These vegan scalloped potatoes are super creamy, rich, and flavorful! The recipe is plant-based (dairy-free), naturally gluten-free, and super easy to make. It’s the perfect dish for the holidays or for a comforting weekend dinner!
I am so excited to share this easy recipe with you. Scalloped potatoes are a wonderful side dish, but can be also enjoyed as the main dish. There are actually only 2 components: The creamy sauce and the potatoes + onion. It’s really a very simple dish. Everyone can make it!
Difference between Scalloped Potatoes and Au Gratin Potatoes
You might be wondering what’s the difference between scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes? Both are delicious potato casseroles, but there is one difference, and that is cheese. While scalloped potatoes are baked in a creamy sauce, potatoes au gratin also contain cheese and sometimes even breadcrumbs.
I already shared a recipe for au gratin potatoes (vegan potato bake) on my blog which is cheesy, and yummy! It also contains pumpkin and protein-rich lentils. Click on the name to check out the recipe.
How To Make Vegan Scalloped Potatoes?
Below you can see 4 process shots and I will quickly explain them:
- In the first picture, you can see the blended cashew sauce. You simply add all ingredients to your blender and blend on high until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- The second picture shows half of the potatoes layered in the casserole dish, right before half of the sauce was poured on them.
- The third photo shows the addition of the thinly sliced onion.
- And in the fourth photo, you can see that I added the remaining potato slices on top.
The next 4 process shots show the following:
- I am pouring the remaining sauce onto the potatoes in the first shot.
- The second photo shows the casserole right before baking.
- In the third picture, you can see the potato casserole right after baking.
- The last photo shows the baked scalloped potatoes garnished with fresh herbs.
As you can see, it’s very easy to make these delicious vegan scalloped potatoes.
Useful Tips
- For the best results, I recommend measuring the ingredients in grams. Simply click on the word “metric” right underneath the ingredients (further down in the recipe card).
- You can make this vegan dish with sweet potatoes for a variation.
- It’s possible to make the scalloped potatoes ahead of time and store the casserole covered in the fridge for 1-2 days. Then bake at 350 °F (ca. 177 °C) for about 30 minutes, or until warm and bubbly.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- You can also add healthy veggies in addition such as mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, or whatever you prefer.
These Scalloped Potatoes Are:
- Vegan (dairy-free)
- Flavorful
- Gluten-free
- “Cheesy” even though the dish doesn’t contain cheese
- Satisfying
- Comforting
- Perfect for the holidays
- Quite healthy as they contain only wholesome ingredients
- Easy to make
Should you give these vegan scalloped potatoes a try, please leave a comment and rating below, and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I would love to see your vegan potato casserole remake! 🙂
For more savory holiday dishes, check out the following vegan recipes:
- Caramelized Onion Tart
- Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
- Vegan Quiche
- Hearty Vegan Meatloaf
- Vegan Gravy
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks (Vegan Schnitzel)
- Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
Video
Ingredients
Cashew Sauce:
- 1 ⅔ cups (400 ml) plant-based milk (see notes)
- 1 ⅔ cups (400 ml) vegetable broth
- 1 cup (150 g) cashews soaked (see notes)
- 2 tbsp (15 g) tapioca flour or arrowroot flour
- ½ tsp paprika
- Ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup (30 g) nutritional yeast
- 1 ¼ tsp sea salt or less/more to taste
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 3-4 garlic cloves
Other Ingredients:
- 3 lb (1.4 kg) potatoes (about 7-8 medium)
- 1 medium onion
- Fresh herbs to garnish
Instructions
- You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.Soak cashews in boiling water for about 15 minutes, then drain.
- Meanwhile, peel potatoes and slice them thinly (about 1/8 inch thick). You will need 3 pounds (1.4 kg) of peeled potatoes for this recipe. Also, peel the onion and slice it thinly.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (ca. 204 °C) and grease a 9×13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish. Set aside.
- To make the cashew sauce, add all sauce ingredients to a blender. Blend on high for about one to two minutes or until completely smooth. The sauce will be very thin at first but don't worry as it will thicken up while baking. Taste the sauce and add more salt/pepper/spices if needed.
