The first time I tried Outback Steakhouse’s Aussie Fries, I knew my relationship with regular french fries would never be the same. There I was, waiting for my steak to arrive, when our server placed this mountain of golden fries smothered in melted cheese and bacon bits in the center of our table. The aroma alone was enough to make my mouth water uncontrollably. With one bite, I was hooked for life, I know you will love this easy Outback Steakhouse Aussie Fries copycat recipe.
My family has since developed a slightly embarrassing tradition: sometimes, we skip the main course entirely and just order multiple plates of these addictive fries for dinner. No regrets! Today, I’m sharing how to recreate this iconic appetizer in your kitchen so you can enjoy it any time the craving strikes (which, trust me, will be often).
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Aussie Cheese Fries
- Quick and Easy: Using frozen fries means this dish comes together in minutes with minimal effort
- Restaurant Quality at Home: Get the exact same flavors you love from Outback without leaving your kitchen
- Budget-Friendly: Make a whole batch for less than the cost of a single order at the restaurant
- Crowd Pleaser: Perfect for game days, movie nights, or anytime you need a guaranteed hit
- Customizable: Easy to adjust with your favorite toppings and seasonings
Ingredients
- Frozen french fries – Provides a convenient base with consistent texture and saves significant prep time
- Vegetable oil – Creates the crispy outer layer without adding competing flavors
- Colby Jack cheese – Provides the perfect melt and mild, creamy flavor that doesn’t overpower the fries
- Bacon – Adds smoky, savory crunch, and that irresistible bacon flavor
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors and gives the fries that classic taste
- Black pepper – Adds a subtle heat that complements the cheese and bacon
- Ranch dressing (optional, for dipping) – Offers a creamy, tangy complement to the rich fries
How to Make Outback Cheese Fries
- Heat oil to 350 degrees.
- Fry the French fries in small batches in a deep fryer. You can keep them warm in the oven while the other fries cooking.
- When all of the French fries are cooked and drained, place them on a platter.
- Salt the French fries if desired.
- Sprinkle cheese and cooked bacon pieces on top of the fries.
- Place fries into a warm oven until the cheese begins to melt. Then you will have delicious cheese-covered fries.
Crispy Outback Steakhouse Aussie Fries (Copycat Recipe)
Perfectly crispy french fries topped with melted Colby Jack cheese and crispy bacon pieces just like the famous Outback Steakhouse appetizer. This easy copycat recipe brings the restaurant favorite right to your kitchen!
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Servings: 4
Calories: 961kcal
Ingredients
- 2 pounds french fries
- 1 cup colby jack cheese shredded
- 4 ounces bacon cooked crisp
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Divide the bag of fries in half and use the other half later.
- Heat oil to 350 degrees. If you do not have a thermometer, make sure the oil is hot enough so that when you set a French fry in the oil, it will cook immediately. If the French fry sinks to the bottom and barely bubbles, it is not hot enough.
- Fry the potatoes in small batches. They are done when they are golden brown and float to the top. (I like to use a Dutch oven). Be sure to drain the potatoes on paper towels. You can keep them warm in the oven while the other fries cooking.
- When all French fries are cooked and drained, place them on a platter.
- Salt the French fries if you like and sprinkle on cheese and cooked bacon.
- Pop these back into a warm oven until the cheese begins to melt.
Notes
Expert Tips for the Best Aussie Fries
- Choose the right fries: Thicker-cut frozen french fries hold up better under the toppings than shoestring varieties
- Freshly grate your cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
- Layer strategically: Place a thin layer of cheese directly on the hot fries first, then bacon, then more cheese for the best melt
- Keep everything hot: Warm your serving platter in the oven before adding the fries to maintain temperature longer
- Season in stages: Add a light sprinkle of salt right after frying, but before adding toppings, for better flavor distribution
- Serve immediately: These fries are at their absolute best when served piping hot with the cheese still gooey
- Go easy on the ranch: If using the ranch dipping sauce, serve it on the side rather than drizzling over the fries to maintain crispiness
Nutrition
Calories: 961kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 69g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 1498mg | Potassium: 1073mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 330IU | Vitamin C: 14.3mg | Calcium: 246mg | Iron: 3.4mg
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Storage: Separate leftovers into a container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat in a 375°F oven on a baking sheet until the cheese re-melts and the fries crisp up (about 5-7 minutes). Avoid microwaving, which will make them soggy.
