In-N-Out Animal Style Fries: The Ultimate Indulgent Side Dish

Have you ever noticed how some side dishes can completely steal the show? There’s something irresistible about crispy fries topped with melted cheese, savory caramelized onions, and a creamy, tangy sauce that makes them impossible to resist. This copycat version of In-N-Out’s famous Animal Style Fries brings the West Coast fast-food favorite to your kitchen with minimal effort. The combination of flavors and textures creates an indulgent comfort food experience perfect for satisfying those fast food cravings without leaving home.

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What makes In-N-Out Animal Style Fries so good 

Those who haven’t spent much time on the West Coast are probably wondering “What are Animal Fries?”. These off-menu fries are the biggest open secret at In-N-Out Burger and one of the chain’s most popular sellers.

Customers love the combination of cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and plenty of the restaurant’s famous Spread Sauce ladled over extra-crispy fries. Sure, eating these French fries may be a bit on the messy side, but it’s totally worth it! 

Why you should try this In N Out Animal Fries recipe

This Animal Style Fries recipe perfectly captures what makes the In-N-Out original so craveable. The combination of extra-crispy fries, melted cheddar cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and the famous spread sauce creates layers of flavor and texture in every bite. The spread sauce – a creamy, tangy blend with just the right amount of sweetness and subtle spice – ties everything together. While the original might only be available on the West Coast, this copycat version lets you enjoy this iconic fast food treat anywhere, customized exactly to your preferences. It’s the perfect indulgent side dish for burgers, sandwiches, or honestly, just on its own.

In-N-Out’s Animal Style Fries ingredients

For the Spread Sauce:

• Mayonnaise – Creates the creamy base for the spread sauce (1/2 cup)
• Ketchup – Adds tangy sweetness to the spread sauce (3 tablespoons)
• Sweet pickle relish – Contributes essential tang and texture to the sauce (2 tablespoons)
• Apple cider vinegar – Brightens the spread sauce with subtle acidity (1/2 teaspoon)
• Black pepper – Adds a mild spice note to the spread sauce (1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground)
• Salt – Enhances all flavors in the sauce (1/8 teaspoon)

For the Caramelized Onions:

• Yellow onion – Caramelizes to create sweet, savory flavor (1 medium, chopped)
• Olive oil – Used for sautéing the onions to caramelized perfection (1 tablespoon)
• Brown sugar – Helps speed up the caramelization process for the onions (1 tablespoon)

For Assembly:

• Frozen French fries – Form the crispy base for all the delicious toppings (16-20 oz bag)
• Mild cheddar cheese – Melts perfectly over the hot fries for that gooey layer (1 cup, shredded)

Ingredient notes

Baking frozen store-bought straight-cut fries is the easiest way to prepare them for this recipe, but you can also fry them in oil for a more authentic flavor. Fresh homemade fries made with russet potatoes will make this recipe taste extra delicious. You can even skip French fries altogether and use tater tots instead!

Try replacing the shredded Cheddar cheese with cheese sauce. Watch this video to learn how to make a quick and creamy cheese sauce. You can also substitute it with American cheese slices.

How to make In and Out Animal Style Fries at Home

To prepare the Spread Sauce:

1. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the flavors meld. 

To caramelize the onions:

1. Place a large skillet over medium heat.
2. While the skillet is heating up, dice the yellow onion into small pieces. Reserve for later.
3. Pour the olive oil into the hot skillet and swirl it around before adding the diced yellow onions. 
4. Stir the onions to coat them with the olive oil, and then add the brown sugar. Stir well until the brown sugar begins to melt. 
5. Reduce the heat to low, and slowly caramelize the onions. Stir frequently to prevent burning. The brown sugar will speed up the process but don’t rush it. You don’t want burnt onions. 

To assemble In and Out Animal Style Fries:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the frozen fries according to the package instructions.
3. Spread the cooked fries on a baking tray and sprinkle the cheddar cheese over them. Heat the fries in the oven until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes. 
4. Top with the caramelized onions and spread sauce. 
5. Serve hot. 

What to serve In-N-Out Animal Style Fries with

A plate of Animal Fries is a great snack on its own, but you can pair it with many other fast-casual dishes to make a meal. Here are a few suggestions to try: 

• Smashburger’s Buffalo Burger. This burger is a bit spicy and plenty funky from the hot sauce and blue cheese crumbles. A Smashburger Buffalo Burger may be a little wilder than even Animal Fries. 
• Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Do you like cheesy jalapeno poppers? A jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwich gives you all the taste of the classic appetizer in sandwich form. Vegetarians can leave off the bacon and still enjoy an incredibly delectable meat-free meal. 
• Whataburger Chicken Strips. Looking for something other than a sandwich? These Whataburger Chicken Strips are what you are after. The real buttermilk batter gives these chicken tenders an authentic Southern fried chicken taste. 

How to store extra spread sauce 

The special sauce is great with fries, but you can use it on burgers, sandwiches, and as a salad dressing. If you end up with more sauce than you need, put it in an airtight container in the fridge. 

How long does the spread sauce last?

The Spread Sauce will stay fresh in the refrigerator for four or five days. 

Love fries? Try these recipes!

• Aussie Fries
• Avocado Fries
• Baconator Fries
• Chicken Fries
• Funnel Cake Fries
• Nacho Fries
• Texas Cheese Fries

Favorite fast food side dish recipes

• Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese
• Captain D’s Cole Slaw
• KFC Green Beans
• Popeyes Red Beans and Rice
• Taco Bell Fiesta Potatoes
• Wingstop Cajun Fried Corn

Check out my easy side dish recipes and the best copycat fast food recipes on CopyKat!