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    Home » Recipes » Potatoes Dishes

    Air Fryer Animal Style Fries

    Published: Feb 12, 2023 · Modified: Feb 12, 2023 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    A Pinterest pin for animal style fries made in the air fryer.

    These Copycat Animal Style Fries are a great way to get your favorite fast food side dish without having to leave the house. You can never go wrong with crispy fries coated in melted cheesy goodness!

    Air fryer animal fries on a plate.

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    Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!

    Looking for specifics on the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why this recipe works
    • 🔪 Ingredients
    • 🍲 Equipment
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • ⭐ How to store, reheat and freeze
    • 💭 Expert Tips
    • 📋 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥗 Serving Suggestions
    • 🍽 Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why this recipe works

    • Even the pickiest of eaters love air fryer cheesy fries.
    • Plus, when you make air fryer fries, they have less fat than the traditional fried version.
    • Homemade animal style fries are affordable. No need to spend money eating out when you can make this dish at home.

    🔪 Ingredients

    Ingredients to make animal fries.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • Russet potatoes
    • American cheese
    • white onion, peeled and diced
    • unsalted butter
    • Thousand Island dressing
    • crumbled bacon, sliced green onion optional garnish

    🍲 Equipment

    • Cosori 5.8 Quart Air Fryer
    • Knives
    • Cutting Board
    • Vegetable Peeler
    • Saute Pan, 5 quart

    🔪 Instructions

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    Steps to make animal fries in the air fryer.

    Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F/188°C.

    Step 2: Peel your potatoes. Cut them into long, fry shaped length

    Step 3: Place potatoes in the air fryer basket and air fryer for 15 minutes at 370°F. Shake basket halfway through at the 7-minute mark, then continue to cook until 15 minutes cook time is complete.

    Step 4: While the fries are cooking, in a medium sized sauté pan over medium heat, add butter and let melt and sizzle, add the onions to the pan, sauté until they are golden brown, about 6-7 minutes, set aside.

    Step 5: Once the fries are golden brown and cooked, assemble the fries on a plate or serving dish. Evenly place the American cheese slices over the fries.

    Step 6: Sprinkle the cooked onions on top of the cheese, then evenly drizzle the dressing over the fries.

    Step 7: Serve with crumbled bacon and sliced green onions, optional garnish.

    A white bowl filled with french fries topped with American cheese and fried onions.

    ⭐ How to store, reheat and freeze

    Store leftovers unassembled in the fridge for up to five days. Make sure to keep the fries separate from the sauce and cheese so that they aren't soggy.

    Freezing - You can freeze the cooked fries for up to 2 months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze for 2-3 hours, then transfer the frozen fries to a freezer safe bag or container.

    Reheating - To reheat the fries, preheat your air fryer to 390°F/199°C and cook for 3 minutes, shake the basket halfway through.

    💭 Expert Tips

    Expert Tip: Be careful to not overcrowd your air fryer basket otherwise your fries will not be crispy.

    📋 Frequently Asked Questions

    What is animal style fries?

    Animal style fries are a famous In-N-Out Burger dish of french fries covered in melted cheese, grilled onions, and Thousand Island dressing.

    Why are they called animal fries?

    The name actually comes from the toppings of a burger. It's believed that the "inventors" were a surfer and skater who were said to be rowdy.

    📖 Variations

    Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways that you increase the flavor of this dish.

    • Onions -If you are not a fan of onions, you can leave them off.
    • Spice -Add jalapeno slices for a bit of heat.
    • Sauce - Replace the Thousand Island dressing with BBQ sauce, ranch, or honey mustard.
    • Cheese -Try adding different types of cheese such as cheddar, pepper jack, or even mozzarella.
    • Toppings - You can also try adding different toppings like mushrooms, peppers, and olives.

    🥗 Serving Suggestions

    • Homemade Air Fryer Fish Sticks are super crispy, crunchy, and so much better than any store-made kind. Plus, they pair so well this these fries in air fryer.
    • Keep up with takeout, home made themed recipes, and whip up Air Fryer Hamburgers for a simple meal that's family and budget-friendly.
    • If you prefer chicken then give these Copycat Popeyes Chicken Sandwiches a try next time you need a quick meal.

    🍽 Similar recipes

    • If you are a fan of french fries you may also enjoy these Baked Spicy French Fries.
    • The next time you need a crispy yet tasty appetizer, look no further than this Air Fryer Mozzarella Medallions recipe.
    • If you love air fryer recipes, then you may also enjoy these Air Fryer Bagels. They are the perfect way to start off your day.

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    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

    If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    📖 Recipe

    Cheese covered fries made in the air fryer.

    Air Fryer Animal Style Fries

    Everyone loves these decadently delicious copycat Animal Fries from In and Out Burger. Homemade french fries covered with cheesy goodness and golden brown crispy sauteed onions. The perfect side dish or snack.
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    Course: Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: air fryer cheesy fries, animal fries, in and out animal fries
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 756kcal
    Author: Eileen Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
    • Cosori 5.8 Quart Air Fryer
    • Knives
    • Cutting Board
    • Vegetable Peeler
    • Saute Pan, 5 quart

    Ingredients

    • 2 large Russet potatoes
    • 4 slices American cheese
    • 1 medium white onion, peeled and diced
    • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
    • ½ cup Thousand Island dressing
    • crumbled bacon, sliced green onion optional garnish

    Save the Recipe?

    Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!

    Instructions

    • Preheat air fryer to 370°F/188°C.
    • Peel your potatoes. Cut them into long, fry shaped length
    • Place potatoes in the air fryer basket and air fryer for 15 minutes at 370°F. Shake basket halfway through at the 7-minute mark, then continue to cook.
    • While the fries are cooking, in a medium sized sauté pan over medium heat, add butter and let melt and sizzle, add the onions to the pan, sauté until they are golden brown, about 6-7 minutes, set aside.
    • Once the fries are golden brown and cooked, assemble the fries on a plate or serving dish. Evenly place the American cheese slices over the fries.
    • Sprinkle the cooked onions on top of the cheese, then evenly drizzle the dressing over the fries.
    • Serve with crumbled bacon and sliced green onions, optional garnish.

    NOTES

    Be sure to check Variations, Expert Tips, and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.
    Storage: Store leftovers unassembled in the fridge for up to five days. Make sure to keep the fries separate from the sauce and cheese so that they aren't soggy.
    Freezing - You can freeze the cooked fries for up to 2 months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze for 2-3 hours, then transfer the frozen fries to a freezer safe bag or container.
    Reheating - To reheat the fries, preheat your air fryer to 390°F/199°C and cook for 3 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
     
    Recipes written by Everyday Eileen are for information purposes. Eileen Kelly is not a registered dietician or nutritionist. Any nutritional data we provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 756kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1324mg | Potassium: 1743mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 708IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 512mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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    Thank you for sharing!

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    A Pinterest pin for animal style fries made in the air fryer.

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    A Pinterest pin for animal style fries made in the air fryer.

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