Is there anything that kimchi doesn’t make better? No, I don’t think so. And these Kimchi Fries with cheese and loaded with spicy mayo, avocado, and cilantro are especially delicious. Bake on a sheet pan and serve this crowd-pleaser and tasty dish at game nights and every party!

What are Kimchi Fries?

Kimchi Fries are regular french fries topped with kimchi and cheese. The combination is cheesy, spicy, and so delicious. An easy way to jazz up regular fries!

While everyone loves golden, crispy fries, they are even more delicious when topped with spicy kimchi. It adds a lot of flavor and so much spicy, savory umami flavor.

Tip: If the kimchi is old, make sure to cook down until caramelized. The cooking process removes the raw flavor of kimchi and intensifies the flavor so it’s mellow, deep, and rich. If the kimchi is perfectly fermented, chop up and serve as is.

Similar to Furikake French Fries, Cheesy Kimchi Fries are good as a snack, side dish, or party food. I like to serve this easy recipe on game days, movie nights, or for a snacky dinner.

More special than regular cheesy fries, the combination of kimchi and melted cheese make these so delicious. To make loaded kimchi fries, add avocado, cilantro, and spicy mayo.

Ingredients:

Frozen French Fries. For ease and convenience, use frozen french fries. Choose crinkle, straight-cut, shoestring, or waffle fries — whatever you like best. Or, if you like, make homemade fries but it will take an additional 40-50 minutes longer.
Kimchi. For that spicy, acidic bite! If using old kimchi, cook down until caramelized and mellow so it’s not too acidic. If using fresh kimchi, chop and add just as it is! Look for kimchi at your Korean grocers.
Cheddar Cheese + Mozzarella Cheese. The best combo for nachos and loaded fries! Cheddar for the flavor and mozzarella for the cheesy stretch. Use shredded cheese for the best melted, gooey finish.
Spicy Mayo. The finishing touch that’s creamy, spicy, and very flavorful. I used Wafu spicy mayo, but you can use Sriracha Mayo.
Avocado. Creamy avocado chunks add so much flavor and richness.
Cilantro or Green Onions. Sprinkle all over for a fresh, herby element. If you don’t like cilantro, swap with green onions.

Additional toppings:

chopped jalapeno
dollops of sour cream
cooked, crumbled sausage
pico de gallo

How to make Kimchi Cheese Fries:

Bake. Preheat the oven to 425F/218C. *A preheated oven will ensure crispy french fries.* Place frozen french fries in a single layer on a sheet pan. Bake until hot, crispy, and golden brown. Or, follow package directions.
- Note: Frozen french fries can also be cooked in an air fryer or deep fryer.
Prep kimchi. Cook OLD kimchi in a large skillet with a little oil until caramelized and golden orange over medium heat. OR chop up NEW kimchi into bite-sized pieces.
Add cheese. Smother fries with cheese. Then scatter cooked kimchi on top of the cheese. Bake until cheese and kimchi melts together.
Garnish and serve. Add spicy mayo, cilantro, and avocado all over the top. Serve immediately. Enjoy!!

caramelized kimchi in pan — Cook OLD kimchi until caramelized.

french fries on sheet pan with cheese and kimchi — Cook OLD kimchi until caramelized.

PRO Tips:

Don’t crowd the sheet pan. To ensure crispy and crunchy fries, make sure the fries are in one layer, evenly spaced. Don’t crowd them or they will steam! Use multiple sheet pans if necessary.
Multiply for a larger crowd. This dish is easy to multiply. Simply double the ingredients.
Salt the french fries. When they are done baking, sprinkle the fries with salt and toss with a spatula. An easy tip that keeps frozen french fries extra tasty.
Melt cheese gently. After baking the fries, turn off the heat and sprinkle the cheese. Slide the sheet pan back into the oven, where the cheese should melt in the residual heat. Otherwise, the cheese will harden and lose its stretchy, melty appeal.

Helpful Kitchen Tools:

Sheet pan. A large baking sheet with rimmed edges, also called a sheet pan, is the perfect tool for baking the fries extra crispy. Line with parchment paper, if you like.

What kind of kimchi should I use?

For OLD kimchi, cook it down until caramelized and golden orange. The flavors will deepen and intensify, while also mellowing and removing that overly acidic flavor.

For NEW kimchi, there’s no need to cook it down. Simply chop and sprinkle all over. That fresh, crunchy bite will be so tasty, just as it is!

*FYI: Old kimchi is dark, juicy, and soft. When you take a bite, it will fizz in your mouth.

More recipes with kimchi:

Easy Kimchi Fries with Cheese

The Subversive Table | Lis Lam

Is there anything that kimchi doesn't make better? No, I don't think so. And these easy Kimchi Fries with cheese and loaded with spicy mayo, avocado, and cilantro are especially delicious and easy to make at home. Make on a sheet pan and serve this crowd-pleaser at game nights and every party!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 30

Course Appetizer, Booze Food, Snack

Cuisine Fusion Food

Servings as a side

Calories 523 kcal

Equipment

13 x 18" sheet pan
Non-stick Skillet

Ingredients

1 lb package frozen french fries
1 cup kimchi (preferably old) (cut into bite sized pieces with scissors)
3 cups mozzarella + cheddar cheese (grated)
1-2 Tbsp spicy mayo (I used Wafu but you can sub with drizzles of kewpie mayo + sriracha)
1 avocado (diced)
cilantro or green onion (chopped)

Instructions

Spread frozen french fries on a sheet pan in one layer. Bake frozen french fries according to package directions until they are crispy and heated through, about 20-25 minutes.
For OLD KIMCHI: heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add 1 tsp of neutral cooking oil (I use grapeseed oil). When the oil is heated, add the kimchi and all the juices. Cook until the kimchi is cooked down and caramelized, about 5-6 minutes. Lower heat, if necessary. The kimchi should be golden orange in color and soft. There should be very little liquid in the bottom of the pan.
For NEW KIMCHI: Chop up kimchi and set aside.
Remove french fries from the oven and turn off the heat. Season fries with salt, making sure to toss evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle cheese all over. Scatter the cooked kimchi on top. Return to the oven and let the cheese melt slowly in the residula heat, about 4 minutes.
Remove from the oven. Drizzle with spicy mayo (or Kewpie mayo and sriracha). Scatter cilantro and diced avocado. Eat immediately!

Notes

* This dish is easy to multiply. Simply double the ingredients. To ensure maximum crispiness in the fries, make sure the fries are in one layer, evenly spaced. Use multiple sheet pans if necessary.

**If OLD kimchi is unavailable, use new fresh kimchi. However, it will taste better without cooking it down. Simply chop into bite-sized pieces and add to fries, as per usual.

Nutrition

Serving: 0gCalories: 523kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 31gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 1354mgPotassium: 865mgFiber: 10gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 510IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 840mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Kimchi Cheese Fries

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