Easy Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Fries

Is it wrong to combine your two favorite junk foods into one dish? I made these the other day for my boys as a snack and they devoured them in minutes. (This is when you know you have a winner!) Since then, they've requested them at least 3 times and are on their way to becoming a fam-favorite at the Jenkins household. 

These delicious pepperoni pizza fries have all the flavor of your favorite pizza but in the form of crispy fries. It's the best of both worlds, and I'm pretty sure it's going to become your go-to snack. They're the perfect thing for a game day snack (hello Super Bowl!) or as an easy appetizer before a casual meal. Plus, they're endlessly customizable. You can use waffle fries, sweet potato fries, or any kind of frozen fries you love! And of course, when it comes to toppings, you have as many options as there are types of pizza. 

Key Ingredients

I kept things pretty classic for this recipe (who doesn't love a good pepperoni pizza?). Here are the simple ingredients to get started:

• Frozen French fries. You could, of course, make your own, but if you're in a rush, a bag of frozen French fries from your favorite brand works just as well. It makes life so much easier!
• Shredded mozzarella cheese. For that perfect stretchy mozzarella melt.
• Pepperoni slices. Because what's pizza without pepperoni, amiright?
• Parmesan cheese. Extra cheese is always welcome. Feel free to use grated or freshly shredded Parmesan. 
• Pizza sauce. You can pick your favorite pizza sauce from the grocery store (or even a jar of marinara sauce can work), but it's also super easy to make your own delicious pizza sauce in just minutes.
• Black olives, red peppers, and other pizza toppings of your choice. Red onion, green bell peppers, and even extra cheese are all great options.
• Fresh basil. I love fresh basil on pizza, so it's no surprise I love adding it to these fries too. Plus, it adds a nice pop of color. 
• Red pepper flakes. Unless you have spice-wimps in your family, then just feel free to omit it. 

How to Make Pizza Fries

This is such an easy recipe to make - let's get cooking!

1. Bake the fries. Start by baking your fries - you can cook them in the oven, or in an air fryer, but the key here is that to start, you'll cook them about 2-3 minutes shy of what it says to do on your package instructions. Since you'll be adding pizza toppings and then returning the fries to the oven, baking them slightly less than called for on the front end means they won't overcook and become too crispy or hard. (There's nothing worse than overcooked fries!) Read my full guide on how to make french fries with the air fryer.
   
   Pro Tip - If you're cooking the fries in the oven, I like to line the baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread the fries in an even layer over the top of the paper. This makes for easy cleanup, especially after you add the toppings.

2. Add the toppings. Once your fries are ready, add your toppings. You have a couple of options here. If you want to serve the fries directly from a sheet pan, simply add your ingredients. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese, then add your choice of toppings like pepperoni slices, black olives, and red peppers. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. If you want to serve the fries in a nice bowl, you can also add the cooked fries directly to the bowl (as long as it's oven-safe!) and layer in the toppings. (A casserole dish or serving platter works great for these.)

3. Make it melty. Return the fries to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese melts and the fries are a nice golden brown. 

4. Garnish and serve. Once baked, top with fresh basil and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (optional). Serve with pizza sauce on the side for dipping or drizzle some over the top of the fries. 

Variations & Substitutions

One of the things I love most about this pizza fries recipe is how adaptable it is! Here are some great options to switch things up:

• Try different toppings. While pepperoni slices are a classic choice, chicken, bacon, or even sausage make heartier versions. You could also make this a veggie dish by omitting the meat altogether and using something like spinach or mushrooms. The sky really is the limit with toppings here. 
• Use homemade pizza sauce. You can easily whip up your own homemade pizza sauce with a can of tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, olive oil, and a dash of Italian herbs. (Give this 5-minute no-cook pizza sauce a try.) The nice thing about making your own sauce is that you can control the ingredients and the flavor. 
• Switch up the fries. You can use sweet potato fries for a slightly sweeter base, or even make homemade fries if you're feeling ambitious. Waffle fries work great for these, too, since they're able to more easily scoop and hold the toppings. (Almost like a nacho.)
• Change up the cheese. You can get really creative here and totally change the taste of these fries depending on what cheese you choose. Try Gruyere, cheddar cheese, gorgonzola, or even provolone slices for a different take. Or make them totally unique like these alfredo fries!
• Adjust for your picky eaters. If you're serving these to kids or picky eaters, you can keep the toppings simple with just cheddar cheese and pizza sauce or marinara sauce, or even add some garlic butter for extra flavor.
• Add some extra seasoning. I kept it simple with fresh basil here, but you could add in a sprinkle of Italian seasoning (my homemade spaghetti seasoning would actually be a great option for a bit of extra flavor), garlic powder, or even onion powder to give these fries more flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I bake the fries?

Bake your frozen fries according to the package directions, typically at 400°F. However, reduce the baking time by about 2-3 minutes. This is because you'll be adding toppings and returning them to the oven for another 5-7 minutes to melt the cheese. Baking them slightly less initially ensures they don't overcook and become too crispy or hard.

Can I use the air fryer?

Absolutely! The air fryer is perfect for making crispy pizza fries in a fraction of the time. Just cook the fries at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes, or until they're just starting to crisp up (shake them halfway through), and then add your toppings for the last few minutes of cooking. (Be sure not to overcrowd your air fryer basket if using this method, as that increases the cooking time and requires lots more shaking in between.)

Can I make these ahead of time?

These fries are best served fresh. However, if you want to prep these ahead of time, you can bake the fries and store them in an airtight container for up to a day. When you're ready to eat, just pop them back in the oven or air fryer, top with cheese and toppings, and bake until melty!

Topping Ideas

The best part about pizza fries is that you can totally customize them to fit your cravings. Here are some of my favorite pizza toppings that will take these fries to the next level

• Garlic butter. Drizzle over the fries before baking for a rich, flavorful base.
• Sautéed mushrooms. Add some depth with this savory topping.
• Fresh parsley. Once your fries come out of the oven, sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and flavor.
• Red onions. Thinly sliced for a bit of crunch and sharpness.
• Olive oil. A little drizzle of olive oil before baking can make the fries extra crispy.

More Easy Snacks

• Mashed Potato Balls
• Air Fryer Kale Chips
• Totchos (Loaded Tater Tots)
• Louisiana Voodoo Fries
• Air Fryer French Fries
• Oven Baked Tortilla Chips
• Garlic Spanish Chicken Wings
• Jalapeno Cheddar Popcorn