Ultimate Vegan Loaded Nacho Fries: Crispy, Cheesy & Irresistible
Elevate your snack game or kick off any gathering with an incredible platter of loaded vegan nacho fries! Imagine golden, crispy homemade oven-baked fries, generously smothered in a rich, creamy, and undeniably cheesy plant-based sauce, then piled high with all your favorite vibrant nacho toppings. This isn’t just an appetizer; it’s a culinary experience designed to delight taste buds and satisfy cravings, perfect for sharing, or keeping all to yourself!
These aren’t your average fries. Our loaded nacho fries deliver a symphony of textures and flavors in every bite: the satisfying crunch of perfectly baked potatoes, the luscious warmth of our signature dairy-free cheese, a zesty kick, and the fresh burst of various toppings. It’s a truly unforgettable combination that captures everything delicious in a single, easy-to-make recipe. Prepare to be wowed by how easily you can create such an indulgent and satisfying dish right in your own kitchen.
The secret to this recipe’s success lies in our show-stopping vegan cheese sauce. This isn’t just any plant-based cheese; it’s the very same incredibly creamy and savory sauce that transformed my Vegan Mac and Cheese into an instant favorite. What makes it so remarkable? It’s astonishingly simple to prepare – just toss a few wholesome ingredients into your blender and let it work its magic. Time and time again, readers express their disbelief that something so rich, smooth, and cheesy could possibly be vegan. Get ready to be amazed, and perhaps make a double batch, because this sauce is spoon-worthy all on its own!
While I often dream of devouring an entire tray of these indulgent nacho fries all by myself (and I confess, sometimes I do!), they are genuinely the ultimate crowd-pleaser. They’re absolutely perfect for lively game day gatherings, casual get-togethers with friends, movie nights, or simply those evenings when you crave something wonderfully indulgent and fun for dinner. This versatile recipe proves that plant-based eating can be incredibly exciting and flavorful. Prepare for them to disappear fast!
Why You’ll Adore These Vegan Nacho Fries
- The Best Homemade Vegan Cheese Sauce. Forget expensive, often bland, store-bought vegan cheeses. This recipe features a truly revolutionary cheese sauce made from a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. It’s incredibly creamy, rich, and packed with savory flavor that will have everyone questioning if it’s truly dairy-free. You’ll want to drizzle it on everything, or simply eat it straight from the blender with a spoon!
- Effortless Appetizer or Satisfying Meal. Whether you’re hosting a big party, enjoying a quiet game night, or settling in for a Netflix binge-watching session, these vegan nacho fries fit every occasion. They’re quick enough for a weeknight indulgence and impressive enough for entertaining. Who needs an excuse for delicious, cheesy fries?!
- Infinitely Customizable Toppings. This recipe is your blank canvas! While we provide fantastic suggestions, you have complete freedom to load your fries with your personal favorite toppings. Think black beans, sweet corn, juicy diced tomatoes, spicy jalapeños, or even a dollop of fresh guacamole. Adjust quantities to your heart’s content – the possibilities are truly endless.
- Bursting with Dynamic Flavor. Get ready for a flavor explosion! These fries offer a magnificent blend of spicy, intensely cheesy, deeply savory, and lusciously creamy notes all in one bite. Each component contributes to a harmonious and deeply satisfying experience that is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone, even the most skeptical eaters.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Nacho Fries
Crafting these sensational nacho fries starts with selecting the right ingredients. Below, we delve into the key components that make this recipe truly special, ensuring both incredible flavor and texture. For precise ingredient quantities and detailed recipe instructions, please scroll down to the full recipe card.
For the Crispy Nacho Fries:
- Russet Potatoes – These are the undisputed champions for making perfectly crispy baked fries. Their high starch content and low moisture ensure a fluffy interior and a beautifully golden, crunchy exterior that holds up wonderfully to all the delicious toppings.
- Coconut Oil – A great choice for baking fries, as it helps achieve a lovely crispness and a subtle, pleasant flavor. You can also use olive oil or avocado oil if preferred.
- Black Beans – A staple nacho topping, providing a hearty, earthy element. You can opt for convenient canned black beans (rinsed and drained) or prepare them from scratch using dried beans for a deeper flavor.
- Sweet Corn – Adds a burst of natural sweetness and vibrant color. Fresh, frozen (thawed), or canned corn all work beautifully.
- Tomatoes – Diced fresh tomatoes contribute a juicy, tangy counterpoint to the richness of the cheese. Dice them into small, manageable pieces so they sit well on the fries.
- Sliced Jalapeños – For that essential spicy kick! Pickled jalapeños offer a tangy heat, while fresh ones provide a brighter, more intense spice. For a milder option, consider canned green chiles.
