Name: Animal Style Burger Fries (Copycat In-N-Out)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: American

Cooking with Conks Verified

February 5, 2026

A not-so-secret secret: animal style fries from In-N-Out are one of the best fast food options out there. Unfortunately, not everyone lives near an In-N-Out location, and even if you do, the lines are always way too long. Our animal style fries recipe uses frozen fries for convenience, American cheese for classic fast food vibes, and a homemade special sauce. We’ve added cooked burger patties for a meaty twist and chopped pepperoncini peppers for slight heat. The result is a comforting indulgence for when you’re craving something super tasty and over-the-top.

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

Animal Style Burger Fries (Copycat In-N-Out) cover

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

Cooking with Conks Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 5 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Bake the fries and caramelize the onions.

Preheat oven according to package directions for fries (we cook ours at 425°F). Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or according to package directions, then season with seasoning salt.

While the fries are baking, heat butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes, then add 2-3 tbsp water. Cook for 6-8 more minutes until the water evaporates and onions turn golden, then add more water. Repeat adding water and cooking until the onions are soft and caramel in color, about 25 minutes total. Season with salt at end.

Cook the burger patties.

While the onions finish up, cook the burger patties on stove or grill until desired doneness, about 4 to 5 minutes per side or 8 to 10 minutes total. (Note: they will also be cooked more in the oven once the fries are assembled, so you could cook them slightly less at this stage so that they don’t overcook in the oven.) Cut the patties into bite-sized pieces.

Mix up the sauce and finish the fries.

Mix the sauce ingredients together in a bowl.

Top the cooked fries with burger pieces, then lay the American cheese on top of the fries. Bake the topped for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Top the fries with the caramelized onions (note: if the onions are looking too clumpy, you can mix them with an extra splash of water at this time). Spoon some special sauce on top of the fries and top with pepperoncini, if using.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Crispy Fry Secret 🍟
Par-freeze your fries for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent soggy results when adding wet toppings.
Caramelized Onion Perfection 🧅
Slice sweet onions thinly and cook slowly in butter over low heat for 20-25 minutes to develop deep, rich caramelization that mimics In-N-Out's signature style.
Special Sauce Hack 🥫
Mix mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, and sweet relish in a 2:1:1:0.5 ratio for an authentic copycat In-N-Out sauce that elevates the entire dish.
Cheese Melt Technique 🧀
Cover the fries and burger patties with American cheese and briefly steam under a metal lid to create a perfectly melted, gooey cheese layer.
Pepperoncini Pro Tip 🌶️
Finely chop pepperoncini and drain excess liquid to prevent watering down the dish while maintaining a bright, tangy heat profile.

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About the Cook

Cooking with Conks

We’re Rachel & Emily Conklin (“Conks” for short), sisters, lifelong foodies, and the voices behind Cooking with Conks. We grew up in Southern California, surrounded by bold flavors, big family meals, and the kind of kitchen chaos that turns into inside jokes