These vegetarian Nando’s dirty fries are my take on a Nando’s-style classic, made for anyone who wants all the flavour without the meat. As a vegetarian, I wanted a version that felt just as indulgent and satisfying, so I created this recipe at home – and honestly, they turned out even better than I expected.
What are Nando’s dirty fries?
Vegetarian Nando’s dirty fries are crispy peri-peri seasoned fries loaded with toppings inspired by Nando’s flavours. This vegetarian version uses vegan peri-peri chicken and halloumi, finished with melted cheddar, spring onions and plenty of perinaise. They’re indulgent, a bit messy, and perfect as a fakeaway at home.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Frozen French fries I use frozen French fries to keep these vegetarian Nando’s dirty fries quick and easy. Any fries or chips will work, including sweet potato fries.
- Vegan chicken pieces Plant-based chicken replaces the chicken used in Nando’s dirty fries. I used Vegetarian Butcher chicken-style chunks, but any vegan chicken alternative is fine.
- Peri-peri sauce The vegan chicken is coated in Nando’s peri-peri sauce for flavour. Use any heat level you like.
- Halloumi Halloumi adds extra texture and flavour to these dirty fries. It isn’t in the original Nando’s loaded chips, but it works really well here.
- Nando’s peri-peri salt Peri-peri salt is used to season the fries and give them that classic Nando’s taste.
- Cheddar cheese Cheddar is ideal for dirty fries as it melts well and has a strong flavour. You can mix it with mozzarella for extra melt if you like.
- Spring onions Sliced spring onions add freshness and a bit of colour to the dirty fries.
- Nando’s perinaise Perinaise is peri-peri flavoured mayonnaise and adds a creamy finish to the loaded fries.
How to make Nando’s Loaded Fries at Home
Cook the fries: Preheat the oven and cook your French fries according to the pack instructions until crispy.
Fry the halloumi: Slice the halloumi into strips about 1 cm wide and 2 cm long. Fry in 1 tsp vegetable oil until golden, then set aside.
Cook the vegan chicken: In the same pan, heat 1 tsp vegetable oil. Add the vegan chicken and Nando’s sauce and cook for about 6 minutes, stirring often, until heated through. Remove from the heat.
Season the fries: Once cooked, tip the fries into a large heatproof bowl. Sprinkle with peri-peri salt and toss to coat evenly.
Assemble and melt: Transfer the fries to a large roasting dish. Top with the vegan chicken and halloumi, then sprinkle with grated Cheddar. Return to the oven until the cheese has just melted.
Finish and serve: Scatter over spring onions and drizzle with plenty of perinaise. Serve immediately while the cheese is still melty and gooey.
Homemade peri peri seasoning
If you can’t find Nando’s peri-peri salt, you can make your own at home. Combine:
- 4 parts sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground coriander
- 2 parts salt, dried oregano, and dried parsley
- 1 part ground ginger, ground cardamom, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper
Mix well and sprinkle over your fries for that classic peri-peri flavour.
Homemade perinaise
If you have mayonnaise at home, you can easily make your own perinaise by stirring in some of your favourite Nando’s sauce.
Air Fryer Vegetarian Nando’s Loaded Fries
If you prefer to use an air fryer, it’s easy to adapt this recipe. Cook the fries in the air fryer according to the packet instructions until crispy, then top them with the vegan chicken, halloumi and cheese. Return to the air fryer for a few minutes just until the cheese melts and everything is heated through. Scatter over spring onions and drizzle with perinaise before serving.
Vegan Nando’s Dirty Fries
To make these vegetarian Nando’s dirty fries fully vegan, simply swap the Cheddar and halloumi for your favourite vegan cheese and use Nando’s vegan perinaise instead of regular perinaise. Everything else stays the same, so you can enjoy the same indulgent, spicy flavours in a completely plant-based version.
Vegetarian Nando’s Dirty Fries: Similar Recipes
If you liked these fakeaway Nando’s loaded fries then check out more of my recipes:
Vegetarian Nando’s Dirty Fries
Ingredients
Method
- Cook your French fries in a preheated oven according to pack instructions until nice and crispy.
- Meanwhile prepare your halloumi. Slice the halloumi into 1cm wide strips around 2cm long. Fry your halloumi in 1 tsp of vegetable oil until golden brown all over. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Into the same pan heat 1 tsp of vegetable oil. Add in your vegan chicken and sauce and fry for around 6 minutes until cooked through, stirring often. Remove from the heat.
- Once the fries are cooked remove from the oven and tip into a large heatproof bowl. Season with peri peri salt to taste and toss to coat.
- Tip your fries into a large roasting dish. Top with the vegan chicken and halloumi. Sprinkle with the grated Cheddar and place back into the hot oven until the cheese has just melted.
- Scatter over your spring onion and drizzle over plenty of perinaise. Serve quickly whilst the cheese is still melty!
Such a good idea yummy!