Easy Nacho Fries (Better Than Taco Bell)
Easy homemade nacho fries with a copycat Taco Bell seasoning and cheese sauce. Air fried until crispy and loaded with ground beef, tomatoes, and sour cream.
Servings: 2 portions
Calories: 1080kcal
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.
Video
Notes
Step-by-Step Photos: My blog post includes helpful step-by-step photos to help guide you through making this recipe - so scroll up for more!
Nutrition
Calories: 1080kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 188mg | Sodium: 1456mg | Potassium: 2072mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 3185IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 643mg | Iron: 8mg