Nacho fries are crispy seasoned French fries served with a warm nacho cheese sauce for dipping; essentially nachos with fries as the base instead of tortilla chips. With Taco Bell making nacho fries a permanent menu item in 2026, I wanted to create a homemade version that's healthier and just as addictive. This easy recipe gives you two options: classic nacho fries with cheese sauce, or fully loaded nacho fries (Nachos BellGrande-style) with ground beef, tomatoes, and sour cream. Both are absolutely delicious!
Hey, I'm Emily Roz - a recipe developer, cookbook author, and huge foodie! I personally dug into Taco Bell's published ingredient lists to reverse-engineer their nacho fries seasoning at home. What I found was a recipe packed with additives, colorings, and acids that we absolutely don't need when cooking from scratch. I've found natural alternatives that mimic the flavor of Taco Bell's nacho fries to perfection - and you can make them in your air fryer in about 40 minutes.
If you love copycat fast food recipes, you'll also love my Old-Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese - it's another comfort food classic done better at home.
Jump to:
- What Are Nacho Fries?
- Nacho Fries vs. Nacho Fries Supreme vs. BellGrande - What's the Difference?
- What Makes These Nacho Fries Better than Taco Bell?
- Nacho Fries Ingredients
- How to Make Nacho Fries Better than Taco Bell (with Photos)
- Em's Top Tips:
- How To Make Nacho Fries in Advance
- What to Serve with Nacho Fries
- Nacho Fries Variations
- What To Do with Leftover Nacho Fries
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Easy Nacho Fries (Better Than Taco Bell)
What Are Nacho Fries?
Nacho Fries are similar to loaded nachos, but instead of the base being tortilla chips, we use French fries instead and then add on all the toppings. They've been one of Taco Bell's most popular menu items since launching in 2018, and they've just been made a permanent menu item for 2026 after years of limited-time runs.
Taco Bell's version features deep-fried fries tossed in a bold Mexican-inspired seasoning and served with a warm nacho cheese sauce for dipping. From there, you can go bigger with their Supreme (adding ground beef and tomatoes) or the Nachos BellGrande (the full works with beef, cheese sauce, tomatoes, and sour cream).
I love a challenge, so I dove deep into Taco Bell's published ingredients list and recreated both versions - the classic fries with dip AND the fully loaded BellGrande - using whole, natural ingredients.
Nacho Fries vs. Nacho Fries Supreme vs. BellGrande - What's the Difference?
Classic Nacho Fries: Seasoned fries + nacho cheese sauce on the side for dipping. This is the lighter option and works perfectly as a snack or appetizer.
Nacho Fries Supreme: The classic fries plus seasoned ground beef and diced tomatoes. A step up toward a meal.
Nacho Fries BellGrande: The full experience - seasoned fries topped with ground beef, nacho cheese sauce drizzled over the top, freshly chopped tomatoes, and sour cream. This is what I'm showing you how to make today, and it's absolutely a meal.
My recipe covers all three - just stop at whichever level you're craving!
What Makes These Nacho Fries Better than Taco Bell?
- You know what's going in them: When I researched Taco Bell's ingredient list (they have to disclose it), I found the fries and cheese sauce are full of additives and E numbers. In this recipe, we use natural and easily accessible ingredients only!
- Customizable: depending on what you like on your nacho fries, you can add or remove any ingredients based on your preferences!
- Healthier: We're air frying our fries instead of deep frying, and making the cheese sauce from real cheddar cheese, butter, flour, and milk. No processed cheese product in sight.
- Multiple components can be prepped ahead. The cheese sauce, ground beef, and chopped tomatoes can all be made up to 2 days in advance, making this a surprisingly quick weeknight dinner when you're craving something fun.
Nacho Fries Ingredients
For the nacho fries:
- Potatoes: I'm using large potatoes, sliced into batons. You can absolutely use frozen pre-made French fries if you prefer (straight-cut or steak fries work best). Alternatively use sweet potato for another option!
- Coating : a little vegetable oil, cornstarch, sugar, and fine salt. The cornstarch is what gives the fries that extra-crispy exterior in the air fryer.
- Seasonings: paprika, chili powder, ground cumin powder, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, flaky salt, and lemon juice. The only other powders that Taco Bell use that I wasn't able to find were bell pepper powder and tomato powder. But I'm not going to lie, even with this mix, the fries turned out amazing.
For the ground beef:
- Ground beef: I'm using 5% fat ground beef but for a juicier option, feel free to go for 20% fat. You could alternatively use ground chicken. For a vegan option, use ground extra firm tofu.
- Seasonings: ground cumin, dried oregano, mild chili powder, salt.
Taco Bell cheese sauce copycat:
- Butter: we're using salted butter.
- Flour: plain flour.
