In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries Recipe
Enjoy a delicious homemade version of In-N-Out’s iconic Animal Style Fries, featuring crispy golden fries topped with melted cheddar or American cheese, sweet and savory caramelized onions, and a tangy special sauce that perfectly mimics the fast-food favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Snack, Side Dish
- Method: Baking, Broiling, Pan-Caramelizing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
In-N-Out Inspired Special Sauce
- 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)
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 bag frozen fries (about 12–15 oz)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup cheddar cheese (grated) or American cheese slices
- 2 onions, diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola oil)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Melt the butter in a pan over medium-low heat and then add the neutral oil. Add the diced onions and salt. Stir occasionally every few minutes, allowing the onions to slowly caramelize. If at any point the onions start to burn or stick, reduce the heat. This process typically takes at least 30 minutes but can be longer to achieve a deep golden brown color and sweet flavor.
- Prepare the Special Sauce: While the onions caramelize, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, sweet relish, sugar, and chili flakes (if using) in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until smooth, then set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Cook the Fries: Bake or fry the frozen fries according to the package instructions until they are crispy and golden.
- Top with Cheese: Once fries are cooked, place them on an oven-safe dish or baking sheet. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese or lay slices of American cheese over the fries. Place under a broiler for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is thoroughly melted and slightly bubbly.
- Assemble the Animal Style Fries: Remove the cheesy fries from the oven, top evenly with the caramelized onions, and drizzle the special sauce over the top. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of crispy, cheesy, sweet, and tangy flavors.
Notes
- Caramelizing onions is a slow process but essential for deep flavor; don’t rush it by increasing the heat.
- For crispier fries, you can double-fry them or bake on a wire rack to avoid sogginess.
- Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce by varying the amount of sugar and vinegar per your taste.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, increase or omit the chili flakes accordingly.
- This recipe yields roughly 2-3 servings and can be scaled up easily.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/3 of recipe)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: In-N-Out, Animal Style Fries, copycat recipe, caramelized onions, special sauce, cheesy fries, American fast food
