Description
This Smashburger Fries recipe is an indulgent and crowd-pleasing dish that combines crispy oven-baked french fries topped with juicy smashed beef patties, rich homemade white cheddar cheese sauce, tangy thousand island dressing, pickles, and jalapeños for a spicy kick. Perfect for game day or a fun weeknight meal, this recipe transforms loaded fries into a full-flavored smashburger experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Fries and Burger
- 1 (26 ounce) bag frozen, crispy french fries
- ½ pound ground beef
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 ½ cups freshly grated white cheddar cheese
Thousand Island Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons dill relish
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated onion
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Toppings
- Pickles, whole or diced, for serving
- Thinly sliced jalapeños, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Bake Fries: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Spread the frozen crispy french fries in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until fries are golden and extra crispy. If your fries require a longer cook time, follow the package instructions, but 450°F is best for crispiness.
- Prepare and Cook Smashburger Patties: Season the ground beef evenly with kosher salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet (a cast iron skillet works best) over medium-high heat until sizzling. Divide the beef into six equal portions and place each portion in the skillet. Using the back of a glass or jar, press down to smash the patties thin and evenly. Cook until browned and crisp on the bottom, then flip and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until browned on the other side. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a separate saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour to form a roux. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture turns golden and nutty in aroma. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of milk, continuously stirring to avoid lumps. Continue to whisk and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the grated white cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring until each addition melts smoothly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble Loaded Fries: Drizzle the cheese sauce over the baked fries on the sheet pan. Top with the smashed burger patties, breaking them apart if desired. Drizzle additional cheese sauce over the top. Return the sheet pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until everything is heated through and melded together.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Remove from the oven. Drizzle with homemade thousand island dressing, then top with pickles and thinly sliced jalapeños for a spicy crunch. Add any additional toppings you enjoy and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a cast iron skillet for best results when smashing your burger patties to get a nice crispy crust.
- Adjust the thickness of the cheese sauce by adding more or less milk depending on your preference.
- For extra heat, add more jalapeños or use a spicy cheddar cheese variant.
- You can make the thousand island dressing ahead of time and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- These loaded smashburger fries are best eaten right away for maximum crispiness.
