Are you looking for a delicious and satisfying vegan meal that will hit all the right spots? Look no further than this vegan chili cheese fries recipe! This dish combines crispy french fries with a rich and flavorful chili, topped off with a gooey and melty vegan cheese sauce. It's the perfect comfort food that's both satisfying and indulgent.
Who doesn't love a good plate of chili cheese fries? The crispy fries, topped with hot, savory chili and melted cheese, are the perfect comfort food. But what if you're plant-based or vegan? Don't worry, you can still enjoy this classic dish.
There are four easy steps to making this dish.
- Preheat the oven and begin the chili - ready to serve in about 30 minutes
- Place fries in the oven - times vary, but they take about 20 minutes
- Make the cheese sauce - 5 minutes.
- Assemble - 5 minutes
You can have this all done within an hour.
Ingredient Overview
Chili - I make This simple and quick chili when I don't want to make too much fuss with extra vegetables, etc. I use frozen mixed peppers, so I only have to cut up an onion and jalapeño.
The spices and cans are always a staple in my house, so I'm always ready with the ingredients for this recipe. It is spicy, as written, but combining it with the fries and cheese sauce calms the spice a little. I start any chili a couple of hours earlier than when we are expecting to eat, so the flavors can really deepen as it simmers on the stove, but you can have it after about 30 minutes. It's still delicious.
French Fries - Use your favorite brand. The waffle-cut fries make this dish so good, but regular fries are also great. Trader Joe's has frozen fries that are only a few ingredients for a healthy quick alternative. Homemade fries are also a great option.
Cashew cheese sauce - This simple-to-make sauce has a creamy mild taste that I love in this dish. My kids always make me double the batch so they can add extra over the top, so you may want to double the recipe. If you're looking for a nut-free version, I have another cheese sauce recipe you'll love.
More game-day recipes
Tips
- You can substitute the fries for tater tots for variation.
- Add meat alternatives to the chili, such as Beyond Meat or Impossible meat. TVP, textured vegetable protein, is also an option.
- Enjoy Immediately! Vegan chili cheese fries are best enjoyed fresh and hot. Serve them immediately after assembling them to savor the crispy fries, gooey cheese, and flavorful chili.
- If making the chili ahead of time or storing it on its own, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- For a spicer cheese sauce, try Vegan Cashew Queso. For a nut-free. version try Best Nut-Free Vegan Cheese Sauce
- Check out Guide to Soaking Cashews for different ways to soak your cashews.
FAQs
You can use sweet potato fries, tater tots, or waffle fries.
Some popular toppings include diced avocado, sliced jalapenos, vegan bacon, green onions, truffle oil, ranch dressing, and diced red onions.
You can serve this differently by portioning out individual plates of fries and allowing everyone to serve themselves the chili, cheese sauce, and optional toppings. This way, the fries don't get soggy either (even though I don't mind). This is a great idea for a party with a chili cheese fries bar.
Got a minute? Dive into the comments and rate this recipe to let me know how it turned out for you. Was it a hit? Any twists you added? I want to know if my directions were any good or if you plan to make it. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
PrintRecipe
Chili Cheese Fries
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 5 people 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Chili cheese fries are a classic snack or meal that everyone loves. But the traditional version contains dairy and meat. Fortunately, there is a way to make a vegan version of chili cheese fries that is both delicious and healthy below.
Ingredients
Make this simple chili
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 peppers (diced)
- 1 jalapeno (seeded and diced (optional))
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 - 1 ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 can roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans (or other bean like pinto)
- 1 can black beans
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Fries
- 2 bags favorite fries (waffle cut are delicious for this recipe)
Cashew Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup cashews (soaked for 4 hours if not using a high-speed blender)
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to the advised cooking temperature for your bag of fries.
- Cook: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Saute: Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Cook: Add the bell peppers, jalapeno pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Incorporate: Add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, and vegetable broth. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the chili has thickened.
- Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake: Now turn your attention to the french fries. Follow the directions on the bag.
- Blend: While the french fries are in the oven, make the cheese sauce by placing all the ingredients in a blender and mixing until creamy and smooth.
- Transfer: Once the fries are done, transfer them to a large serving platter. Assemble the chili over the fries and drizzle with vegan cheese sauce.
- Garnish: Garnish with chopped cilantro and salsa if desired.
Notes
As an alternative to serving it in a casserole dish, make a chili cheese fries bar and have everyone make their own.
My family always wants extra cheese sauce, so a double batch of cheese sauce may suit your family too.
This chili cooks quickly because the lid stays off while it simmers. If you want to slow cook it to deepen and enhance the flavors, simmer it on low with the lid slightly off for up to two hours or more.
Nutritional profile is only an estimate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: main course, side dish, snack
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 322
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 819
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 9
- Protein: 13
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Maggie says
So good! This has become a family favorite!
Regi Pearce says
That's amazing to hear! Knowing it's become a family favorite is the ultimate compliment. Thanks so much for trying the vegan chili cheese fries and for letting me know how much you all enjoyed them!