In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries

An easy In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries recipe of french fries topped with American cheese slices, caramelized onions and the special sauce.

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I recently took a trip to LA for some very important business — *whisper screams* BTS’ Permission To Dance concert! (I know! It still feels like it was a feverish dream). The first thing I sought out after exiting the airport was a good old order of Animal Style fries from In-N-Out to satisfy my hungry self. Easy to say, I devoured mine within minutes.

After posting the recipe for Spicy Crispy Chicken Burger/Sandwich that’s inspired by KFC’s Zinger Burger/Sandwich, a few of my followers on Instagram requested for more copycat recipes. So I thought this would be a great follow up to that!

Animal Style Fries

What exactly is this not-so-secret menu option from In-N-Out? An order of french fries topped with American cheese slices and caramelized onions, then drenched in special sauce.

The creamy special sauce in question has a mouthwatering tangy and sweet flavor. To recreate that, I used a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, sweet relish and sugar. I personally like to put in a bit of chili flakes to add a bit of heat, but that’s totally optional.

Notes For In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries

• Onions – It takes at least 30 minutes on medium low/low heat for the onions to caramelize into the sweet, dark golden perfection. If it seems like the onions are burning, turn down the heat a little bit.
• Chili flakes – The In-N-Out sauce doesn’t use chili flakes but I added it in for some heat. It’s optional and up to your preference.
• American cheese slices – In-N-Out uses American cheese slices. I sometimes like to use shredded cheddar. Either one will work.

Here are some other appetizers for you to check out:

• Cheesy Garlic Bread Roll-Ups
• Spicy Salmon Mini Taco
• Baked Chili Oil Burrata
• Mini Crab Rangoon Pizza

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Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries

An easy In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries recipe of french fries topped with American cheese slices, caramelized onions and the special sauce.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time35 mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: animal style fries, cheese fries, fast food copycat, fries, in n out copycat

Ingredients

In-N-Out Inspired Special Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
• 2 tbsp sweet relish
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tbsp chili flakes optional

Main Ingredients

• 1/2 bag frozen fries
• cheddar cheese/American cheese
• 2 onions diced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp neutral oil
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

• Melt butter in a pan over medium low heat and pour in neutral oil.
• Add the minced onions and salt to the pan.
• Stir every few minutes until the onions caramelize. If the onions look like its burning, turn down the heat. This will take at least 30 minutes or longer.
• Mix all the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.
• Bake/Fry the frozen fries per the package instructions.
• Once the fries are cooked, add grated cheddar cheese or sliced American cheese on top and broil for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
• Once the cheese melts, add the caramelized onions and pour the sauce on top and enjoy!

Notes

*The In-N-Out sauce doesn’t use chili flakes but I added it in for some heat. It’s optional, it’s up to your preference. 

*If it seems like the onions are burning, turn down the heat a little bit.

*Very important to keep stirring the onions.

*In-N-Out uses American cheese slices. I sometimes like to use shredded cheddar. Either one will work.

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