Ultimate Crispy & Cheesy Potato Tacos: A Vegetarian Delight for Your Dinner Table
Prepare to elevate your taco experience with these incredible Crispy Potato Tacos! Imagine golden, crunchy corn tortillas generously filled with a luscious, creamy blend of perfectly seasoned mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese. These aren’t just any tacos; they’re a comforting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal that promises to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation, whether you’re a devout vegetarian or simply looking to explore delicious meatless options.
About a year ago, my family embarked on a journey to incorporate more meatless meals into our weekly routine. We experimented with countless recipes, discovering many new dishes we now adore. Among them, these potato tacos have emerged as an undisputed champion. They’re proof that vegetarian doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or excitement. Even if you’re not actively striving for a vegetarian diet, these unique and delightful tacos are a huge hit every time they grace our dinner table. Their cheesy, crispy texture combined with the hearty mashed potato filling is simply irresistible, offering a fresh twist on traditional taco night that everyone will love.
The Simple Yet Flavorful Ingredients of Potato Tacos
One of the beauties of this potato taco recipe is its simplicity and versatility. If you happen to have leftover mashed potatoes, they are an absolute dream for this dish, making meal prep a breeze. But even if you don’t, don’t fret! Our quick and easy mashed potato recipe, detailed in the recipe card below, ensures you can whip these up anytime. The core components are humble yet transform into something extraordinary when brought together:
- Corn Tortillas: The essential foundation for that classic taco crunch.
- Potatoes: Russets are highly recommended for their high starch content, yielding a fluffy and creamy mash.
- Milk: Adds richness and helps achieve the perfect creamy potato consistency.
- Sour Cream: Contributes a tangy depth and additional creaminess to the mashed potato filling.
- Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully into the potatoes, providing that irresistible gooey, savory element. Feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend.
- Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings to bring out the best in the potatoes.
- Oil for frying the tacos: Crucial for achieving that desired golden, crispy exterior.
Crafting Your Perfect Potato Tacos: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making these crispy potato tacos is a straightforward process, and with a few key techniques, you’ll achieve perfect results every time. Follow these steps to create a batch of incredibly satisfying, savory tacos that will impress your family and friends. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions.
- The journey to perfect potato tacos begins with perfectly prepared mashed potatoes. Start by peeling your chosen potatoes (russets work wonderfully for their starchy, creamy texture) and dicing them into uniform 1-inch cubes. This ensures they cook evenly. Place the cubes in a pot, cover them with cold water, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until the potato cubes are easily pierced with a fork but not overly mushy. Thoroughly drain the cooked potatoes to remove excess water, which can make your mash watery.
- Once drained, return the hot potatoes to the pot. Using a potato masher or a sturdy fork, begin mashing them to your preferred consistency – some prefer a smoother mash, while others enjoy a few small chunks for texture. Gradually add the milk and sour cream, mixing until the mixture is well blended, smooth, and creamy. This liquid addition helps create a luxurious and pliable filling that’s easy to spread.
- Now, it’s time to infuse your mashed potatoes with flavor. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper. The residual heat from the potatoes will help melt the cheese, integrating it seamlessly into the mix. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed; a little extra salt or pepper can make a big difference. This cheesy, seasoned mash is the heart of your potato tacos!
- Before assembling, it’s crucial to warm your corn tortillas. This step is vital because it makes the tortillas pliable and prevents them from cracking when folded. Wrap a stack of corn tortillas in a clean kitchen towel and microwave them for about 45 seconds, or until they are warm and flexible.
- Take a warmed tortilla and spoon about 1/4 cup of the potato mixture onto one half. Gently spread it, leaving a small border. Carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling to create a taco shape. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and potato mixture, preparing all your tacos before moving to the frying step.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, adding enough oil to cover the bottom, usually about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Allow the oil to get hot (a small drop of water should sizzle). Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place 2-3 assembled tacos into the pan, ensuring not to overcrowd. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are beautifully golden brown and crispy. The hot oil will seal the tacos and create that irresistible crunch.