- Milk: I'm using milk because this is what Taco Bell uses to make their cheese sauce. A lot of other recipes suggest using cream but I think this butter, flour, milk version is much better.
- Cheddar cheese: for the tart sharp flavor, we're using cheddar cheese.
- Seasonings: Taco Bell use annatto; an orange-red condiment and food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, native to tropical parts of the Americas, to make their cheese sauce that iconic orange color. So instead of using that, we're using a mixture of turmeric and paprika - they work a dream and are way more accessible!
Extra garnishes:
- Tomato: fresh tomato to balance out the fat.
- Sour cream: creamy freshness. You could alternatively use creme fraiche.
How to Make Nacho Fries Better than Taco Bell (with Photos)
Step 1: Slice your potatoes into batons. Then add to a large bowl with the oil, cornstarch, sugar, and salt. Toss until the fries are coated in the mixture.
Step 2: Place your fries in the air fryer and cook at 390F/200C for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway. You want the fries to be golden and cooked through. Depending on the air fryer you use, it may take longer. See my "Tips" section for more information on air fryers!! Begin preparing your nacho fries seasoning, ground beef and cheese sauce while your fries are cooking.
Step 3: Meanwhile, make your nacho fries seasoning by combining 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt. Give it a stir.
Step 4: Place a skillet on medium heat and drizzle with ½ tablespoon vegetable oil. Once hot, add in your ground beef and leave to golden and fry for 5-10 minutes. Break up the beef. Season with 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon mild chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Fry and stir to combine until your beef is cooked. This is your ground beef topping.
Step 5: Meanwhile, make your cheese sauce. Place a saucepan on medium heat and add in the butter. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and stir with a hand whisk until a paste forms. Gently add in 50ml milk at a time and whisk until the mixture thickens. Once you've used up all your milk and you have a lovely smooth viscous bechamel style sauce, add in the grated cheddar cheese. Stir to remove any lumps and then add the turmeric and paprika for coloring.
Step 6: Your nacho fries cheese sauce should be a gorgeous golden orange color. Taste and season with salt and pepper based on your preferences. Pour into a bowl if you'd like, for serving.
Step 7: Once your nacho fries are golden and cooked through, toss them in the nacho fries seasoning until fully coated. Drizzle over the lemon juice and toss once again. These are your nacho fries.
Step 8: Get yourself a platter or dish. Add on the fries and top with your ground beef, freshly chopped tomatoes, drizzle over the cheese sauce, top with sour cream and optionally sprinkle with chives for a bit of greenery. Enjoy with an extra pot of cheese sauce on the side.
Em's Top Tips:
- Air Fryer temperatures: depending on the air fryer you're using, you might want to adjust the temperature and cooking time for your fries.
- Don't skip the cornstarch. Tossing your fries in cornstarch before air frying is the difference between good fries and restaurant-quality crispy fries. It creates a thin, crunchy shell that holds the seasoning beautifully.
- Season while hot. Add the seasoning to the fries immediately after they come out of the air fryer, the residual heat helps the spices stick.
- Make the cheese sauce from scratch. I know it's tempting to use store-bought nacho cheese, but a homemade sauce takes 10 minutes and tastes worlds better. The turmeric-paprika color trick is worth it alone.
- Air fryer spacing matters. Overcrowded fries steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if your air fryer is small - it makes a noticeable difference.
- The lemon juice is not optional! It adds a subtle brightness that lifts all the spices and makes the seasoning taste like Taco Bell's. Don't skip it.
How To Make Nacho Fries in Advance
Prep ahead (up to 2 days before): Make the cheese sauce, cook the ground beef, and chop the tomatoes. Store separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Reheat the cheese sauce and ground beef in the microwave before serving.
Prep the fries (up to 1 day before): Slice your potatoes and store them in a bowl of cold water in the fridge. Drain and pat completely dry before tossing with the cornstarch coating and air frying.
Day of: Air fry the potatoes, toss in seasoning, and assemble. You can go from fridge to table in about 20 minutes with everything prepped.
What to Serve with Nacho Fries
Nacho fries are pretty substantial on their own, especially the loaded BellGrande version. But if you're making the classic fries-and-dip version as a side or appetizer, here are some great pairings; ground pork tacos or my black bean tacos!
Other great pairings: grilled chicken, burritos, quesadillas, or just a simple green salad to balance out the richness.
Nacho Fries Variations
I've got a whole post on Nacho Toppings if you want to browse all the options, but some of my favorite ways to customize loaded nacho fries:
- BBQ Pulled Pork: swap the ground beef for slow-cooked pulled pork with BBQ sauce
- Pickled Jalapeños: adds heat and a tangy crunch
- Refried Beans: great for a vegetarian option, adds creaminess
- Guacamole: because avocado makes everything better
- Salsa: fresh pico de gallo or your favorite jarred salsa
You can also swap the regular potatoes for sweet potato fries for a slightly sweeter base that pairs wonderfully with the spicy seasoning.
