Loaded BBQ Waffle Fries
Loaded BBQ Waffle Fries
Let me first say that these are sooo good! There are so many flavors and textures going on in the best possible way. I took the extra time in advance to make a low sugar bbq sauce and homemade ranch dressing. Both are easy to make but you can certainly use store bought and these fries will be just as tasty! In addition to the two yummy sauces, I loaded up sweet potato fries with layers of melted vegan cheddar cheese, bbq seasoned jackfruit and fresh green onions. This recipe is incredibly delicious but I encourage you to play around. Try using Vegan ground meat or regular fries, the possibilities are endless. Just one thing, make sure they’re loaded!
Serves 4
Ingredients
20 oz (566 g) Waffle Fries (I used Sweet Potato)
7 oz ( 200 g) Young Jackfruit Pieces (I really like Edward & Sons organic in the box because they’re extremely tender)
1 cup (80 g) Onion finely diced
3.5 oz ( 100 g) Vegan Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup (118 ml) Plant Milk
1 1/2 (22.5 ml) Tbsp of Avocado or neutral Oil
1 tsp (5g) Garlic Powder
2 Green Onions sliced (green parts only)
Salt & Pepper
Date Sweetened BBQ Sauce
8 Medjool Dates pits removed
1/3 cup (78 ml) Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tsp (10 g) Garlic Powder
2 tsp (10 g) Onion Powder
2 tsp (10 g) Smoked Paprika
3 Tbsp Tomato Paste
1 Tbsp (15 ml) Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
8-10 drops of Liquid Smoke
1 cup (236 ml) Water (reserved)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Ranch Dressing
(mix all together and chill for 30 minutes)
2/3 cup (150 g) Vegan Mayo
1/3 cup (80 g) Vegan Sour Cream
1 tsp (5 g) Garlic Powder
1 tsp (5 g) Onion Powder
1 tsp (5 g) chopped Dill
1 tsp (5 g) chopped Chives
1 tsp (5 ml) Lemon Juice
Salt & Pepper to taste
Note: You can make the bbq sauce and ranch a day or two ahead. Both will have great flavor. I like to add them to squeeze bottles that I’ve repurposed which makes the sauces easy to apply.
Dates: when removing the pits make sure to check for mold. Mold appears as all black inside and good dates will be completely clean inside.
Directions
1. Make the bbq sauce by pitting the dates and adding them to a bowl. Cover with hot water and let stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Drain but reserve the water. Set both aside.
2. To a blender add the dates, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, tomato paste, vegan worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup of the date water. Blend until smooth. Add additional water as needed. Sauce should be thick but pourable.
3. Pour the sauce into a pot and cook on medium low for 15 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent it from burning. The sauce will reduce slightly. Allow to cool completely before using.
4. Make the bbq seasoned jackfruit by adding the chopped onion and oil to a pan on medium low heat. Allow the onions to cook for 8-10 minutes or until they have taken on a bit of color. Season with salt.
5. Lightly chop the jackfruit and add it to the pan along with 1 tsp garlic powder and 1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp of the bbq sauce. Raise the heat to medium and cook for 5-7 minutes. You want the jackfruit to soak up the bbq sauce but not dry out. Add either more sauce or a bit of water to keep it moist.
6. Bake the waffle fries in one single layer and according to package directions.
7. While the fries bake, melt your cheese in a small pot along with the plant milk. Stir occasionally until smooth. Keep on low heat to keep warm.
8. Load up your fries by assembling the baked waffle fries onto a platter and top with the melted cheese. Add the cooked bbq jackfruit on top. Add a good drizzling of bbq sauce and ranch. Finally top with green onions before serving.
Enjoy!