- Vegan Sour Cream – Provides a cool, tangy creaminess that perfectly balances the heat and richness. You can use your favorite store-bought brand or whip up a batch of homemade vegan sour cream.
- Lime Slices – A final squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished dish brightens all the flavors and adds a zesty flourish that truly elevates the experience.
For the Irresistible Vegan Cheese Sauce:
- Olive Oil or Coconut Oil – Used to sauté the aromatics, building the foundational flavors for our rich cheese sauce. Choose your preferred cooking oil.
- Carrot – A small amount of chopped carrot not only adds a touch of natural sweetness but also contributes to the beautiful orange hue of traditional cheese sauce.
- Yellow Onion – Sautéed onion provides an essential aromatic base, adding depth and a savory complexity to the sauce.
- Garlic Cloves – Fresh garlic is key for a robust and flavorful cheese sauce. Minced garlic infuses the sauce with its pungent, delicious aroma.
- Raw Cashews – These are the absolute cornerstone of our creamy vegan cheese sauce. When soaked, they blend into an incredibly smooth, rich, and velvety base. Remember to soak them for at least 8 hours, or ideally overnight, for the best results.
- Sea Salt and Ground Black Pepper – Fundamental seasonings that enhance all the other flavors and bring the sauce to life. Adjust to your personal taste.
- Dry Ground Mustard – A secret weapon in cheese-making, this spice adds a sharp, tangy undertone that mimics the complexity found in traditional dairy cheeses.
- Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice provides a crucial bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the sauce and adds a lovely zesty note.
- Tamari or Liquid Aminos – These savory liquids add umami depth, enriching the overall flavor profile of the cheese sauce. You can also use soy sauce or lite soy sauce, depending on your dietary preferences.
- Nutritional Yeast – Indispensable for any vegan cheese recipe! Nutritional yeast delivers that distinct, savory, cheesy flavor that makes this sauce truly authentic-tasting.
- Paprika – Use sweet paprika for a mild, vibrant color and subtle flavor, or opt for smoked paprika to infuse the sauce with a wonderfully smoky depth.
- Ground Nutmeg – Just a pinch of nutmeg adds a warm, almost sweet complexity that rounds out the savory notes of the cheese sauce, a common trick in classic dairy-based cheese sauces.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk – Or any other unflavored, unsweetened plant milk you have on hand. It provides the necessary liquid to achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
Pro Tip: How to Properly Soak Cashews
Soaking raw cashews is a crucial step for achieving that silky-smooth, luxurious texture in your vegan cheese sauce. To properly soak them, simply place the desired amount of raw cashews in a bowl and cover them generously with fresh, cool water. Let them soak on the countertop for at least 8 hours, or ideally overnight. This process softens the cashews significantly, allowing them to blend into an incredibly creamy consistency without any grittiness. If you’re short on time and forgot to soak them overnight, a quick hack is to boil them in water for about 10-15 minutes until visibly softened. Once soaked (or boiled), be sure to thoroughly drain the water before incorporating the cashews into your recipe.
Crafting Your Loaded Vegan Nacho Fries
Creating these incredible vegan nacho fries is a straightforward process, broken down into three main stages: baking the perfect crispy fries, blending the creamy cheese sauce, and finally, assembling your masterpiece. Follow these steps for an unforgettable culinary experience.
- Prepare Your Baking Setup. Begin by preheating your oven to a robust 450°F (230°C). This high temperature is key to achieving truly crispy fries. Line two large baking sheets with a silicone mat or lightly oiled parchment paper. Silicone mats are highly recommended for non-stick baking and even crisping. Take your russet potatoes, peel them if desired (though skin-on adds great texture and nutrients!), and cut them into your preferred fry shape – thin matchsticks for extra crispness, or thicker wedges for a softer interior.
- Coat the Fries with Oil. Evenly place the cut potato fries onto your prepared baking pans. Drizzle them sparingly with your chosen oil (coconut, olive, or avocado work well). Use your hands to gently rub and toss the fries, ensuring each piece is lightly and uniformly coated. This small amount of oil goes a long way in promoting crispness. Resist the urge to add salt at this stage, as it can draw moisture out of the potatoes and prevent them from getting perfectly crispy.
- Bake to Golden Perfection. Arrange the fries on the baking sheets in a single, even layer, making sure none of the pieces are touching. Giving them ample space allows air to circulate, which is crucial for achieving that desirable crispy texture rather than steaming them. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of golden-brown crispiness. You can check on them around the 30-minute mark and flip if necessary for even browning. Once removed from the oven, season them immediately with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Sauté the Aromatic Vegetables. While your fries are baking, prepare the cheese sauce. Warm a tablespoon of oil in a pan set over medium heat. Add the chopped carrots, onions, and minced garlic, stirring them well to combine. Cover the pan and allow the vegetables to gently cook and soften for about 10 minutes, or until they are tender and fragrant. This step develops deep flavor. Once cooked, remove the pan from the heat and let the vegetables cool slightly.
