Ingredients
Method
Preparation
- Preheat your oven or air fryer to 400°F.
- Arrange frozen fries in a single layer on a baking sheet or air fryer basket. Bake until golden brown according to package instructions.
Cheese Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour until combined; cook for about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add milk while whisking continuously; stir in salt, pepper, ranch seasoning, and cayenne.
- Lower heat to medium-low and cook until thickened (about 5 minutes), then stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
Assembly
- Pour the cheese sauce over cooked fries and serve warm.
- For an alternate crisp finish, toss fries briefly under the broiler or in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes after saucing — just watch closely so the cheese doesn’t burn.
Notes
Cook fries in a single layer to keep them crispy and evenly browned. Whisk constantly when adding milk to avoid lumps in the sauce. Keep heat moderate when melting cheese—too hot can make it grainy. Taste and adjust cayenne: start with less and add more for greater heat. If the sauce is too thick, thin with a splash of milk; if too thin, simmer a minute longer. For best texture, assemble just before serving so fries stay crisp under the sauce.
