Animal-Style Fries: Copycat In-N-Out Recipe | Greedy Gourmet

Question 1

What are Animal-Style Fries?

Accepted Answer

Animal French fries are the famous fries from the In-N-Out Burger American fast food restaurant. They’re a mouth watering combination of golden brown French fries, American cheese and onions.

The mixture of the crispy French fries, the melted cheese and the sweet caramelized onions is out of this world! It’s no wonder these are such a cult favorite.

The final sauce on top is the magic secret sauce. Check out my very own homemade recipe – see the opening paragraph of this blog. That’s right… I’ve cracked their secret sauce!

Best of all, it takes literally a minute to make this sauce and it’s so easy to put together – in fact, you’ve most probably got all the ingredients in your kitchen.

Question 2

Why do they call them “Animal-Style” Fries?

Accepted Answer

The original premise of In-N-Out Burger was all about beautiful simplicity. The fast food joint’s menu covered the basics and still does to this day.

In-N-Out flexes with the best of them though. Their not-so-secret “secret menu” allows customers to go rogue and mix things up.

The most popular secret style on this alternative menu is “Animal-Style,” which upgrades standard French fries and burgers to a different level.

The legend has it that the term goes all the way back to the original In-N-Out restaurant in Baldwin Park, California. Sometime in the early 1960s, a group of kids would hang out in the car park, always ordering their fries smothered in melted American cheese and grilled onions.

The In-N-Out staff knew them as a rowdy bunch, a little wild and carefree. Rather than remembering their order every time, one of the head employees at the time told them to ask for it “Animal-Style.”

Question 3

What are the best fries to use for Animal-Style fries?

Accepted Answer

Frozen French fries work just fine. The key to this recipe really is the sauce and the toppings, so easy to cook no-fuss frozen French fries are ideal.

You can, of course, make homemade French fries, if you have the time.

Question 4

What’s the best way to cook Animal-Style fries?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways to cook your French fries for this recipe. My tip? Go with an air fryer.

Air fryer Animal Fries

Animal Fries cooked in an air fryer will be perfectly golden brown, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Deep fried Animal Fries

While not quite as light and crispy as air fried Animal fries, deep fried French fries will still end up golden brown, crispy and delicious.

Oven cooked Animal Fries

Oven cooked fries are a whole lot healthier than the fried kind. Still, what you gain health-wise you lose in taste and texture.

Question 5

Can you get Animal-Style Fries without onions?

Accepted Answer

Well, technically it’s the addition of onions and cheese that make these French fries “Animal-Style.”

That said, it’s your kitchen and your rules, so you can do whatever you want! You won’t get any In-N-Out employees rapping on your door to give you the third degree. So, if you aren’t a fan of caramelized onions, leave them out.

Question 6

Can you get Animal-Style Fries without cheese?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Again, it’s not strictly “Animal-Style” without onions and cheese. If you want to leave out the cheese, go ahead!

Question 7

Are Animal-Style Fries vegan?

Accepted Answer

No, they are not vegan. However, Animal fries without cheese and without the mayo in the sauce ARE vegan. Use a replacement for the mayo in the sauce – you can get great plant-based mayonnaise alternatives online.

Description

Ingredients

French Fries

Caramelized Onions

In-N-Out Sauce

Cheese

Instructions

Notes