The Perfect Copycat Taco Bell Nacho Fries Recipe at Home

Craving that irresistible copycat taco bell nacho fries magic at home can be easier than you think!

Fast-food lovers know these crispy potato strips spark serious snack excitement.

Golden fries with bold seasoning have become a cult classic across the country.

Recreating restaurant favorites in your kitchen brings a sense of culinary adventure.

Spicy, cheesy, and utterly addictive, these homemade versions might even surpass the original.

Crisp edges and zesty cheese sauce promise a mouthwatering experience that will keep you coming back for more.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next movie night or casual gathering.

Why These Copycat Nacho Fries Are So Addictive

• Craft Copycat Restaurant Magic: Recreate a popular fast-food favorite with professional-level cooking skills right in your own kitchen.
• Transform Potato Perfection: Turn simple russet potatoes into crispy, boldly seasoned fries that rival any restaurant version, delivering incredible flavor and texture.
• Build Epic Crowd-Pleaser: Designed for social gatherings, game nights, and casual parties where everyone loves sharing hearty, indulgent comfort food that sparks conversation.
• Master Customizable Feast: Easily adjust toppings and seasonings to match personal preferences, making this recipe adaptable for different taste buds and dietary needs.

Everything You Need for Taco Bell Nacho Fries

Main Ingredients:

• Russet Potatoes: Fresh potatoes perfect for creating crispy and uniform french fries.

• Ground Beef: Seasoned meat that provides a rich and savory layer to the dish.
• Bacon: Crispy meat pieces that add a smoky and crunchy texture.

• Nacho Cheese Sauce: Creamy and warm sauce that brings a classic Tex-Mex flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheese that adds a sharp and melty topping.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika: Spice mix that creates a bold and complex flavor profile for the fries.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste.

• Green Onions, Pickled Jalapeños: Fresh and tangy ingredients that provide brightness and heat.
• Sour Cream: Cool and creamy topping that balances the spicy elements.
• Dried Parsley: Herb that adds visual appeal and subtle flavor.
• Lime Wedges: Citrus element that provides a zesty and fresh finish.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil used for deep frying the potatoes to achieve a crispy texture.

How to Make Your Own Nacho Fries at Home

Step 1: Prepare Potato Strips

Grab your russet potatoes and slice them into perfectly thin, matchstick-like fries. Focus on creating uniform strips to ensure each fry cooks evenly and gets that restaurant-quality crunch.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Seasoning

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix these ingredients thoroughly in a small bowl to create a flavor explosion.

Step 3: Heat Oil for Frying

Fire up your deep skillet or fryer, bringing the vegetable oil to a sizzling 375°F. This is the magic temperature for achieving golden, crispy perfection.

Step 4: Fry Potato Strips

Carefully lower potato strips into the hot oil, working in batches. Each batch should transform into a gorgeous golden-brown delight in about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Season Freshly Fried Potatoes

Rescue your fries with a slotted spoon, letting excess oil drip onto paper towels. Immediately rain down the prepared seasoning mix, ensuring maximum flavor coverage.

Step 6: Crisp Up Bacon

In a separate skillet, cook chopped bacon until it reaches crispy, golden-brown nirvana. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease.

Step 7: Brown Ground Beef

Use the same skillet to brown ground beef, mixing in half of the seasoning blend. Cook until no pink remains, creating a perfectly seasoned meat topping.

Step 8: Warm Nacho Cheese

Gently heat nacho cheese sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent any burning.

Step 9: Assemble Nacho Fries

Spread the seasoned fries on a large platter, creating a mouthwatering base for your toppings.

Step 10: Layer on the Deliciousness

• Seasoned ground beef
• Crispy bacon pieces
• Warm nacho cheese sauce

Step 11: Add Final Touches

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped green onions
• Pickled jalapeños
• Dried parsley

Step 12: Serve with a Zesty Twist

Present your nacho fries immediately with fresh lime wedges. Encourage everyone to squeeze lime juice over the top for an extra burst of flavor.

Frying Tips for Crispy, Flavorful Nacho Fries

• Master Even Fry Thickness: Slice potatoes uniformly to guarantee consistent crispiness and prevent uneven cooking.
• Optimize Oil Temperature: Use a reliable thermometer to maintain 375°F, ensuring golden-brown exterior and perfectly cooked interior.
• Control Seasoning Intensity: Adjust spice blend proportions to match personal heat preferences, allowing customizable flavor profiles.
• Drain Excess Oil Properly: Use multiple layers of paper towels to absorb oil completely, preventing soggy or greasy fries.
• Enhance Cheese Sauce Texture: Stir nacho cheese continuously over low heat to prevent burning and maintain smooth, creamy consistency.

