Loaded Kimchi Fries Recipe (in 15 Minutes!) (2024)

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5 from 2 votes

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By: Sarah Bond 2 Comments

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Is anyone in the mood for some loaded fries? If so, these loaded vegetarian kimchi fries are the way to go! Made with all of the toppings, this tasty dish is packed with flavor and requires just 15 minutes to make.

Loaded Kimchi Fries Recipe (in 15 Minutes!) (1)

That’s right friends, my newfound obsession with kimchi is being combined with my forever love of Mexican food in the form of…Kimchi Fries!

These loaded fries are inspired by a Korean-Mexican fusion food truck I once ate at in Austin called Chi’Lantro (they’re actually the birthplace of Kimchi Fries)! And while the two cuisines may seem like they wouldn’t play well together, they do. They sooo do.

This vegetarian take on Kimchi Fries is loaded with our homemade kimchi and sriracha sauce, along with some Tex Mex favorites like cheddar cheese, avocado, and cilantro.

Reader rating

★★★★★

“A delicious Friday-night recipe that quickly turned into our new favourite way to each nachos 🙂 We made half fries, half nachos, and both were great. Now I can’t remember why I haven’t been topping nachos with kimchi the whole time! This recipe has the perfect amount of spice, and the flavours are fantastic.” —Kailee

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Loaded Kimchi Fries Recipe (in 15 Minutes!) (2)

Ingredients used to make vegetarian kimchi fries

When I say these fries are loaded, I mean it. I’ve included everything you can think of to take these fries to the next level! They’re like loaded nachos, but in french fry form. Here’s a list of all of the ingredients you’ll need:

  • French Fries: We’ll need fries, of course! Any type will work, including frozen. (Have an air fryer? Make fries in the air fryer!)
  • Kimchi: Kimchi will add flavor and nutrients to these fries. It’s the whole reason we’re here! Here’s my recipe for delicious homemade kimchi.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Who doesn’t like cheese on their fries?! Cheddar cheese will add the familiar cheesy coziness that we all love.
  • Green Onions: Green onions add the perfect amount of flavor, and work as a great garnish.
  • Jalapeño: Adding jalapeño to these fries creates just the right amount of spice. If you aren’t a fan of hot foods, feel free to ditch this little pepper.
  • Avocado: I love to add avocado slices to my fries for extra flavor and healthy fat.
  • Cilantro: Much like the green onion, cilantro is great for garnishing and taste!
  • Lime: No vegetarian fries are complete without a nice squeeze of delicious limey tang.
  • Mayonnaise: We’ll be using mayo as a base for our sauce! You can also use a combination of yogurt and mayo (see specifics in the recipe card below).
  • Sriracha: We’ll combine sriracha with the mayo to give the sauce a flavorful kick.
Loaded Kimchi Fries Recipe (in 15 Minutes!) (3)

How to make this fry recipe

Loaded vegetarian kimchi fries are very easy to make. Apart from cooking the french fries like “normal” (baking or frying), this recipe involves nothing more than chopping veggies and mixing the sauce ingredients! All in all, this recipe requires just 15 minutes. Here is how it’s done:

  1. Cook the fries: I prefer to cook my fries in my air fryer, but you can also cook them in oil or in the oven.
  2. Mix the sauce: While the fries are cooking, stir together the mayo and sriracha.
  3. Prep the toppings: Prep the remaining ingredients. Finely chop the kimchi, grate the cheese, slice the green onions, slice or dice the jalapeño, slice the avocado, and chop the cilantro.
  4. Assemble the fries: Finally, it’s time to assemble the fries! While they’re still piping hot, sprinkle on the cheddar, then top with all of the other ingredients, finishing with a drizzle of lime. Serve immediately (as with most French fries, these don’t store well).
Loaded Kimchi Fries Recipe (in 15 Minutes!) (5)

Korean-Mexican fry topping options

In addition to my list of toppings outlined above, there are some more tasty options that you may want to try!

