Animal Style Fries Copycat Recipe
Animal Style Fries Copycat is a beloved homemade recipe inspired by the iconic style of fries topped with melted cheese, caramelized onions, and a special tangy sauce. These crispy twice-fried russet potato fries are layered with savory American cheese slices, slow-cooked sweet onions, and drizzled with a creamy, zesty sauce made from mayonnaise, pickles, ketchup, and spices. This recipe takes patience and love, particularly for perfectly caramelized onions and perfectly crispy fries, delivering a rich and flavorful snack or side that fans of savory comfort food will adore.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes (including soaking time)
- Cook Time: 1 hour (including double frying, caramelizing onions, and melting cheese)
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Fries
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick fries
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 6-8 cups)
- Salt, to taste
Caramelized Onions
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons water (optional, for deglazing)
Animal Style Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Topping
- 8 slices American cheese (or cheddar cheese slices, if preferred)
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: After peeling and cutting your russet potatoes into fries, rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch. Place the fries in a large bowl, cover with cold water, and soak for at least 30 minutes to a couple of hours for extra crispiness.
- First Fry (Blanching): Drain and pat the fries completely dry. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 325°F (160°C). Fry the potatoes in batches without overcrowding for 5-7 minutes until soft and pale. Remove and drain on a wire rack lined with paper towels. Let them cool completely.
- Second Fry (Crisping): Increase oil temperature to 375°F (190°C). Fry the cooled fries again in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a wire rack lined with paper towels.
- Seasoning: While fries are still hot, season generously with salt and toss to evenly coat.
- Prepare the Onions: Thinly slice the yellow onions to enable quick caramelization.
- Sauté the Onions: In a large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
- Caramelize Slowly: Cook the onions over low heat, stirring occasionally for 30-45 minutes until deep golden brown and very soft. Add water as needed to deglaze the pan and prevent burning.
- Achieve Deep Color: Continue cooking until onions are richly colored and flavorful; then remove from heat and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients for Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, ketchup, yellow mustard, white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Mix Well: Whisk the sauce ingredients thoroughly until smooth and well combined.
- Adjust to Taste: Taste the sauce and customize for sweetness, tanginess, or heat by adding more relish, mustard, or cayenne as preferred.
- Chill Sauce (Optional): Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld, or use immediately if desired.
- Prepare the Base: Place a generous portion of crispy fries on a plate or serving bowl.
- Add the Cheese: Layer the fries with American cheese slices, covering most of the fries for even melting.
- Melt the Cheese: Melt the cheese by placing the fries under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, microwaving for 30-60 seconds, or baking in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until bubbly and melted.
- Top with Onions: Spoon caramelized onions evenly over the melted cheese.
- Drizzle with Sauce: Generously drizzle the Animal Style sauce over the onions and cheese using a spoon or squeeze bottle.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the Animal Style Fries hot while the cheese is melted and enjoy immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Soaking fries in cold water removes excess starch to help achieve crispiness.
- Dry fries completely before frying to avoid dangerous oil splatters.
- Double frying ensures fries are crispy on the outside and tender inside.
- Slow caramelization of onions builds rich sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Deglazing onions with water prevents burning and maintains moisture.
- Melting cheese can be done under a broiler, in the oven, or microwave depending on convenience.
- Sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated to deepen flavors.
- Use American cheese for traditional taste or cheddar as a flavorful alternative.
- Serve immediately for optimal texture; leftover fries may lose their crispness.
Keywords: Animal Style Fries, Copycat Fries, Copycat Animal Style Sauce, Caramelized Onions, Crispy Fries, Homemade Fries, Cheese Fries, Snack, Side Dish
