Baked Pizza Fries are loaded with a rich marinara sauce, melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, and crispy pepperoni which transforms ordinary french fries into the ultimate finger food. It's a perfect dish to make whenever you are craving something cheesy and delicious!
You can prepare these pepperoni pizza fries for the oven in under ten minutes, giving you enough time to work on sides or clean up before serving. This dish is perfect for both kids and adults, for gatherings (perfect as an appy on game day!) or weeknight pick-me-up dinners for the whole family — I mean, who doesn’t love pizza and fries?
Why You'll Love these Pizza Fries
- They’re the best of both worlds. With melty, gooey cheeses, hearty marinara sauce, and savory pepperoni, these baked pizza fries take all the best parts of pizza and make them finger-food friendly with the help of crispy potato fries. No waiting around for dough to rise!
- Great as an appetizer or main course. Pepperoni fries are a fun, crowd-pleasing starter or a main entree that everyone can agree on! They’re equally easy to eat with your hands or a fork and knife. You can even serve straight from the (cooled) pan if you don’t want to plate them!
- Ready in under an hour. These pepperoni pizza fries are ready for the table in less than an hour with only 10 minutes of actual prep work, thanks to getting a head start from your favorite brand of frozen fries! Or add a few minutes onto it if you are using homemade fries and slicing up potatoes from scratch.
- They are customizable. Just like pizza, these cheesy fries can be customized with your favorite pizza toppings and seasonings. Whether you prefer classic pepperoni and cheese, a veggie-loaded version, or a spicy and meaty variety, you can tailor them however you like!
Ingredient Notes
To make these delicious cheesy Pizza Fries, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- french fries - frozen fries save time, but you can use homemade fries, too. You’ll have to adjust the cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked.
- marinara sauce - we love using our homemade marinara sauce, but you can use store-bough or substitute with your favorite pizza sauce or tomato-based sauce instead.
- mozzarella cheese - if you’re out of mozzarella, try cheddar, Colby Jack, or Monterey Jack instead. You can also add more Parmesan cheese.
- Parmesan cheese - you can swap the Parmesan for mozzarella, Asiago, cheddar, or your favorite type of cheese for pizza.
- pepperoni - you can swap this for your favorite pizza topping like cooked sausage or Canadian bacon. You can also choose to omit the meat and make them plain cheese pizza fries instead.
- parsley - you can also use dried parsley or substitute it for other soft herbs like basil or dill.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons and a large baking sheet.
How to Make the Best Pizza Fries
- Bake fries. Place frozen fries evenly in a single layer on a large baking sheet (9x13-inch) lined with parchment paper. Bake in a 375 F preheated oven until crispy and golden brown according to the package instructions, about 20 minutes. (If making fries from scratch using freshly sliced potatoes, you will need to adjust the cook time to 35-40 minutes).
- Assemble. Remove from oven and spread an even layer of marinara sauce on top. Then add mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and top with pepperoni.
- Bake again. Return to the oven and continue baking until the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes.
- Serve. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately. Serve with extra marinara sauce or your favorite pizza dipping sauces on the side, if desired.
Recipe Variations
- Sub in your favorite pizza toppings. You’re not limited to classic pepperoni here. Get creative with combinations, like ham and pineapple, barbecue sauce and shredded chicken, or sausage and bell peppers. Anything you can put on a pizza, you can put on pizza fries!
- Make different flavors. If you’re feeding a crowd with different tastes, you can divide the fries into more individualized “pizzas” and top each with different toppings! This is great for picky eaters and making sure everyone gets exactly what they want.
- Try different styles of fries. You can also experiment with different cuts of fries. Shoestring fries, steak fries, waffle fries, curly fries, and crinkle-cut fries are all great options! You may need to adjust the cooking time based on the type of fries you choose to ensure they’re cooked properly.
- Give it a spicy kick. To add some heat, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the pizza fries before baking.
- Make it vegetarian. Make this for vegetarians by leaving out the pepperoni or adding an assortment of colorful veggies. Try sliced bell peppers, black olives, onions, and mushrooms.
How to Serve
These Pepperoni Pizza Fries are delicious served on its own as an appetizer with a dipping sauce or served as a kid-friendly meal with some delicious sides including:
Dipping Sauces for Pizza Fries
You can serve these with any of your favorite pizza dipping sauces:
- Marinara Sauce
- Ranch Dip
- Queso Cheese Dip
- BBQ Sauce
- Garlic Aioli
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Line the baking sheet. We recommend lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cheesy fries from sticking to the baking sheet.
- Check your oven's temperature. You can double check your oven's temperature using an oven thermometer to ensure you end up with perfectly cooked pizza fries.
- Serve hot and crispy. Pizza fries are best enjoyed immediately after baking when they are at their crispiest. Let them cool slightly so that you don't burn your mouth.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
If you have leftover pizza fries, you can store them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Reheat them in a 375℉ preheated oven for 10 minutes until they are heated through and the cheesy is melty.
How to Freeze
It’s not recommended to freeze fully cooked pizza fries as the texture will change when thawed, but you can freeze each of the ingredients separately in airtight container or freezer bags for up to 3 months and assemble and bake them at a later date.
More Appetizer Recipes
- 75+ Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Greek Fries
- Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
- Sheet Pan Nachos
- Baked Potato Wedges
- Jalapeño Poppers
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Recipe
Pizza Fries
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4-6
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Baked Pizza Fries are loaded with a rich marinara sauce, melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, and crispy pepperoni which transforms ordinary french fries into the ultimate finger food. It's a perfect dish to make whenever you are craving something cheesy and delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds french fries, frozen (store-bought) or homemade
- ½ cup marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 16 slices pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a large baking sheet (9x13-inch) with parchment paper.
- Place frozen fries evenly in a single layer on the lined baking sheet. Bake until crispy and golden brown according to the package instructions, about 20 minutes. (If making fries from scratch using freshly sliced potatoes, you will need to adjust the cook time to 35-40 minutes).
- Remove from oven and spread an even layer of marinara sauce on top. Then add mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and top with pepperoni.
- Return to the oven and continue baking until the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately. Serve with extra marinara sauce or your favorite pizza dipping sauces on the side, if desired.
Notes
How to store: If you have leftover pizza fries, you can store them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Reheat them in a 375℉ preheated oven for 10 minutes until they are heated through and the cheesy is melty.
How to freeze: It’s not recommended to freeze fully cooked pizza fries as the texture will change when thawed, but you can freeze each of the ingredients separately in airtight container or freezer bags for up to 3 months and assemble and bake them at a later date.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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