White hot ranch fries are a delicious loaded french fry dish that is very popular. They get their name from the white hot ranch sauce that is drizzled over crisp, golden french fries. This sauce is a creamy, tangy ranch dressing that is spiked with hot sauce to give it some heat. The combination of cool ranch and spicy heat is what makes these fries so addictive! Keep reading to learn all about how white hot ranch fries are made, what makes them so tasty, and where you can find them on menus.
What are the main ingredients in white hot ranch fries?
The main ingredients that go into making white hot ranch fries are:
– French fries – The base of the dish is crispy, golden french fries. Using fresh, high-quality fries ensures maximum crunch.
– Ranch dressing – A creamy, cool ranch dressing provides the tangy flavor base.
– Hot sauce – Adding dashes of a vinegar-based hot sauce like Tabasco or Frank’s RedHot adds heat and a peppery kick.
– Extra toppings (optional) – Some recipes call for extra toppings like bacon bits, shredded cheese, or green onions to garnish the fries.
How are white hot ranch fries made?
Making white hot ranch fries is easy to do at home with just a few simple steps:
1. Prepare fresh french fries according to your preferred method (oven or deep fried). Cut potato into fry shapes, rinse, pat dry, and fry at 350°F until golden brown.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine ranch dressing with hot sauce to taste. The more hot sauce added, the spicier the sauce will be. Start with 2-3 dashes and increase if you want more heat.
3. Transfer piping hot fries to a serving platter and drizzle the spicy ranch sauce all over the top so fries are evenly coated.
4. Sprinkle on any additional toppings like cheese, bacon or green onions if desired.
5. Serve hot and enjoy! The fries are best when the ranch sauce is warm and melty.
What makes white hot ranch fries so delicious?
There are a few key factors that make white hot ranch fries stand out:
– Textures – The combination of crispy, crunchy fries with the creamy, cool ranch sauce is delicious. The contrasting textures take this dish to the next level.
– Flavors – The tangy, savory ranch pairs perfectly with the vinegar flavor of the hot sauce. It satisfies your cravings for something creamy and spicy all in one bite.
– Temperature – Warm, melted ranch sauce over hot fries is a winning combo. The temperature difference between the hot fry and cool sauce is part of what makes each bite so satisfying.
– Customization – Based on your preferences, you can ratchet up the heat by adding more hot sauce or switch up the toppings. The basic formula is adaptable.
– Comfort food factor – Fries smothered in ranch are the ultimate bar food. This loaded fry dish is indulgent comfort food at its finest.
Where can you find white hot ranch fries on restaurant menus?
Since they have become so popular on bar and comfort food menus, there are quite a few restaurants serving their own versions of white hot ranch fries. Some places to find them include:
– Sports bars & pubs – Loaded fries show up on many sports bar menus as a go-to game day appetizer. The sauce options may vary but spicy ranch fries are a common offering.
– Burger joints – Top burger restaurants often have loaded fry sides featuring ranch and hot sauce as an option. Check the “sides” section of the menu.
– Barbecue restaurants – Barbecue joints put a Southern spin on the fries with creamy white barbecue sauce spiked with hot sauce.
– Food trucks – Gourmet fry trucks are serving dressed up fry dishes, with spicy ranch as a popular “loaded” fry choice.
– Casual dining chains – Places like TGI Fridays, Applebee’s or Chili’s often have appetizers featuring ranch fries with Buffalo ranch or other spicy ranch sauces.
Nutrition facts for white hot ranch fries
Here is a look at the nutrition facts for a typical serving of white hot ranch fries:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 |
| Fat | 24g |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Sodium | 810mg |
As you can see, a serving of white hot ranch fries is high in calories, fat, and sodium. The fat content comes mostly from the oil used to fry the potatoes, as well as the cream and cheese in the ranch sauce. The sodium is elevated due to the salty hot sauce, ranch dressing, and frying process.
To lighten them up, you could bake the fries instead of frying, use low-fat Greek yogurt instead of regular ranch dressing, and go easy on the hot sauce. This would reduce the calorie, fat, and sodium counts. But keep in mind, the indulgent flavors and textures that make this loaded fry dish special come from some of the more caloric ingredients. Moderation is key when enjoying these for a treat!
Recipe for homemade white hot ranch fries
Make your own white hot ranch fries at home with this simple recipe:
Ingredients
- 3 russet potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch fries
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1-3 dashes hot sauce (or to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 slices cooked crumbled bacon (optional)
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse cut potato fries under cold water for 1 minute to remove excess starch. Pat very dry with paper towels.
- Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 325°F. Fry potatoes in batches for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towel-lined plate.
- In a small bowl, stir together ranch dressing and hot sauce. Add more hot sauce to taste if you want them spicier.
- Increase fryer heat to 350°F. Fry potatoes a second time for 2-3 minutes until very crispy.
- Transfer fries to serving plate and drizzle generously with the ranch sauce. Sprinkle with salt.
