Introduction

If you love cheesy, savory fries loaded with special sauce and caramelized onions, these In-N-Out style Animal Style Fries will satisfy your cravings perfectly. This copycat recipe brings the iconic fast food favorite right into your kitchen with simple ingredients and easy steps.

A white bowl lined with newspaper is filled with golden-brown french fries that form the base layer. The fries are covered with a thick, creamy sauce that is light tan in color and has visible specks of green herbs and red pepper flakes sprinkled across the top. The sauce looks smooth and glossy with some chunks, likely of cooked vegetables or meat, mixed throughout. The texture of the fries is crispy around the edges and softer underneath the sauce. The overall look is rich and hearty. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1/2 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
2 tbsp sweet relish
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tbsp chili flakes (optional)
1/2 bag frozen fries
Cheddar cheese or American cheese
2 onions, diced
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola)
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Step 1: In a pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter and add the neutral oil.
Step 2: Add the diced onions and salt to the pan. Stir occasionally and cook gently, lowering the heat if needed to prevent burning, until the onions are caramelized. This process takes around 30 minutes or longer.
Step 3: While the onions cook, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, vinegar, sweet relish, sugar, and chili flakes (if using) in a bowl. Set this special sauce aside.
Step 4: Prepare the frozen fries according to the package instructions by baking or frying until crisp.
Step 5: Once the fries are cooked, place them on a baking sheet and top with grated cheddar cheese or slices of American cheese. Broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
Step 6: Remove the fries from the oven, spoon the caramelized onions over the cheese, and drizzle generously with the special sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

If your onions start to burn, reduce the heat and continue stirring to caramelize slowly without burning.
You can use either American cheese slices or shredded cheddar for different textures and flavors—both work well.
Chili flakes are optional but add a nice heat to the special sauce if you prefer a little spice.

Storage

These fries are best enjoyed fresh for optimal crispness. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot oven or air fryer to help restore some of the crisp texture, but note the onions and sauce are best fresh.

How to Serve

The image shows a white bowl lined with printed newspaper-style paper, filled with crispy golden French fries as the base layer. On top, there is a thick, creamy light brown cheese sauce that covers most of the fries, sprinkled evenly with finely chopped green herbs and small red chili flakes. The sauce looks smooth with some small chunks, blending nicely with the fries underneath. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen fries?

Yes, you can peel and cut fresh potatoes into fries and bake or fry them until crisp. Just be sure to dry them well before cooking to avoid sogginess.

What can I use if I don’t have sweet relish?

If you don’t have sweet relish, you can substitute with finely chopped pickles mixed with a little sugar to mimic the sweetness and texture.