Wondering how to use up holiday leftovers? Make Christmas Leftovers Loaded Fries! Simply season and cook up some frozen french fries, add some Brussels sprouts or other veggies, top with leftovers, and drizzle with cheese sauce. A tasty and fun way to reduce food waste.
Christmas and Thanksgiving leftovers can get a bit boring, amiright?
If you've over-catered or over-bought, then sometimes you're faced with a mountain of Brussels sprouts, cheeses and meats (vegetarian meats in my case!).
But there's more that you can do with it all besides another soup, or salad.
Let me introduce you to the absolute joy that is.... Christmas Leftover Loaded Fries!
This recipe is super customizable. You can use random cheeses in your cheese sauce. Use whatever vegetables you like. Add (veggie) meats that you need to use up.
But put them all on a bed of sage-seasoned fries (or use up leftover potatoes by making homemade wedges!) and it turns all these holiday leftovers into a fun and exciting dish.
We’ve all had big feasts on our holidays and sometimes it’s difficult to use up all the leftovers!
By adding them on top of a warm crispy serving of french fries, you’ll enjoy your Christmas leftovers as if they were brand new.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
You’ll be able to use whatever you have on hand that is already prepped.
Kids and adults love french fries making them a great option for the whole family.
There will be no food waste with Christmas dinner leftovers turned into disco fries!
The base of the recipe is frozen french fries which can be found in any grocery store. But if you have left over potatoes, then make your own homemade baked (or air fried) fries, thick cut fries or wedges.
These Christmas Loaded Fries can be shared amongst 4 people.
This recipe is a budget-friendly way to bulk up your meal plan for the week after Christmas.
If you're entertaining on Boxing Day, then this is the perfect party food!
Ingredients
This is a very adaptable loaded fries recipe! Use whatever left over holiday food you like.
Frozen French Fries: Use whatever cut you like for this recipe. Or make homemade fries with regular potatoes.
Dried Sage & Thyme: Toss the french fries in these dried spices for a holiday herb flavor.
Flour, Butter & Milk: This is the base of the cheese sauce that you will drizzle on top of the fries.
Grated Cheese: Chances are you’ll have some leftover cheese from Christmas so feel free to use your favorite such as Monterey Jack, cheddar, blue cheese, gouda, or gruyere.
LEFTOVERS TOPPINGS
Oil: This is used to warm and crisp up the leftovers in a frying pan before topping the fries.
Brussels Sprouts: Adds a nice crispy green look and taste.
Pre-Cooked Vegetarian Chicken, Sausages & Bacon: Chop these up and brown them in the pan along with the brussels sprouts to make the perfect protein-rich topping for the french fries.
FOR SERVING
Mayonnaise: This adds a creamy texture for the fries along with the cheese sauce.
Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky flavor to the mayo that pairs well with all of the leftovers.
Fresh Parsley: A perfect garnish for fries adding a nice green color that makes them even more inviting.
Please see the recipe card below for quantities.
How to Make Loaded Fries
Wondering how to make this holiday leftovers recipe? It's easy! Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Toss the French fries in the dried sage and thyme. Cook according to pack instructions.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan, then stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the milk, whisking, until it’s all incorporated and thick. Stir in the cheese to melt. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and add the shredded Brussels sprouts and sauté until the Brussels sprouts are tender and starting to get crispy.
In another pan, add the veggie sausages, bacon and chicken (ensure all are ready to eat or pre-cook first) and saute until it’s all warm.
Arrange the French Fries on a platter and layer with half the cheese sauce, then pile on the sprouts mixture, and the meats.
Add the remaining cheese sauce and drizzle with the mayonnaise mixed with smoked paprika. Top with chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy.
Top tips
Do not top the fries until all toppings are cooked and ready as you do not want the cooked fries to get soggy.
It’s important to crisp up your leftovers with oil in a pan to make sure they complement the texture of the french fries.
Use whatever leftovers you have from the holidays.
Try adding crumbled cheeses on top, like blue cheese or gouda.
If you're staring at the fridge, wondering how to use up Christmas leftovers (or Thanksgiving!), then this is an easy way to do it.
Serving Suggestions
Have some Christmas Tree Cookies or Gingerbread Brownies for dessert after a dinner of leftovers.
Pair with a salad like this Rosolli Finnish Beetroot Salad - a popular Christmas salad from Finland.
Make these Mac & Cheese Balls as a great finger food addition to dinner.
Variations
Add some cayenne pepper to the sage and thyme for a bit of a spicy french fry.
Make some caramelized onions to top loaded onto the fries for a great kick of flavor.
Make this dish extra veggie heavy by loading on some thinly sliced sauteed bell peppers and mushrooms.
Replace the smoked paprika in the mayo with your favorite seasoning.
Try a dollop of cranberry sauce for even more festive flavor.
Storage
Storing: It is best if this dish is eaten immediately as the toppings and fries will not reheat correctly if they are all together.
Freezing: Christmas Leftover Loaded Fries cannot be frozen.
FAQs
Absolutely! Place everything on a baking sheet, toss with oil and bake at 325 for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through and desired crisp level is reached.
They are best baked in the oven like in this recipe. You could also use your air fryer for a faster cooking time.
More Christmas recipes
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Tip: This Christmas leftovers recipe is featured in Twinkl's 12 Days of Eco-Christmas campaign. Why not check out other creative, family-friendly recipes on their website?
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📖 Recipe
Christmas Leftovers Loaded Fries
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lbs (450g) frozen french fries
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
For the cheese sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ¾ cup (175ml) milk
- ¾ cup (65g) grated cheese I used cheddar, but try it with any leftover cheese: gruyere, blue cheese, gouda etc
Toppings (use whatever leftovers you have!)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 cup (100g) Brussels sprouts shredded
- ¾ cup (150g) veggie sausages pre-cooked, chopped
- ¾ cup (150g) veggie chicken pre-cooked, chopped
- 2 veggie bacon rashers pre-cooked diced
To serve
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Parsley
Instructions
- Toss the French fries in the dried sage and thyme. Cook according to pack instructions.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan, then stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the milk, whisking, until it’s all incorporated and thick. Stir in the cheese to melt. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and add the shredded Brussels sprouts and sauté until the Brussels sprouts are tender and starting to get crispy.
- In another pan, add the veggie sausages, bacon and chicken (ensure all are ready to eat or pre-cook first) and saute until it’s all warm.
- Arrange the French Fries on a platter and layer with half the cheese sauce, then pile on the sprouts mixture, the meats, the remaining cheese sauce and drizzle with the mayonnaise mixed with smoked paprika. Top with chopped parsley.
Notes
- Can I reheat my leftovers in the oven? Absolutely! Place everything on a baking sheet, toss with oil and bake at 325 for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through and desired crisp level is reached.
- Do not top the fries until all toppings are cooked and ready as you do not want the cooked fries to get soggy.
- It’s important to crisp up your leftovers with oil in a pan to make sure they complement the texture of the french fries.
- Use whatever toppings you like!
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Tristin
This is a genius idea, such a great way to use leftovers! I may be using this throughout the year and not only for Christmas!!
Tavo
I love cooking with leftovers from Christmas eve! Looks yummy! Definitely going to try it!
Andrea
My family is going to go crazy for these leftovers loaded fries. Perfect for after Holiday game day too!
Dannii
I am loving the idea of sprouts on fries. This sounds amazing!