Brownstone Fries Recipe
waffle fries topped with cheddar & mozzarella cheeses & bacon bits, served with a cool bbq ranch dressing
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Fries & Toppings
Cool BBQ Ranch Dressing
Method
Fries & Toppings
- 1
Preheat and prepare fries
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). If using an air fryer, preheat to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil the air fryer basket.
- 2
Bake fries
Spread the frozen waffle fries in a single layer on the baking sheet (do not overcrowd). Lightly toss with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil if you want extra crispiness. Bake for 16–22 minutes, turning once halfway, until fries are golden and crisp. For air fryer, cook in batches for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway.
- 3
Season fries
Immediately after removing fries from the oven, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Toss gently to distribute.
- 4
Prepare bacon
While fries bake, cook the 4 bacon slices until crispy (pan-fry, bake at 400°F on a rack, or microwave). Drain on paper towels and crumble into small pieces. Reserve for topping.
- 5
Assemble and melt cheese
Arrange the hot fries on the baking sheet in an even layer. Evenly sprinkle the 1 cup shredded cheddar and 1 cup shredded mozzarella over the fries. Return to the oven and bake for 2–4 minutes more, or broil on low for 1–2 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and just beginning to bubble. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- 6
Finish toppings
Remove fries from the oven. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the melted cheese, then scatter the optional chopped chives or green onions on top. Serve immediately with the Cool BBQ Ranch Dressing for dipping or drizzling.
Cool BBQ Ranch Dressing
- 7
Combine dressing base: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, and 3 tablespoons buttermilk until smooth.
- 8
Season and flavor: Add 3 tablespoons bbq sauce, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional), 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk until fully incorporated and color is uniform.
- 9
Adjust consistency and taste: If the dressing is too thick, add more buttermilk 1 teaspoon at a time until desired dipping consistency is reached. Taste and adjust salt, pepper or bbq sauce for sweetness/smoke balance.
- 10
Chill briefly: For best flavor, cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes to let flavors meld. Bring to room temperature for 5 minutes before serving if very cold.
- 11
Serve: Drizzle over the fries or serve on the side in a small bowl for dipping.