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Taco Bell Nacho Fries

Name: Taco Bell Nacho Fries
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon paprika; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper ((optional)); 2 Tablespoons oil; 26 ounce bag extra crispy fast food fries; 15 ounce jar Cheez-Whiz cheese dip; 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese ((optional)); 1/4 cup pickled jalapeno juice ((more or less to taste))

ByBrandie Skibinski December 21, 2025December 21, 2025

2 Reviews

JUMP TO RECIPE

Make crispy, perfectly seasoned Taco Bell Nacho Fries at home in your Air Fryer! Plus, a nacho cheese sauce that’s perfect for dipping them!

A 20-MINUTE COPYCAT RECIPE

If you enjoy Taco Bell Nacho Fries, but keep getting frustrated that they don’t keep them as a permanent menu item, this homemade version is made for you! No matter if Taco Bell takes them off the menu, you’ll still be able to get your fix at home. No drive-thru needed! Nacho fries are the perfect snack, appetizer, or side dish to your Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, Enchiritos or Chili Cheese Burritos!

A container of Taco Bell copycat Nacho Fries.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What type of Air Fryer did you use?

All my recipes are tested with a 6 quart basket style Air Fryer. This is the most common type of air fryer owned by a majority of Americans. There are a gazillion types of fryers out there these days so it’s impossible for me to test with each different one and some of them can cook differently than a basket Air Fryer. So please don’t ask me about adjustments for your particular air fryer, I just won’t know, there are too many to keep up with and I don’t know how all of them work – you need to use your own knowledge about your type of air fryer to make adjustments. Consult with your owner’s manual.
So keep that in mind when you’re making these, your nacho fries may be done quicker or take more time than mine. Some require shaking the fries halfway and others don’t. Some need preheating and others don’t. Some of the multi purpose ones that are like little ovens (from what I have heard from readers) cook differently than traditional Air Fryers so timing can vary for sure so go by doneness not by time if you are using anything different than what I used.

Can I fry these in oil instead?

Yes. Prepare your seasoning in the small bowl and set it aside. Fry the French fries in hot oil in a pan or use your electric oil fryer. Once crispy, put the cooked fries in a large bowl and toss them with the seasoning.

I don’t eat Cheez Whiz, what else can I use?

Try my homemade recipe for Nacho Cheese Sauce.

Can I bake the fries instead?

Yes, baking them is another option, although it will take longer to make them crispy. Follow the instructions until the cooking step, then bake at 425°F in a single layer on a baking sheet for 15-20 minutes or until crispy.

Are these Nacho Fries spicy?

They have a very mild heat to them. You can omit the cayenne and make sure to use a mild chili powder. You really do need the chili powder though to get that similar flavor.

What’s the best way to store leftover Nacho Fries?

Taco Bell Nacho Fries should be stored in an airtight container or large Ziploc bag in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The nacho cheese needs to be stored in a separate container. To reheat, put the French fries in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-8 minutes, and microwave the nacho cheese in 30-40 second intervals to warm it up.

A large white bowl of copycat Taco Bell Nacho Fries with cheese sauce for dipping.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

oil– Make sure you use this so the dried ingredients stick to the fries – any neutral oil will work (avocado or a light olive oil work best.)
paprika, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and cayenne pepper – I think I found just the right combination of flavors here but you can definitely adjust. I would definitely remove the cayenne pepper if you don’t want much of any spice.
extra crispy fast food fries– You can use any kind of fries, but these extra crispy fast food fires will give you the closest copycat Taco Bell fries. I think crinkle cut fries or regular cut fries (like these from Walmart) would do well with this recipe too.
Cheez-Whiz cheese dip– This is a great base for the dipping sauce. You can also purchase your favorite store bought nacho cheese sauce. You can use any cheese sauce or even melted Velveeta cheese in place of the Cheez-Whiz if you want an alternative. You could even use a Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce too.
shredded cheddar cheese– This can be skipped, but we love the additional cheese flavor.
pickled jalapeno juice– This will thin out the sauce and add a bit of heat and tanginess. You can also omit this if you don’t want the added heat or start with a little less and add more to taste.

Oil, paprika, kosher salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, optional cayenne pepper, black pepper, extra crispy fast-food style frozen fries, Cheez Whiz cheese dip, shredded cheddar cheese, and pickled jalapeño juice.

HOW TO MAKE TACO BELL NACHO FRIES:

Preheat a 6 quart basket air fryer for 5 minutes at 400° F. If your air fryer doesn’t require preheating then you can skip this step. In a bowl combine all of the seasonings and stir. Add half of the fries to the air fryer. I make these in 2 batches so as not to overcrowd the air fryer. Drizzle half of the oil on top. Shake the basket so they are coated. Sprinkle half of the seasonings over the fries. Shake the basket so they are coated.

French fries in an Air Fryer basket with seasonings on them.

Cook for 10 minutes. Shake the fries around. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the fries are crispy.

Seasoned fries being cooked in an Air Fryer basket.

The second batch may not take as long, as the air fryer is hotter after the first round. Repeat the same steps as above for the second batch. Season with more salt if needed. While the fries are cooking, in a small pot, add the cheese dip, cheddar cheese, and jalapeno juice. Over medium heat, whisk until smooth and melted.