet and ensure they’re baked in a single layer.
- If you want a spicy version, drizzle spicy marinara or hot sauce on top before baking.
- To make it a full meal, you can add cooked chicken or crumbled bacon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 35mg