Air-Fried Potato Tacos: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious meal, look no further than potato tacos made in an air fryer. This Mexican-inspired dish is perfect for any occasion, whether you're feeding a hungry crowd on game day or simply looking for a weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy. The best part? They're healthier than traditional fried tacos and can be made with simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen. So, get your air fryer ready and let's make some potato tacos!

How to boil and peel potatoes

Step 1: Prep Your Potatoes

First, scrub your potatoes with a clean produce brush to remove any dirt, then rinse. If you want to, you can peel the potatoes with a vegetable peeler or paring knife, but this is a matter of personal preference. You can also partially peel them, cutting away from your hand. Remove any sprouts and green areas with the tip of your peeler.

Step 2: Cut Your Potatoes

Cutting your potatoes into quarters or cubes will speed up the cooking time. Leave small new potatoes whole, halving larger ones. Keep the pieces a similar size so they finish cooking at the same time. If you're preparing your potatoes in advance, submerge the cut pieces in water and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook.

Step 3: Boil the Potatoes

Place your cut potatoes in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. For three pounds of potatoes, use a 4- to 5-quart pot. Add enough cold water to cover the tops of the potatoes and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil on a high heat setting, then reduce to medium-low or low. Cover the pot with a lid.

Step 4: Check Your Potatoes

The cooking time will depend on the size of your potato pieces. Small red potatoes, new potatoes, or cubed large russet potatoes will take around 15 minutes to cook. Quartered potatoes will take 20 to 25 minutes. To check if your potatoes are done, pierce them with a fork. If the fork slides in easily, they're ready.

Step 5: Drain the Potatoes

Pour your cooked potatoes into a colander to drain, or use a slotted spoon to remove them from the hot water and place them in a bowl. If your recipe calls for cooled potatoes, run them under cold water or submerge them in an ice bath.

Step 6: Peel the Potatoes (Optional)

If you didn't peel your potatoes before boiling, you can do so now. Simply rub the potatoes and the skin should fall off.

Tips:

• You can boil potatoes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• If you want more flavourful potatoes, consider boiling them in broth or a mixture of broth and water.
• To prevent browning, submerge cut potatoes in water if you're not cooking them right away.

Preparing the tortillas

Firstly, you will need to heat your tortillas. Place them in a hot skillet or on a microwave-safe plate and heat them until they are warmed through and pliable. This will make them easier to work with and will also improve their taste and texture. You can use corn or flour tortillas, depending on your preference.

Once the tortillas are warm, it's time to spread the potato mixture onto each one. Take about a tablespoon of your prepared mashed potatoes and spread it onto one half of a tortilla. You can also add some shredded cheese or vegan cheese shreds at this stage for extra flavour.

Next, fold the tortilla closed. You can secure it with a toothpick to keep the filling inside. If you are using a toothpick, be sure to weave it on top so that it is easy to remove before serving.

At this point, you can also brush or spray the tacos lightly with oil. This will help them to crisp up in the air fryer and give them a golden colour.

Finally, place the tacos in the air fryer basket, standing up if your air fryer model allows for it. Make sure to stagger them so that there is a little space between each taco. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tacos in batches.

Now your tortillas are ready for cooking! Place them in the air fryer and cook at around 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy.

Filling the tortillas

Heating the Tortillas:

First, you need to heat your tortillas. Place them in a large skillet or on a microwave-safe plate and heat them until they are warmed and pliable. You can cover them with a towel to keep them warm while you prepare the filling.

Preparing the Filling:

For the filling, you can use either mashed potatoes or diced potatoes. If using mashed potatoes, simply stir in your desired seasonings and any additional ingredients, such as cheese or green onions. If using diced potatoes, season them and air fry or bake until crispy. You can also add other ingredients like cheese, lettuce, and sauce to your filling.

Assembling the Tacos:

Take a warmed tortilla and spread a tablespoon of your filling onto one half of the tortilla. If using mashed potatoes, you can fold the tortilla closed and secure it with a toothpick. If using diced potatoes, sprinkle with cheese and roll up the tortilla. You can also add a little sauce to the tortilla before adding the filling.

Cooking the Tacos:

Once your tacos are assembled, it's time to cook them. Lightly brush or spray both sides of the tacos with oil. Place them in the air fryer basket, standing up if using mashed potatoes, and cook at 390-400°F for 12-15 minutes or until golden and crispy. You may need to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Serving:

Remove the tacos from the air fryer and serve them with your favorite toppings and sauces. Some popular options include salsa, guacamole, sour cream, hot sauce, cilantro, and cheese.

Cooking the tacos

Now that you've gathered and prepared all your ingredients, it's time to cook your potato tacos! Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas

Wrap your tortillas in a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave for about 20 seconds until they're warm and pliable. You can also heat them in a skillet or on a stovetop.

Step 2: Fill the Tortillas

• Spread a generous amount of your potato mixture (about 1 tablespoon) in the center of each tortilla. You can also add other fillings like cheese, lettuce, or sauce at this stage if desired.
• Fold the tortillas over to create a taco shape. You can secure the tacos with a toothpick at the top if needed.

Step 3: Air Fry the Tacos

• Lightly brush or spray both sides of the tacos with oil. This will help them get crispy and golden.
• Place the tacos in the air fryer basket, standing them up if possible, and staggering them so there's a little space between each taco.
• Set your air fryer to 390-400°F (200°C) and cook the tacos for 12-15 minutes, or until they're golden and crispy. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Step 4: Add Toppings and Serve

• Once the tacos are crispy and cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a serving platter.
• If desired, open up the tacos and add your favorite toppings, such as cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, hot sauce, cilantro, or vegan cheese sauce.
• Serve the tacos immediately while they're still warm and crispy. Enjoy!

Feel free to adjust the cooking time and temperature based on your air fryer's settings and your desired level of crispiness. You can also experiment with different fillings and toppings to create your perfect potato taco!

Serving suggestions

These potato tacos are a great addition to any Mexican spread and can be served as part of a larger meal. Here are some ideas for what to serve with them:

• Salsa, guacamole, or vegan sour cream.
• Drizzle salsa verde over the tacos and top with cotija cheese.
• Shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, and chipotle sauce.
• Taco Bell Creamy Chipotle Sauce.
• Greek yogurt or sour cream.
• Avocado, shredded or crumbled cheese, onion, or cilantro.
• Air fryer street corn.
• Rice, ground beef, or chorizo.

Frequently asked questions