- As each batch finishes cooking, remove the crispy potato tacos from the skillet and place them on a wire rack set over paper towels. This allows any excess oil to drain off, ensuring they remain wonderfully crispy. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings and dips for the best experience.
Air Fryer Method: A Lighter & Crispier Alternative
Absolutely! For a healthier twist or simply a less messy cooking method, the air fryer is your best friend for these potato tacos. I’ve used it many times with fantastic results. To air fry, lightly spray the outside of each assembled taco with cooking spray. Arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. Cook at 400º F (200º C) for about 5 minutes per side, or until they achieve that perfect golden brown color and irresistible crispiness. This method yields a wonderfully crunchy taco with significantly less oil, making them a guilt-free indulgence.
Serving Your Potato Tacos: Toppings & Dipping Delights
The beauty of tacos lies in their customizability, and potato tacos are no exception! There are endless options for how to serve these delightful creations, allowing everyone to build their perfect bite. Traditionally, they are often garnished with crisp shredded lettuce or finely sliced cabbage, diced fresh tomatoes, a generous dash of your favorite hot sauce, and a bright squeeze of fresh lime juice to cut through the richness. These classic additions enhance the flavors and textures beautifully.
Beyond the traditional, here are some of my absolute favorite toppings and dippers that perfectly complement these savory potato tacos:
- Chili’s Salsa: A zesty and vibrant salsa adds a burst of freshness.
- Homemade Guacamole: Creamy, rich guacamole provides a cooling contrast and extra healthy fats.
- White Queso: For the ultimate cheesy experience, a warm, gooey queso dip is divine.
- Or simply serve with a side of cool, tangy sour cream or Mexican crema.
You’ll notice in the pictures a delicious Queso Fresco dip – we absolutely adore this one! A dedicated recipe for this vibrant and fresh dip is included below, adding another layer of flavor and texture to your potato taco feast.
Expert Tips for the Best Potato Tacos Every Time
Achieving potato taco perfection is easy with these helpful tips and tricks that will ensure your tacos are crispy, flavorful, and easy to make:
- If you have leftover mashed potatoes from a previous meal, they are absolutely fantastic in this recipe. This is a brilliant way to reduce food waste and save time. Just ensure they are warmed thoroughly before you start assembling your tacos, as warm potatoes are easier to work with and melt the cheese better.
- Don’t skip the crucial step of heating the corn tortillas before filling and folding them. Cold, dry corn tortillas are brittle and will inevitably crack when bent, creating a messy situation. Warming them makes them pliable and prevents breakage, ensuring neat, intact tacos.
- To reheat your potato tacos and bring back their glorious crispiness, you have a few excellent options. The air fryer is ideal: simply place them in for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) until hot and crunchy. A toaster oven works similarly well, or you can warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat, flipping frequently until golden and crisp again.
- When making fresh mashed potatoes for this recipe, I highly recommend using russet potatoes. Their high starch content breaks down beautifully when cooked, resulting in a light, fluffy, and incredibly creamy mashed potato base that is perfect for taco filling.
- If you’re looking to cut down on calories or prefer not to deep-fry, seize the opportunity to use your air fryer! It delivers a wonderfully crispy exterior without needing much oil, making for a healthier yet equally delicious taco.
- For those looking to make these tacos vegan, it’s incredibly simple! Just omit the cheddar cheese and opt for a dairy-free sour cream alternative and your favorite nut milk (like almond or oat milk) when preparing the mashed potatoes. The flavor will still be outstanding!
Customize Your Tacos: Adding Meat for Extra Flavor
While these potato tacos are wonderfully satisfying as a vegetarian dish, you can absolutely customize them by adding meat if you desire! Many traditional versions of these tacos incorporate various proteins to enhance the flavor and make them even heartier. Common and delicious additions include shredded chicken, seasoned ground beef, or spicy chorizo. Simply mix your cooked and seasoned meat of choice into the mashed potato filling before assembling the tacos. This is a great way to bulk up the protein content and cater to different preferences, making these tacos a versatile option for any meal.