  • Taco Meat: Yes, taco meat! These fries can be made into a complete meal when you add tempeh taco meat on top. It’s filling, nutritious, and totally mouth watering!
  • Queso: Instead of using cheddar cheese, feel free to add cashew queso on top of your fries. Not only is this delicious, it also makes this dish vegan-friendly!
  • Guacamole: Everyone loves guac! Check out this healthy guacamole spin for a nutrient-dense twist on the popular topping.
  • Bean Salad: If you’re looking for a filling topping that will add immense flavor to your fries, look no further. This bean salad is the perfect choice! Combine with the tempeh taco meat, and you’ve got yourself some serious taco fries.
  • Cabbage Salad: Well, it’s more like a slaw, but this Thai Cabbage Salad would amp up these fries with delicious veggie power!
Loaded Kimchi Fries Recipe (in 15 Minutes!) (6)

More of our favorite fry recipes

I’m a French fry gal through and through. If you’re like me, you’ll want to try these delicious recipes as soon as you can.

  • Baked Zucchini Fries
  • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
  • Parmesan and Almond Baked Asparagus Fries
  • Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Avocado Dipping Sauce

Loaded Kimchi Fries Recipe (in 15 Minutes!) (7)

Loaded Kimchi Fries Recipe (in 15 Minutes!)

5 from 2 votes

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 5 minutes minutes

Total: 15 minutes minutes

Author: Sarah Bond

Calories: 552kcal

Servings: 4 servings

Made with a huge list of delicious toppings, this tasty dish is packed with flavor and requires just 15 minutes to make.

Ingredients

Kimchi Fries

  • 1 lb French fries 450 g
  • 1 cup kimchi 200 g
  • ½ cup grated cheddar cheese 50 g
  • 2 green onions
  • 1 jalapeno
  • 1 avocado
  • Handful fresh cilantro
  • Squeeze of lime

Sriracha Mayo

  • ½ cup mayonnaise or ¼ cup plain yogurt and ¼ cup mayo, 120 g
  • 2 to 4 Tbsp sriracha 30 to 60 g

Instructions

  • Fries: Cook fries (I prefer the air fryer, but you can also cook them in oil or in the oven).

  • Sauce: Meanwhile, stir together mayo and sriracha.

  • Prep: Prep remaining ingredients – finely chop kimchi, grate cheese, slice gren onions, slice or dice jalapeno, slice avocado, chop cilantro.

  • Assemble: With fries still piping hot, sprinkle on the cheddar, then top with all other ingredients, finishing with a drizzle of lime. Serve immediately (as with most French fries, this doesn't store well).

Tips & Tricks

Make it dinner by topping it withTempeh Taco Meat

Make vegan with this cashew queso

Add guac, specifically Healthy Guacamole (with a secret that ingredient keeps it green!)

Make it ultra-filling with Mama’s Famous Bean Salad

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 552kcal (28%) Carbohydrates: 50.3g (17%) Protein: 8.9g (18%) Fat: 35.8g (55%) Saturated Fat: 8.5g (53%) Cholesterol: 22mg (7%) Sodium: 704mg (31%) Potassium: 912mg (26%) Fiber: 7.7g (32%) Sugar: 3.5g (4%) Calcium: 133mg (13%) Iron: 2mg (11%)

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Kailee @ Foodie Digital says

    A delicious Friday-night recipe that quickly turned into our new favourite way to each nachos 🙂 We made half fries, half nachos, and both were great. Now I can’t remember why I haven’t been topping nachos with kimchi the whole time! This recipe has the perfect amount of spice, and the flavours are fantastic.Loaded Kimchi Fries Recipe (in 15 Minutes!) (12)

    Reply

    • Sarah Bond says

      NACHOS! Such a good idea, I’ll have to try that. My mom loves to do kimchi on top of a cream cheese bagel (in case you need even more inspiration)!

Loaded Kimchi Fries Recipe (in 15 Minutes!) (2024)

FAQs

What are kimchi fries made of? ›

Fries are baked in the oven, seasoned with Korean chili powder, and then topped with caramelized kimchi and onions. Melted cheese rounds everything out, along with a sprinkling of bacon and scallions.

What are loaded fries made of? ›

Loaded fries are noted for being a cheap but filling dish. They are served with various toppings. Common ingredients include cheese, chopped bacon, and garnishes like sliced green onions or jalapeños. They are commonly served at Super Bowl parties in the United States.

Who invented kimchi fries? ›

Most sources give credit to Jae Kim, owner of Chi'Lantro, an Austin, Texas-based food truck. Chi'Lantro opened in 2010, serving Mexican and Korean food. One day, Kim decided to top french fries with the loads of kimchi he would have left at the end of the day.

