These wedge fries are a weekly occurrence in our home, and I love experimenting with new ways to dip them. The other day, I had a hankering for something rich and fulfilling, and this dairy free cheese sauce was the delicious result. It reminds me of the cheese sauces served by some fast-casual restaurants, but is wholesome and plant-based!
Potatoes: Why Baking is Better
Who doesn’t love roasted vegetables? Unfortunately, high heat baking isn’t always the best way to preserve nutrients in produce. However, the humble potato actually shines when given some oven time. Research shows that baking potatoes results in higher levels of resistant starch than other cooking methods. Resistant starch is a beneficial type of dietary fiber found in high-carbohydrate foods (like potatoes), which researchers believe can satiate (aiding in weight loss), improve blood sugar control, boost immunity, and perhaps reduce cancer risk. For an even bigger boost of this good-for-you carbohydrate, bake and cool those potatoes. Chilling further increases the levels of resistant starch. I often make a double batch of these wedge fries and enjoy leftovers from the refrigerator.
For the fries, I always go with wedge cut for a couple of reasons. First, they’re more fun to eat in my opinion! They’re sturdier than traditionally cut fries and thus great for dunking in thin or thick dips. Second, they are easier to cut and more foolproof to bake. You simply turn the wedges upright, with their skin sides down, and bake, no flipping or racks required. The skins shield the sensitive cut tops and the shape and placement aid air circulation for relatively even cooking.
Dairy Free Cheese Sauce: About The Ingredients
But why ruin a perfectly healthy food with a sugar-laden, oily, or dairy dip? This dairy free cheese sauce is packed with even more nutrition and uses simple, wholesome ingredients.
I use ground cashews for richness without the need for oils. You don’t want to pre-soak the cashews for this recipe. They soak up the liquid in the recipe and thicken better when ground fresh. For the liquid, I amp up the creaminess just a touch more with Silk Unsweetened Cashew Milk Beverage. You can use one of their other unsweetened milk beverages, I just find the cashew milk beverage to be the most complimentary. To find them, see the Silk store locator. Also, sign up for the Silk Newsletter. Besides recipes and fun information, they often send out printable coupons. I actually used one to purchase the cashew milk beverage for this dairy free cheese sauce recipe!
Scared of nutritional yeast? Don’t be. It’s rich in vitamins, including B12, which is essential for vegan diets. It’s a natural food that’s even considered “primal“, and is used more like a seasoning. It’s also very lightweight, so an 8-ounce bag will last you for numerous recipes.
Reader Raves
Sharbalina shared the following feedback on this recipe via Instagram after she and her family tried it: “This “cheese” is really tasty! Even fooled my kids! ?”
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk, but the opinions, photos, and delicious recipes are my own. Sign up for the Silk Newsletter for more recipes and printable coupons!
Special Diet Notes: Dairy Free Cheese Sauce with Wedge Fries
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian.
This dairy free cheese sauce could also be considered paleo-friendly, if potatoes are okay for you. If not, use 1 cup peeled, chopped sweet potatoes in place of the carrots and potatoes.
I haven’t tested this particular recipe nut-free, but we also like this Vegan Queso Dip with chips or wedge fries, which is naturally nut-free.
- 1 pound baby potatoes
- ½ tablespoon olive (not extra-virgin), avocado, rice bran, or grapeseed oil
- ¼ to ⅜ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup peeled and chopped carrots (2.5 ounces)
- ½ cup chopped yellow potato (2.5 ounces)
- ⅓ cup raw unsalted cashews (1.75 ounces)
- 1 cup Silk Unsweetened Cashew Milk Beverage, divided
- 2 to 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch cayenne
- Preheat your oven to 400ºF and optionally line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Cut the baby potatoes in half vertically. Cut each half into three wedges vertically – to get 6 long wedges per baby potato.
- Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with ½ tablespoon olive or grapeseed oil. Sprinkle on the salt and pepper. Toss the wedges to coat.
- Spread the wedges out on the baking sheet and turn them all upright, skin side down. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- While the potatoes bake, steam or boil the carrots and potatoes until quite tender, about 20 minutes.
- Pulse the cashews in a spice grinder or food processor until completely ground into a "flour", about 30 seconds.
- Add the cooked vegetables to a blender, followed by half of the cashew milk beverage, then the ground cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne. Blend until smooth. Add the remaining milk beverage and blend to combine.
- Pour the cheesy mixture into a medium pan and bring it to a bubble over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 5 minutes, whisking often, or until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Serve with the baked baby potato wedge fries. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If it thickens too much, simply reheat with enough milk beverage to reach your desired consistency.
The dairy free cheese sauce recipe makes enough for a double batch of wedge fries. If you opt to double up, use two baking sheets to avoid over-crowding the potatoes. You can bake them at the same time, but switch the sheets on the oven racks half way through.
