Dig out that bag of frozen French fries you have buried in your freezer...it's time to make dinner! These creative and delicious ideas upgrade basic frozen fries into a wow-worthy dish.
21 Delicious Things to Make with Frozen French Fries
Updated on Jun. 20, 2024
Short Rib Poutine
This combines the hearty, spicy flavors of my beloved slow cooker short ribs with my all-time favorite comfort food: fries and gravy. With a little prep in the morning, it’s just about ready when I come home from work (plus, the kitchen smells amazing!). —Erin DeWitt, Long Beach, California
Not sure which brand of frozen french fries to buy? Check out the best french fries our editors and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommend.
1/21
2/21
Green Chile Adobado Poutine
Total Time
3 hours 50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Canadian comfort-food classic is even better when served southwestern style as either an appetizer or an entree. Although these ribs are done without fuss in a slow cooker, you can also bake them at 325°, covered with foil, for about 45 minutes. Then uncover and bake them for another 20 minutes. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 434 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1065mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein.
If you like loaded fries, you can also try making In-N-Out’s animal style fries.
3/21
Cheeseburger Nachos
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cheeseburger nachos are the perfect game-day graze. Load them up with all the toppings or let everyone claim part of the platter that they can top with their faves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 407 calories, 24g fat (11g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 1082mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
4/21
Reuben Waffle Potato Appetizers
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love Reubens, so I turned the classic sandwich into a fun appetizer with corned beef and sauerkraut on waffle fries. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 62 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 168mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
5/21
Steak and Fries Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a very popular dish at restaurants in central Pennsylvania. Prepared sweet-and-sour dressing is good on this salad, too. —Nancy Collins, Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 513 calories, 26g fat (7g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 429mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
6/21
Waffle Fry Nachos
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and two grown sons really enjoy these fun nachos—they can devour a platter of them in no time. They're also fun to make when friends come over. —Debra Morgan, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 370 calories, 23g fat (12g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 683mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 15g protein.
7/21
Baked Chops and Cottage Fries
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Convenience items like frozen vegetables, cottage fries and a jar of cheese sauce make it a snap to assemble this comforting pork chop supper. It's a simple one-dish meal. —Gregg Voss, Emerson, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 533 calories, 28g fat (11g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 1208mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 38g protein.
8/21
Texas Chili Fries
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The delicious chili goes together in minutes and then cooks while you run errands. The only way to make it even better is to pour it over crisp french fries and sprinkle with cheese to make Texas chili fries. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 374 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 824mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 19g protein.
9/21
Crispy Fish & Chips
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A British pub classic turns crown jewel when you add horseradish, panko and Worcestershire. You can also try it with a white fish like cod or haddock. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 3/4 cup fries: 416 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch.
10/21
Loaded Baked Potato Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 cups)
From the Recipe Creator:
I never thought of using waffle-cut fries as a scoop for dip until a friend of mine did at a baby shower. They’re ideal for my cheesy bacon and chive dip, which tastes just like a baked potato topper. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup (calculated without fries): 149 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 260mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 11g protein.
11/21
Beef & Tater Bake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The entire family will enjoy this heartwarming, all-in-one dinner. Plus, it offers easy cleanup! —Mike Tchou, Pepper Pike, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 400 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 805mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein.
12/21
Nacho Tots
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is an easy, versatile party appetizer that everyone loves. If you can't find chorizo, ground beef or ground chicken are wonderful, too. Top with anything you like! —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 378 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 1152mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 13g protein.
13/21
Ultimate Pastrami Sandwiches
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This peerless pastrami sandwich was adapted from a menu favorite at Primanti Bros. Restaurant in Pittsburgh. We took the basic ingredients—grilled cold cuts, cheese, fried potatoes and tomatoes—and created a tasty replica that includes our version of their secret coleslaw topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 586 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 1655mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 6g fiber), 36g protein.
14/21
Loaded Waffle Fries
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Make any dinner fun with my Loaded Waffle Fries, topped with a savory blend of cheese, scallions and bacon. I copied this family-favorite recipe from a local restaurant, and it's great with hot dogs, burgers or by itself. —Jeffrey Viccone, Decatur, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 261 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 404mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
15/21
Ham ‘n’ Tater Bake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Get ready for a gourmet loaded baked potato in casserole form. This is so good, I can’t resist making it several times a month. And, it’s a quick and easy dish for company, too. My sister gave me the recipe, and I’m always happy to pass it along. —Peggy Grieme, Pinehurst, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 375 calories, 23g fat (8g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 775mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 12g protein.
16/21
Cheese Fries
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this recipe after my daughter had cheese fries at a restaurant and couldn't stop talking about them. She loves that I can fix them so quickly at home. Plus, the frozen fry packets can be refrigerated and reheated. —Melissa Tatum, Greensboro, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 129 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 255mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
17/21
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I keep frozen spuds on hand for meals like this Tater Tot breakfast casserole. It’s a super brunch, breakfast or side dish for kids of all ages. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 443 calories, 29g fat (12g saturated fat), 243mg cholesterol, 917mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
18/21
BBQ Chicken Waffle Fries
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of those dishes that sounds so wrong but tastes so right! Trust me—barbecue chicken leftovers are fantastic with the fries. We like it with lettuce, tomato and pickle, but you can add almost any toppings you like. —Janet Telleen, Russell, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 243 calories, 11 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 29 mg cholesterol, 476 mg sodium, 28 g carbohydrate (6 g sugars, 2 g fiber), 10 g protein.
19/21
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Roll your burgers, cheese and taters all into one. It's the perfect dish to use to bribe your kids; homework, chores, piano practice—consider them done when this is the reward! —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 479 calories, 31g fat (12g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 1144mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.
20/21
Broccoli Beef Supper
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables, so I'm constantly on the lookout for new ways of preparing it. This casserole is a hearty oven entree. —Connie Bolton, San Antonio, Texas.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 420 calories, 22g fat (9g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 529mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein.
21/21
Cheesy Chili Fries
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family is all about chili fries, but restaurant versions pile on the calories. For a healthier approach, bake the fries and serve them with green onions and avocado. —Beverly Nowling, Bristol, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 435 calories, 22g fat (8g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 1001mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein.