- Transfer half of the potatoes to the prepared baking dish and pour half of the sauce on top.
- Spread the sliced onion on top and layer the remaining potatoes over the onion. Pour the remaining sauce in the baking dish.
- Bake for about 60-70 minutes. The baking time depends on the thickness of the sliced potatoes. The potatoes should be fork-tender and golden brown.
- Let cool for about 5-10 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley or chives. Enjoy!
Notes
- Tips: Please read the blog post for some helpful tips.
- Plant-based milk: You can use any plant-based milk like cashew milk, almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk. I prefer lite canned coconut milk as it makes the sauce creamier and richer.
- Cashews: You can use 1/2 cup (128 grams) of cashew butter instead of soaked cashews.
- Potatoes: I used Yukon gold potatoes, but I am sure Russet potatoes will work fine as well.
- Onion: You can sauté the onion in a skillet with a little oil until golden brown before you add it to the baking dish to add a caramelized flavor.
- If you love potatoes, you might also like these Crispy Pan-Roasted Potatoes or Vegan Hash Browns and German Schupfnudeln.
- Recipe serves 8. Nutrition facts are for one serving.
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Equipment
„Simple and Delicious Vegan“ Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photo:
Can they be done in the air-fryer?
Yes, you can make this in the air fryer, but with a few adjustments 🙂
Because this is a layered, saucy potato bake, it works best in small batches rather than one big dish.
How to do it in the air fryer:
Use a small air-fryer–safe baking dish or pan that fits your basket.
Assemble the layers exactly the same, just scale the recipe down.
Cover loosely with foil for the first part so the potatoes cook through.
Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for about 35–40 minutes, then remove the foil and air fry another 10–15 minutes until golden and fork-tender.
Let it rest for 5–10 minutes so the sauce can set.
Important tips:
Slice the potatoes very thin and evenly.
Don’t overfill the dish or the center may stay undercooked.
This recipe is still best in the oven for feeding a crowd, but the air fryer works great for smaller portions.
I made these last week and everyone in my house enjoyed them! They were so good…I did not have nutritional yeas
So I added a few more cashews and also did onion powder instead of onions, as I have some who don’t care for the texture of onions. It was delicious!!! We will save this recipe for special meals!
Thank you so much!
Hi Jen! So happy to hear that everyone loved them! Your substitutions sound perfect. Love that this recipe will be part of your special meals now. Thank you for the lovely feedback! 😊💛
I made this today and it was wonderful! I used water instead of broth, I cut the cashews back to 140 g and did not presoak as I used a vitamix. instead of 1 tsp of onion powder I used 1 TB of dehydrated onion flakes. I used homemade almond milk made as follows: 40 g homemade almond butter and 400 g water. i used 190 g raw onion sliced thinly and placed in the centre as directed in the recipe.
i will definitely be making this again!
Thank you so much for the recipe……
So happy it worked so well for you! Sounds like all your tweaks blended in perfectly, especially with the homemade almond milk and the onion flakes. Thanks for sharing your method and for the lovely feedback! Enjoy making it again! 😊
The best recipe with potatoes which I simply adore! Thank you 🙏🏻
This looks delicious. I would love to try it! what can I sub the cashews for? I have an allergy to all nuts.
Hey! You could try using soaked sunflower seeds or hemp seeds.
This is a phenomenal recipe! I make it often. Tastes just like the cheese-filled scalloped potatoes I ate as a child. Even my non-vegan, meat and potatoes boyfriend loves it!
That’s so lovely to hear—thank you for the kind feedback, Jamie! 😊 I’m thrilled the recipe brings back childhood memories and that it’s a hit even with your non-vegan boyfriend. It’s always a win when comfort food can be enjoyed by everyone! 💛
I have been wanting to make these for a few months and finally did today. These are delicious! I followed the recipe and doubled it. I did not have vegetable broth but did have Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Seasoning. So I added needed amount of water and 2 Tbsp of that right into the blender and it worked perfectly.. I also make my own almond milk and used that. This recipe is the best recipe my husband and I have tried. I have made others that were good but this one is tops. Thank you for all you do to help people have healthier ways to eat.
