Vegan Smothered and Covered Ranch Taco Fries

This is a #husbandapproved meal for sure! We eat these fries with a fork and always want seconds!

Servings: 4-5

Ingredients:

  • 1 32 oz. bag of frozen french fries (I used shoestring once and crinkle cut the next-use what you like)
  • 4 tablespoons taco seasoning (I used Simply Organic brand)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 8 oz. frozen corn (I like to use fire roasted corn)
  • 1 15.5 oz canned chickpeas (Hold onto the liquid (aquafaba) that the chickpeas are in as you'll use it for the fries).
  • 1 tablespoon oil (I use olive oil)
  • 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained, rinsed
  • 1 recipe of my Vegan Ranchy-Rancherson Dressing
  • 1 recipe of my Vegan Jala-hollaaa-peno Cheese Sauce

Optional ingredients: Chopped tomatoes, nacho jalapeño slices, avocado

How-To:

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Empty the fries into a large bowl. Add the taco seasoning. Toss to combine.
  3. Drain the can of chickpeas OVER the seasoned fries. (Then rinse and set chickpeas aside for later use).
  4. Toss the seasoned fries with the aquafaba (chickpea liquid) until coated. (The aquafaba makes the fries bake to a nice and crispy finish. I don't know why it works, but it does AND it doesn't add any additional flavor to the fries).
  5. Spread the fries out onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with the salt. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes. (I always do a set of 20 minutes, then use a spatula to stir them around, then bake for 20 more minutes). NOTE: The type of fry you use may determine a little more or less baking time. Monitor these the first time you make them.
  6. While the fries are baking, add the oil to a large skillet (I used a cast iron). Add the corn. Cook on medium heat until cooked through (about 10 minutes). When the corn is cooked, add the rinsed chickpeas and the rinsed and drained black beans.
  7. Heat the chickpea, corn and bean mixture on medium heat for 5 minutes, or until well-heated. Remove from heat. (At this point, I placed a lid on the mixture to keep it warm).
  8. Make the Vegan Ranchy-Rancherson Dressing (or use your own pre-made ranch dressing) and set aside.
  9. Make the Vegan Jala-hollaaa-peno Cheese Sauce and set aside. You don't HAVE to add this to the fries (as the ranch alone is really, really yummy, but we like it, so we add it).
  10. When fries are done, remove from oven. Place a handful on a plate. Put a couple of spoonfuls of the chickpea, corn and bean mixture on top of the fries. Drizzle some ranch and some cheese sauce on top.
  11. Add any additional toppings as desired, serve and enjoy! We use a fork to eat this dish.

Tips and Tricks:

Make this vegan, or not! If you aren't vegan, add some bottled ranch dressing and some nacho cheese sauce on top of the taco seasoned fries.

Did you make this recipe? Leave me a comment below! I love to hear how people made my recipes their own! Or, post it to social media and tag it #carolynsdailydishes

Carolyn Braden Smothered and Covered Ranch Taco Fries 1.jpg