What To Do with Leftover Nacho Fries
I'll be honest, nacho fries are best eaten fresh. But if you've got leftovers:
Store each component separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat the fries in the air fryer at 375F/190C for 3–5 minutes to re-crisp them. Reheat the cheese sauce and ground beef in the microwave. Assemble fresh.
Freezing: You can freeze the cooked ground beef for up to 3 months and the cheese sauce for up to 1 month. I don't recommend freezing the fries once assembled, they'll go soggy. However, you can freeze uncooked potato batons (blanched for 2 minutes in boiling water, drained, and frozen flat on a tray) for up to 3 months, then air fry straight from frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taco Bell's nacho fries are crispy French fries coated in a bold Mexican-inspired seasoning blend and served with a warm nacho cheese dipping sauce. First launched in 2018, they became one of Taco Bell's biggest menu hits and were officially made a permanent menu item in 2026 after years of limited-time returns.
Taco Bell's seasoning includes paprika, chili pepper, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt, along with several additives like tomato powder and bell pepper powder. My homemade version uses the same core spices without the additives, plus a squeeze of lemon juice that really makes the flavors pop.
Absolutely! Spread the coated fries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425F/220C for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway. They won't get quite as crispy as the air fryer version, but they'll still be delicious.
The fries themselves (potatoes, oil, cornstarch, seasoning) are naturally gluten-free. However, the cheese sauce uses all-purpose flour as a thickener. To make it gluten-free, swap the flour for cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend, use the same quantity and whisk well to avoid lumps.
Yes! Frozen straight-cut or steak-cut fries work great. Cook them in the air fryer according to the package directions until extra crispy, then toss with the nacho fries seasoning while still hot. The seasoning sticks best when the fries are warm.
Skip the ground beef and add seasoned black beans, refried beans, or crumbled extra-firm tofu seasoned with the same cumin-oregano-chili blend. For vegan, also swap the cheese sauce, use a cashew-based nacho sauce or your favorite vegan cheese sauce recipe.
If you tried this Nacho Fries recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thank you!
Easy Nacho Fries (Better Than Taco Bell)
Ingredients
For the fries
- 500 g large potatoes sliced into thin batons
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
For the nacho fries seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon mild chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon flaky salt or ¼ teaspoon of fine table salt
- ¼ lemon juice
For the ground beef
- 250 g ground beef
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon mild chili powder
- Pinch salt
For the cheese sauce
- 25 g salted butter
- 25 g all purpose flour
- 250 ml milk
- 100 g cheddar cheese grated
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
Other toppings
- 2 tomatoes finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon sour cream
- 5 g chives finely sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Slice your potatoes into batons. Then add to a large bowl with the oil, cornstarch, sugar, and salt. Toss until the fries are coated in the mixture.
- Place your fries in the air fryer and cook at 390F/200C for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway. You want the fries to be golden and cooked through. Depending on the air fryer you use, it may take longer. See my "Top Tips" section for more information on air fryers!! Begin preparing your nacho fries seasoning, ground beef and cheese sauce while your fries are cooking.
- Meanwhile, make your nacho fries seasoning by combining 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt. Give it a stir.
- Place a skillet on medium heat and drizzle with ½ tablespoon vegetable oil. Once hot, add in your ground beef and leave fry for 5-10 minutes. Break up the beef. Season with 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon mild chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Fry and stir to combine until your beef is cooked. This is your ground beef topping.
- Meanwhile, make your cheese sauce. Place a saucepan on medium heat and add in the butter. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and stir with a hand whisk until a paste forms. Gently add in 50ml milk at a time and whisk until the mixture thickens. Once you've used up all your milk and you have a lovely smooth viscous bechamel style sauce, add in the grated cheddar cheese. Stir to remove any lumps and then add the turmeric and paprika for coloring.
- Your nacho fries cheese sauce should be a gorgeous golden orange color. Taste and season with salt and pepper based on your preferences. Pour into a bowl if you'd like, for serving.
- Once your nacho fries are golden and cooked through, toss them in the nacho fries seasoning until fully coated. Drizzle over the lemon juice and toss once again. These are your nacho fries.
- Get yourself a platter or dish. Add on the fries and top with your ground beef, freshly chopped tomatoes, drizzle over the cheese sauce, top with sour cream and optionally sprinkle with chives for a bit of greenery. Enjoy with an extra pot of cheese sauce on the side.
HelenBroad
These were so good & also so nice to know what actually goes into making them!
Emily Roz
So glad you enjoyed them Helen! Em xx