76 Comments
Would you be able to recommend something to replace the cashew? (Besides another nut, my daughter has severe nut allergies.) thanks!
You could try sunflower seeds or coconut cream, but without testing, it’s hard to confirm what will work and taste right. You might want to try this sauce recipe instead (you an make it thicker or thinner, and you don’t have to make it spicy) -> https://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/spicy-stovetop-dairy-free-mac-and-cheese
I want to make this for some vegan friends coming over this weekend. I already had another recipe in mind but I came across this on my Pinterest feed and this one looks better, but I’ve already gone to the store for the week. I have sweet potatoes, carrots, and russet potatoes. What combination do you think would work? Can I use the russets in place of the yellow potatoes?
I would use the russets and carrots. Russets are a little starchier than the yellow potatoes. If the sauce isn’t creamy enough with the russets, you can add a little oil when blending, or swap in some lite coconut milk (in the can) for part of the milk beverage.
Just an update: I did use the russet potatoes and it turned out great!
Fabulous! Thanks for letting me know Tayla.
I made this with sweet potatoes since I had no other kinds of potatoes and it came out great. A low carb option would be to sub in cauliflower. Also I only had almond milk and it worked fine! The rest of the ingredients are key to making this “cheesy” so I wouldn’t sub anything else! Thanks for the recipe, I made nachos with it and it was great!
Thank you for sharing your swap and I’m glad it worked out so well!
Hi. I was just wondering how necessary the lemon juice is in the cheese sauce? I have reflux and am supposed to avoid lemon juice. Would this recipe still work without it? Thanks?
The lemon really does bring it all together and add that touch of flavor/sharpness. You can try omitting it and see how you like it. I might try adding a little miso – very different flavor, but it could help to add some umami. Vinegar would be a little sharp, and I’m not sure that it wouldn’t cause GERD too.
OK Alisa…this is something I must make & enjoy!! I miss cheese so much, even tho the deprivation is a must. I also love my yogurt, but now they have dairy free yogurt too! Cannot wait to try this recipe, THX so much for posting it!!!!
I hope you enjoy it Ree!
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I have an intolerance to dairy citrus and yeast. Could I leave out the yeast and lemon juice in this recipe?
I would not suggest it for this particular recipe. It won’t have any cheesy flavor if you do – but you might like it as just a creamy sauce.
Can you freeze it and heat it for another day. I want to make a few batches for quick dinner nights.
Yes, it should freeze well. If it thickens too much, you can thin it with a little more milk beverage when reheating.
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Hi, I hope you are still answering questions about this. I can’t have potatoes, is there a substitute I can do in the sauce? I’d love to try it with broccoli!! Thanks
I haven’t tested them, but sweet potatoes or possible butternut squash may work well. As another option, I think full fat coconut milk could possibly be substituted for the potatoes and the milk beverage for good results. I haven’t tested this though!
Mine doesn’t “look” exactly like yours but it tastes delicious!!!! I love this recipe 🙂
So glad you enjoy it Cori!
The sauce is very good! I made a double batch; I used some on a pizza and I plan to use the rest on pasta and vegetables. Any idea how well it freezes?
Thanks for a great recipe! It’s a keeper.
So glad you enjoyed it! Yes, it freezes well.
I bet this is the superb sauce.I’ll try to make this perfect.
I plan on making this and hopefully then I’ll “eat” my words, but to call this cheese sauce when there isn’t a hint of cheese in it (even if its a nondairy alternative) seems a bit farfetched.
Well you try it and then tell me what to call it Louise 🙂 I think it’s better than the store-bought non-dairy alternatives!
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Hi Alisa. I was just wondering if you could make this and keep it warm in a small croc for dipping sauce?
Sorry for my delay Shari. Yes, that should work well. It may thicken more as it sits / heats, but will keep it’s consistency. Just thin with more milk beverage or water if needed.
Do you know where you can order or purchase the little northern bakery bread
Is it possible to leave out the yeast? Our daughter is allergic to yeast. Is nutritional yeast different?
Hi Elizabeth, I’m not familiar with yeast allergies, but nutritional yeast is different from other types. I would check with your physician to see if it is safe. This is an inactive yeast, not an active one. You can try swapping in some miso (reduce the salt) or omitting, but it won’t be “cheesy” as intended.
I miss cheese sauces SO, SO, SOOOO bad…but it seems all the good ones have cashews, which my kids can’t do. It looks amazing!
Bummer Megan. See the link to the nut-free one in this post – it’s super yummy!!
Can you use raw sunflower seeds? They also make a nice creamy base. They make a great ranch dressing. Have not tried to make a cheese sauce with them but it might work. Just a thought.
I haven’t been a big fan of sunflower seeds in recipes like this because they aren’t as creamy and have a more pronounced flavor, but if they work for you in recipes like this, then I would give it a go!