Animal Style Fries: 7 Easy Copycat Steps to Make Them at Home
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Your Ultimate Guide to Homemade Animal Style Fries
- Why Make These Animal Style Fries: 7 Easy Copycat Steps?
- Gather Your Ingredients for Perfect Copycat Fries
- Step-by-Step Instructions: Mastering Your Animal Style Fries
- Pro Tips for the Best Animal Style Fries at Home
- Serving Suggestions and Variations
- F.A.Q
Craving the legendary In-N-Out experience at home? This guide will show you exactly how to make delicious Animal Style Fries: 7 Easy Copycat Steps to Make Them at Home. Get ready to replicate that iconic combination of crispy fries, sweet caramelized onions, melted cheese, and tangy secret sauce right in your own kitchen.
Introduction: Your Ultimate Guide to Homemade Animal Style Fries
The cult classic In-N-Out Burger has many famous items, but their Animal Style Fries stand out. These aren’t just any fries; they’re a flavor explosion. We’re talking crispy fries, smothered in a special sauce, topped with caramelized onions, and often melted cheese.
Recreating this magic at home is easier than you think. Our recipe brings all those beloved flavors together. You won’t believe how close these copycat animal style fries taste to the original!
Why Make These Animal Style Fries: 7 Easy Copycat Steps?
Why bother making these fantastic fries yourself? For one, you get to skip the drive-thru line! Plus, you can customize every element to your liking, from the crispiness of the fries to the amount of secret sauce.
It’s a fun and rewarding cooking project that results in incredibly satisfying comfort food. Impress your friends and family with these homemade animal style fries!
Gather Your Ingredients for Perfect Copycat Fries
To create the best copycat animal style fries, you’ll need a few key components. Each element plays a crucial role in achieving that signature flavor. Don’t skip any!
For the Crispy Fries
- 1 bag (30 oz) frozen french fries (shoestring or thin cut work best)
- Salt, to taste
- Cooking oil (if deep frying, otherwise follow oven instructions)
For the Secret Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- ½ teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
For the Toppings
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 2 slices American cheese (or your preferred melty cheese like cheddar)
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions: Mastering Your Animal Style Fries
Follow these simple steps to create your ultimate animal style fries. The key is in preparing each component perfectly before assembly.
Step 1: Prep and Cook Your Fries to Golden Perfection
First, cook your frozen french fries according to package directions until they are golden brown and crispy. If deep-frying, maintain oil at 350°F (175°C) and fry in batches. For oven baking, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Once cooked, drain any excess oil and season generously with salt. Perfectly crispy fries are the base for amazing Animal Style Fries!
Step 2-7: Assemble Your Animal Style Masterpiece
- Caramelize the Onions: In a medium skillet, melt butter or heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook slowly for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden brown and sweet.
- Make the Secret Sauce: While onions are cooking, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir well until thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Layer the Fries: Arrange your hot, crispy fries on a serving plate or in a heatproof dish.
- Add Cheese: Immediately place the American cheese slices over the hot fries. The residual heat from the fries should start to melt the cheese. For extra melty cheese, you can briefly pop them under a broiler (watch carefully!).
- Sauce It Up: Drizzle a generous amount of the prepared secret sauce over the cheese-covered fries.
- Pile on the Onions: Spoon the warm, caramelized onions over the sauce.
- Serve Immediately: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve your incredible homemade animal style fries right away for the best experience. For more delicious copycat recipes, Read our in-depth guide here.
Pro Tips for the Best Animal Style Fries at Home
Achieving restaurant-quality animal style fries is all about technique. Don’t rush the caramelization of the onions – low and slow is key for maximum flavor. They should be sweet and deeply browned, not just softened.
Ensure your fries are piping hot before adding the cheese and sauce. This helps melt the cheese and keeps everything warm. For an extra kick, a tiny dash of hot sauce in the secret sauce can be a great addition.
For truly authentic In-N-Out flavor, ensure your relish for the secret sauce is sweet, not dill. To learn more about the history of animal style, you can check out this article on Mashed.com.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These copycat Animal Style Fries are a meal in themselves, but they also make an excellent side dish for burgers or hot dogs. Consider serving them with homemade slider burgers for a full diner experience.
For variations, you could add cooked bacon bits for a smoky flavor. Some prefer a spicier sauce – a pinch of cayenne pepper will do the trick. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, though American cheese melts remarkably well for this application.
F.A.Q
What makes Animal Style Fries unique?
Animal Style Fries are unique due to their combination of crispy fries, melted cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and a tangy “secret sauce” that’s a blend of mayo, ketchup, and relish.
Can I make the secret sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The secret sauce can be made up to 2-3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld even better.
What kind of fries are best for Animal Style Fries?
Thin-cut or shoestring fries work best as they get extra crispy and provide a great texture for the toppings. Freshly cut potatoes can also be used, but ensure they are double-fried for maximum crispiness.