Animal Style Fries In-N-Out Copycat Recipe
Enjoy a copycat version of In-N-Out’s famous Animal Style Fries, featuring crispy golden fries topped with melted cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and a tangy, creamy special sauce. This recipe delivers the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors with an easy stovetop method.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 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 (feel free to reduce or omit for a low-sugar alternative)
- 1/4 teaspoon Chili Flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
Fries and Toppings
- 4 cups Frozen Fries (crinkle-cut for more crunch or homemade for freshness)
- 1 cup American Cheese (or Cheddar Cheese for a variation)
- 1 cup Onions (diced; shallots can be a gentler choice)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (use vegan butter for a dairy-free version)
- 1 tablespoon Neutral Oil (olive oil also works well)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (kosher salt helps improve texture)
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Melt the butter and neutral oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the diced onions and sprinkle with salt, stirring regularly. Cook the onions slowly for about 30 minutes until they become golden brown and emit a sweet, fragrant aroma.
- Prepare Special Sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, sweet relish, sugar, and optional chili flakes. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Cook Fries: Cook the frozen fries according to the package instructions, aiming for fries that are crispy and golden brown.
- Melt Cheese on Fries: Once the fries are cooked, spread the grated American or cheddar cheese evenly over the fries. Place them under a broiler for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Assemble Animal Style Fries: After cheese melting, distribute the caramelized onions evenly over the fries. Drizzle the prepared special sauce generously on top. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- To make the dish dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan butter and use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
- For a lower sugar version, reduce or omit the sugar in the special sauce.
- Using crinkle-cut fries adds extra crunch, but homemade fries can enhance freshness.
- Broiling cheese requires attention; watch to prevent burning.
- The caramelizing process for the onions can be sped up by increasing heat slightly, but be careful not to burn them.
Keywords: animal style fries, in-n-out copycat, caramelized onions, cheesy fries, special sauce, copycat recipe
