In-N-Out Burger Animal Style Fries

Get ready to have your mind blown with this In-N-Out animal fries copycat recipe. It’s a delicious version of the tasty animal style fries that you can make right at home! 

animal fries with text overlay


 

In n Out Burger Secret Menu

Did you know that In-N-Out Burger has a secret menu? In all honesty, the secret menu isn’t so secret any more. They offer other special styles like the Flying Dutchman, Protein style, their acclaimed grilled cheese and specialty milkshakes like root beer or neopolitan.

One of the highlights are the Animal Style Fries.

Nearly all of the cheeseburgers come animal style already, adding gooey American cheese, fried onions and Fry Sauce, but you can also get your fries smothered with the addictive combination.

A cult following of In-N-Out Burger will tell you the animal fries might actually be better than the award winning fast food burgers.

head-on view of in-n-out fries with onions and cheese

What Are Animal Style Fries?

It starts with super crispy French Fries piled high with deliciousness. My suggestion, mix them up good and eat them with a fork.

Then you can really mop up the awesome sauce. These aren’t the best finger food.

fork picking up animal style fries

What is Animal Sauce?

The key is really in the sauce. A fry sauce that combines ketchup, mustard, dill pickles and mayonnaise with one special ingredient that really gives it a tang.

While Fry Sauce tastes great as a dipping sauce for nearly, well, everything, it can also top a burger, hot dog or deli sandwich. Yes, it is similar to thousand island dressing, but a little different.

angled shot of three fries in bowl of fry sauce

Animal Fry Toppings

The animal fries really come into play with the addition of deeply fried onions and American cheese.

Want to them up a notch further? Try using my Bacon Jalapeno Fry Sauce for spicy Animal Style Fries! You can also make Onion Strings or Beer Battered Onions Rings Animal Style!

close up of fry sauce on smothered fries

The onions must be deeply caramelized so they achieve a sweet heat to complement the savory sauce and cheese. Make sure you check out the science behind caramelized onions before you get started.

My version is pretty bougie- these also have freshly cracked pepper, flaky salt and scallions. You won’t find those items in an actual In-N-Out burger.

What Should I Serve Them With?

Well, the obvious choice is a burger. But if that doesn’t float your boat, here are a few more options:

dressed hot dogs
Gourmet Hot Dogs

What You’ll Need

A Rimmed Baking Sheet, a hungry appetite and a few other ingredients.

  • Cooked French Fries– Think fast food fries, thin and crispy. But honestly, you are at home and can use whatever size or shape of fry floats your boat. I do suggest actually frying them or using an air fryer to get a nice, crunchy crust. All the cheese and sauce has the tendency to sog them up a bit. Crinkle cut is great for holding onto the sauce and onions well.
  • Caramelized onions– Make your own or just saute them for a more onion-y vibe. Or leave them off, not everyone eats onions raw like I do.
  • Fry Sauce- Yes, fry sauce is more than just ketchup and mayo. It has a few seasons.
  • American cheese– Use orange American or white American and honestly, I prefer sharp cheddar. Freshly shredded will melt best, but if you are short on time, use slices or pre-shredded cheese.
animal style fries with salt, pepper and scallions

Make Them!

Making these are easy, but I do recommend not making them ahead of time. They are best fresh and HOT!

  1. Preheat the broiler to high, move a cooking rack to 5-6 inches away from the heating element and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  2. Arrange the cooked fries in a single to double layer. Top with the cheese. Place in oven until cheese melts.
overhead of french fried with melted cheese in a baking dish
  1. Remove and add the caramelized onions and fry sauce. Return to the oven for just a minute or two to heat.
  1. Remove and eat immediately. I suggest a fork- they are hot!
cheese pull on french fries

Leftovers & Freezing

How Do You Reheat Animal Fries?

You can certianly reheat leftovers in the microwave, but the oven is the way to go to preserve a little crunch in the fries. The microwave often makes then rubbery. Heat in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.

Can You Freeze Animal Fries?

I do not suggest freezing animal style fries.

collage of animal style fries for pinterest

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overhead close up of animal style fries with cheese and sauce
animal style fries with salt, pepper and scallions

Copycat In-N-Out Burger Animal Style Fries

4.97 from 33 votes
Now you can enjoy Copycat In-N-Out Burger Animal Style Fries at home! Using a simple fry sauce, crispy fries, American cheese and fried onions.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 cups French Fries cooked
  • 1/2 cup caramelized onions
  • 1/2 cup Fry Sauce
  • 4 slices American cheese or cheddar cheese
  • scallions, pepper and salt , for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the broiler to high, move a cooking rack to 5-6 inches away from the heating element and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Arrange the cooked fries in a single to double layer. Top with the cheese. Place in oven until cheese melts.
  • Remove and add the caramelized onions and fry sauce. Return to the oven for just a minute or two to heat.
  • Remove and eat immediately and garnish (if desired). I suggest a fork- they are hot!
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Notes

You can bake fries in the oven according to package directions or make them from scratch and deep fry them

Nutrition

Calories: 588 kcal, Carbohydrates: 39 g, Protein: 8 g, Fat: 45 g, Saturated Fat: 12 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 14 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 17 g, Trans Fat: 0.3 g, Cholesterol: 33 mg, Sodium: 1110 mg, Potassium: 585 mg, Fiber: 6 g, Sugar: 2 g, Vitamin A: 217 IU, Vitamin C: 10 mg, Calcium: 239 mg, Iron: 2 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 588
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: animal style, smothered fries
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.97 from 33 votes (33 ratings without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

  1. Holy YUM!!! I haven’t been to an In-N-Out since oh probably 1990ish,I remember the food being so delish! Definitely need to try these fries they look amazing!

  2. I need to try going to In-N-Out Burger at some point, there stuff sounds so tasty! But until then, at least I can try making these fries at home!

  3. Mmmm…I just love In-n-Out! I don’t usually get the animal style fries because they are so messy in the car. 🙂 I love the idea of making them at home!

  4. I must say – I haven’t been to In-N-Out…I always plan to go when I’m in the states but life happens! Now I can have these oooey gooey fries at home. They look scrumptious