February 19, 2025
California Burrito-Inspired Nacho Fries
Last Updated on 1 year ago by Ashley
These California Burrito-Inspired Nacho Fries take all the best parts of a classic California burrito—savory carne asada, creamy guacamole, fresh pico de gallo, and melty cheese—and layer them over crispy, golden waffle cut fries. It’s the ultimate fusion of loaded fries and burrito flavors, perfect for game day, parties, or an indulgent snack.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Nacho Fries jump to recipe video Step-by-Step Instructions Tips and FAQsCalifornia Burrito-Inspired Nacho Fries
Everything you love about a California burrito—on crispy, golden waffle fries! These fully loaded nacho fries bring bold flavors and textures, from juicy vegan carne asada to melty cheese, creamy guacamole, and zesty pico de gallo. Made with seasoned waffle cut fries, every bite is a crave-worthy balance of crispy, cheesy, and nostalgic goodness!
Why You’ll Love These California Burrito-Inspired Nacho Fries
- A fun twist on a classic: Inspired by the iconic California burrito, but in a loaded fry form!
- Crispy, seasoned fries: Alexia® Waffle Cut Fries are the perfect base for all the toppings! They’re seasoned to perfection and extra crispy! Alexia® has a wide variety of different products, so the possibilities are endless!
- Perfect for game day or parties – Serve these up as an appetizer or a main course for an unforgettable meal.
How to Make California Burrito-Inspired Nacho Fries
1. Preheat the oven and bake the fries:
Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the Alexia® Seasoned Waffle Cut Fries in an even layer and bake according to the package instructions.
2. Quickly marinate the carne asada:
While the oven preheats and the fries are baking, prepare the vegan carne asada. In a large bowl, whisk together the orange juice, cilantro, soy sauce, lime juice, 1 tablespoon of oil, cumin, and Mexican oregano until well combined. Add the vegan steak pieces or shredded tofu, toss to coat, and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
3. Melt the cheese:
Once the fries are done baking, remove them from the oven and sprinkle them with the vegan shredded cheese. Place the fries under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Transfer the cheesy fries to a serving platter and set them aside.
4. Cook the carne asada:
While the fries are in the oven, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated carne asada along with the marinade juices. Cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the edges are slightly crispy and the flavors have melded together.
5. Assemble, serve, and enjoy!
Now for the fun part—assembling your nacho fries! Top the crispy waffle fries with the cooked carne asada, guacamole, pico de gallo, and pickled jalapeños. Drizzle with vegan sour cream or chipotle crema, garnish with chopped cilantro, and dig in!
Tips and FAQs
- Get extra crispy fries: Bake or air-fry fries according to their package directions for even crispiness.
- Let the vegan cheese come to room temperature: Cold vegan cheese straight from the fridge can take longer to melt. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before using it to ensure a smoother, even melt when broiling.
- Crisp up the carne asada for texture: Letting the vegan steak or tofu cook until slightly crispy on the edges adds a more authentic “grilled” effect, similar to traditional carne asada.
- Serve immediately: These nacho fries are best enjoyed right away to keep the fries crisp and the toppings fresh.
- Customize the toppings: Add black beans, corn salsa, or a drizzle of hot sauce for extra flavor!
- Meal prep tip: Make the carne asada ahead of time and store it in the fridge for quick assembly!
Can I make these California Burrito-Inspired Nacho Fries Gluten Free?
Absolutely! Just ensure your vegan steak and soy sauce are gluten-free, and you’re good to go.
What can I use instead of vegan steak?
My recipe for Mushroom Asada Tacos is very popular and flavorful! Prepare the mushrooms according to the directions and use those instead of vegan steak pieces. Additionally, you can use rehydrated soy curls or drained and shredded tofu. Please note that cooking methods and times may vary if substituting the vegan steak.
How can I make these California Burrito-Inspired Nacho Fries ahead of time?
You can prep the carne asada a day in advance and store it in the fridge until ready to cook. The fries should be baked fresh for the best texture.
What is the best way to store and reheat leftovers?
These nacho fries are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes or in an air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes to crisp them back up.
Time to Dig In!
These California Burrito-Inspired Nacho Fries are a game changer—crispy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor! Whether you’re hosting a party, watching the big game, or just craving some next-level fries, this recipe is a must-try. If you make them, I’d love to see! Snap a picture or take a video, share it on Instagram, and tag me at @eat_figs_not_pigs and #EatFigsNotPigs! xx.
California Burrito-Inspired Nacho Fries
Ingredients
For the Carne Asada:
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup fresh minced cilantro
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp neutral oil, such as avocado or vegetable, divided
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
- 10 oz vegan steak pieces or drained and shredded extra firm tofu
For the Nacho Fries
- 1 (15 oz) bag Alexia® Seasoned Waffle Cut Fries
- 1 cup vegan shredded cheese, cheddar + mozzarella blend
- ½ cup guacamole, homemade or store-bought
- ½ cup pico de gallo, homemade or store-bought
- ¼ cup pickled jalapeños
- ¼ cup vegan sour cream or chipotle crema
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bake the Alexia® Seasoned Waffle Cut Fries according to package directions.
- While the oven preheats and the fries bake, marinate the carne asada.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the orange juice, cilantro, soy sauce, lime juice, 1 tablespoon oil, cumin, and Mexican oregano.
- Add the vegan steak pieces or shredded tofu, toss to coat, and let marinate for 15 minutes.
- Once the fries are done baking, sprinkle them with vegan shredded cheese and broil for 1-2 minutes until melted. Set aside.
- While the fries are in the oven, cook the carne asada.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a nonstick sauté pan over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, cook the asada with the marinade juice in a large sauté pan over medium heat until heated through and slightly crisped around the edges, 7 to 10 minutes, stirring every so often.
- Top the waffle fries with the carne asada, guacamole, pico de gallo, and pickles jalapeños. Top with the vegan sour cream or chipotle crema, garnish with minced cilantro and enjoy!
This was surprisingly easy for the amount of flavor payoff you get! I opted to use impossible steak bites. Marinated them from frozen for 15 & it tured out absolutely exceptional ♡ Going to throw the little amount of leftover toppings in a burrito tomorrow w/ some fresh fries! Can’t wait to make this again and try out different toppings! Thank you so much for sharing!!! This was delish!
10 outta 10 ⭐️