In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries Recipe
Enjoy a delicious homemade version of the famous In-N-Out Animal Style Fries, featuring crispy fries topped with melted cheddar or American cheese, sweet and savory caramelized onions, and a tangy special sauce crafted to mimic the iconic burger joint’s flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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 (approximately 12–16 ounces)
- Cheddar cheese or American cheese, grated or sliced (about 1 cup)
- 2 onions, diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Melt butter in a pan over medium low heat and add the neutral oil. Stir in the diced onions and sprinkle with salt. Cook slowly, stirring every few minutes to prevent burning. Continue until onions are deeply browned and caramelized, which should take at least 30 minutes or longer. Reduce heat if onions begin to burn.
- Prepare the Special Sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, rice or white vinegar, sweet relish, sugar, and chili flakes if using. Mix thoroughly and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Fries: Bake or fry the frozen fries following the package instructions until crispy and golden.
- Melt the Cheese: Once fries are cooked, place them on an oven-safe tray and evenly sprinkle grated cheddar or lay slices of American cheese on top. Broil for 3-5 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Assemble the Animal Style Fries: Remove the cheesy fries from the oven, top generously with the caramelized onions, then drizzle the prepared special sauce over everything. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade In-N-Out Animal Style Fries!
Notes
- Cooking onions low and slow is key to achieving rich, sweet caramelization without burning.
- Use freshly grated cheddar for best melting results, or American cheese slices for authenticity.
- Adjust chili flakes in the sauce according to your spice preference.
- If you prefer, you can deep fry or air fry the fries depending on your equipment and taste.
- The special sauce can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Keywords: In-N-Out, Animal Style Fries, copycat recipe, caramelized onions, special sauce, cheesy fries, snack, appetizer