- Blend to Velvety Perfection. Carefully transfer the cooled, sautéed vegetables to a high-speed blender. Add your pre-soaked and drained cashews, sea salt, ground black pepper, dry ground mustard, fresh lime juice, tamari (or liquid aminos), nutritional yeast, paprika (sweet or smoked), ground nutmeg, and unsweetened almond milk. Secure the lid and blend on high speed for approximately 1 minute, or until the sauce is absolutely smooth and completely creamy with no cashew bits remaining. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, lime, or nutritional yeast to achieve your perfect cheesy balance. This recipe yields a generous amount of sauce, so you’ll likely have extra for future meals!
- Assemble Your Nacho Masterpiece. Once your fries are hot and crispy and your cheese sauce is warm and ready, it’s time for assembly! Arrange a generous layer of hot fries on your serving plate or sheet pan. Drizzle (or douse!) them with the warm vegan nacho cheese sauce. Now, pile on your desired toppings: black beans, sweet corn, diced tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños. Don’t forget a dollop of vegan sour cream and a fresh squeeze of lime juice for an extra layer of flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful combination of textures and tastes!
Expert Tips for the Ultimate Nacho Fries
Achieving perfectly crispy fries and a lusciously creamy cheese sauce is key to this recipe’s success. Here are some invaluable tips to ensure your vegan nacho fries are nothing short of spectacular:
- Never Skip Soaking the Cashews. This is paramount for a truly smooth, velvety vegan cheese sauce. Soaking cashews softens them, allowing them to blend into an unctuous cream without any grainy texture. If you forget to soak them overnight, don’t fret! You can quickly boil them for 10-15 minutes until tender, then drain and proceed with the recipe.
- Give Your Fries Plenty of Space. Overcrowding your baking sheets is the enemy of crispy fries. If potatoes are too close together, they’ll steam instead of roast, resulting in soggy rather than crispy results. Ensure a single, even layer with enough room for air to circulate around each fry. If necessary, use two baking sheets.
- Don’t Overdo It on the Toppings Initially. While the beauty of nacho fries lies in customization, be mindful not to overload them with too many toppings at once. Piling on too much can make the fries soggy quickly. Stick to 2-3 toppings in moderate quantities for the initial layer, and offer additional toppings on the side so everyone can customize their own plate without compromising the crispness of the fries.
- Invest in a High-Speed Blender. For the silkiest, smoothest vegan cheese sauce, a powerful high-speed blender (like a Vitamix or Blendtec) is highly recommended. It will effortlessly pulverize the soaked cashews and cooked vegetables into a creamy, lump-free sauce that rivals any dairy-based counterpart.
- Serve Immediately for Peak Enjoyment. Nacho fries are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, when the fries are at their crispiest and the cheese sauce is warm and flowing. Gather everyone around the moment they’re assembled for the ultimate experience.
Unleash Your Creativity: More Topping Ideas for Nacho Fries
The beauty of loaded nacho fries is their versatility! While the classic toppings are always a hit, don’t hesitate to experiment and create your own signature combination. Here are even more delicious plant-based topping ideas to inspire you:
- Vegan ground beef cooked in zesty taco seasoning (find a fantastic recipe in my Loaded Vegan Nachos)
- Spicy Sofritas (Chipotle copycat style)
- Flavorful Soyrizo crumbles for an extra kick
- Creamy homemade Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Pitted black olives, sliced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped for a burst of herbaceous flavor
- Sliced green onions or chives for mild oniony notes
- Diced red onion for a sharper crunch
- Pickled red onions for a tangy, vibrant addition
- Pico de gallo or your favorite salsa
- Vegan bacon bits for a smoky, salty crunch
- Hot sauce or sriracha for an extra layer of heat
Creative Ways to Serve Your Nacho Fries
These loaded vegan nacho fries are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. Serve them as a show-stopping appetizer at your next party, guaranteed to be devoured by all. They also make a surprisingly satisfying and fun meal on their own, especially for a casual dinner or movie night. For a more complete feast, consider pairing them with other plant-based favorites:
- Alongside savory Vegan Birria Tacos for a Mexican-inspired spread.
- As a hearty side to juicy Easy Grillable Veggie Burgers.
- With a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.
- As part of a larger tapas or small plates spread for entertaining.
