In-N-Out Animal Style Fries (Copycat Recipe)

These In-N-Out animal style fries are loaded, cheesy, and messy in the best way, just like the iconic drive-thru version. Hot, crispy fries are smothered in melty American cheese, a pile of sweet caramelized onions, and a generous drizzle of In-N-Out sauce. Basically, the iconic Double Double Animal Style In-N-Out Burger, but in loaded fries form. They hit every nostalgic note of the real In-N-Out animal fries, but you can make them right at home with simple ingredients. 

Why You'll Love These Animal-Style Fries

After I made my Louisiana Voodoo Fries and they became a reader favorite, I knew I had to tackle another fast-food legend. It only seemed fitting to recreate the famous In-N-Out animal fries. I wanted a version that looked and tasted like the real thing, but with a few small upgrades for home cooking. I tested different onion cooking times, fry methods, and sauce ratios until the cheese melted just right, the onions turned deeply golden and sweet, and the spread had that unmistakable In-N-Out tang. The result checks every box.

The fries stay crisp under the toppings, the onions cook down into buttery, jammy goodness, and the sauce ties everything together with a creamy, slightly sweet, pickle-y flavor that tastes exactly like animal style. It's comfort food at its finest. Salty, tangy, rich, and a little over the top in all the right ways. These animal style fries are perfect as a side with burgers, as a game-day snack, or as a full-on “treat yourself” meal when you're craving something indulgent and nostalgic.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Fries:

• 32 oz frozen French fries
• 4 slices American cheese

For the Onions:

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 Tbsp butter
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp black pepper

For the In-N-Out Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise (regular or reduced-fat)
• 3 Tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 2½ Tbsp sweet pickle relish
• Dash salt
• Dash black pepper

How To Make In-N-Out Animal Style Fries

Step 1: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, sweet pickle relish, salt, and pepper until smooth. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the rest. This rest time helps the flavors meld.

Step 2: Cook the Fries

Prepare the frozen French fries according to the package directions until hot and crispy. Set aside.

Step 3: Caramelize the Onions

Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt, then add the chopped onions. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, then continue cooking another 5 minutes until the onions are soft, sweet, and lightly browned. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Melt the Cheese

Set your oven to broil. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Spread the cooked fries in an even layer, then place the American cheese slices on top. Broil for about 5 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Step 5: Assemble & Serve

Spoon the caramelized onions evenly over the cheesy fries, then drizzle generously with the prepared sauce. Serve immediately while hot and gooey.

Expert Tips For The Best In-N-Out Animal Style Fries

• Pick the right fries and cook them extra crispy. Animal style fries are loaded and saucy, so you need fries that can stand up to everything on top. Crinkle-cut or thicker straight-cut frozen fries work best because they have more surface area to grab the cheese and sauce. Whatever brand you use, cook them until they are very crispy and golden—go toward the longer end of the package time or even add a couple of extra minutes. If the fries are too soft to start, they will turn soggy fast under the toppings.
• Caramelize the onions low and slow. The onions are a key piece of real In-N-Out flavor, so do not rush them. Use medium to medium-low heat, and cook them with butter until they turn deep golden brown and very soft, stirring occasionally. If they start to brown too quickly or look dry, lower the heat and add a teaspoon of water to deglaze the pan. Properly caramelized onions should taste sweet and jammy, not sharp or burnt.
• Make the “spread” ahead so the flavors mix. The sauce tastes best when it has had time to sit. Mix the mayo, ketchup, relish, vinegar, and seasonings until smooth, then cover and refrigerate it while you cook the fries and onions. Even 15–20 minutes in the fridge helps the flavors meld and gives you a closer copycat to the real In-N-Out spread.
• Melt the cheese under the broiler, not on the stovetop. Once the fries are cooked, spread them on a lined baking sheet and cover them with slices of American cheese. Broil for a few minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. This method melts the cheese evenly over a big surface area and gives you those gooey, stretchy pockets of cheese in every bite. Watch closely—broilers vary and the cheese can go from melted to browned quickly.
• Use real American cheese for the authentic texture. For true In-N-Out animal style fries, American cheese is the move. It melts smooth and creamy, without separating, and gives that classic fast-food cheese flavor. You can substitute with cheddar or a melty cheese blend if you prefer, but the texture and flavor will be slightly different. If you swap, choose a cheese that melts well, and avoid cheeses that separate or become oily under high heat.
• Assemble right before serving.
  Timing matters. Animal style fries are at their best the moment they are finished. Have your sauce, caramelized onions, and cheese ready to go before you broil the fries. Once the cheese is melted, add the onions and sauce immediately and serve hot. The longer they sit, the softer the fries will become under the toppings.
• Serve on a wide platter for easier sharing. Instead of building the fries in a deep bowl, use a wide platter or sheet pan so you can spread everything out. This way, more fries get cheese and toppings, and people are less likely to dig through and pull everything off the top. It also looks more like the classic animal style fry presentation.
• Customize the sauce if you like. If you prefer a tangier sauce, add a little extra vinegar or pickle juice. For a sweeter spread, add a small pinch of sugar or extra relish. You can also add a tiny pinch of smoked paprika or garlic powder to lean into your own “house” version while still keeping the basic In-N-Out profile.

