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If you’re a fan of bold flavors and crave something a little different for taco night, these Spicy Potato Tacos are about to become your new favorite! Crispy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned, these tacos are bursting with spice and texture. Plus, they’re easy to make and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re serving them for a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, these tacos never disappoint. These spicy potato tacos are inspired by the infamous recipe of the same name from Taco Bell! A few years ago, Taco Bell removed this item from the menu, so I had to come up with my own homemade version.
Why You’ll Love These Spicy Potato Tacos
Great for Meal Prep: The spiced potatoes and taco sauce can be made ahead of time, so you can assemble your tacos in no time.
Perfectly Spiced: These potatoes are seasoned with a mix of chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and a hint of cayenne for just the right amount of kick.
Crispy and Comforting: Cooking the potatoes in the air fryer ensures they’re crispy on the outside while staying tender inside.
Quick and Easy: You can have these tacos ready in under 30 minutes, making them ideal for busy weeknights.
Versatile and Customizable: Top them with your favorite taco sauce, cheese, lettuce, and a squeeze of lime for the perfect bite every time.
Air Fryer vs. Oven: Which is Better for Spicy Potato Tacos?
An airfryer is basically just a mini convection oven, so feel free to use an oven if you don’t have an air fryer on hand. But if you have the option to choose between the two I would definitely go with the air fryer over the oven. This is because, in my opinion, the potatoes cook a little faster and turn out a just a little crispier in the air fryer!
AIRFRYER:
- Pros: The air fryer gives the potatoes a crisp exterior while keeping the inside tender. It’s quick, efficient, and requires minimal oil, making it a healthier option.
- Cons: Limited capacity – you may need to cook in batches if making a large quantity.
OVEN:
- Pros: You can cook a larger batch at once, making it ideal for meal prepping or feeding a crowd.
- Cons: Takes longer than the air fryer and may not achieve the same level of crispiness.
MY RECOMMENDATION:
If you’re cooking for just a few people, the air fryer is definitely the way to go for its speed and perfect texture. If you’re hosting a gathering or making a bigger batch, the oven works well too – just be sure to spread the potatoes out evenly on a baking sheet to ensure they crisp up.
Key Ingredients for Spicy Potato Tacos
If you want to make the best spicy potato tacos, make sure you have the following ingredients:
- Gold Potatoes: These potatoes are perfect for air frying because they get crispy on the outside while remaining creamy inside. Gold potatoes also hold their shape well, making them ideal for tacos.
- Canola Oil: Helps the potatoes crisp up without sticking.
- Hot Sauce (optional): Adding a dash of Tapatio to the potatoes infuses them with a subtle, tangy heat.
- Red Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: This blend of spices creates a deep, smoky, and spicy flavor profile that makes the potatoes irresistible.
- Sour Cream and Mayonnaise (or Veganaise): The creamy base of the sauce that balances the spiciness.
- Sriracha and Pickled Jalapenos: Adds heat and tang, giving the sauce a punchy flavor.
- Spices and Seasonings: A mix of cumin, garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a dash of cayenne brings everything together.
How to Make Spicy Potato Tacos
- Prepare the Potatoes: Dice the potatoes into small, bite-sized cubes. In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced potatoes with canola oil, hot sauce, and all the spices (red chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt). Toss well to coat the potatoes evenly.
- Air Fry the Potatoes: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 7-15 minutes, shaking halfway through to ensure even cooking. The potatoes should be golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Prepare the Taco Sauce: While the potatoes are cooking, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, sriracha, pickled jalapenos, pickled jalapeno brine, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and a dash of cayenne in a small blender. Stir until well combined and creamy.
- Toast the Taco Shells: In a skillet, melt a little butter over medium heat. Toast each soft taco shell for about 1 minute on each side, or until lightly golden and warmed through. Add a drizzle of Tapatio while toasting for an extra spicy touch.
- Assemble the Tacos: Start with a layer of crispy potatoes on the taco shell, followed by a generous drizzle of taco sauce. Add toppings such as lettuce, cheese, green chilies, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Looking For More Recipes? Check These Out!
I recommend using flour tortillas, but I do think that corn tortillas could work well too. I like to use the street style tortillas.
Yes – this recipe is a perfect copycat / dupe of the Taco Bell spicy potato soft tacos! So, if Taco Bell ever removes this item from their menu again, you will always have this homemade version available.
Potato Soft Tacos
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2 tsp Canola Oil
- 3 Gold or Russet Potatoes (~500 grams)
- 2 tsp Tapatio Hot Sauce (optional)
- 1/4 tsp Red Chili Powder
- 1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Cumin Powder
- Salt (to taste)
Taco Sauce
- 1/2 c Sour Cream
- 1/2 c Mayonnaise ( I used veganaise)
- 1.5 tbsp Sriracha
- 2 tbsp Pickled Jalapenos
- 2 tbsp Pickled Jalapeno brine
- 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Cumin Powder
- 1/8 tsp Smoked Paprika
- dash of Cayenne
- 3/4 tsp Red Chili Powder
Additional Ingredients
- Green Chillies
- White Vinegar
- Cilantro (for garnish)
- Cheese
- Lettuce
Taco Shells
- Soft Tacos
- Butter (I use earth balance)
- Tapatio
Instructions
- Soak Your Chillies: Chop and soak your green chilies in vinegar.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Cube the gold potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Toss them with canola oil, hot sauce, and spices until evenly coated.
- Air Fry the Potatoes: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spread the potatoes in a single layer and cook for 7-15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crispy and golden.
- Make the Taco Sauce: In a small blender, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, sriracha, pickled jalapenos, jalapeno brine, and seasonings until smooth.
- Toast the Taco Shells: Heat a little butter in a pan and toast the soft tacos until slightly golden. Drizzle with Tapatio for extra flavor, but make sure the heat is on low if you’re doing so!
- Assemble the Tacos: Layer the crispy potatoes on the toasted taco shells. Top with taco sauce, cheese, lettuce, green chilies, and a sprinkle of cilantro.
What did you think of this recipe?