Papas Fritas con Chile y Queso (Chilli Cheese Fries with Salsa Ranchera)
Crisp oven fries topped with hot ranchera sauce, creamy queso and pickled jalapeños. Takeaway style at home.
Made with Salsa ranchera and Queso (Mexican cheese sauce). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time45 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.36 a head
- Oven220°C (200°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan). Spread the chips on a large baking tray in one layer.
- 2
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until crisp and golden.
27 min 30 s - 3
Meanwhile warm your ready made salsa ranchera (see the base recipe) in a small pan until bubbling.
4 min - 4
Warm your ready made queso (see the base recipe) gently in a small pan over a low heat, stirring, until steaming. Add a splash of milk if it has thickened. Do not let it boil.
- 5
Pile the hot chips into a large warm dish or onto plates.
- 6
Spoon over the salsa, then the queso, and top with spring onion, jalapeños and coriander. Serve straight away.
Tips
- Do not crowd the tray. Fries steam if they overlap.
- Add the sauces just before serving so the fries stay crisp.
- Check the chip packet to be sure they are gluten free if needed.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Keep leftover queso and salsa separately in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I make my own chips?
Yes. Cut 800 g potatoes into wedges, toss in 2 tbsp oil and roast at 220 degrees C for 35 to 40 minutes.
Is this vegetarian?
Yes, if you used vegetarian cheese in the queso. It is also gluten free, egg free and nut free.
Can I add meat?
Yes. Top with chilli beef, carnitas or crumbled chorizo.
More made with salsa ranchera
Calabacitas con Puerco y Frijoles Refritos (Pork and Courgette Stew with Beans)
DFEFNFChuletas de Cerdo en Salsa Ranchera con Arroz (Pork Chops in Ranchera Sauce)
GFDFEFPapas Rancheras (Ranch Style Potatoes)
GFDFNFChiles Rellenos de Pastor (Baked Poblanos Stuffed with Pastor Pork)
GFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.