Air Fryer Loaded Bacon Cheddar Fries
Air-fried fries piled with melted cheddar, browned bacon and cool sour cream. A fast, savory plate that comes together in the air fryer alone.
- Total
- 20 min
- Prep 5 · Cook 15
- Serves
- 1
- Difficulty
- Easy
You'll practice: Roasting · Rendering fat
- Savory
- Quick
- Air fryer
Instructions
-
Cut the 2 slices of bacon crosswise into 2 cm pieces. Grate the cheddar and thinly slice the spring onions, keeping the green tops separate.
~4 min
-
Put the 200 g frozen fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 200°C for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until the fries are golden at the edges.
~10 min
A single layer lets hot air circulate around each fry, so they crisp instead of steaming in their own moisture.
Shake the basket once at the halfway mark so the fries cook evenly instead of steaming in their own moisture.
Roasting Arrange food in a single layer and shake or turn halfway so hot air reaches every surface. Crowding the basket steams instead of crisping.
-
While step 2 cooks
While the fries cook, spread the bacon pieces in a small air fryer-safe dish and set it beside the basket, or add them to the basket for the final 5 minutes, until the bacon is browned and crisp.
~5 min
Cooking bacon separately keeps its rendered fat and raw juices from making the fries soggy.
Rendering fat Cook bacon over moderate heat until the fat turns liquid and the meat browns and crisps. Rushing with high heat burns the outside before the fat renders.
-
When the fries are done, season them with the 0.25 tsp salt and 0.25 tsp black pepper, then scatter the grated cheddar and bacon over the top.
~1 min
Seasoning now, while the fries are hot and porous, helps the salt and pepper cling and absorb.
-
Return the loaded fries to the air fryer at 180°C for 3 to 4 minutes, until the cheddar is fully melted and bubbling.
~4 min
Brief high heat melts the cheddar without splitting it, so it stays smooth rather than greasy.
Add the cheddar in the last few minutes only; longer heat makes it split and turn greasy rather than melt smoothly.
Roasting Arrange food in a single layer and shake or turn halfway so hot air reaches every surface. Crowding the basket steams instead of crisping.
-
Slide the fries onto a plate, spoon the 2 tbsp sour cream over the top and finish with the sliced spring onions.
~1 min