What is your favorite pub-style comfort food? These gluten free and dairy free Loaded Reuben Fries bring all the flavor of a classic Reuben sandwich to a tray of hot, crispy waffle fries. They are hearty, tangy, savory, and perfect for happy hour, game day, casual entertaining, or a fun dinner at home.
This recipe was inspired by a restaurant dish a friend loved before the restaurant closed. Recreating favorite restaurant-style recipes at home is always a fun challenge, especially when the ingredients are easy to find and the method is simple. These loaded fries are exactly that: approachable, satisfying, and made for sharing.
If you love the flavors of a Reuben sandwich, this appetizer is an easy way to enjoy them in a new form. Instead of rye bread, crispy waffle fries create a sturdy base. The fries are layered with seasoned meat, dairy free Swiss-style cheese, sauerkraut, homemade slaw, and thousand island dressing. Every bite has crunch, richness, tang, and a little creamy freshness.
Fully Loaded
When it comes to pub food, this is the kind of recipe that should feel generous. These Loaded Reuben Fries are built in layers so the toppings are spread throughout instead of sitting only on top. That means you get crispy fries, warm meat, melted dairy free cheese, and bright toppings in every serving.
Waffle fries work especially well here because they are crisp on the edges, soft in the center, and strong enough to hold up under all the toppings. They make this recipe easy because you can start with a frozen bag of fries and turn it into a crowd-pleasing appetizer with very little prep.
For the meat, you can keep the recipe close to a traditional Reuben by using corned beef. Deli corned beef works well, and leftover homemade corned beef is also a great option. If you have leftover brisket or pastrami, either one can be used instead. The recipe is flexible enough to fit what you already have, while still keeping the salty, savory flavor that makes Reuben-inspired dishes so satisfying.
The sauerkraut adds the unmistakable tang that balances the richness of the fries, meat, and cheese. The homemade slaw adds crunch and freshness, while pickle juice in the dressing brings a briny punch that wakes up the whole dish. A final drizzle of thousand island dressing ties everything together with classic Reuben flavor.
Easy and Fun Loaded Reuben Fries
These gluten free and dairy free Loaded Reuben Fries are an easy appetizer for entertaining because most of the work happens in the oven. Bake the fries until they are golden and crisp, layer them with the meat and dairy free cheese, and bake again until the cheese is melted. While that happens, mix the quick slaw in a bowl.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking sheet with nonstick baking spray.
- Spread the waffle fries in a single layer and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer half of the crispy fries to an oven safe baking dish, such as a cast iron skillet.
- Top with half of the meat and half of the dairy free Swiss-style cheese.
- Repeat with the remaining fries, meat, and cheese.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the layers are hot.
- While the fries bake, mix the cabbage, carrots, pickle juice, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to make the slaw.
- Finish the fries with sauerkraut, slaw, and a drizzle of thousand island dressing.
Serve these Loaded Reuben Fries right away while the fries are hot and the cheese is melted. They are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, piled high and shared straight from the skillet or baking dish.
Loaded Reuben Fries
Danielle Cochran
Equipment
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1 baking sheet
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1 oven safe dish or cast iron skillet
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1 mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 24 ounces waffle fries
- 1/2 tsp Lawry’s seasoning
- 1 cup dairy free shredded Swiss-style cheese
- 2 cups corned beef Leftover brisket or pastrami may also be used.
- 1/2 cup sauerkraut
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup pickle juice
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup thousand island dressing
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick baking spray.
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Arrange the waffle fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the fries are golden brown and crispy.
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Place half of the crispy waffle fries in an oven safe baking dish or cast iron skillet.
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Top with half of the meat and half of the dairy free cheese.
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Add the remaining fries, then top with the remaining meat and cheese.
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Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the fries are heated through.
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While the loaded fries bake, prepare the slaw.
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In a mixing bowl, combine the cabbage, carrots, pickle juice, and mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper and mix until evenly coated.
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Remove the fries from the oven.
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Top with sauerkraut and slaw, then drizzle the thousand island dressing over the top.
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Serve immediately and enjoy.