Animal Style Fries In-N-Out Copycat Recipe
Enjoy a taste of the iconic In-N-Out Animal Style Fries with this easy copycat recipe. Crispy golden fries topped with melted American or cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and a flavorful special sauce that’s tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy. Perfect as a snack or side dish, this recipe brings restaurant-style indulgence right to your home kitchen.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Special Sauce
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise (substitute with Greek yogurt for a healthier twist)
- 1/4 cup Ketchup (choose organic or low-sugar for a cleaner option)
- 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar (or White Vinegar; lemon juice is a great substitute)
- 2 tablespoons Sweet Relish (minced pickles work well in a pinch)
- 1 teaspoon Sugar (optional; reduce or omit for low sugar)
- 1/4 teaspoon Chili Flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
Fries and Toppings
- 4 cups Frozen Fries (crinkle-cut recommended for extra crunch or homemade fries)
- 1 cup American Cheese (or Cheddar Cheese for a variation)
- 1 cup Onions, diced (shallots can be used as a milder alternative)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (vegan butter for dairy-free option)
- 1 tablespoon Neutral Oil (olive oil works well too)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (kosher salt recommended for texture)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Melt the butter and neutral oil together in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the diced onions and sprinkle with salt. Stir regularly and cook slowly for about 30 minutes until the onions become golden brown and sweetly fragrant, releasing their natural sugars.
- Prepare the Special Sauce: In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, sweet relish, sugar, and optional chili flakes. Stir well until all ingredients are smoothly blended to create a creamy, tangy sauce with a hint of sweetness and spice.
- Cook the Fries: Follow the package instructions to cook the frozen fries until crispy and golden. You can bake, air fry, or deep fry depending on your preference, aiming for maximum crunch.
- Melt the Cheese: Once fries are hot and crispy, arrange them on an oven-safe tray. Sprinkle evenly with grated American or cheddar cheese. Broil in the oven on high for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese melts thoroughly and becomes bubbly and slightly browned.
- Assemble the Animal Style Fries: Immediately after the cheese melts, top the fries with a generous layer of the caramelized onions. Drizzle the prepared special sauce all over the top to finish the dish.
- Serve: Serve the animal style fries hot and fresh for the best texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- For a healthier special sauce, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Use crinkle-cut fries for extra crunch or homemade fries for freshness.
- Slowly caramelizing onions on low heat develops a deep, sweet flavor—do not rush this step.
- To make this dish vegan, use vegan butter and vegan cheese alternatives.
- If you prefer less sugar, cut down or omit the sugar in the sauce.
- Broil cheese carefully to avoid burning; watch closely.
Keywords: Animal Style Fries, In-N-Out Copycat, Caramelized Onions, Special Sauce, Crispy Fries
