Baked Chipotle Queso Sweet Potato Fries
Sometimes you just need a deliciously trashy appetizer.
Not a sexy little crostini, or a chic assortment of charcuterie and cheese. Something fun, gently ridiculous, and completely BAD in that wonderfully bad/good sort of way that only food — and booze! — can deliver. So the next time you’re hosting a Netflix and chill, some game-day viewing, or a pity-party for one (it happens), this is what you need to make.
Six ingredients, 30 minutes, amazing.
In my day-to-day life I vaguely follow an 80/20 diet, which is basically 80% good stuff, 20% indulgences. When I’m on my best behavior my typical 80% revolves around seasonal fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and a limited amount of processed carbs and dairy. But when it’s time for that 20% to rear it’s head, IT’S TIME. Pasta, wine, chocolate, cheese? Yes, yes, YAAASS. I love a good splurge, so when the weekend comes around I’m ALL about naughty eats, like sweet potato fries smothered in queso.
I worked with my friends at ”UncommonGoods to put together this recipe, and if you’re not familiar with them yet, get in the know! Founded in Brooklyn, they support talented artists and designers by giving them a platform to sell their creative goods, the majority of which are handmade in the United States. It’s a feel-good site with lots of awesome, cool finds — click here for more inspo! — and it’s how I stumbled upon this Stoneware Nacho Plate, which I’ve quickly become obsessed with.
As the name explains it’s perfect for nacho-lovers — which, I believe, is everyone — but this hand-made plate can be used to make any number of hot, bubbly appetizers, so it’s the perfect item to get creative with. Lean more about it here, and support local artisans!
Local is always best.
When testing out this recipe I tried it out a few ways, and I actually found that using frozen fries (as opposed to making your own) worked SO much better. Self-made sweet potato fries are a MESS — cutting them takes forever, baking them takes forever, blah — so if you’re going to slack on your diet, you might as well take a shortcut and use frozen fries.
It won’t kill ya every now and then to be lazy, I promise.
To make this you simply bake up the fries extra crisp, layer them into your stoneware plate with fire roasted tomatoes, black beans, shredded cheddar, and queso, then bake!! It’s sloppy, and cheesy, and oozing with cheese, plus there’s some cheese.
Also, cheese.
The queso comes together on the stove in a matter of minutes — half & half + cheddar + puréed chipotle peppers, that’s it! — and if you eat a few spoonfuls of it right from the stove?
I mean… how could you not?! xo
Baked Chipotle Queso Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
- 15oz Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
- a pinch of Sea Salt
- 1 cup Half & Half
- 2 1/2 cups Shredded White Cheddar Cheese
- 2 1/2 tbsps Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, puréed
- 12oz Fire Roasted Tomatoes, drained
- 12oz Black Beans, drained
- Cilantro to garnish
Directions:
- Bake sweet potato fries as directed, making sure they come out extra crisp. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt once finished baking.
- Meanwhile, prepare the cheese sauce. In a small saucepan heat the half & half over a medium-low flame until warm, then slowly whisk in 2 cups of the shredded cheddar until well combined and a smooth, thick texture takes shape. Lastly whisk in the puréed chipotle peppers, again until well mixed. Keep sauce heated over a low flame, whisking occasionally to prevent seizing.
- Pre-heat oven to 400F.
- Using the Stoneware Nacho Plate, build your dish with layers of fire roasted tomatoes, black beans, the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, the baked fries, and heavy drizzles of queso — Repeat until all ingredients have been used. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the plate is bubbling, then immediately plate and serve, garnishing with cilantro if desired and using any leftover queso sauce for dipping.
Yes. Yes to every single thing about this recipe. LOVE the idea of a loaded sweet potato fry to shake things up! This one’s gonna be perfect for Football frenzies!