Tinfoil Packet Cheesy Fries
Crispy, cheesy, and ridiculously easy—these tinfoil packet cheesy fries are the ultimate camping recipe! Just toss them on the charcoal grill or over a low fire, and you’ve got a side dish everyone will fight over.
These tinfoil packet cheesy fries make the perfect side dish. When camping, I like to take as much of the mess and prep work out of meals as I possibly can, and it doesn’t get much simpler than these cheesy fries.
Camping meals should be effortless, and this one is as easy-peasy as it gets! Whether you’re serving them up with hot dogs or burgers, these cheesy fries are a total crowd-pleaser.
Plus, cleanup? Basically non-existent. Just eat and toss the foil packs—because who wants to do dishes in the woods?!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe for cheesy fries is a game-changer for camping trips! With just three ingredients, you get a crispy, cheesy, melty masterpiece that pairs perfectly with anything. It’s a no-fuss, no-mess dish that lets you enjoy more time by the campfire and less time worrying about meal prep. Plus, you can customize it however you like with your favorite toppings—bacon bits, sour cream, or extra cheddar cheese? Yes, please!
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In minutes, you have the perfect, hearty side dish to pair with any main dish! Using frozen fries and a bag of shredded cheddar cheese takes most of the preparation out of this recipe too.
I picked and packed some fresh chives from the garden for garnish, but you can totally omit them to make this meal even more straight forward. Green onions, bacon bits, or diced tomatoes would be yummy toppings for this camping recipe as well. Or how about this hot dog sauce and nacho cheese for chili cheese fries? So good!
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Our Camp Cooking Essentials
- A pie iron camp cooker makes cooking over the open fire super easy. Check out these 20+ Pie Iron Recipe Ideas for tons of camp cooker inspiration! Or visit my how to use a pie iron post for tips.
- Foil pie plates make tinfoil packet meals even easier with the sturdy base that they provide.
- These grilling bags that I recently found are amazing! Simply add all of your ingredients to the bag at home, then throw it on the campfire or grill when camping in the great outdoors. Avoid the grill bags with plastic windows, though, as they melt.
- We love these BBQ cooking gloves because they make handling campfire food a whole lot safer!
How to Make a Tinfoil Packet
- Cut two pieces of aluminum foil large enough to cover the entire meal (about 12″). Layer them one on top of the other. Optional: Spray the interior with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
- Place recipe ingredients in the center. Bring up the longer edges of the foil and fold together. Grasp one end and roll it up, repeating with the other end.
- Alternatively, foil pie plates may be used to cook foil packet meals. Simply place the recipe ingredients into the pie plate and cover with aluminum foil before cooking.
- For best results, cook the foil packet on a grill over the open fire.
- Use caution when handling the foil packet, as it can become hot while cooking.
How to Make Tinfoil Packet Cheesy Fries
Ingredients
- 1 package McCain frozen French fries – Go for crinkle cut for max crispiness, or mix it up with curly fries for extra fun.
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese – Everything is better with cheese!
- 2 Tbsp Chives or green onions, chopped (optional) – Adds a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Instructions
- Double layer two large pieces of tinfoil about 12″x14″. Spray with cooking spray to keep things from sticking.
- Place half of the fries in a single layer on the foil, sprinkle with cheese, and then add the rest of the fries and more cheese on top.
- Fold foil over the fries, sealing the edges tightly to create a packet.
- Place foil packet over indirect heat on the campfire, but not directly in the fire.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes until the melted cheese is gooey and the fries are golden.
- Top with green onions or chives.
- Serve with ketchup for dipping.
Tips and Tricks
- Use heavy duty foil or double up for durability—nobody wants their fries falling into the fire!
- Make foil boats instead of fully wrapping for crispier edges.
- For extra flavor, drizzle with melted butter before cooking.
- If using a grill or camp stove, cover while cooking to help melt the cheese faster.
- Try different cheeses—American cheese, a Mexican blend, or even slices of cheese work great!
Tips for Camping Meal Preparation
- Prepare meals in advance at home whenever possible. Leave most of the mess at home, where running water is more accessible and cleanup is easier. Trust me on this one!
- Create “one pot” family style meals for quick dinners that don’t require a lot of thought.
- Use tinfoil packets, foil pie pans, or camp cookers. These tools help to make cleanup a breeze!
- Pack ingredients in 1-gallon freezer bags for flexible storage in small fridges and coolers.
- Plan meals that use similar ingredients to help make packing and planning easy. These cheesy vegetable campfire dip, loaded campfire cauliflower, and tinfoil packet nacho dip recipes are some of our favorites.
- Use my blank printable meal plan or camping meal plans to help organize your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep the fries crispy?
Cook over medium-high heat and avoid overloading the packet. Foil boats help crisp them up too.
Can I make these in the oven?
Yes! Bake at 400°F for about 20-30 minutes on a sheet of aluminum foil.
What toppings go well with these fries?
Try sour cream, bacon bits, chopped jalapeños, or a drizzle of Worcestershire sauce for extra flavor!
These easy foil packet fries are a must-have for your next camping adventure. The topping possibilities are endless! Check out Our Favorite Camping Recipes eBook for even more delicious ideas! Happy camping!
I would love for you to check out my new blog, Campfire Foodie, where I’m sharing ALL of the camping recipes!!
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Tinfoil Packet Cheesy Fries
Ingredients
- 1 650 g package McCain frozen french fries
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 Tbsp diced chives or green onions
Instructions
- Double layer two large pieces of tinfoil appox. 12"x14".
- Layer fries and cheese, alternately create two layers.
- Wrap in tinfoil, rolling ends tightly together creating a packet.
- Place in the fire near the hot coals but not directly in the fire.
- Allow to heat through and cook in the fire for about 15 minutes.
- Top with green onions or chives.
- Serve with ketchup for dipping.
Are the fries still frozen when you take them camping? I’ve seen a few recipes like this which all say frozen fries, but our food will all be in a cooler. Will that still work if they become refrigerated fries? 🤷♀️
Yes! That totally works, you will want to watch the cooking time as the won’t need to be cooked as long :)