Trust me, I understand that the idea of mashed potatoes inside a taco might sound a bit unconventional at first, but these are truly something special! They are a beloved traditional Mexican street food, known for being incredibly flavorful, comforting, and a fantastic way to stretch your budget. Whether you’re planning a meatless meal for the week, seeking a fresh idea during Lent, or simply craving something new and utterly delicious, these potato tacos fit the bill perfectly.
I never imagined vegetarian tacos would become such a huge favorite in our household, but these potato and cheese-filled delights consistently please even the pickiest eaters. Plus, the sheer joy of dipping them into a rich queso, zesty salsa, or creamy guacamole makes them an all-around winner. Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite taco!
Explore More Delicious Mexican-Inspired Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed these incredible potato tacos, you’re in for a treat! Our collection of Mexican-inspired recipes is packed with vibrant flavors and exciting dishes that are perfect for any occasion. From classic favorites to innovative twists, there’s something for everyone to discover.
- Crunchwrap Supreme
- Baja Shrimp Tacos
- Taco Pasta Skillet
- Cafe Rio Chicken
- Frito Pie
- Sour Cream Enchiladas
- Mexican Pizza
Potato Tacos
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
30 minutes
40 minutes
5
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Ingredients
-
1
pound
russet potatoes
-
2
Tablespoons
milk
-
1/4
cup
sour cream
-
1/2
teaspoon
salt
-
1/4
teaspoon
black pepper
-
1/2
cup
shredded cheddar cheese
-
10
corn tortillas
-
Oil for frying
Queso Fresco Dip (optional)
-
1
cup
sour cream
-
1
cup
Queso Fresco cheese -
1/4
cup
chopped cilantro
-
1/2
teaspoon
ground cumin
-
1/4
teaspoon
chili powder
-
1/4
teaspoon
onion powder
-
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
Start by peeling your potatoes, and dicing them into 1 inch cubes. Add them to a pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Cook for about 15 minutes, until they are fork tender. Then drain them well.1 pound russet potatoes
-
Using a potato masher or fork mash the potatoes. Add milk and sour cream and mix until the mixture is well blended and pretty smooth. It is up to you how chunky or smooth you want to leave the potatoes.2 Tablespoons milk,
1/4 cup sour cream -
Add the cheddar cheese, salt and pepper and taste to adjust the seasoning.1/2 teaspoon salt,
1/4 teaspoon black pepper,
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese -
Wrap the corn tortillas in a towel and microwave for 45 seconds until they are warmed through.10 corn tortillas
-
Put about 1/4 cup of potato mixture onto half of the tortilla and fold it to close. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
-
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is hot add 2-3 tacos to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they are golden brown.Oil for frying
-
Place on a wire rack or paper towel to drain before serving.
To Make The Dip
-
Use a fork to break up the Queso Fresco in a large bowl.1 cup Queso Fresco cheese
-
Add the sour cream and mix until it is well blended and mostly smooth.1 cup sour cream
-
Add the cilantro. cumin, chili powder, and onion powder. Stir until it is combined.1/4 cup chopped cilantro,
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin,
1/4 teaspoon chili powder,
1/4 teaspoon onion powder -
Season with salt and pepper, taste and adjust as necessary.salt and pepper to taste
-
Store covered in the fridge until ready to use.
Nutrition
Calories:
264
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
42
g
|
Protein:
8
g
|
Fat:
8
g
|
Saturated Fat:
4
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
3
g
|
Cholesterol:
18
mg
|
Sodium:
347
mg
|
Fiber:
5
g
|
Sugar:
2
g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
30 minutes
40 minutes
Dinner Recipes
American
5
264
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