Make Animal Style Fries at home—just like the famous In-N-Out version. This copycat recipe recreates the fries from the secret menu by topping golden fries with melted American cheese, caramelized onions, and a tangy burger-style “secret sauce.” Serve with an Animal Style Burger and a chocolate milkshake for the full nostalgic experience.
Table of contents
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Pro tips
- What to serve them with
- Tools for this recipe
- More cheesy recipes
- Recipe card
When I first visited California years ago, my first stop after the plane was always In-N-Out. Those simple burgers and fries became a fond food memory, and the Animal Style Fries—crispy shoestring fries covered in melted cheese, caramelized onions, and a signature sauce—stood out. While In-N-Out has expanded to several states, you can recreate that exact flavor at home with this easy, faithful copycat version.
These fries are comforting, richly flavored, and surprisingly simple to assemble. The elements—shoestring fries, American cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and a creamy, tangy burger spread—are straightforward, and you can prep the onions and sauce ahead to make a quick weeknight treat.
Ingredients
- Frozen french fries – 16 ounces of shoestring fries (this thin cut most closely matches the restaurant style). You can substitute homemade fries if preferred.
- American cheese – 6 slices, which melt smoothly over the fries.
- For the secret sauce – 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickles (or dill relish), and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Combine for a classic burger-style spread.
- For the caramelized onions – 1/2 tablespoon butter, 1/2 pound yellow onion (small dice), and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cook slowly until deeply golden and sweet.
Instructions
Step-by-step photos are shown above. Follow the checklist below for a quick, reliable result. Quantities and full details are in the recipe card further down.
- Caramelize the onions. Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 pound diced yellow onion and spread evenly. Cook 5 minutes, sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon salt, then reduce heat to medium. Stir every 5–10 minutes and cook about 30 minutes until onions are deeply browned and sweet. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make the secret sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickles (or relish), and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Taste and adjust if you like it tangier or sweeter.
- Cook the fries. Prepare the 16 ounces of frozen shoestring fries according to package directions: air fry, bake, pan-fry, or deep-fry until golden and crisp. If you prefer, use homemade fries that are thinly cut and cooked until crisp.
- Assemble and finish. Spread the hot fries in an even layer on a baking sheet. Lay 6 slices of American cheese evenly over the fries. Place under the oven broiler on high for about 1 minute—just long enough to melt the cheese. Remove, then evenly spoon the caramelized onions and the secret sauce over the fries. Serve immediately while warm and melty.
Pro tips
- Make ahead: Caramelized onions and the secret sauce keep well for up to one week in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Use thin-cut fries: Shoestring fries give the best texture and match the original style. If making homemade fries, use russet potatoes and cut them very thin for crispness.
- Line the pan: Use parchment paper or foil on the baking sheet for easier cleanup after broiling the cheese-topped fries.
- Leftovers: Fries topped with sauce become soggy and don’t reheat well. If you expect leftovers, keep fries and sauce separate until ready to serve.
- Dietary notes: This recipe is vegetarian. If using store-bought sauce or packaged fries, check labels if you need a certified gluten-free product.
What to serve them with
Animal Style Fries are perfect with an Animal Style Burger, but they also pair well with any burger, sandwich, or hearty main. Popular pairings include:
- Onion fried burgers
- Buffalo chicken burgers
- Cheeseburger sliders
- Smoked pulled pork or barbecued meats
- Bacon, tomato and avocado grilled cheese
Tools for this recipe
- Cutting board and chef’s knife (for the onions)
- Large cast iron or heavy skillet (for caramelizing onions)
- Oven broiler or broiler-safe baking sheet
- Air fryer (optional) or conventional oven for the fries
More cheesy recipes
Love cheesy comfort food? Try these favorites for more melty goodness:
- Cheesy pull-apart rolls
- One-pot Italian sausage shells and cheese
- Jalapeño popper crescent rolls
- Cheesy grilled potatoes
- Buffalo chicken cheesy penne
- Seven-layer dip and homemade nacho cheese sauce
Recipe card
Animal Style Fries
Servings: 4 | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 35 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes
Author: Whitney Bond
Ingredients
Caramelized onions
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 pound yellow onion, small dice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Secret sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickles (or dill relish)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Animal style fries
- 16 ounces frozen shoestring french fries
- 6 slices American cheese
Directions
Caramelized onions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced onion and spread in an even layer. Cook 5 minutes, then sprinkle with salt and reduce heat to medium.
- Cook about 30 minutes, stirring every 5–10 minutes, until deeply caramelized. Set aside.
Secret sauce
- Combine mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped dill pickles, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Stir well and set aside.
Animal style fries
- Preheat the oven broiler to high (or finish the fries under the broiler if you baked them).
- Cook fries according to package directions (air fry, deep-fry, pan-fry, or bake) until crisp.
- Arrange fries in an even layer on a baking sheet and top with the American cheese slices.
- Broil 30–60 seconds until the cheese melts.
- Remove from oven, distribute the caramelized onions and secret sauce evenly, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Caramelized onions and secret sauce can be made up to one week ahead and refrigerated separately.
- This recipe is vegetarian. Verify labels for gluten-free status if needed.
- Leftover sauced fries will become soggy; keep components separate if saving for later.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 547 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Fat: 39 g (Saturated fat: 13 g)
- Sodium: 1335 mg