Mexican-Style Loaded Nacho Fries
Rich Beef and Ranch Sauce

Crispy air-fried potato strips piled high with a savory minced beef sauce, melted cheese, and a creamy homemade dill ranch dressing.

Ingredients

• 4 thin-skinned potatoes
• 300 g minced beef
• 1 onion
• 2-3 slices cheese
• 1 small bottle low-fat milk
• 3 tbsp plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/3 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 bunch fresh dill
• as needed olive oil
• to taste sea salt
• to taste black pepper
• optional sriracha sauce

Instructions

1. 1Cut the Potatoes

   

   Take a few thin-skinned potatoes without peeling them and carefully cut them into uniform strips on a cutting board using a sharp knife.

   Tip: Try to keep the strips as uniform in size as possible so they cook evenly in the air fryer.
2. 2Rinse Off Starch

   

   Place the freshly cut potato strips into a large metal mixing bowl and rinse them thoroughly with clean water to wash away excess surface starch.

   Tip: Rinsing off the starch is key to getting crispy fries instead of soggy ones.
3. 3Dry the Potato Strips

   

   Transfer the washed potato strips and use clean paper towels to thoroughly wipe and pat away all excess moisture from their surfaces.

   Tip: Removing surface moisture helps the oil and seasonings adhere better and promotes a crispier texture.
4. 4Season the Fries

   

   Place the dried potato strips back into a metal bowl and coat them evenly with appropriate amounts of olive oil, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

   Tip: Toss the fries well to ensure every piece is lightly coated with oil and seasonings.
5. 5Load the Air Fryer

   

   Transfer the seasoned potato strips into the basket of a mint-green air fryer, spreading them out for even cooking.

   Tip: Set the air fryer to 200 degrees for 20 minutes, and remember to shake the basket midway through.
6. 6Sauté the Onions

   

   Pour olive oil into a black frying pan, add diced onions, and stir-fry them over heat until translucent and fragrant.

   Tip: Sautéing the onions forms a sweet and aromatic flavor base for the beef sauce.
7. 7Add minced beef

   

   Add the prepared minced beef into the pan with the sautéed onions. You can also substitute other meats like chicken chunks or minced pork according to your preference.

   Tip: Break up the minced beef gently with a spatula so it browns evenly with the onions.
8. 8Season the beef and onion mixture

   

   Add salt, black pepper, cumin powder, garlic powder, and chili powder directly into the pan containing the stir-fried minced beef and diced onions.

   Tip: Mix the spices thoroughly with the meat to ensure even seasoning throughout the sauce.
9. 9Pour in milk

   

   Pour a small bottle of low-fat milk into the pan containing the seasoned minced beef. Remember to taste for saltiness beforehand.

   Tip: Pour the milk in slowly while stirring to help create a smooth, cohesive sauce base.
10. 10Add cheese slices

    

    Place 2 to 3 slices of cheese into the simmering meat sauce in the pan. Continue to simmer until the cheese melts and the sauce reaches the desired consistency.

    Tip: Let the cheese melt naturally into the sauce on medium-low heat to avoid scorching.
11. 11Prepare ranch sauce base

    

    Put an appropriate amount of plain yogurt into a clean small bowl to serve as the creamy base for the homemade ranch sauce.

    Tip: Use a smooth, plain yogurt without excessive sourness for a balanced ranch flavor.
12. 12Mix ranch sauce ingredients

    

    Add lime juice, sea salt, black pepper, mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, garlic powder, and a small spoon of honey into the bowl with the yogurt, then mix well.

    Tip: Be careful not to add too much honey; if it gets too sweet, mix in some extra yogurt to balance it out.

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions