French fries loaded with sweet onions, melted cheese, and zesty sauce make these delicious Copycat In-N-Out Animal Style Fries! Now you can make these anytime at home with this easy recipe!
In-N-Out is a national chain restaurant that's mostly found in the Western United States, but there are a few locations scattered throughout the country. Whenever I visit somewhere with an actual In-N-Out, I have to go and order their Animal Style Fries off the secret menu.
Not so secret anymore, this is the ONLY way to eat the In-N-Out french fries. They are topped with caramelized onions, melted American cheese, and delicious In-N-Out Sauce (copycat recipe here). This copycat recipe is going to blow your mind!
Making copycat In-N-Out Animal Style Fries is EASY! You only need a few things and you can create this delicious snack or meal at home!
Serve these alongside an Air Fryer Hamburger, Air Fryer Hot Dog, or Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas for the perfect meal!
How to make In-N-Out Animal Style Fries:
**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**
- Get all the ingredients together: frozen french french fries, an onion, American cheese slices, and In-N-Out Sauce.
- Make the sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise (reduced fat or regular)
- 3 TBS ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 2 ½ TBS sweet pickle relish
- dash of salt & dash of black pepper
- Mix all in a bowl, then place in the fridge to meld the flavors.
- Cook the french fries: Make homemade french fries or frozen french fries. I use frozen because it's easier. Throw them in the Air Fryer for quick cooking (Air Fryer French Fry recipe here).
- While the fries are cooking, caramelize the onions: Use this air fryer method to caramelize the onions OR make on the stove top:
- Add butter to a skillet, then add chopped onions. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, sautéing. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then cook 5 more minutes, sautéing while cooking. Once the onions are browned they are done.
- Preheat the oven to BROIL.
- Spread the cooked french fries in an even layer on a baking covered with parchment paper or foil. Add 4 slices of American cheese over the top of the fries. Place into the oven and broil for 5 minutes, watching it closely. Once the cheese is melted they are done. *Broil time may vary based off your oven, so watch them carefully while they are cooking* Remove from oven.
- Spread cooked onions over the top evenly. Spread In-N-Out Sauce over the top. Eat immediately!!
This copycat recipe will be your absolute favorite! It is SPOT ON for the original Animal Style Fries from In-N-Out! They are so easy to make and can be done in less than 20 minutes.
If you like fries as much as me, checkout these other french fry recipes from Domestic Superhero:
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries (no oil)
- Air Fryer Green Bean Fries (no oil recipe)
- Air Fryer Avocado Fries
- Air Fryer Asparagus Fries (easy recipe)
- Buffalo Chicken Fries
- Arby’s Curly Fries (Copycat)
- Loaded Buffalo Bleu Cheese Fries
French fries loaded with sweet onions, melted cheese, and zesty sauce make these delicious Copycat In-N-Out Animal Style Fries! Now you can make these anytime at home with this easy recipe!
- 32 ounces frozen french fries
- 4 American cheese slices
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 TBS butter
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup mayonnaise (reduced fat or regular)
- 3 TBS ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 ½ TBS sweet pickle relish
- dash salt
- dash pepper
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Mix all sauce ingredients in a bowl, then place in the fridge to meld the flavors.
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Cook the frozen french fries according to the directions. Set aside.
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To caramelize the onions, place a medium or small skillet over medium heat. Add butter and melt. Add chopped onions and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, sautéing. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then cook 5 more minutes, sautéing while cooking. Once the onions are browned they are done. Set aside.
-
Preheat the oven to broil. Cover a medium baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Spread the cooked french fries in an even layer. Add 4 slices of American cheese over the top. Place into the oven and broil for 5 minutes, watching it closely. Once the cheese is melted they are done. *Broil time may vary based off your oven, so watch them carefully while they are cooking* Remove from oven.
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Spread cooked onions over the top evenly. Spread In-N-Out Sauce over the top. Eat immediately.
Natalie says
So addicting!! Luckily my kids don't care for all the toppings, which means more for me!! Saves me a trip to In-n-Out!
Johnathan says
You actually use yellow mustard to caramelize onions as well!
Jessica Burgess says
Um... how do I say "thank you" in a way that screams my "thanks"? Haha. My husband said these were the best fries he's ever had and I have to agree. By far our favorite and now I don't think we'll ever have regular fries again! THANK YOU!
Beth says
These look amazing and so tasty! My family and I are going to love this recipe! So excited to give this a try!
Alicia says
I have always loved animal style burgers and fries, but I live in the south and we don't have In-N-Out here! I am SO HAPPY that you shared this recipe because it is identical..or maybe even better than the restaurant! THANK YOU!
Vik says
These look and taste just like the original! Super easy to make too
Erin says
They sound amazing! I've never had these before but what's not to love about them?!
katerina says
WOW!! I can't wait to try these! My family is going to LOVE Them!!
Beti says
These are AMAZING! My kids are gonna be SO happy!!
Erin says
These Fries are mouth watering! My family definitely love these!
jae says
what fried brand/type did you use?
Allyson says
I used thin french fries from Kroger (kroger brand), but any brand works!
Kelly says
This were delicious and tasted exactly the same. Love it. Thank you.
Allyson says
So happy you enjoyed it!
Sandra says
This was a huge snack at my house yesterday! So fun!
Kevin says
These hit the spot! I cannot wait to make these!
Mia says
I live on the east coast and I know in-n-out is a west coast food chain, I just made this recipe and if in-n-out taste anything like this…it’s amazing
Allyson says
Mia...it is SOOOO good!!!! You aren't missing out since you have this recipe, seriously SO GOOD!
Sandi says
This is probably good, but I'm lazy and I use Thousand Island Dressing and its pretty much the same. But yes, I'm making these today with some burgers!
Sandi says
This is probably good, but I'm lazy and I use Thousand Island Dressing and its pretty much the same. But yes, I'm making these today with some burgers! My family says they are better than In & Outs Animal Fries!
Allyson says
You can definitely go that way with the thousand island and no one can get mad at a time-saver! These fries are so good! Happy y'all loved them!!
Ashleu says
In n out is not a national chain, it’s a regional chain.
Allyson says
Eh, they have locations in western USA as well as scattered throughout the country...including Texas. Looks like they are also expanding to Tennessee so...yeah. Thanks for your comment!
a says
who cares, so childish to leave this comment, and it's inaccurate too lol. did you even try the recipe?
AF says
I was CRAVING in and out fries. This is delicious thank you. Identical to their animal fries I’m obsessed!
Allyson says
So good right?!?! I love them too!!!
Celesta says
This is superb. I actually swap the fries for baked potato wedges, and my family doesn't even miss the fries. (And we're fries-people, so this means a lot!) Thanks for this recipe!
Allyson says
That is a great idea! I am going to try that next time!
Eva says
Ahhh, thank you so much!! It tastes exactly like from the restaurant. I made few mistakes the first time I made it. I wanted to upgrade to better cheese (I have never been big fan of American cheese lol), so I used sharp cheddar. I should have sliced it instead of shredding it. Also I was busy cooking other stuff so I did not watch the broiling time and left it in a smidge too long. So as a result, the cheese was melted too much and some fries were overdone. But still delish and I know for next time 🙂 Thank you again!!
Allyson says
You are SO welcome! Yes you have to keep your eye on that broiler - cooks FAST!
Sabrina B says
I ran out of relish. Are there any good alternatives?
Allyson says
No, not really...