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    Home > Blog > Appetizers > Animal Style Fries (In-N-Out Copycat)

    Animal Style Fries (In-N-Out Copycat)

    by Jenny Park · Published: Jan 29, 2023 · Modified: Nov 13, 2024

    Jump to Recipe
    A copycat recipe for In-N-Out Animal Style Fries that we promise taste just like the original! Our recipe is easy and highly addictive! You won't be able to stop snacking on these tasty loaded, oven baked french fries!
    Animal style fries on a baking sheet.

    I LOVE Animal Style Fries from In-N-Out and today we have a simple and VERY close copycat recipe for you all! I swear these taste just like the real thing, except we make things a little easier by using store-bought frozen shoestring fries (that aren’t kennebec fries), instead of making our own.

    If you’re a fan of In-N-Out’s animal style fries or you’ve never had the chance to try them, we promise you will not be disappointed by our recipe! It’s so easy to make and absolutely delicious! It’s the perfect snack to enjoy while watching a movie or to serve up on any game day.

    What Are Animal Style Fries?

    Animal style fries is a menu item from In-N-Out’s (not so) secret menu and it consists of their French fries topped with cheese, their spread and diced grilled onions.

    We’ve made ours just like they serve them up at In-N-Out for maximum copycat deliciousness!

    How to Make Animal Style Fries

    Ingredients

    Process

    Caramelized Onions

    Caramelized onion ingredients to make Animal Style fries.
    1. Melt butter in a large pan, over medium-low heat. Add onions.
    2. Sweat onions until softened and translucent, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in sugar.
    Onions cooking in a skillet for animal style fries.
    Onions cooking in a skillet with butter.
    1. Raise heat to medium and continue to cook onions, stirring frequently, until onions have darkened and caramelized, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
    Caramelized onions in a skillet.

    Spread

    Animal style fries spread ingredients.
    1. Combine all ingredients into a bowl.
    2. Whisk together. Set aside.
    Special spread in a bowl to make animal style fries.
    Animal style fries special spread in a bowl.

    Assembly

    Animal style fries assembly ingredients.
    1. Preheat oven to 400˚F. Spread frozen French fries onto a baking sheet, in a single layer. Bake French fries until crisp and lightly browned 2 to 26 minutes.
    2. Remove fries from oven, lower oven temperature to 350˚F, and top fries with cheese slices.
    Fries on a baking sheet after they have been cooked.
    Fries with cheese slices on top ready to be baked in the oven.
    1. Place fries back into the oven and bake for about 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts.
    2. Top fries with a generous drizzle of spread and a sprinkle of caramelized onions. Serve animal style fries immediately.
    Cheese melted on a baking sheet with fries.
    Animal style fries on a baking sheet with cheese and spread on top.
    Animal style fries on a baking sheet with dressing on the side.

    Why This is the BEST Copycat Animal Style Fries Recipe

    • We keep things very simple and don’t try to deviate from the original, otherwise what would be the point of a copycat recipe, right?
    • We make ours on a sheet pan to ensure each french fry gets smothered in all the toppings!
    • We use store-bought frozen french fries. After all, we are trying to keep things as easy as possible!
    Animal style fries on a baking sheet up close.

    Tips and Tricks for Success

    • Use American cheese. Although it’s not for everyone, it’s what they use and really helps to capture the true flavors of animal style fries.
    • Use store-bought frozen french fries to save a ton of time (rather than making your own french fries).
    • Don’t rush caramelizing the onions. You really want to give the onions time to properly caramelize to get that slightly sweet flavor.
    • Save some spread to serve on the side along with ketchup!

    Variations

    • Add pickle chips to the top of the fries.
    • Drizzle some ketchup and/or yellow mustard over the top.
    • Add some sliced pepperoncinis or sliced pickled jalapeños for a kick.
    • If you prefer a cheese sauce topping to a melted cheese topping, top the animal style fries with our delicious cheese sauce recipe instead.
    Animal style fries on a baking sheet served on plates.

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    Animal style fries on a baking sheet with dressing on the side.

    Animal Style Fries (In-N-Out Copycat)

    5 from 12 votes
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    A copycat recipe for In-N-Out Animal Style Fries that we promise taste just like the original! Our recipe is easy and highly addictive! You won't be able to stop snacking on these tasty loaded, oven baked french fries!
    RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny
    Servings: 6

      INGREDIENTS  

    caramelized onions

    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 yellow onion, diced
    • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
    • salt and pepper to taste

    copycat secret spread

    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 7 tablespoons ketchup
    • 5 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

    sheet pan fries

    • 30 ounces frozen shoe string french fries
    • 8 slices American cheese

      INSTRUCTIONS  

    caramelized onions

    • Melt butter in a large pan, over medium-low heat. Add onions.
    • Sweat onions until softened and translucent, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in sugar.
    • Raise heat to medium and continue to cook onions, stirring frequently, until onions have darkened and caramelized, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

    spread

    • Combine all ingredients into a bowl and whisk together. Set aside.

    Assembly

    • Preheat oven to 400˚F. Spread frozen French fries onto a baking sheet, in a single layer. Bake French fries until crisp and lightly browned 2 to 26 minutes.
    • Remove fries from oven, lower oven temperature to 350˚F, and top fries with cheese slices.
    • Place fries back into the oven and bake for about 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts.
    • Top fries with a generous drizzle of spread and a sprinkle of caramelized onions. Serve immediately.

      NOTES  

    Tips and Tricks for Success
    • Use American cheese. Although it’s not for everyone, it’s what they use and really helps to capture the true flavors of animal style fries.
    • Use store-bought frozen french fries to save a ton of time (rather than making your own french fries).
    • Don’t rush caramelizing the onions. You really want to give the onions time to properly caramelize to get that slightly sweet flavor.
    • Save some spread to serve on the side along with ketchup!
    Variations
    • Add pickle chips to the top of the fries.
    • Drizzle some ketchup and/or yellow mustard over the top.
    • Add some sliced pepperoncinis or sliced pickled jalapeños for a kick.
    • If you prefer a cheese sauce topping to a melted cheese topping, top the animal style fries with our delicious cheese sauce recipe instead.
    Calories: 836kcal Carbohydrates: 55g Protein: 10g Fat: 66g Saturated Fat: 21g Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g Monounsaturated Fat: 23g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 64mg Sodium: 2243mg Potassium: 735mg Fiber: 7g Sugar: 9g Vitamin A: 764IU Vitamin C: 11mg Calcium: 318mg Iron: 2mg

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    January 29, 2023 / 2 Comments

    About Jenny Park

    Jenny Park is half of Spoon Fork Bacon. She is also a food stylist and recipe developer. One of her favorite foods is donuts. #sfbJENNY

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    Reader Interactions

    January 29, 2023 / 2 Comments

    Comments

      5 from 12 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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    1. Alaina

      February 16, 2025 at 3:08 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never actually had In-N-Out, so I can’t compare to those, but I thought these were so good! The onions came out great, and I loved the sauce!

      Reply
    2. Grace

      October 12, 2024 at 3:16 am

      5 stars
      It was so yummy.

      Reply

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    Animal style fries on a baking sheet.
    Animal style fries on a baking sheet with dressing on the side.
    Animal style fries on a baking sheet up close.
    Animal style fries on a baking sheet with dressing on the side.
    Animal style fries on a baking sheet served on plates.

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