In-N-Out Animal-Style Fries: the best-ever copycat recipe for loaded fries

If you've never had In-N-Out animal-style fries, you've been missing out. Made from perfectly crunchy golden French fries topped with melted cheese, deeply caramelized onions, and a tangy, savory sauce, animal-style fries are out-of-this-world good.

In-N-Out is a West Coast phenomenon, but a few lucky locations around the country have local outposts of the popular fast food chain. "Animal style" was a secret item on the menu, but they're so delicious the secret is out!

In-N-Out animal-style fries are an amazing side dish to serve with homemade burgers, hot dogs, or any main dish you'd normally enjoy with a side of fries. Once you try animal-style fries, you'll make them again and again.

Tips for Making Copycat In-N-Out Animal-Style Fries

You can make the French fries from scratch, but using store-bought frozen fries is the best option for convenience.

When melting the cheese over the fries, be sure to keep an eye on the cheese. You don't want it to burn. Once it's melted, take the tray out of the oven.

Use regular or low-fat mayonnaise to make the sauce.

For a bit of kick, use spicy mustard instead of yellow mustard.

Cheddar, Swiss, provolone, Monterey Jack, and Emmentaler are delicious alternate cheeses to use as a topping for your animal-style fries.

How to Store In-N-Out Animal-Style Fries

For the best flavor and texture, enjoy your animal-style fries immediately after cooking. You can refrigerate the cooked onions for up to 3 days and the In-N-Out sauce for up to 2 days. Heat the onions before assembling the animal-style fries.

How to Make In-N-Out Animal-Style Fries

In a medium bowl, add the mayo, mustard, vinegar, relish, salt, and pepper.

Add ketchup.

Combine and put the sauce in the fridge.

Cook the frozen fries according to the instructions on the bag.

Once cooked and drained, set aside.

While the fries are cooking, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Stir in the onions and season with salt and pepper.

Sauté for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove the pan from the heat.

Set your oven to broil. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place the fries on the tray in an even layer and top them with the cheese.

Broil for 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Top with sauce.

Garnish with onions.

Serve immediately.