Loaded Vegan Chili Cheese Burger Fries Recipe
Today we are making a Loaded Vegan Chili Cheese Burger Fries Recipe! Craving all the indulgence of chili cheeseburgers and loaded fries but in a completely plant-based package? Look no further than these Chili Cheeseburger Fries! This dish combines the best of two comfort food classics: crispy, air-fried potato strips topped with savory vegan nacho cheese, a flavorful plant-based burger crumble, and fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, and bell peppers. Finished with a dollop of vegan sour cream, it’s a perfect harmony of creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors that will leave you utterly satisfied.
What sets this recipe apart is the homemade touch in every layer. The nacho cheese, made from a wholesome blend of potatoes and carrots, adds a rich, velvety texture that pairs perfectly with the air-fried fries. The soft yet tender fries are ideal for holding all the toppings without becoming overly crispy or greasy. By using a vegan beef patty, this dish captures the savory, hearty essence of a cheeseburger, while the fresh lettuce, hot bell peppers, and bright orange bell pepper slices bring a refreshing crunch and a pop of color.
Whether you’re enjoying these fries as a hearty appetizer, a game-day snack, or a full meal, they’re guaranteed to impress vegans and non-vegans alike. Easy to assemble and endlessly customizable, this dish invites you to get creative with your toppings. So grab your air fryer, whip up some nacho cheese, and treat yourself to this crowd-pleasing fusion of loaded fries and cheeseburger-inspired goodness!
Why You’ll Love These Loaded Chili Cheese Burger Fries
A Fun Way to Enjoy Classic Favorites: By blending the best parts of chili fries and cheeseburgers, this recipe reinvents comfort food in a way that’s fresh, exciting, and completely vegan. It’s a playful take on two beloved classics, making it a guaranteed hit with anyone who loves bold flavors and creative meals.
Balanced Flavor Explosion: From the creamy nacho cheese to the tangy vegan sour cream and the crunch of fresh lettuce and bell peppers, each ingredient brings something unique to the table. The combination of savory, spicy, creamy, and fresh creates a perfectly balanced bite every time.
Substitutions
Potatoes: For the best texture, use starchy potatoes like Russet or Idaho potatoes. They air fry the best, resulting in a soft yet sturdy fry that holds up well to toppings. If you don’t have these, swap in another variety of white potato instead.
Vegan Sour Cream: Use your favorite brand of vegan sour cream, or thick vegan yogurt. If using yogurt, go with the thickest style rather than a thin, “drippy” yogurt, and make it unflavored (not vanilla flavored either, and it shouldn’t have any added sugar – a sweet yogurt won’t go well here).
Vegan Patty: I used Yves Veggie Supreme vegan patty, but you can choose any type of vegan meat crumbles, or a vegan patty that’s cooked and crumbled.
Nacho Cheese: Use any brand of vegan nacho cheese or cheese-like sauce (like a vegan queso dip) you find at the grocery store. I also like using online vegan grocery stores (like Vegan Supply or Vegan Essentials).
Hot Peppers: You can use fresh hot peppers and slice them into circles instead, but I used these pickled hot pepper rings, which add a tangy flavor. Plus, they aren’t crunchy like the bell peppers are, so it adds a different texture since these are pickled. I like Bick’s brand of Pickled Hot Peppers.
Loaded Chili Cheese Burger Fries Recipe Notes
- The hot bell peppers add a nice kick, but you can easily adjust the spiciness to your preference. Add jalapeños, chili flakes, or even a drizzle of hot sauce if you love heat, or swap the hot peppers for mild ones to tone it down.
- These loaded fries are a meal on their own but can also pair well with a side salad or a refreshing mocktail to balance the richness. They’re great for parties, game days, or simply indulging in a fun weeknight treat!
- This recipe is categorized as gluten-free and refined sugar-free, but it depends on your brand. Check the ingredients in the vegan beef, nacho cheese and sour cream for gluten or sugar if avoiding those.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Grilled Sourdough Mushroom & Cheese Toastie
Air Fryer Churro Sweet Potato with Chocolate Drizzle
If you make this Loaded Vegan Chili Cheese Burger Fries Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!
Loaded Vegan Chili Cheese Burger Fries Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 small to medium white potatoes cut into long strips
- 1 vegan beef patty cooked and crumbled // see Substitutions section in the post
- ½ cup vegan nacho cheese or any vegan cheese sauce like a queso dip
- 2 tbsp pickled hot pepper rings Bick's brand – see Substitutions section for the link
- 3 tbsp lettuce shredded
- 2 tbsp fresh tomatoes diced
- 2 tbsp bell peppers diced
- 2 tbsp vegan sour cream or yogurt
Instructions
- Lightly grease an air fryer tray. Evenly place the potato strips in the tray and bake at 360 degrees F for around 12 minutes, moving them around every 5 minutes. You may have to make two batches depending on the size of your fryer.
- While the potato strips are cooking, cook the beef patty as per the instructions on the package. I like to cook mine on the stovetop with a drizzle of olive oil, letting both sides cook for a few minutes until cooked and crispy.
- Once the patty is cooked, use a fork to turn it into crumbles and set aside.
- When the potatoes are done, remove them from the air fryer tray and onto a serving plate.
- Top with the nacho cheese (I used a squeeze bottle as you can see in the photos, so it's nicely drizzled across the fries), beef crumbles, lettuce, tomatoes, pickled hot pepper rings and bell peppers.
- Add dollops of the sour cream on top. Serve hot!
