Loaded Vegan Nachos

These crunchy, cravable, loaded vegan nachos are easy to make and everyone devours them! They're crisp, creamy, cheesy and drizzled with the best tasting vegan queso ever! The perfect shareable, crowd pleasing, vegan food to serve on date night, for Cinco de Mayo or on Game Day. Let's dig into the layers!

These vegan nachos are loaded with spicy vegan sausage crumbles (other vegan meat options too!), black beans, dairy free cheese, guacamole, pico and tons more nacho toppings to choose from too. 

But what sets this vegan nacho recipe apart is the ultra flavorful, super delicious, dairy-free queso cheese sauce - it's totally scrumptious! No bland, boring vegan nachos here!

Why is this Vegan Nacho Recipe the Best?

In additional to their layer upon layer of crunchy, cheesy goodness, we love these epic vegan nachos because they're:

• Easy: Nachos are quick & easy to make. Although there are a few components, they are all quick: pico de gallo, guacamole, dairy-free queso, meaty sausage crumbles. Many can be made ahead then easily assembled when ready to serve.
• Customizable: Toppings are the magic in loaded vegan tacos! I highly recommend a mixture of fresh, creamy, and crunchy toppings. Add just a few or pile on ALL the toppings.
• Special Diet Friendly: Just because you're vegan, vegetarian, plant based or gluten free, doesn't mean you have to miss out on epic nachos! Everyone loves this recipe!
• Ultimate Vegan Queso Sauce: The dairy free queso is going to change you! Trust me, it's spectacular slathered on everything from vegan tacos and quesadillas to burrito bowls and burgers.

Vegan Nacho Ingredients

These nachos are easy to whip up for a snack, dinner or the big game. Here's the ingredients I use (plus some options):

• Tortilla Chips: Choose a sturdy tortilla chip that will hold up to scooping and stay crunchy when loaded with ALL the toppings. I like a thick restaurant-style tortilla chip (white, yellow, black or red) or corn chips (gluten free). For a change of pace, make your vegan nachos with fries, waffle fries or tater tots in place of the tortilla chips.
• Black Beans: We love black beans because they are firm but creamy. Plus they're a great source of plant protein. But sub pinto beans or refried beans in place of black beans if you prefer.
• Vegan Shredded Cheese: Traditional (but optional), layering shredded mozzarella or jalapeno Jack cheese ensures you get a cheesy bite in every mouthful. There's lots of great vegan cheeses to choose from these days!
• Vegan Sausage Crumble: We love Field Roast chipotle sausages or Beyond Sausages. The Beyond Brat sausage would need to be cooked before adding to nachos.
• Vegan Cheese Sauce: Make my quick and addictive dairy-free queso or buy your favorite vegan nacho cheese sauce!
• Optional Nacho Toppings: So many toppings to choose from!

Vegan Nachos Topping Ideas

Sky's the limit when it comes to topping your vegan nachos. Keep them traditional with authentic Mexican flavors or color outside the box and customize to suit what you're craving that day. Here's a few topping ideas to get you started:

• Tomatoes: Slice or dice some sweet cherry tomatoes or make a quick and easy pico de gallo.
• Guacamole or avocado chunks: Who doesn't love chips and guac? This guacamole recipe is ready in just 5 minutes. Or dice up some fresh avocado to sprinkle over the nachos.
• Salsa: At the risk of repeating myself, who doesn't love chips and salsa?
• Black olives: Sliced black olives add a salty, briny, savory flavor and great texture to veggie nachos.
• Kick up the heat: Add some fresh jalapeno slices or for extra tanginess go for a pickled version.
• Onions: We love green onions sprinkled over our nachos, but diced red onion is incredible also. For a tangy, bright punch of flavor add a pile of pickled red onions to the top of your nachos!
• Corn: Adds a lovely sweetness and pretty pop of color. Grill the corn for extra flavor!
• Sour cream: Vegan sour cream is light and tangy and is a classic addition to nachos that balances out the heavier cheese and spicy protein ingredients.
• Cilantro: Classic addition of chopped cilantro adds freshness to baked nachos.

How to Make Loaded Vegan Nachos

There's a reason vegan nachos are the best appetizer at parties and get togethers. It's because they are such a flavorful, crunchy, cheesy, shareable finger food that's simple to make and absolutely everyone loves them! Here's the easy, step by step instructions for making your own vegan nachos:

1. Preheat the oven, cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the vegan queso sauce (if making from scratch).
3. Prepare the toppings of choice.

4. Start layering: Spread a layer of tortilla chips on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with half the shredded cheese, black beans, and vegan sausage (torn into chunks).
5. Repeat layer: Add a second layer of chips, the remaining grated cheese, black beans, and vegan sausage.
6. Bake: Place the sheet pan into the oven and bake at 350ºF until the cheese is melty or everything is warmed through (around 15 minutes). Pro Tip: Keep your eyes on the chips so they don't get burnt edges!

7. Add the toppings: Finish off the baked nachos with toppings of choice, and serve with extra sour cream, vegan nacho cheese sauce, and wedges of lime on the side.

Soggy Nachos? No Thank You!

A few simple tips to make sure your nachos are gooey, crispy, and loaded, but not soggy!

• Drain the wet ingredients: Be sure to drain the beans, and corn (if using) and pat dry. Don't add any extra juice from chopped tomatoes/pico.
• Spread the toppings evenly over the baked chips so each bite is a loaded, crunchy, cheesy mouthful. That way the chips get extra crispy and the cheese melts evenly.
• Add the toppings right before serving or serve them on the side and let each guest add their own.

How to Make Ahead and Store

Storing and Reheating Tips: It's no secret that nachos are best fresh, hot, and crunchy out of the oven. But If you have any nachos leftover, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through.

Make Ahead Tips: To save time the day of, prep any ingredients for the veggie nachos that need to be shredded or sliced ahead of time. As well the dairy-free queso cheese sauce can be made several days in advance then stored in the fridge.

More Vegan Appetizers

If you like to entertain like I do, I'm sure you're always on the look out for crowd-pleasing, vegan recipes for parties and game-day that everyone loves. Me too! Here's some of our favorite recipes:

• Vegan Chicken Nuggets
• Vegan Meatballs (3 ways!)
• The BEST Vegan Sausage Rolls
• Easy Vegan Sushi with LOTS of tasting dipping sauces
• Vegan Chili and the Ultimate Vegan Cornbread
• Veggie Potstickers with maple soy dipping sauce