Storing Your Vegan Nacho Fries Leftovers
While nacho fries are definitely best enjoyed fresh, you can certainly store leftovers. To maintain the best possible texture and flavor, it is highly recommended to store the fries and the nacho cheese sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The crispy fries will keep for 2-3 days, and the cheese sauce for up to 5 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat the fries in an oven or air fryer to regain some of their crispness. Gently warm the cheese sauce on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until it’s smooth and fluid again. Then, assemble your reheated fries with the warm sauce and add fresh toppings just before serving for optimal taste and texture. This method ensures that your leftovers are nearly as good as the freshly made batch.
If you’ve already topped the fries and have a fully assembled batch left over, you can still store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Be aware that the fries will likely lose their crispness and become softer during storage and reheating in the microwave. However, they will still be incredibly flavorful and delicious, making for a satisfying quick snack!
Can You Freeze Vegan Nacho Fries?
Unfortunately, I do not recommend freezing assembled nacho fries. The delicate texture of potatoes changes significantly when frozen and thawed, resulting in a soggy, unappealing consistency that won’t recapture the desired crispness. The creamy cheese sauce, however, freezes relatively well on its own. If you find yourself with extra cheese sauce, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to a month and thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating. This way, you’ll always have a ready-made batch of delicious vegan cheese for your next culinary adventure!
Discover More Cheesy Vegan Delights
If you’ve fallen in love with the incredible vegan cheese sauce in this recipe, you’re in for a treat! There’s a whole world of cheesy, dairy-free goodness to explore. Here are some more of my favorite plant-based recipes that feature rich, satisfying vegan cheese flavors:
- Hearty and comforting Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
- An indulgent Vegan Cheese Pasta Bake, perfect for family dinners
- Creamy and seasonal Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- A decadent Pretzel Dip that’s incredibly addictive
- Learn How to Make Vegan Parmesan Cheese at home
Enjoy, friends! If you make this sensational loaded vegan nacho fries recipe, please snap a photo and share it with us by tagging #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We absolutely love seeing your culinary creations. Additionally, we would be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to leave a comment below and give the recipe a star rating. Your feedback helps us grow and inspires others to try these delicious plant-based dishes. Thanks so much for your support!
Loaded Nacho Fries
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Ingredients
Nacho Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled, washed and dried well, (622g)
- 2-3 teaspoons coconut oil
- black beans, any quantity you’d like
- corn, any quantity you’d like
- tomatoes, diced (any quantity you’d like)
- sliced jalapeños, any quantity you’d like
- vegan sour cream
- lime slices
Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, or coconut oil, (12.5g)
- 1 large carrot, chopped, (112g)
- 1 small yellow onion, halved and chopped, (72g)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in water overnight or boiled for 5 minutes*
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dry ground mustard
- Juice of one lime, 1 tablespoon
- ½ tablespoon tamari sauce, or liquid aminos, soy sauce or lite soy sauce
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
Crispy Fries
- Preheat oven to 450°F/230°C. Line two baking sheets with a silicone mat or lightly oiled parchment paper (I highly recommend the silicone mat).
- Cut your potatoes into your desired fry shape and arrange on the pan. Drizzle the oil over the fries and rub into the fries. It isn’t a lot of oil but it goes a long way. Do NOT add salt at this point as it won’t allow the potatoes to crisp up.
- Arrange the fries on the baking sheet so that none of them are touching at all.
- Bake for 40 minutes in the oven. You can check them around the 30 minute mark to see if they are crisp enough, but mine took 40 minutes to get really crispy.
- Remove from the oven and add salt and pepper to season.
Vegan Nacho Cheese
- In a pan over medium heat (I used Greenlife pans) heat the oil add in the carrots, onions and the garlic, stirring to combine. Cover with lid and allow to steam/roast until carrots are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- In a large high speed blender add the carrot mixture, cashews, salt and pepper, ground mustard, lime juice, tamari, nutritional yeast, paprika, ground nutmeg, and almond milk.
- Blend together for about 1 minute on a strong speed, until sauce is completely smooth and incorporate. Taste and add more salt if necessary. This probably makes much more than you’ll need, so you can bottle it and place it in the fridge and use it for Mac and Cheese or other purposes! If you don’t want so much extra, you can cut the nacho cheese sauce in half!
To Assemble the Nachos
- Layer your plate with fries. Top with some nacho cheese, and black beans, tomatoes, jalapeños, corn and ingredients in your favourite order! Serve with limes on the side.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Note: Because the amount of toppings is variable, the nutritional information is calculated only with the fries and cheese sauce.
To store: If possible, store the fries and nacho cheese separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, reheat the fries in the oven or air fryer and warm up the cheese sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave. Assemble and add fresh toppings just before serving for optimal taste and texture.
If you’ve already topped the fries, store them in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days and reheat them in the microwave. They’ll be soggy, but they’ll still be delicious.
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.