Fun Seasoning Swaps for Nacho Fries

• Spicy Southwest Fusion: Replace ground beef with shredded chicken seasoned with southwestern spices and add diced roasted green chiles for extra heat.
• Vegetarian Loaded Fries: Substitute ground beef with black beans, crumbled plant-based protein, or sautéed mushrooms for a meat-free version.
• Mediterranean-Style Fries: Top with crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumber, kalamata olives, and tzatziki sauce instead of nacho cheese for a Mediterranean spin.
• BBQ Pulled Pork Edition: Swap ground beef with tender pulled pork mixed with smoky barbecue sauce, topped with crispy onion straws and coleslaw.

Best Dips and Sides for Nacho Fries

• Spice Up Your Drink Pairing: Ice-cold Mexican lager like Corona or Modelo perfectly complements the bold, spicy flavors of these loaded nacho fries, cutting through the richness with crisp refreshment.
• Balance Your Beverage Choice: Craft a classic margarita with fresh lime juice to echo the zesty notes already present in the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile with tangy complexity.
• Elevate Your Flavor Experience: Opt for a hoppy IPA beer that can stand up to the robust seasoning and crispy bacon, providing a bold counterpoint to the cheesy, meaty fries.
• Customize Your Comfort Drink: Non-alcoholic option of sparkling prickly pear soda or fresh-squeezed limeade offers a bright, sweet-tart alternative that cleanses the palate between bites.

How to Store and Reheat Nacho Fries Properly

• Store leftover Copycat Taco Bell Nacho Fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep fries, meat, and toppings separate to maintain crispiness.
• Revive cold fries in a preheated oven at 425°F for 5-7 minutes. Spread fries on a baking sheet in a single layer to restore crunchiness and prevent sogginess.
• Freeze seasoned ground beef and bacon in sealed freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and assembling the dish.
• Slice potatoes and store in cold water in the refrigerator up to 24 hours before cooking.

Common Questions About Homemade Nacho Fries

• How do I get the fries extra crispy?

Double-fry the potatoes. First, fry at a lower temperature around 325°F for a few minutes, then remove and let rest. Fry again at 375°F until golden brown and crispy for maximum crunch.

• Can I bake the fries instead of frying?

Yes, but results differ. Coat fries with oil, spread on a baking sheet, and bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway. They’ll be less crispy than deep-fried but still delicious.

• What if I don't have all the spices for seasoning?

Use a premade taco or chili seasoning mix as a quick substitute. Or create a simple blend with salt, pepper, and any available spices like paprika or garlic powder.

Copycat Taco Bell Nacho Fries Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Indulgent Taco Bell nacho fries bring Mexican-inspired street food magic straight to home kitchens. Crispy potato wedges coated in bold spices create an irresistible snack you can’t resist devouring in one sitting.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 lb bacon, chopped

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Fries and Toppings:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup nacho cheese sauce
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

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Instructions

1. Slice russet potatoes into thin, uniform fries, ensuring consistent thickness for even cooking.
2. Create a robust seasoning blend by mixing chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 375°F, preparing for crispy fry preparation.
4. Carefully lower potato strips into hot oil, frying in batches until golden brown and crisp, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
5. Remove fries using a slotted spoon, drain excess oil on paper towels, and immediately sprinkle with prepared seasoning mixture.
6. In a separate skillet, render chopped bacon until crisp and golden, then set aside on paper towels to drain.
7. Brown ground beef in the same skillet, incorporating half of the seasoning blend, cooking until completely done and no pink remains.
8. Warm nacho cheese sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
9. Arrange seasoned fries on a large serving platter, generously top with seasoned ground beef and crispy bacon pieces.
10. Drizzle warm nacho cheese sauce over the fries, then garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, and pickled jalapeños.
11. Sprinkle dried parsley for additional flavor and visual appeal.
12. Serve immediately with lime wedges for a zesty finish, encouraging guests to squeeze fresh lime juice over the dish.

Notes

• Slice potatoes uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and crispy texture throughout.
• Use high-starch russet potatoes for maximum crispiness and golden-brown exterior when deep-frying.
• Pat potato strips completely dry with paper towels before frying to prevent oil splattering and ensure extra crunchiness.
• Allow oil to reach precise 375°F temperature for perfect fry results, using a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
• Create dairy-free version by substituting nacho cheese with dairy-alternative cheese sauce or cashew-based cheese.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium seasonings and selecting reduced-fat ground beef or plant-based meat alternatives.
• Make gluten-free by confirming seasoning blend ingredients are certified gluten-free and using appropriate cheese products.
• Control spice levels by adjusting chili powder quantity or offering mild/hot seasoning variations for different preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 800
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 50 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg