Lower Fat Cheese Fries
Craving indulgent, cheesy fries without all the guilt? These Lower Fat Cheese Fries are the ultimate comfort food makeover, combining crispy oven-baked potato perfection with a creamy, reduced-fat cheddar cheese sauce. Made with wholesome ingredients like Russet potatoes, olive oil, and a touch of paprika for smoky flavor, these fries are baked—not fried—for a golden and crispy texture without excess oil. The velvety cheese sauce, thickened with cornstarch and enriched with sharp reduced-fat cheddar, includes a hint of Dijon mustard and optional hot sauce for a zesty kick. Ready in under an hour, this healthier alternative is perfect for sharing as a snack, game-day appetizer, or side dish. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness, and enjoy cheesy fries that strike the perfect balance between indulgence and health-conscious eating!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 large Russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Low-fat milk (1% or skim)
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 1.5 cups Sharp reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon Hot sauce (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly. Leave the skin on for extra texture and nutrients, if desired.
Slice the potatoes into thin, even strips to resemble classic fries. Aim for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking.
Place the potato slices in a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Let them soak for 10 minutes to remove excess starch, which helps them crisp up.
Drain the potatoes and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
Return the dry potato slices to a bowl, and toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, ground black pepper, and half the salt (0.5 teaspoon).
Spread the fries out evenly on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring none of them overlap.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fries are golden brown and crisp.
While the fries bake, prepare the cheese sauce. In a small saucepan, whisk together the milk and cornstarch until smooth.
Heat the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture starts to thicken (about 3-5 minutes).
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce (if using). Continue to stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
Taste the cheese sauce and adjust seasoning with the remaining salt if needed.
Remove the fries from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter. Drizzle the cheese sauce over the fries or serve on the side for dipping.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy your lower-fat cheese fries!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
504 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 15.4 g | 20% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.1 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 25 mg | 8% | |
| Sodium | 877 mg | 38% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 69.9 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.4 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.1 g | ||
| Protein | 21.8 g | 44% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 419 mg | 32% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 1631 mg | 35% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