In-N-Out Animal Style Fries FAQs

Can I bake or air fry the fries instead of deep frying them?

Yes, baking or air frying works really well for animal style fries and keeps things simpler in the kitchen. For baked fries, cook them on a sheet pan at the highest recommended temperature on the package until they are deep golden and very crisp, flipping once if needed. For air fried fries, cook in a single layer at about 400°F, shaking the basket occasionally, until crisp. The key is to get them as crispy as possible before adding cheese and toppings.

Do I have to use frozen fries, or can I use homemade?

You can use either. Frozen fries are convenient and give consistent results, but fresh hand-cut fries work too if you are comfortable making them. If you make fries from scratch, double-fry or air fry them until they are extra crisp. Whatever fries you use, just make sure they are cooked to a deep golden color and feel crunchy before you add the cheese, onions, and sauce.

What kind of onions should I use for animal style fries?

Yellow onions are the best choice because they caramelize well and have a natural sweetness once cooked down. You can use white onions if that is what you have, but they can be a bit sharper. Avoid red onions for this recipe, as they tend to hold more bite and do not caramelize as smoothly.

Can I use a different cheese instead of American cheese?

Yes, you can substitute other melty cheeses like cheddar, Colby Jack, or a mild cheese blend. Just keep in mind that American cheese gives you the closest copycat In-N-Out texture and flavor. If you use cheddar or another cheese, it may be a bit sharper and might not melt quite as uniformly.

Can I make animal style fries ahead of time?

Because of all the toppings, animal style fries are best eaten right after they are assembled. You can, however, make parts of the recipe ahead. The sauce can be made and refrigerated for several days, and the caramelized onions can be cooked ahead and reheated in a skillet. Cook and crisp the fries and melt the cheese right before serving, then top with the warmed onions and sauce.

How do I reheat leftover animal style fries?

Leftovers will never be quite as crisp as fresh, but you can reheat them in the oven or air fryer. Scrape off most of the sauce, spread the fries and cheese on a parchment-lined tray, and heat at about 375°F until warmed and as crisp as possible. Add fresh sauce on top before serving. The microwave will warm them but will make the fries soft, so the oven or air fryer gives better texture.

What is the “spread” made of?

The In-N-Out style spread is similar to a Thousand Island or special burger sauce. It is usually made with a base of mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, and a few seasonings. In this recipe, you whisk those ingredients together until smooth and let the sauce chill, which helps the flavors meld and gives you that classic animal style taste.

Can I make this recipe without a broiler?

If you do not have a broiler, you can melt the cheese by placing the cooked fries and cheese in a hot oven (around 400°F) for a few minutes until the cheese melts. Watch carefully so the fries do not overbrown. You can also melt the cheese in a skillet by topping hot fries with cheese, covering the pan briefly until the cheese melts, and then transferring to a serving dish before adding onions and sauce.

My Final Thoughts

These loaded In-N-Out animal style fries are indulgent, nostalgic, and unbelievably satisfying. With crispy fries, melty cheese, sweet onions, and that iconic sauce, they deliver the full fast-food experience right from your kitchen. Make them once, and you’ll understand why they’re legendary. After you make them, leave me a comment and review below so I can hear how they turned out for you.

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• Wingstop fries
• Flying Dutchman burger
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• Wingstop garlic parm wings