Name: Smashburger Fries: An Epic Snack Attack
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 bag frozen shoestring fries (about 20 oz); 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup diced pickles; 1/2 cup diced red onions; 1/2 cup diced tomatoes; 1/4 cup burger sauce or Thousand Island dressing; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; Optional: shredded lettuce for garnish

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Why You’ll Love Smashburger Fries: An Epic Snack Attack Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it’s effortlessly indulgent — perfect for game day, a weekend treat or when you’re feeling like something special without hours in the kitchen. It uses simple ingredients (frozen fries, ground beef, cheese, pickles) but combines them in a way that feels rich and exciting. The smashburger pieces give meaty flavor, the cheese sauce brings creaminess, and the pickles/jalapeños add crunch and brightness. Plus, it’s very flexible for modifying toppings or switching things up.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

frozen crispy french fries (1 (26‑oz) bag)
ground beef (½ pound)
kosher salt and pepper, to taste
all‑purpose flour (2 tablespoons)
butter (2 tablespoons, divided)
milk (1 cup)
freshly grated white cheddar (2½ cups)
pickles, for serving
thinly sliced jalapeños, for serving

For the Thousand Island Dressing:

mayonnaise (1 cup)
ketchup (2 tablespoons)
dill relish (2 tablespoons)
freshly grated onion (2 tablespoons)
honey (1 teaspoon)
apple cider vinegar (1 teaspoon)
smoked paprika (½ teaspoon)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 °F (≈ 232 °C).
Spread the frozen fries out on a baking sheet in a single layer so they crisp properly. Bake for 20‑25 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
While fries bake, season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Heat one portion of the butter in a large skillet (ideal: cast iron) until sizzling. Break the ground beef into six even portions, place in skillet, then use a spatula or flat object to smash each portion into a thin patty. Cook until browned, flip and cook 1‑2 minutes more until fully cooked (internal temp ~160 °F / ~71 °C). Then turn off heat.
Make the cheese sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the other butter, whisk in the flour to form a roux and cook ~2‑3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Gradually whisk in the milk and cook until the mixture thickens (~5 minutes). Reduce heat to low, stir in the grated cheddar handful by handful until melted and smooth, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Make the Thousand Island dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, dill relish, grated onion, honey, apple cider vinegar and smoked paprika until creamy and combined. You can make this ahead and chill.
Assemble: Drizzle some cheese sauce over the baked fries, then top with the smashburger pieces (break them up if needed), then more cheese sauce. Return the tray to the oven for an additional 5‑10 minutes to heat everything through and allow the sauce to meld.
Remove from oven, then drizzle with the Thousand Island dressing. Finish by topping with pickles and thinly sliced jalapeños (and any other preferred toppings). Serve immediately.

Servings and timing

Yield: about 4‑6 servings.
Prep time: approximately 50 minutes.
Cook time: about 10 minutes (excluding fries cook time) for total ~1 hour.
Best served right after assembly while still hot and the fries retain crispness.

Variations

Use sweet potato fries, waffle fries or seasoned potato wedges instead of standard frozen fries for a twist.
Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken or a plant‑based alternative for a lighter or vegetarian‑friendly version.
Change the cheese: try cheddar‑jack, Monterrey Jack, pepper jack for heat, or even a smoked gouda for extra depth.
Experiment with toppings: add diced tomatoes, chopped onions, crispy bacon bits, guacamole or a drizzle of BBQ sauce instead of or in addition to the Thousand Island.
Use a different sauce: ranch, sriracha mayo, garlic aioli or chipotle sauce all work well in place of the Thousand Island dressing.
Make it a full meal: serve alongside a simple salad or steamed veggies to balance the richness.

Storage/Reheating

Store any leftover Smashburger Fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, use an oven or air fryer at moderate heat until warmed through and the fries once again crisp up. Note: reheated fries may not be quite as crisp as freshly made, but they’ll still taste great.

FAQs

What kind of fries work best for this recipe?

Frozen fries labeled “crispy” or “oven fries” are ideal because they maintain texture during baking and the following reheating steps. Thinner fries tend to crisp better, but thicker wedges or sweet potato fries can also work with adjustment.

Can I make the smashburger patties ahead of time?

Yes — you can cook the ground beef patties ahead, cool them, and store them in the refrigerator. When ready, break them up and add them at the assembly stage before the final oven time.

My cheese sauce lumped. How do I prevent that?

When making the roux, cook the flour and butter until a golden color and add the milk slowly while whisking constantly. Whisking helps prevent lumps. If lumps form, you can strain the sauce through a fine‑mesh sieve.

Can I use pre‑shredded cheese instead of freshly grated?

You can, but freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and gives better texture in the sauce. Pre‑shredded cheese often has anti‑caking agents that can affect melt quality.

Can this be made vegetarian or vegan?

Yes: use a plant‑based ground “meat” alternative, swap in vegan cheese and milk, and use a vegan mayonnaise in the dressing. You may need to adjust seasonings and observe melt behaviour for vegan cheese.

How do I keep the fries crisp when assembling and serving?

Make sure the fries are baked in a single layer and fully crisp before adding toppings. Return the tray briefly to the oven for 5‑10 minutes after assembling to reheat and integrate toppings so the fries aren’t soggy.

Can I prepare parts of this in advance?

Yes: you can prepare the dressing ahead of time and refrigerate it. You can also cook the smashburger pieces ahead, then finish assembly just before serving.

What are good additional toppings I can use?

Crispy bacon bits, diced green onions, chopped tomatoes, pickled red onions, jalapeño slices, guacamole, sour cream, or a drizzle of hot sauce are all great options to tailor this to your taste.

How should I reheat leftovers to preserve texture?

Use an oven or air fryer rather than a microwave. Preheat to about 375‑400 °F (190‑200 °C) and heat for a few minutes until everything is warmed and fries regain some crisp. Avoid covering tightly so moisture doesn’t build up.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a snack or appetizer that brings bold flavour, fun textures and a satisfying mix of savoury and tangy, this Smashburger Fries recipe delivers in style. It takes approachable ingredients and turns them into something memorable — whether you’re feeding friends, treating yourself or creating a standout game‑day dish. Enjoy experimenting with toppings, sauces and variations, and savour every loaded, cheesy, crispy bite.

Why You’ll Love Smashburger Fries: An Epic Snack Attack Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

Servings and timing

Variations

Storage/Reheating

FAQs

What kind of fries work best for this recipe?

Can I make the smashburger patties ahead of time?

My cheese sauce lumped. How do I prevent that?

Can I use pre‑shredded cheese instead of freshly grated?

Can this be made vegetarian or vegan?

How do I keep the fries crisp when assembling and serving?

Can I prepare parts of this in advance?

What are good additional toppings I can use?

How should I reheat leftovers to preserve texture?

Conclusion

Smashburger Fries: An Epic Snack Attack

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition