Philly Steak Cheese Fries

 

🧀 Philly Steak Cheese Fries: The Ultimate Loaded Fries Experience

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Introduction

Philly Steak Cheese Fries are a decadent fusion of two all-time favorites: Philly cheesesteak and loaded fries. Imagine golden, crispy French fries piled high with juicy, thinly sliced steak, sautéed onions and bell peppers, and smothered in melted provolone or cheese sauce. This dish brings together the heartiness of a Philly cheesesteak sandwich with the crispy, salty goodness of fries — a perfect appetizer, snack, or meal for sharing (or not!).

This guide will take you through every step of creating these fries from scratch, including making fries, cooking steak, preparing toppings, assembling, and serving. Whether you’re hosting a game day party or craving a flavorful meal, these Philly Steak Cheese Fries deliver on all fronts.

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Ingredients Breakdown

For the Fries

• 4 large russet potatoes (about 2 lbs), washed and cut into fries

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil with a high smoke point)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for smoky flavor)

For the Philly Steak Topping

• 1 lb ribeye or sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced

• 1 large green bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for added umami)

Cheese

• 8 oz provolone cheese slices or

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese or

• Cheese sauce (see below for homemade cheese sauce recipe)

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Optional Garnishes and Extras

• Chopped green onions or chives

• Sliced jalapeños or pickled peppers for heat

• Diced tomatoes

• Sour cream or ranch dressing

• Hot sauce

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Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowls

• Baking sheets or air fryer (for fries)

• Skillet or frying pan (for steak and veggies)

• Chef’s knife and cutting board

• Oven or air fryer

• Aluminum foil or parchment paper (optional)

• Cheese grater (if shredding cheese)

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Fries

Oven-Baked Method (Crispy Fries)

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Cut potatoes into ¼ to ½ inch thick fries. Try to keep sizes uniform for even cooking.

3. Soak the fries in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch (this helps make them crispier). Drain and pat dry thoroughly with a clean towel.

4. In a large bowl, toss the fries with vegetable oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.

5. Arrange fries in a single layer on a parchment-lined or lightly greased baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding.

6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until fries are golden and crispy.

7. For extra crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end but watch closely to avoid burning.

Alternative: Air Fryer Method

• Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

• Toss fries with oil and seasonings.

• Air fry in batches for 15-20 minutes, shaking basket every 5 minutes, until crisp.

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Step 2: Prepare the Steak and Vegetables

1. While fries bake, thinly slice the steak against the grain to keep it tender.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Add sliced onions and bell peppers, sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute more. Remove vegetables from skillet and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, add the steak slices in a single layer (do this in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding). Season with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.

5. Cook steak slices for 2-3 minutes per side until browned but still juicy. Return the sautéed vegetables to the pan, toss together and heat through.

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Step 3: Cheese Preparation

• If using provolone slices, layer them on top of the steak and vegetable mixture in the pan. Cover skillet with a lid or foil for a couple of minutes to melt cheese.

• For shredded cheese, sprinkle over the fries after arranging steak and veggies on top, then place under broiler for 2-3 minutes until melted and bubbly.

• To make cheese sauce, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan, whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook for 1 minute, then slowly whisk in 1 cup milk, cook until thickened, then stir in 1 cup shredded cheese until melted. Pour cheese sauce over fries after adding steak and veggies.

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Step 4: Assemble the Philly Steak Cheese Fries

1. Spread the crispy fries on a large serving platter or individual plates.

2. Spoon the hot steak, pepper, and onion mixture evenly over the fries.

3. Add melted cheese or drizzle cheese sauce generously over the top.

4. Garnish with chopped green onions, sliced jalapeños, or any optional toppings you prefer.

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Step 5: Serve Immediately

Serve your Philly Steak Cheese Fries hot and fresh for the best experience. Pair with sour cream, ranch, or hot sauce for extra flavor.

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Tips and Tricks for Perfection

• Choosing Steak: Ribeye is ideal for flavor and tenderness, but sirloin or flank steak work well and are more budget-friendly.

• Thin slicing: Freeze steak for 15-20 minutes before slicing to make thin slicing easier.

• Make fries crispier: Soaking and drying potatoes removes starch; baking at high heat crisps edges.

• Don’t overcrowd pan: Cook steak in batches to brown properly rather than steam.

• Cheese melting: Cover skillet or use broiler for even, bubbly cheese.

• Customize heat: Add jalapeños, hot sauce, or crushed red pepper flakes for spice lovers.

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Variations to Try

• Buffalo Philly Fries: Toss steak and veggies in buffalo sauce before adding cheese, and serve with blue cheese dressing.

• BBQ Philly Fries: Use BBQ sauce instead of Worcestershire and add crispy fried onions on top.

• Mushroom Philly Fries: Add sautéed mushrooms to the veggie mix for earthiness.

• Vegan Version: Use plant-based steak alternatives, vegan cheese, and baked fries for a meat-free twist.

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Serving Suggestions

• Serve as a hearty appetizer at parties or game day.

• Enjoy as a meal with a side salad to balance richness.

• Pair with cold beer or iced tea for a perfect combo.

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Storage and Reheating

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 2 days.

• Reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness; microwave may make fries soggy.

• Reheat cheese and steak separately if possible, then combine before serving.

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Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 650-800 kcal

• Protein: 40g

• Fat: 40g

• Carbohydrates: 50g

• Fiber: 4g

• Sodium: Variable, depending on seasoning and cheese

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Background and Fun Facts

Philly cheesesteak originated in Philadelphia in the 1930s and quickly became an iconic sandwich, beloved for its savory steak, melted cheese, and soft hoagie roll. Philly Steak Cheese Fries take inspiration from this classic but deliver it in a fun, shareable format, perfect for casual dining.

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Troubleshooting Common Problems

Problem	Cause	Solution
Fries soggy	Not dried well or overcrowded	Dry potatoes thoroughly; bake in single layer
Steak chewy	Not sliced thin or overcooked	Freeze before slicing; cook just until browned
Cheese not melting	Not enough heat or time	Cover pan or use broiler for melting
Fries not crispy	Low oven temp or no soak	Bake hotter; soak and dry potatoes