In-N-Out Imitation Animal Style Fries that Your Family Will Love!

Name: In-N-Out Imitation Animal Style Fries
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp ketchup; 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar); 2 tbsp sweet relish; 1 tbsp sugar; 1/2 tbsp chili flakes (optional); 1/2 bag frozen fries; Cheddar cheese or American cheese; 2 onions (diced); 2 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp neutral oil; 1/2 tsp salt

Posted on January 1, 2026

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This delicious In-N-Out Imitation Animal Style Fries comes together in about 30 minutes and is a quick and easy recipe that your family will love! Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a weekend movie marathon, these fries are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser! Plus, you can always switch up the ingredients to suit your taste, or even use it as a fantastic way to “clean out the fridge” by throwing in any leftover veggies or proteins you have on hand. Let’s dive into this comforting, flavorful dish that’ll make everyone want to grab a fork and dig in!

Ingredient Breakdown

Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing fries:

1/2 cup mayonnaise : This creamy base is what gives the sauce its delightful texture. If you’re feeling adventurous, a bit of Greek yogurt can add a tangy twist.
2 tbsp ketchup : Because what’s fries without a little sweetness? You can replace this with BBQ sauce for a fun flavor twist.
1/2 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar) : This adds a nice zing! If you’re out of vinegar, a dash of lemon juice can work too.
2 tbsp sweet relish –: This is where the magic happens. The sweetness of the relish balances the savory sauce perfectly!
1 tbsp sugar : Just a touch to enhance the sweetness.
1/2 tbsp chili flakes (optional) : Add this if you like a little kick! If you prefer mild, skip it.
1/2 bag frozen fries : Choose your favorite brand. You could even make your own from scratch if you’re feeling ambitious.
Cheddar cheese/American cheese : The gooier, the better! Feel free to mix it up with a little pepper jack if you want more heat.
2 onions (diced) : Sweet, caramelized onions are the star of this dish!
2 tbsp butter : Because butter makes everything better, right?
1 tbsp neutral oil : This helps in sautéing the onions without burning them.
1/2 tsp salt : A couple pinches of salt and pepper go a long way!

How to Make In-N-Out Imitation Animal Style Fries

Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps for a plate of fries that is loaded with tons of flavor and comfort.

1. Caramelize the Onions (30-35 Minutes)

Melt about 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. This is where the magic begins! Once melted, add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil. The combination creates a nice base for sautéing our onions.

Now, add your diced onions and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally and be patient. Caramelizing takes time, around 30 minutes, so let them cook low and slow. You want them to turn a golden brown and become sweet and fragrant. If they start to burn, don’t hesitate to reduce the heat! This is the part where your kitchen will smell like heaven. Keep stirring every now and then to avoid any sticky situations oh, and make sure you scrape the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan!

2. Make the Sauce (5-10 Minutes)

While your onions are doing their thing, let’s whip up that incredible sauce! In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1/2 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of sweet relish, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and if you’re feeling spicy, toss in 1/2 tablespoon of chili flakes! Mix everything together until it’s all blended, and set it aside.

3. Fry or Bake the Fries (20 Minutes)

Now, prepare your frozen fries according to the package instructions. Whether you’re baking or frying, keep an eye on them so they turn golden and crispy, this is essential for the ultimate fry experience! You can choose air fryer options if you’re looking for an even quicker method, too.

4. Cheese Time! (5 Minutes)

Once your fries are cooked to perfection, it’s time to get cheesy! Scatter grated cheddar cheese or slices of American cheese over the fries and pop them under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes. Keep a close watch to make sure the cheese melts but doesn’t burn, because burnt cheese is a whole other story!

5. Assemble and Enjoy!

After your cheese has melted into glorious goodness, pull out those fries and top them with your caramelized onions. Drizzle that delightful sauce all over the top, and if you want, sprinkle some extra chili flakes for that added crunch. Grab a fork, or your fingers if you’re feeling daring and dive in!

Why I Love This Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I need a quick pick-me-up or something comforting to share with my littles. Whenever I make these In-N-Out Imitation Animal Style Fries, my kitchen instantly transforms into a cozy little diner, and I feel a little less like a stressed-out mom and more like a chef! I’m a real sucker for fries in any shape or form, and the best part is that you can throw in whatever you’ve got leftover chicken, sautéed bell peppers, you name it. It’s all about making it your own, which makes it so much fun!

Serving Suggestions

So, what do you serve with these amazing fries? They’re a fantastic standalone meal or could be a side dish alongside grilled burgers, BBQ chicken, or even a fresh salad to balance out all that cheesy goodness. You can also pair them with some homemade ranch dressing or even a light green salad. Talk about a party on a plate!

Storage & Reheating

Storing leftovers: These fries can hang out in your fridge for about 3-4 days in an airtight container. Just keep in mind that fries are best enjoyed fresh, but I get it life happens!

Reheating instructions: When you want to enjoy your leftovers, try popping them back into the oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 10-15 minutes, and they’ll crisp back up perfectly. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave is a quick fix too but know they won’t be quite the same crispy glory.

Freezer friendly: Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend freezing these once they’re cooked, but if you want to freeze the uncooked fries and toppings separately, you can absolutely do that! Just remember to give the fries a little extra cooking time when baking straight from frozen.

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This dish comes together all in about 30 minutes, which means it’s perfect for busy weeknights. You can whip this up and have a family-friendly dinner on the table in no time!

Comfort Food

There’s nothing like a plate of fries smothered in cheese, onions, and a zesty sauce to satisfy those comfort food cravings. It’s like a warm hug on a plate.

Customizable

The secret sauce to this recipe? It’s totally customizable! Use whatever toppings you have in the fridge. Possible variations include crispy bacon bits, sour cream, or even jalapeños for a spicy kick, sky’s the limit!

Minimal Cleanup

With just one pan used for the onions and one for baking the fries, cleanup is a breeze! Perfect for those nights when the last thing you want is to tackle a pile of dirty dishes.

Family Favorite

Your family will love gathering around these fries! They’re fun to eat, shareable, and loaded with flavor. Even the pickiest eaters will be asking for seconds. Seriously, I’ve tested this on my kids, and let me tell you, it’s a guaranteed win!

If you loved these In-N-Out Imitation Animal Style Fries, be sure to check out my Easy Jambalaya, my Wild Rice with Cranberries and Orange Zest, or my Chickpea Feta Avocado Salad!

Alright, friends! Now it’s your turn to grab your ingredients and give these fries a try. You won’t regret it! Happy cooking! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.