Copycat In-N-Out Animal Style Fries
If you’ve had In-N-Out’s Animal Style Fries, you know they’re basically french fries turned into a full meal. The combo of melted cheese, grilled onions, and that special sauce hits differently than regular cheese fries.
I started making these at home because the nearest In-N-Out is two states away, and honestly, they’re perfect for those nights when you want something a bit trashy but delicious.
The key is getting the onions really caramelized and making sure your fries stay crispy under all those toppings. These work great for late-night cravings or when you’re feeding a crowd watching sports. Just don’t plan on being too productive afterward – they’re definitely nap-inducing.
What you need for Copycat In-N-Out Animal Style Fries
Ingredients:
– 1 large bag frozen french fries
– 1 yellow onion, diced
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 6 slices American cheese
– 1 cup mayonnaise
– 1/3 cup ketchup
– 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
– 1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
– 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
– Salt and pepper to taste
Hey there! Let me walk you through making these indulgent Animal Style Fries, just like at In-N-Out. I’ve made these countless times, and I’ll share all the little details that make them perfect.
1. First, let’s make that famous sauce. Mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish in a bowl. Add the white vinegar and sugar – these give it that special tang. Give it a good stir until it’s completely smooth and peachy-pink in color. Pop it in the fridge while we work on everything else – this lets the flavors meld together nicely.
2. For the caramelized onions (trust me, these make all the difference), heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add your diced onions and a pinch of salt. Here’s the key: cook them low and slow, stirring every few minutes. They’ll take about 20-25 minutes to get that gorgeous golden-brown color. You’ll know they’re done when they’re super soft and have a rich caramel color.
3. While the onions are doing their thing, bake your frozen fries. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet – don’t crowd them, or they won’t get crispy! Follow the package instructions, but here’s a pro tip: add an extra 2-3 minutes to get them extra crispy, since they’ll be getting topped with sauce. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside.
4. Now comes the fun part. Transfer the hot fries to an oven-safe dish or leave them on the baking sheet. Layer the American cheese slices over the hot fries – tear them up to get good coverage. Pop them back in the oven for about 1 minute, just until the cheese gets melty and starts to droop but isn’t completely liquid.
5. Time to assemble! Take your cheesy fries out and work quickly while everything’s hot. Spoon those beautiful caramelized onions all over the top. Then drizzle generously with your sauce – I usually use about half the sauce, saving the rest for dipping. Add a few grinds of black pepper over the top.
Serve immediately while everything’s hot and the cheese is still gooey. The fries should be crispy enough to hold up to the toppings for a few minutes, but these are definitely meant to be eaten right away!
RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
• Use russet/steak cut frozen fries – they hold up better under toppings
• Pat pickle relish dry before mixing into sauce to prevent watery sauce
• Don’t rush the onions – they’re worth the wait
• Make extra sauce – it keeps for a week and works great on burgers
• Yellow American cheese works better than white – melts smoother
• Line your baking sheet with parchment for easier cleanup
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
• Perfect with an ice-cold cola or root beer
• Serve with extra napkins – these get messy!
• Great alongside a simple burger
• Add chopped pickled jalapeños for heat
• Set up a DIY topping bar for parties
OCCASION ADAPTATIONS
• Game Day: Make in disposable foil pans, keep warm in low oven
• Movie Night: Divide into individual portions before adding toppings
• Potluck: Transport components separately, assemble on site
• Party Size: Double recipe, use 2 sheet pans to avoid overcrowding
STORAGE & LEFTOVERS
• Best eaten fresh – fries get soggy quickly once sauced
• Store sauce separately up to 7 days
• Caramelized onions keep 4-5 days refrigerated
• Not recommended for freezing
• To reheat leftovers: crisp fries in air fryer, then add fresh toppings
