We’re in love with these easy cheesy vegetarian Irish Nachos! Roasted russet potatoes are topped with a mountain of melted cheese and all your favorite nacho toppings for an out of this world appetizer you’ll want to make again and again!
Vegetarian Irish Nachos
One of the few things that can rival my love of veggies, is my love of cheese.
If it came down to choosing between 6-pack abs and a daily serving (or three) of cheese, I’d choose the cheese.
Hands-down. No question. End of story.
At this point I work out just so I can eat cheese. #noregrets
This is clearly the worst intro in the history of blogging.
These sassy spuds are easy to make, easy to scarf, and oh so tasty.
Stick a fork in me, I’m done!
Better yet, stick a fork in these:
This recipe can easily serve one, two, or an entire herd of hungry hungry hippos! Double, triple, or quadruple as needed!
I’ve been making this rockin’ recipe for years so believe me when I say that I’ve perfected these bad boys. Naturally, I’m super excited for you to try them!
PRO TIP! Lay potato slices flat on a wire cooling rack or grilling rack and set it on top of your baking sheet. This will allow both sides to cook evenly and prevent mushiness. As an added bonus, you won’t need to flip the potato chips halfway through!
How could these not be insanely delicious?!
And before you start to shriek “But Jenn! The calories!!!!!” take a deep breath and calm the eff down. Living burns calories! So keep doing that, and you’ll be a-ok. I promise.
Class dismissed. #thanksforcomingtomyTEDTALK
Vegetarian Irish Nachos
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes
- healthy spray oil (I love my avocado oil spray)
- ¼ tsp paprika to taste
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2-1 cup grated cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or mexican blend)
TASTY TOPPINGS: CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITES!
- fresh or pickled jalapeño slices
- sour cream or Greek yogurt
- salsa or pico de gallo
- black beans
- diced onion or pickled red onion
- guacamole
- tomatoes
- chopped olives
- corn salsa
- fresh cilantro or green onions
- hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450℉.
- Wash and peel potatoes and cut into discs. I like mine the same thickness and texture as steak fries. Crunchy, crust-like outside and a fluffy mashed potato-like center. It makes me weak in the knees.
- Spray or rub with your favorite oil (olive, avocado, coconut, etc…) and sprinkle with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Lay potato slices flat on a wire cooling rack or grilling rack and set on top of a reflective baking sheet. This will allow both sides to cook evenly on both sides and eliminate the need to flip the chips.
- Place baking sheet on the center rack and bake at 450℉ for 25-30 minutes. They're done once they start to bubble and turn golden brown on the surface.
- Remove tray from oven and cover with grated cheese. Return to oven for 1-2 minutes to melt cheese.
- Add all your favorite nacho toppings and dig in!
Notes
Nutrition
Q: Can I make Vegan Irish Nachos?
You sure can! Today’s recipe is absolutely delicious whether or not you actually top it with cheese! One of my friends makes these vegan style with a mountain of salsa, guac, and vegan sour cream and said they’re positively delicious!
Feel free to follow suit!
I updated this post with fancy new photos in January 2025. Here are a few of the OG snaps:
Looking for the restaurant-style T-Rex version?
Craving sweet potatoes instead of plain ole russet potatoes? Get ready to Irish Nacho your face off! Sliced sweet potatoes are AMAZING here and make the most amazing Sweet Potato Nachos.
Seriously. Do it!
hungry for more?
If you get a chance to try this easy cheesy vegetarian Irish Nachos recipe, let me know!
Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
Questions & Reviews
“”But Jenn! The calories!!!!!” take a deep breath and calm the eff down. Living burns calories! So keep doing that, and you’ll be a-ok. Class dismissed”—- I love it!!!! People are so obsessed with counting grams of this or that, just eat real food you make yourself and you’ll be fine 🙂 I have to try the cooling rack trick to get them to crisp up a little better!
You’ll love the trick! And thanks! I’m glad I have a friend on my side with the calorie shpiel! 🙂
I’m so glad you re-linked to this post! OMG, I am so making this for dinner tonight. Uh…after I go grocery shopping. You know, I just really love all your recipes. Thanks for sharing them. 🙂
ps-I moved my blog (Blurb Column) to wordpress and renamed it. I’m now Casa Beebe but it’s still me doin’ my thang.
that’s it. i’m officially moving you to my “blends” folder on reader so I will read you daily. why I’ve not done this yet is beyond me. you live in fitness, which i get to about once a week. you’re moving.
PS I love you. ha.
I found this post because I am CRAVING some Irish Nachos, but holy snickerdoodles, this post cracked me up!!! Thanks for the orgasmic recipe… this will be tonights dinner 🙂
I just texted my Hubby about this! He will love it! Thank you for the tip on baking the potatoes. You are a genius!
Good gravy those look good!
I love this idea – I’m thinking sweet potatoes would be a great way to tweak this too!
Ohmygosh YES! They’re amazing with sweet potatoes!
Love this, the colors are so pretty and vibrant and it just looks so yummy! <3
Hmm. Looks like I need to invest in a wire rack now …
Worst intro ever? Try BEST intro ever. I love me some cheese so this recipe is AMAZING! I can’t wait to make these as a side a dish with dinner!
The title of the post caught my attention, then the crazy intro kept me reading…what a great snack. I love potatoes (I am not ashamed to say it) and I LOVE this idea.
Keep the crazy coming Jenn.
Oh I am with you there. I LOVE cheese!
These looks sooo yummy!
laughed out loud. so so so so so get —again—why and how you and Cat are friends 🙂
“Living burns calories! So keep doing that, and you’ll be a-ok.” <- LOVE…it!
What’s wrong with me? I haven’t had a cheese craving in FOREVER…until now that is! 😉 Have you ever tried these with sweet potatoes? Kinda like a little spin off of your savory sweet p’s? Mmm!
OMG I love Irish nachos!!! There’s a pub right down the street from my office and they serve a huuuuge plate of these bad boys. So yummy. I love how you sliced them though instead of having them diced…I’m sure they are much easier to eat that way. Thanks for sharing! I want a plate of them now 🙂
I’m gonna have to give these a try. I have a love affair with cheese too.
Holy yum!!! that sounds AMAZING!!
Best sentence is Calm the eff down and breathe. LOL!
I’ve said this to myself so many times lately, I’ve sworn off counting calories and calmed the eff down, it’s working, I’m down almost 25lbs!
Obviously you can’t see me right now, but i’ll have you know i’m running around doing a happy dance for you right now! Go Jen go!!!!!!
Living DOES burn calories! Brilliant. We need to remember to stop sweating these things sometimes.
I never thought to cook taters on a rack like that. Snazzy idea I will have to try!
This truly was one of the best-written and most entertaining blog posts I’ve read in a long time! Love your writing 🙂 Great recipe, I’m a cheese lover too! Who needs a 6-pack anyways?!
You just described my relationship with red wine and dark chocolate. *sigh*
That shouldn’t be a problem!
Cheese > 6 pack. Totally agreed.
And pfft, calories. If it’s tasty, calories can easily be overlooked. 🙂
So I have everything on hand to make these, except the damn potato. I do however have some lovely sweet potatoes, which I was thinking of stuffing ala Jenn style, but I might have to make these instead.
Since I work out regularly and cook cleanly, I could care less about calories. Bon appetit.