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Crispy Vegan Loaded Smashed Potatoes

These loaded smashed potatoes taste so good, you won't believe they're vegan! Topped with cashew mozzarella, chipotle cream, tempeh bacon bits, and chives. So much flavor in such a small bite. 

Course Appetizer
Cuisine American, Gluten-free, Vegan
Servings 10 potatoes

Ingredients

  • 10 baby red potatoes
  • 3 tbsp chives chopped fine
  • 3 tbsp olive oil

Cashew Mozzarella

  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 1/4 cup tapioca flour
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1 1/2 tbs nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3/4 tsp sea salt

Chipotle Cream

  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 3/4 cup salsa
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

Tempeh Bacon Bits

  • 10 oz tempeh
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tsp liquid smoke
  • 2 tsp red hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

  1. Combine all liquid ingredients for the tempeh bacon in a container with a lid, except for the coconut oil. Chop the tempeh into very fine bits and toss it with the marinade. Let sit while the potatoes boil. 

  2. Bring a pot of water to boil with a sprinkle of salt. Boil the potatoes until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, use a metal spatula or the bottom of a glass to smash them until they are about 1/2-3/4 inch thick. Transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet lined with foil and a small amount of oil. Drizzle the potatoes with 3 tbsp olive oil and bake for 20 minutes. 

  3. While the potatoes are baking, prepare the cashew mozzarella, chipotle cream, and tempeh bacon bits. Remove the potatoes from the oven and top each one with a spoonful of cashew mozzarella. Bake for another 5 minutes until cheese becomes melty. Finish each Vegan Loaded Smashed Potato with a large dollop of chipotle cream, tempeh bacon bits, and chives.

Cashew Mozzarella

  1. Soak the cashews for two hours or overnight to soften. I recommend keeping soaked and drained cashews on hand in your freezer to speed things along. You can also boil them for ten minutes to save on time. In a high powered blender, add the soaked cashews and remaining mozzarella ingredients. Blend on high for two minutes until mixture is smooth. Transfer to a saucepan on medium high heat and stir until the cheese forms a gooey ball in the center, about 5 minutes. 

Tempeh Bacon Bits

  1. Marinade the tempeh bacon according to instructions above. After 10-15 minutes, melt the coconut oil in skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated tempeh bacon bits to the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking. You want the tempeh bacon bits to be a bit blackened and sticky. You may have to add a bit more oil or water to deglaze the pan as you go. 

Chipotle Cream

  1. Soak the cashews for two hours or overnight, then drain. Add the soaked cashews to a high speed blender with remaining ingredients and blend on high for 2-3 minutes until smooth. 

Recipe Notes

*Use a non-stick pan to make the tempeh bacon. The glaze tends to stick to the bottom of the pan and is easily scrubbed off with steel wool. 

*The vegan mozzarella, tempeh bacon bits, and chipotle cream will stay fresh in closed containers in the fridge for up to five days. You will have leftovers from this recipe.