Wow, thank you so much for your wonderful feedback, Marie! 🥹 I’m so happy you and your husband loved the recipe. Comments like yours truly mean the world to me. 🙂
Delicious! Growing up, I didn’t like conventional scalloped potatoes, but decided to try these and am so glad I did! My family liked them, too, and that is saying something. 🙂
Yesss, that’s such a win! 🙌 Isn’t it the best when something surprises you like that—especially when the whole family is on board too? 🙂 So glad you gave them a shot and loved them! 💛
Make it all the time 😀 Delicious and easy.
Love that! 😊 So happy you enjoy it and make it often! 🎉
Hi! Sounds delicious, do you this cassava flour would work in replacement of the tapioca flour/arrowroot flour?
I am not sure, but potato starch will work as a sub.
I have made this many times and it’s always great. For those looking for cashew subs, white beans are a great substitute. Just sub out 1:1. They are cheaper and will also reduce the fat content of the dish. That’s how I make this when I am trying to eat less rich foods.
Thanks for your feedback Jen. 🙂
I cannot eat Nutritional yeast. Any ideas what I can use to substitute?
You could use a little white miso or your favorite dairy-free meltable cheese.
I am allergic to cashews! Any suggestions for good substitutes? I know how great cashews make everything and I’m very sad I can’t eat them anymore. Thanks.
Hi Robin, you could try soaked sunflower seeds or pine nuts. 🙂
Planning ahead for Easter so made this today and my husband and I loved it. Easy to make (I used oat milk) and definitely needs all 70 minutes even in my oven that runs hot. Great to have a recipe that will work for both vegan and non-vegan eaters who will gather at our home.
Sounds amazing! So glad you both liked it, Kathy. 🙂
I haven’t baked this yet but want to for Thanksgiving! Could I sub the tapioca or arrowroot flour for regular flour? Its just such a small amount, and that’s all that I have! Thank you 🙂 this sounds delicious!!
I never tried it, but it might be fine. 🙂
Thank you for the recipe, it’s delicious!
You are welcome, Romena, I am glad you like it! 🙂
Very good dish! My husband and I ate much more than we should have! It’s very reminiscent of the same dish using dairy that my mom made when I was a kid. I think next time I’ll try it with oat or soy milk…there was a hint of sweetness from the coconut milk), and I’ll need to let it bake much longer (but that’s probably my oven’s fault).
Thanks for your feedback, Becca. 🙂
Just an update as I made this again with oat milk instead of coconut and it turned out great. I was worried that the sauce might not be as thick but this was not the case. The hint of sweet I got with the coconut milk was not there this time. My non-vegan eaters loved it!
That’s fantastic, Becca! Thanks a lot for sharing. 🙂
I tried the “make ahead” directions and it did not work out at all. I made this dish 24 hours ahead of time, let the dish return to room temp, and baked at 350 for 30 minutes (per instructions). Sauce did not thicken and potatoes were not cooked. I turned the oven up to 400, and after another 40 minutes, the dish is perfect. It’s convenient to be able to make this ahead of time, and good to know it doesn’t change the cook time or temp at all.
Hi Sara, I think you misunderstood the instructions, or I need to rewrite them. What I meant is, to cook the dish ahead of time (as per the recipe which says 60-70 minutes at 400 degrees) and then the next day reheat it for 30 minutes until warmed through. I hope this helps. 🙂
Just finished eating a serving of this delicious meal. I simply had to comment on how absolutely tasty this is!!! I’ve never had a homemade vegan meal that actually was satisfying me completely. Thanks so much for providing these amazing recipes! xx
You are very welcome, Christina! I am so glad you liked it. 🙂
I just finished baking mine but I had a cup, more of less, left of the cashew sauce since I used less potatoes. Can I use it with another recipe? I would hate to throw it away.
Hi Mariel, you could either freeze it for later use (if you make this recipe again) or pour it into a saucepan and cook it until it becomes a thicker sauce, then use it over any pasta dish. 🙂