What is kimchi made of? ›

Kimchi can be made from a variety of vegetables, and even fruits, but the most recognized version — baechu kimchi — is made with cabbage. Alongside cabbage, it often contains radishes, scallions, carrots, garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and other flavorings. Kimchi has a sour, salty, savory, and often fiery taste.

Is fried kimchi still healthy? ›

But heating kimchi kills the healthy, helpful bacteria that are a product of the fermentation process. So if you are using kimchi in a recipe that requires cooking, be sure to serve a little extra raw on the side to maintain the benefits of the live cultures for your health (there are many!).

Is it OK to fry kimchi? ›

Cooking kimchi isn't a new concept, but it's an underrated one, in my opinion. The method (if you can even call it that) is as simple as it gets: Drain the kimchi juice, chop up any large pieces, lightly coat a nonstick pan with oil or butter, and fry the kimchi for 5 to 7 minutes over high heat, stirring occasionally.

What toppings to put on loaded fries? ›

Ground beef, browned sausage, or taco meat. Brown gravy (trust me, it makes them AMAZING), a take from our fave poutine recipe. Diced tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, avocado, burger sauce, or even a big scoop of leftover chili. Sour cream or homemade ranch for dipping.

What is cowboy fries? ›

This dish ticks all the boxes: crispy, golden fries topped with smoky beans, crispy bacon and gooey cheese! This American-inspired dish uses a few clever swaps to keep the calories low while still packing a BBQ punch that reminds us of summer days.

What is the meaning of dirty fries? ›

These epic Dirty Fries are packed with flavor and perfect for sharing (although let's be real, you might not want to…) ! Made with crispy seasoned fries, jalapenos cheese sauce, more melted cheese, and topped with pickled red onions, fresh herbs, and tomatoes, these dirty fries are the ultimate indulgence.

Is kimchi Korean or Chinese? ›

Kimchi is one of the most important staples of Korean cuisine. The Korean term "Kimchi" refers to fermented vegetables, and encompasses salt and seasoned vegetables. It is mainly served as a side dish with every meal, but also can be served as a main dish.

Does kimchi go bad? ›

If you have store-bought kimchi that's been opened, it will be good for 3-4 days at room temperature and up to 6 months when refrigerated. Signs of your kimchi going bad include mold growth, an alcoholic smell, and an extremely sour taste.

Why is kimchi called kimchi? ›

In other words, the books show that the word kimchi originated from the pure Korean word dimchae (딤 , 菹). However, some began to groundlessly claim that the word “kimchi” was derived from chimchae (沈菜), which was the hanja record that came much later in time [19].

Can I eat kimchi everyday? ›

Cabbage and radish kimchi, a popular fermented vegetable dish, in particular were effective in reducing the risk of obesity and abdominal obesity in both men and women.

Is kimchi good for your gut? ›

The fiber and probiotics in kimchi can help you maintain a healthy digestive system. The probiotics in fermented food can help reduce the negative symptoms of many gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and colon inflammation.

What is kimchi in English? ›

Kimchi (Hangul: 김치; Korean pronunciation: [kimtɕʰi]; English: /ˈkɪmtʃi/), also spelled kimchee or gimchi, is a traditional fermented Korean side dish made of vegetables with many seasonings.

Is kimchi basically pickle? ›

Kimchi is a traditional spicy pickled vegetable dish in Korea. While it's usually made with cabbage, there are more than a hundred kimchi varieties, using everything from cucumbers and radishes to eggplants and pumpkin blossoms.

Is kimchi really spicy? ›

Is Kimchi Spicy? The bright red color of kimchi's signature seasoning, gochugaru, leaves many asking, "Is kimchi spicy?" The spice level of the kimchi depends on how much gochugaru went into the mix, with different versions available ranging from mild to very spicy.

Where did kimchi fries come from? ›

Jae Kim, owner of a food truck in Austin, Texas claims to have invented the kimchi fries by accident. Apparently, he used to sell traditional fries until one day he decided to experiment by caramelizing and putting the leftover kimchi from the day on top of the fries, and eureka!

Is kimchi a meat or vegetable? ›

According to the 2022 iteration of the Codex Alimentarius international food standards, kimchi is vegetarian in that it's simply “prepared with Chinese cabbage as a predominant ingredient and other vegetables which have been trimmed, cut, salted and seasoned before fermentation”.

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