- Top with shredded cheese, bacon bits and green onions if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
These homemade white hot ranch fries are just as delicious as the restaurant versions! Adjust the amount of hot sauce you use to suit your spice preferences. And feel free to switch up the optional toppings – the basic fries + spicy ranch combo is endlessly adaptable based on your tastes.
The history of french fries and ranch dressing
To understand how white hot ranch fries came about, let’s look at the origins of the key ingredients – french fries and ranch dressing:
History of french fries
- 1700s – Fried potato batons likely originated in France or Belgium in the 1700s.
- 1800s – Fried potatoes became popular street food in Paris by the late 1800s.
- “French fried potatoes” introduced to America at the start of the 1900s.
- Fast food chains like McDonald’s popularized french fries worldwide starting in the 1960s.
History of ranch dressing
- 1950s – Created in California as a pasta topping at Hidden Valley Ranch.
- 1960s/70s – Bottled ranch dressing hit supermarket shelves and achieved mass popularity.
- 1980s – Ranch became a common dip for fries and wings.
- 1990s – Doritos introduced popular Cool Ranch flavor.
Once bottled ranch became widely available, dunking fries into this creamy, tangy dressing became commonplace. The recent trend of spiking ranch with hot sauce takes this classic combination up a notch!
How to make the best white hot ranch fries
Follow these pro tips for making the most delicious white hot ranch fries at home:
- Twice fry the potatoes – Frying twice at different temps makes them extra crispy.
- Pat fries very dry before frying – Removing excess moisture helps them get crispy.
- Fry in batches – Avoid overcrowding for evenly cooked fries.
- Use high quality frying oil – Peanut or vegetable oil gives the best flavor.
- Season fries right after frying – Toss with salt while still hot.
- Make the sauce creamy – Use full-fat ranch for best texture.
- Add hot sauce to taste – Control the level of heat you want.
- Top while fries are hot – Melty cheese and warm toppings are the best.
- Enjoy immediately – These fries are best hot and fresh.
Taking these extra steps really elevates white hot ranch fries into an indulgent, crave-worthy dish!
White hot ranch fry variations
One of the best things about white hot ranch fries is how versatile they are. You can customize them to your taste with the following topping ideas:
Meaty fries
– Bacon
– Pulled pork
– Ground beef
– Chicken
– Chili
Cheesy fries
– Cheddar
– Parmesan
– Queso dip
– Nacho cheese sauce
Spicy fries
– Buffalo sauce
– Sriracha
– Jalapeños
– Pickled peppers
Fresh fries
– Scallions
– Tomato
– Lettuce
– Avocado
– Pico de gallo
Savory fries
– Blue cheese crumbles
– Fried onion strings
– Sautéed mushrooms
– A1 steak sauce
Mix and match different meats, cheeses, veggies and more to create your own signature white hot ranch fries! The possibilities are endless.
FAQs about white hot ranch fries
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about white hot ranch fries:
What is the best hot sauce to use?
Look for a hot sauce with a vinegar base like Frank’s RedHot or Tabasco. The tang pairs well with cool ranch. Avoid smokey or overly garlicky hot sauces.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of ranch?
Yes, mixing spicy hot sauce into Greek yogurt makes a thinner, tangy ranch substitute. Add a splash of milk to thin out further if needed.
Do the fries need to be deep fried?
No, you can bake the fries instead to reduce fat and calories. Bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
How long do the fries keep after being loaded?
It’s best to eat them right away while the fries are hot and the cheese/toppings are melted. Leftovers can be kept for 1-2 days but they lose their crispiness.
Can I meal prep loaded ranch fries?
It's best to add the sauce and toppings right before eating. Store just the cooked fries until ready to assemble and reheat the complete dish.The popularity and trend of white hot ranch fries
White hot ranch fries have become a major food trend in recent years. Here’s why they have become so popular on menus:
- Nostalgia – Reminds people of dunking fries in ranch as a kid
- Craveable flavors – Spicy, creamy, salty, crunchy – it’s addictive!
- Customizable – You can add any toppings to suit your tastes
- Bar food favorite – Perfect for sharing and snacking with drinks
- Loaded fry trend – More restaurants are adding loaded fry dishes
- Social media worthy – Beautiful loaded fry pics get attention on Instagram
As this loaded fry dish has taken off, more restaurants have gotten creative with their own white hot ranch fry recipe. While the original remains a favorite, expect to keep seeing new flavor twists and topping combinations emerge using this craveable formula.
Conclusion
White hot ranch fries are the ultimate loaded fry dish, featuring a mouthwatering combo of crispy fries smothered in spicy, creamy ranch sauce and fun toppings. This indulgent food trend shows no signs of slowing down. The balance of hot and cold flavors, crunch and creaminess, make every bite satisfying. Though high in fat and calories, enjoyed in moderation, these fries hit the spot when you are craving fiery comfort food. Armed with the recipes and tips above, you can now make your own craveable batch of white hot ranch fries at home. Just be prepared for them to disappear fast once friends and family get a taste!