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Campfire Chili Cheese Fries

Easy, delicious and chili cheese fries that are done on the BBQ or over a campfire. These chili cheese fries won't heat up your kitchen and can be made when you are camping!

5 from 120 vote(s)41 comments
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If anyone would make chili cheese fries while camping, it would be me. Yes. You can make chili cheese fries In tinfoil over a fire or on your BBQ. You are welcome for this crazy addition to your junk food cooking repertoire.

chili cheese fires in aluminum foil

Chili Cheese Fries

Nothing beats hot fries covered in chili and melted cheese! Ever since I had this idea and made these while camping, my son and Mr Magpie have been pestering me non-stop to make them. Honestly, can you blame them? We tend to eat more “camping” type food while we are working out at our farm fixing it up, and these are a favorite treat.

How to Make Chili Cheese Fries Over the Campfire

  • Layer two large sheets of aluminum foil and spray the insides. Add a small package of fries and seal the aluminum foil into a packet.
  • Place the packet on the grate over a fire, above coals not flames. Cook, shaking the package to make sure the fries don’t burn. Turn the package over, cooking all sides. You can open it carefully and take a peek how the fries are doing, be careful of the fire and any steam.
  • Once the fries are done to your liking, pour a can of chili on top and sprinkle cheese on top. Seal up the aluminum foil again. To save time, you can also heat the chili over the fire while the fries are cooking!
  • Return them to the fire until the chili is hot and the cheese has melted.
crispy French fries baked in aluminum foil

Make These Healthier

To be fair, these are not that bad for you if you buy a healthy chili, low-fat cheese, and some non-oil-laden fries! Thanks to the different ingredients used, you can make these however you like. In the grand scheme of things, these are a pretty high-protein, easy treat!

How to Make Chili Cheese Fries On the BBQ

  • Take a small package of fries and place them in a cooking oil sprayed tin foil packet.
  • Cook them on the BBQ at the same heat as the package dictates (usually around the 425°F) and voila! Fries! With little brown grill marks even!
  • If wanted, you can heat up the chili as well before placing on top of the fries.
  • Pour a can of chili on top and sprinkle cheese on top. Seal up the aluminum foil again.
  • Return them to the BBQ until the chili is hot and the cheese has melted.
  • Remove and serve.
chili and shredded cheese over French fries

Make Sure They Don’t Burn

Make sure that the aluminum foil is heavy-duty and that you use at least two layers of it. This will keep a protective layer between the fries and the fire.

Use cooking spray and not butter or oil, the cooking spray can withstand hot temperatures and won’t burn as easily.

Also, remember to shake the package and move those fries around so they don’t burn!

Preventing Soggy Fries

We don’t mind that the fries get soft when cooking this on the fire, but if you do, the trick is to heat the chili before you put it on the fries and then it takes less time to cook, thus the fries don’t get too soggy.

It does involve an extra step, but you can do it!

chili cheese fries in an aluminum foil packet

Make These Chili Cheese Fries in the Oven

These are also easy to make in the oven, of course like traditional cheese fries.

  • Cook the fries in the oven according to the package instructions.
  • While the fries are cooking, heat up the chili in a pan on the stovetop.
  • Remove the fries when done, and divide them onto plates. Top with chili, then the cheese and serve.

Happy cooking and happy camping this summer, everyone!

Karlynn

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Campfire Chili Cheese Fries

Easy, delicious and chili cheese fries that are done on the BBQ or over a campfire. These chili cheese fries won't heat up your kitchen and can be made when you are camping!
5 from 24 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 115kcal

Ingredients 

  • one 454 grams package frozen French fries
  • one 425 grams can chili - your choice
  • 1-2 cups cheddar cheese - shredded

Instructions

  • Spray the inside of a large doubled-up sheet of foil with cooking spray.
  • Place the frozen fries in the middle of the sheet; fold the aluminun foil up to enclose.
  • Cook the fries on your BBQ or over a campfire until they are cooked – around 15-20 minutes. Shake the package occasionally to move the fries around, browning all sides.
  • Open the package, careful of any steam escaping. Spread the chili and cheese over the fries.
  • Close the packet again and cook until the chili is hot and the cheese has melted.
  • Remove, cool slightly and enjoy! We just ate it with forks right out of the package!

Video

Notes

  • Remember that this is a camping recipe and that the fries are not going to be as crispy as oven baked but are still completely delicious and a treat!

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 22mg | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 283IU | Calcium: 200mg | Iron: 0.04mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheKitchenMagpie or tag #thekitchenmagpie!

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Easy, delicious and chili cheese fries that are done on the BBQ or over a campfire. These chili cheese fries won't heat up your kitchen and can be made when you are camping! #camping #campingrecipe #chili #cheesefries #chilifries

Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

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  1. Maddy says

    Would make a good campfire bbq “poutine”
    😎 gonna try that as well.5 stars

  2. Willy Boy says

    Before turning the hounds loose, I sprinkle over some diced jalapenos and green onion. A side of sour cream is a nice accompaniment. Uptown while out side.5 stars

5 from 24 votes

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