30-Minute Bean and Lentil Waffle Fry Nachos
A creative twist on traditional nachos using crispy waffle fries as the base instead of tortilla chips. The protein-packed topping features savory soyrizo, pinto beans, and pre-cooked lentils sautéed with onions for deep flavor. Melted cheese brings everything together, while fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, cilantro, and romaine lettuce add brightness and crunch. Perfect for game day, casual dinners, or whenever you want comfort food with a fun twist. The waffle fries provide extra surface area for toppings and a satisfying texture that holds up better than regular chips.
Ingredients
- ½ onions, medium, diced
- 1 heart lettuce, romaine, chopped
- 1 tomatoes, medium, diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 can beans, pinto (14 oz / 397 g), drained and rinsed
- 20 oz waffle fries, frozentortilla chips1:1note:Heat oven to 350Fspread chips on sheet pantop with toppingsbake 5-10 minutes
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- 1 Tbsp oil, cooking
- 8 oz soyrizochorizo1:1note:Use same cooking method
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- 2 cups lentils, pre-cooked
- 6 oz cheese, any pre-shredded blend
- 2 tsp lime juice
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup salsa, any type
Instructions
- 1
Cook waffle fries according to package directions
- 2
Heat saute pan over medium-high heat and add oil
- 3
Add onions to heated oil and saute until tender
- 4
Add soyrizo and break apart as it cooks until it begins to brown on the bottom of the pan
- 5
Stir in beans and lentils until heated through
- 6
Remove fries from oven and turn on oven's broiler
- 7
Top fries with soyrizo mixture and cheese
- 8
Place under broiler until cheese is melted
- 9
Finish with squeeze of lime juice and cilantro
- 10
Serve with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa for customization
Tips
Sweet potato waffle fries work especially well if you can find them, adding extra flavor and nutrition to the dish.
Watch the nachos closely under the broiler to prevent burning - cheese can go from melted to burnt very quickly.
Set up a toppings bar with the fresh ingredients so everyone can customize their portion to their liking.
Good to Know
Best served immediately while waffle fries are crispy. Leftover toppings can be refrigerated separately for 2-3 days.
Prepare soyrizo mixture up to 1 day ahead and reheat before serving. Cook waffle fries fresh for best texture.
Serve immediately while hot with fresh toppings on the side for customization.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip watching under the broiler to avoid burnt cheese and fries.
Cook waffle fries fully before adding toppings to ensure they stay crispy.
Substitutions
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Full guide →FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
The soyrizo mixture can be made ahead, but cook the waffle fries fresh and assemble just before serving to maintain crispiness.
What if I can't find soyrizo?
Regular chorizo works well, or you can season crumbled tofu or tempeh with paprika, cumin, and chili powder.
How long do leftovers keep?
The assembled nachos don't keep well, but leftover toppings can be refrigerated for 2-3 days and reused.