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    Home ▸ Vegan Snacks

    Loaded Vegan Nachos Recipe

    Last modified: January 23, 2023. Originally posted: January 23, 2023 By Sophia DeSantis

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    Three hands getting food from a plate of loaded nachos on a striped towel.

    These vegan nachos are covered in nacho cheese and loaded with amazing ingredients for the ultimate result. You'll never miss the dairy!

    It's amazing how incredible these vegan nachos taste. The nacho cheese sauce base is made with veggies for a creamy cheese you won't believe!

    Fully loaded nachos on a tan plate resting on a striped napkin.
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    This post was originally published on October 3, 2019.

    The vegan nacho cheese sauce used on these nachos is unreal! We love layering toppings like homemade guacamole, vegan sour cream and fresh salsa over the top for the perfect appetizer, snack or even main dish!

    Nachos Ingredients

    This vegan nachos recipe is the perfect family dinner. Not only can you load them up with healthy ingredients but each person can customize them to what they like. No complaints, no whining. A full on win!

    Note that these are just a few ideas to start with, see below for more options!

    • Tortilla chips 
    • Homemade vegan nacho cheese 
    • Black beans
    • Red onion
    • Jalapeños
    • Lettuce
    • Guacamole
    • Salsa
    • Tomatoes
    • Sour cream
    Ingredients for nachos in bowls on a wooden tray.

    How to Make Vegan Nachos

    The steps are pretty basic, and will change depending on what you choose to make or buy and if you are making a big batch or individual servings.

    To make one big batch of veggie loaded nachos in the oven:

    1. Arrange the chips on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
    2. Drizzle the cheese evenly over the top.
    3. Next add the beans, red onion and pickled jalapeños.
    4. Bake until the cheese sauce is hot. (Or the shredded cheese is melted if using.)
    5. Carefully remove from the oven and pile on the other toppings.
    A plate piled with tortilla chips, lettuce and cheese sauce
    A plate with tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, cheese sauce and black beans
    Hands grabbing for nachos fully loaded with ingredients

    To make individual servings or skip the oven here's what to do:

    • Warm up the nacho cheese sauce and beans separately in the microwave or in a pot on the stove.
    • Divide the chips between individual plates.
    • Build by putting on the cheese and beans first, then add all of the other toppings.

    Serving Suggestions

    We love to make a vegan nachos bar and have everyone create their own. Here are my favorite ways to make sure everyone is happy, but also piling their plate with healthy things:

    1. Put everything you want to offer in bowls
    2. Have categories: veggies, protein, grains, spice
    3. Establish rules, like you must take 3 from the veggie category, 1 from the protein, etc
    4. Allow even the littles to create their own.
    5. Include toppings to encompass all types of eaters and allergies.

    More Nacho Topping Suggestions

    The ingredients for this vegan nachos recipe listed above are our go to toppings, but you really can put anything on nachos. I like to pile them on with anything and everything. Here are some more of our favorites:

    • Bean dip
    • Vegan taco meat
    • Vegan chorizo sausage
    • Fajita Veggies
    • Salsa Verde
    • Corn salsa or corn
    • Pinto beans or lentils
    • Diced avocado
    • Grilled onions
    • Green onions
    • Chopped peppers
    • Olives
    • Rice or quinoa
    Hand picking up a nacho chip piled with cheese, beans and other ingredients.

    Preparation Tips

    • If you're making any of the homemade options you can prepare them in advance.
      • Just store them separately in airtight containers.
      • When it's time to serve, heat up the hot toppings and you're done!
    • You can build the nachos on individual plates, or prepare them on one big baking sheet or platter.
    • If using a sheet pan, line it with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze!
    • Make sure every chip gets a topping by assembling them in layers! Spread out some chips, top with the cheese sauce and toppings of choice, then repeat with more chips and toppings!

    Tips to make nachos easier

    While nachos themselves are pretty easy to put together, there are still ways you can cut corners to make them even easier. The end result may not be as healthy but sometimes it's okay to focus on low effort.

    Here are some things you can buy prepared when you are really strapped for time:

    • Cheese
    • Chips
    • Salsa
    • Guacamole
    • Beans and bean dips
    • Sour cream
    • Taco meat or soyrizo
    • Pre cut or chopped veggies

    Common Questions

    What makes a nacho a nacho?

    Nachos were originally created by a man feeding a group of military women. He served them tortilla chips covered with cheddar cheese and slices of jalapeños. Since his nickname was "Nacho" that is what they named this appetizer. Nachos though have come to be customizable from person to person, which is why they make a great DIY dinner. There are so many things you can add on top, and so many variations.

    Are tortilla chips vegan?

    Yes! As long as they aren't made with animal ingredients. They can even be healthy when you make them at home, like my homemade oil-free baked corn tortilla chips.

    What is vegan nacho cheese made of?

    Each recipe varies, but my nacho cheese sauce is made with potato, veggies, cashews, dairy free milk, and jalapeños.

    Are there different kinds of nachos?

    Yes! Nachos variations are everywhere, from savory to sweet and indulgent to healthy. Here are some varieties and ideas:
    Greek nachos
    Potato chip nachos
    Apple nachos
    Tater tot nachos
    French fry nachos
    Churro chips nachos
    Breakfast nachos

    More Vegan Mexican Recipes

    If your family loves Mexican food as much as we do, you must try these plant based recipes!

    • Healthy Taco Salad
    • Breakfast Tacos
    • Vegan Birria Tacos
    • Burrito Bowl
    • Refried Bean Burrito
    • Pozole Verde
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    A plate of nachos with all the fixings on a striped towel with bowls of ingredients around it.

    Loaded Vegan Nachos Recipe

    Sophia DeSantis
    These vegan nachos are covered in nacho cheese and loaded with amazing ingredients for the ultimate result. You'll never miss the dairy!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course 30 Minutes or Less, Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4
    Calories 420 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 8 ounces tortilla chips , I use my homemade recipe
    • 1 ½ cups homemade vegan nacho cheese (or buy store bought cheese, shredded works too)

    Toppings (these are customizable):

    • 1 cup black beans (pinto beans work too)
    • 1 cup chopped red onion
    • ½ cup pickled jalapeño slices
    • 2 cups shredded lettuce
    • 1 cup guacamole
    • 1 cup salsa
    • 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ¼ cup sliced fresh jalapeños

    Instructions
     

    To build right on your plate (for cheese sauce):

    • Heat the nacho cheese and beans in the microwave or pot on the stove.
    • Meanwhile, divide the chips between 4 plates.
    • Build by putting on the cheese and beans first, then add all of the other toppings. I like to make layers and build with all the toppings on each layer so that the chips underneath have toppings too.

    To bake in the oven (for shredded cheese or cheese sauce):

    • Preheat oven to 350 F/ 175 C
    • Spread the chips out on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
    • Drizzle cheese over the top. Followed by beans, red onion and pickled jalapeno slices. I like those cooked but this is optional.
    • Bake for about 5 minutes or until cheese sauce is fully heated and drippy or shredded cheese is melted.
    • Take out of the oven and pile on the other toppings.
    • Serve!

    Notes

    • You can add any other toppings you like, see post for more ideas.
    • Time listed is an average time, but will change depending on how many toppings you make and how many you buy premade.
    • Nutrition facts are for homemade ingredients listed, any alteration will change the amounts. 

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 13gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 740mgPotassium: 1047mgFiber: 14gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1098IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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    1. Sarah

      January 31, 2022 at 6:08 am

      We did the build your own nacho bar idea and it was so fun! Everyone loved making their own creation and all of the toppings were so delicious!

      Reply

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