- Freezing: Not recommended after assembly. You can freeze the plain fries before adding toppings and reheat from frozen at 425°F until crisp.
Love Outback Steakhouse? Try these copycat recipes!
- Bloomin Onion
- Alice Spring Chicken
- Queensland Chicken & Shrimp Pasta
- Outback Mushrooms
- Salt Crusted Baked Potato
- Horseradish Dill Sauce
More French Fries and Potato Recipes
- Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
- Greek Roasted Potatoes
- JoJo Fries
- KFC Wedges
- Roasted Red Potatoes
- Beef Tachos
You can find more easy appetizer recipes and the best copycat Outback Steakhouse recipes here on CopyKat.com.
Some of these comments are outrageous. Based on some of these I wouldn’t recommend that they ever attempt frying anything. At all. Seriously! ????
I am going to have to run an extra mile or three after indulging in this!
Hello Stephanie, I make something similar to this except we sometimes just bake the fries instead deep frying them, and they turn out good too. But for the Dipping sauce we use Ranch Dressing and then I get a jar of chopped jalapenos and add them to the dressing and some of the juice (let sit for about an hour and them taste and more juice for more heat). We love it make them often. But I may just have to try your Dipping Sauce it does sound good. 🙂
I have never eaten at Outback but the photo of the potatoes looks good. This recipe doesn’t make sense to me. Why do you have to keep the potatoes warm in the oven if you have to refrigerate them overnight to get the best flavor? What are you supposed to do with the ranch dressing and spices? Are you supposed to dip the potatoes in them and then fry them? From other comments, it sounds like it may be a dipping sauce but your recipe doesn’t say ” Suggestions for Dipping Sauce” It just says suggestions.
You refrigerate the dressing overnight.
In all honesty, I have to admit thst I prefer these with either Bloomin’ Onion Sauce or Honey Mustard Dressing drizzled atop the cheese, and sliced scallions for garnish.
I love the Bloomin’ Onion sauce!
What a horrible recipe. Where is the oil mentioned and after you refrigerate the fries what do you do with them? If one bakes them what heat and how much time?
You just gotta use a lil common sense and deep fry the fries in it. It is telling you for the left overs put it up in the fridge and reheat later. Any bag of fries tells you how to bake in the oven!!
Outback Original fries(before switch to frozen)
Cut potatoes and rinse thoroughly with cool water
Cook for 4 minutes at 300 Degrees F
Strain and cool in fridge
Cook for 2-3 minutes at 375 degrees F
When you say cook do did you mean fry?
Outback Ranch Dressing 1x Batch
2 Gallons buttermilk
3 Tbs cayenne pepper
1/4 cup + 1.5 tsp Cafe grind black pepper
1/4 cup + 1.5 tsp Granulated garlic
1/4 cup + 1.5 tsp Granulated onion
1/4 cup + 2 Tbs Salt
4 Gal Mayo
Do you happen to have Outback’s Bleu Cheese recipe?
How would you make that if you was just making enough fer the family?
Made it & LOVED IT!! :)) Absolutely Delish. My family loves the sauce so much we make it to go on other things.. like fried chicken tenders. YUMM 🙂
Frozen fries? I don’t think so.
This tastes absolutely nothing like the Outback ranch dip you get with the cheese fries. All you can taste is the pepper. It’s gross. We wasted a perfectly good bottle of ranch dressing for this. My husband and I just had the real thing two days ago – this is not even close. I would not recommend that anyone try this recipe for dipping sauce. Not tasty.
I am really sorry that didn’t work out well for you. What type of Ranch Dressing did you use?
Never eaten chips like this in my life.. after living all over Australia for 40 years
SAME! but i love it
I love these fries I have them every time I go to Outback. Now I can make them at home!