In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries (2024)

An easy In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries recipe of french fries topped with American cheese slices, caramelized onions and homemade special sauce.

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**Recipe originally published: December 13, 2021, Post updated: August 26, 2023

I recently took a trip to LA for some very important business — *whisper screams* BTS’ Permission To Dance concert! (I know! It still feels like it was a feverish dream). The first thing I sought out after exiting the airport was a good old order of Animal Style fries from In-N-Out to satisfy my hungry self. Easy to say, I devoured mine within minutes.

After posting the recipe for Spicy Crispy Chicken Burger/Sandwich that’s inspired by KFC’s Zinger Burger/Sandwich, a few of my followers on Instagram requested for more copycat recipes. So I thought this would be a great follow up to that!

Animal Style Fries With Homemade Sauce

What exactly is this not-so-secret menu option from In-N-Out? An order of french fries topped with American cheese slices and caramelized onions, then drenched in special sauce.

The creamy special sauce in question has a mouthwatering tangy and sweet flavor. To recreate that, I used a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, sweet relish and sugar. I personally like to put in a bit of chili flakes to add a bit of heat, but that’s totally optional.

Ingredients You’ll Need

(For full ingredient measurements, please proceed to the recipe card below.)

In-N-Out Inspired Special Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Rice vinegaror white vinegar
• Sweet relish
• Sugar
• Chili flakes(optional)

Main Ingredients

• Frozen fries
• Cheddar cheese/American cheese
• Onions
• Butter
• Neutral oil
• Salt

How to make in-N-Out copycat animal style fries

1. Melt butter in a pan over medium low heat and pour in neutral oil.
2. Add the minced onions and salt to the pan.
3. Stir every few minutes until the onions caramelize. If the onions look like its burning, turn down the heat. This will take at least 30 minutes or longer.
4. Mix all the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.
5. Bake/Fry the frozen fries per the package instructions.
6. Once the fries are cooked, add grated cheddar cheese or sliced American cheese on top and broil for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
7. Once the cheese melts, add the caramelized onions and pour the sauce on top and enjoy!

Notes For In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries

• Onions – It takes at least 30 minutes on medium low/low heat for the onions to caramelize into the sweet, dark golden perfection. If it seems like the onions are burning, turn down the heat a little bit.
• Chili flakes – The In-N-Out sauce doesn’t use chili flakes but I added it in for some heat. It’s optional and up to your preference.
• American cheese slices – In-N-Out uses American cheese slices. I sometimes like to use shredded cheddar. Either one will work.

Here are some other appetizers for you to check out:

• Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini Fries (Vegan Friendly)
• 2-Ingredient Dough Cheesy Jalapeno Bread
• Homemade Parmesan Garlic Bread
• Spicy Salmon Mini Taco
• Baked Chili Oil Burrata
• Mini Crab Rangoon Pizza

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