Air Fryer Mashed Potato Tacos Recipe
Introduction
These Air Fryer Mashed Potato Tacos offer a delicious twist on traditional tacos, combining creamy mashed potatoes with bold spices and a crispy tortilla shell. They make a comforting and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Russet potatoes (about 3 medium potatoes)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 10 corn tortillas
- Lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheddar, red onion, cilantro (for topping)
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel and dice the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place them in a large saucepan or Dutch oven, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Boil the potatoes for 10-15 minutes, until they are fork tender and easy to mash.
- Step 3: While the potatoes are boiling, add the cottage cheese to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Drain the potatoes well. Return them to the pot and add the blended cottage cheese along with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Mash until mostly smooth; a few lumps are fine. The mixture should be thicker than traditional mashed potatoes to prevent filling from oozing out, but you can add more cottage cheese or a splash of milk if needed.
- Step 5: Place the tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 20 seconds to soften.
- Step 6: Spread a few tablespoons of the mashed potato filling over half of each tortilla, then fold to close.
- Step 7: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with oil. Arrange tacos in a single layer (about 4 at a time). Spray the tacos with oil on both sides.
- Step 8: Air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes. The tortillas will crisp more after removal.
- Step 9: Repeat the filling and air frying process for the remaining tacos. Keep cooked tacos warm in the oven or reheat all tacos in the air fryer for 1 minute just before serving.
- Step 10: Carefully pry open each taco and add your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, cheddar, tomato, avocado, red onion, and cilantro.
Tips & Variations
- Use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese for a tangier flavor and smooth texture.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat in the mashed potato filling.
- Try different toppings like salsa, sour cream, or pickled jalapeños to customize your tacos.
- If you prefer softer tacos, reduce air frying time by a minute or two.
Storage
Store leftover mashed potato tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness, or microwave until warm if preferred.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of potatoes?
Russet potatoes work best for a fluffy texture, but Yukon Gold can be used for a creamier, slightly buttery flavor.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the mashed potato filling a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature and stir well before assembling the tacos.
PrintAir Fryer Mashed Potato Tacos Recipe
These Air Fryer Mashed Potato Tacos offer a unique twist on traditional tacos by using creamy, seasoned mashed potatoes as the filling. Perfectly crisped in the air fryer, the tacos are soft inside with a crunchy outside, topped with fresh vegetables and cheese for a deliciously comforting and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Mashed Potato Filling
- 1 pound Russet potatoes (about 3 medium potatoes)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
Tacos and Toppings
- 10 corn tortillas
- Lettuce, shredded (for topping)
- Tomato, diced (for topping)
- Avocado, sliced (for topping)
- Cheddar cheese, shredded (for topping)
- Red onion, finely chopped (for topping)
- Cilantro, chopped (for topping)
- Oil spray (for air fryer basket and tortillas)
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Peel and dice the Russet potatoes into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Cover with cold water.
- Boil Potatoes: Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes for 10-15 minutes until they are fork-tender and easy to mash.
- Blend Cottage Cheese: While the potatoes boil, add the cottage cheese to a blender and blend until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Mash Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the blended cottage cheese and all the seasonings (salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder). Mash until mostly smooth, leaving a few lumps. The mixture should be thick enough to prevent oozing when used as taco filling. Add more cottage cheese or a splash of milk if needed.
- Warm Tortillas: Place the tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 20 seconds to soften them.
- Assemble Tacos: Spread about a few tablespoons of the mashed potato filling on half of each tortilla and fold the tortillas over to close.
- Prepare Air Fryer: Spritz the air fryer basket with oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the tacos in a single layer in the basket, spritz the tops of the tacos lightly with oil spray as well.
- Cook Tacos: Air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes. The tortillas will crisp up nicely and continue to crisp slightly after removal.
- Repeat and Keep Warm: Repeat the assembly and cooking for the remaining tacos. Keep cooked tacos warm in the oven or return all cooked tacos to the air fryer for 1 minute to rewarm before serving.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Carefully pry apart the folded tortillas and fill with preferred toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomato, avocado, cheddar cheese, red onion, and cilantro for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Using cottage cheese in the filling makes the mashed potatoes creamy and adds protein without cream or butter.
- If the mashed potatoes are too thick, add a splash of milk or more blended cottage cheese to loosen the texture.
- Microwaving the tortillas briefly prevents them from cracking when folding.
- You can keep cooked tacos warm in a low oven or briefly reheat in the air fryer just before serving.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on your preference.
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