In-N-Out Style Animal Fries Copycat Recipe for Home

Crispy potato wedges reach new heights with this irresistible in-n-out copycat animal style fries recipe that promises restaurant-quality flavor.

Restaurants throughout California have made these legendary fries famous for good reason.

West Coast burger lovers understand the magic behind this iconic side dish.

Every bite delivers a perfect combination of tangy, creamy, and savory elements.

Melted cheese creates a luxurious blanket over perfectly golden potatoes.

Caramelized onions add unexpected depth and complexity to each incredible serving.

Recreate this beloved classic in your own kitchen and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement.

Why In-N-Out Style Fries Are Worth Making at Home

• Master In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries
• Whips up in under 30 minutes, perfect for sudden hunger attacks or late-night cravings.
• Choose between air fryer, oven, or traditional frying methods to match your kitchen setup and preference.
• Recreates a popular restaurant favorite at home with affordable ingredients and minimal cooking skills required.
• Easily adaptable for different dietary needs and personal taste preferences, making it a hit for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients for Copycat Animal Style Fries

• Potatoes: Starchy base for crispy fries, russet variety works best for authentic texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps create golden, crispy exterior for fries.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for classic flavor profile.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base for signature animal style sauce.
• Ketchup: Adds tangy sweetness to sauce.
• Mustard: Provides sharp, zesty undertone to sauce.
• Pickles: Classic In-N-Out topping with sharp, briny flavor.
• White Onion: Raw, finely chopped for traditional animal style garnish.

• American Cheese Slices: Melts perfectly, creating signature gooey texture.
• Green Onions: Optional fresh garnish for added brightness.

How to Build In-N-Out Animal Style Fries at Home

Step 1: Prepare Potato Strips

Slice potatoes into thin, crispy strips. If using fresh potatoes, soak the strips in cold water to remove extra starch. For convenience, frozen french fries work perfectly too.

Step 2: Season Potato Strips

• Vegetable oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Cook Crispy Potato Strips

Choose your preferred cooking method:

Air Fryer Method: Cook at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, shaking basket midway to ensure even crispiness.

Oven Method: Bake at 425°F for 30 minutes, flipping strips halfway through cooking.

Deep Frying Method: Heat oil to 350°F and fry potato strips in small batches for 3-4 minutes, then drain excess oil on paper towels.

Step 4: Create Animal Style Topping

• Thousand island dressing
• Chopped pickles
• Caramelized onions

Step 5: Assemble Animal Style Fries

Drizzle warm potato strips with prepared animal style topping. Sprinkle with extra chopped onions and pickles if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Tips for Nailing Animal Style Sauce and Fries

• Starch Removal Secret: Soaking potato fries in cold water helps eliminate excess starch, ensuring crispier and more golden results.
• Oil Temperature Precision: Maintain consistent oil temperature when deep-frying to prevent soggy or burnt fries.
• Seasoning Hack: Toss fries with salt and pepper immediately after cooking for maximum flavor absorption.
• Crispiness Booster: Pat fries completely dry before cooking to achieve extra crunchiness in air fryer or oven.
• Batch Cooking Pro Tip: Avoid overcrowding when frying or baking to ensure each fry gets even heat and turns perfectly crisp.

How to Store and Reheat Animal Style Fries Without Sogginess

• Store leftover Animal Style Fries in an airtight container, keeping them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Crisp up fries at 375F for 3-4 minutes, restoring their original crunchiness and warmth.
• Spread fries on a baking sheet, warm at 425F for 5-7 minutes to maintain texture and heat evenly.
• Use as a last resort, heating in short 30-second bursts to prevent soggy results, but expect some texture loss.

What to Serve with Your Animal Style Fries

• Pair these crispy fries with a classic cheeseburger to recreate the full In-N-Out experience, letting the tangy animal-style sauce complement the burger's rich flavors.
• Choose a hoppy IPA or a crisp lager that cuts through the fries' richness, cleansing your palate with each refreshing sip and balancing the creamy sauce.
• Enjoy a classic vanilla milkshake alongside the fries, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that highlights the savory and sweet elements of the meal.
• Add a small side of pickled jalapeños or coleslaw to introduce a tangy, crunchy element that enhances the fries' creamy and savory profile.

Ways to Remix These Iconic Animal Style Fries

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace standard fries with sweet potato fries for a nutritious alternative that maintains the same crispy texture and Animal Style toppings.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute dairy cheese with plant-based cheese shreds and use vegan mayonnaise for the signature sauce, keeping the classic flavor profile intact.
• Low-Carb Version: Swap potato fries with zucchini or turnip fries, maintaining the same seasoning and cooking techniques while reducing carbohydrate content.
• Cauliflower Substitute

Copycat Animal Style Fries FAQs

• How do I get crispy fries in an air fryer?

Ensure potatoes are completely dry before cooking. Use enough oil to coat fries evenly. Shake the basket midway through cooking to promote even browning and crispy texture.

• Can I use different potato types for this recipe?

Russet potatoes work best due to their high starch content, which creates a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Avoid waxy potatoes like red or new potatoes.

• What's the best way to cut uniform fries?

Use a sharp knife or mandoline slicer to create even, thin fries around 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Consistent size ensures even cooking and uniform crispiness.

• Why soak potatoes in cold water before cooking?

Soaking removes excess starch, which helps fries become crispier and prevents them from sticking together during cooking. It also helps achieve a golden-brown exterior.

In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Craving California’s famous In-N-Out Animal Style Fries? This irresistible recipe brings west coast diner magic straight to your kitchen, blending crispy golden potatoes with tangy special sauce and melted cheese. Comfort meets culinary creativity in one mouthwatering plate you’ll want to devour.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fries and Potato:

• 2 large russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) black pepper

Caramelized Onions:

• 1 large onion (finely diced)
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) butter
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
• 1 teaspoon (4 grams) sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water (to deglaze the pan)

Sauce and Cheese:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) ketchup
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sweet pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) mustard
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon (2 grams) sugar (optional, for balance)
• 4 slices American cheese (or cheddar, for a sharper flavor)

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Instructions

1. Create uniform potato strips by carefully slicing into thin, even matchsticks, ensuring consistent thickness for optimal cooking.
2. Immerse freshly cut potatoes in ice-cold water for half an hour to eliminate residual starches, promoting crispier texture when cooked.
3. Thoroughly drain potato strips and meticulously pat dry using clean kitchen towels or paper towels to remove excess moisture.
4. Season potato strips with vegetable oil, sprinkling salt and pepper evenly across surface for balanced flavor distribution.
5. For air fryer preparation, arrange potato strips in single layer without overcrowding, cooking at high temperature and rotating basket midway through cooking process.
6. Alternative oven method involves spreading potato strips on baking sheet, rotating midpoint to ensure uniform golden-brown crispness.
7. Traditional deep-frying technique requires maintaining precise oil temperature, submerging potato strips in small batches to prevent temperature drop.
8. After cooking through selected method, transfer fries to absorbent paper towels to eliminate excess oil and preserve crispy exterior.
9. Allow fries to rest momentarily, ensuring optimal texture and temperature before serving with preferred condiments or signature animal style toppings.

Notes

• Enhance starch removal by adding a splash of vinegar to the cold water when soaking potatoes, helping achieve crispier fries.
• Customize texture by cutting fries slightly thicker for a more substantial bite or thinner for extra crunchiness.
• Reduce oil absorption by thoroughly drying potato strips before cooking, ensuring a lighter, less greasy final result.
• Accommodate dietary needs by using sweet potatoes or russet potatoes for varied nutritional profiles and flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg