Crispy potato tacos are also known as “Tacos Dorados de Papa” or “Tacos de Papa” in Spanish. If you’re looking for a vegetarian taco idea, try these crispy tacos stuffed with a flavorful and cheesy mashed potato mixture. This taco recipe needs to be on your rotating list of easy, cheap dinner ideas!

crispy potato tacos on a platter with bowls of salsa and other garnishes behind         

A cheap and easy dinner recipe

These potato tacos are great for feeding your family on a budget. All you need are russet potatoes that are mashed with rich butter, garlic (optional), smoky paprika, Mexican cheese, salt, and tortillas. You can find all the affordable ingredients at all family of Kroger stores.

vegetarian taco ingredients - potatoes, butter, cheese, tortillas, garlic, spices

The filling is ready in about 20 minutes. Frying the tortillas only takes a couple minutes per batch, making this a quick recipe for your busy weeknights.

How to make crispy vegetarian potato tacos

This taco recipe is so simple and really only requires four steps.

potatoes being mashed with spices

First, make mashed potatoes.

mashed potatoes being spread on tortillas

Second, spread mixture onto half of the softened tortilla and fold over to seal.

potato tacos ready for the fryer

Third, pan fry tacos until golden and crispy. Serve tacos and top them with anything your heart desires.

vegetarian tacos being fried in a cast iron pan

What is a taco?

From its beginnings in Mexico to its migration into the United States, the taco has a rich and storied history. No one can deny its spot as one of America’s all-time-favorite foods. 

Tacos are a traditional Mexican hand-held food formed using a tortilla filled with any number of a variety of items. It is a versatile dish that has expanded in the American melting pot, with fusion tacos for nearly every conceivable cuisine. There are almost as many taco ideas out there as people!

Tacos have their own holiday on October 4 during National Hispanic Heritage Month. If you want to try out a new taco idea, these cheesy potato tacos are sure to delight the whole family.

taco ideas mashed potatoes being spread on tortillas

When to enjoy vegetarian tacos

These potato tacos are traditionally eaten for dinner during the Lenten season when Catholic families abstain from eating meat. That said, we love them all year round at our house! They are comfort food to the max! Who doesn’t love carbs on carbs?

These vegetarian tacos are also a great way to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, and as a double bonus, for celebrating National Taco Day on October 4th!

If you use Taco Tuesday as part of your weekly meal planning template, these vegetarian tacos are a great way to mix things up. They are also a great rent week meal when your budget is tight. You can feed your whole family for about $5!

Make ahead

  • These potato tacos can be prepared ahead of time and reheated in the oven.
  • You can make the mashed potatoes ahead and refrigerated a couple days before assembling and frying tacos.

corn tortillas filled with mashed potatoes on a white platter ready to be fried for potato tacos

Customizable taco ideas:

  • Healthy potato tacos. Bake tacos instead of frying. Lightly brush tortillas with olive oil before assembling. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 mins, or until the tacos are crispy.
  • Vegan potato tacos. Substitute vegan butter and cheese.
  • Breakfast tacos. These would be amazing for breakfast! For added protein, add some scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, or black beans.
  • Sweet potato tacos. You can replace russet potatoes for sweet potatoes.
  • Change up the veggies. Garnish with shredded cabbage or pico de gallo for added crunch and veggies.
  • Make them spicy. Add roasted green chile, such as poblanos to the mashed potato mixture for delicious potatoes and green chile tacos.
  • Add meat. For a smoky and decadent addition, add crispy chopped bacon, leftover shredded chicken, or cooked spicy chorizo to the mashed potatoes.
  • Make them extra cheesy. Add extra cheese or another favorite cheese. You can’t go wrong!

Watch this video to see how simply this meal comes together.

crispy vegetarian cheesy potato tacos on a platter

How to serve

These tacos are lightly fried to create the perfect crispy crunchy on the outside and a flavorful creamy and cheesy interior. Stuff them with shredded iceberg lettuce, cheese, and salsa of choice for a decadent meat free dinner.

I usually serve them with salsa casera and guacamole salsa. Feel free to garnish with toppings of your choice. Avocado, sour cream or even queso could be served to make these rich potato tacos even more decadent.

More homemade vegetarian taco recipes

Not all tacos are carnivore dominant! There are a variety of taco ideas that please vegetarian taste buds. Apart from tacos de papa, you will find tacos de migas stuffed with eggs and crunchy tortilla chips, tacos de nopales, or fried avocado tacos. Below are vegetarian Mexican recipes even meat eaters will love.

Other Vegetarian Meal Ideas

Have you ever had potato tacos? If you answered no, follow me for more traditional Mexican recipe ideas!

If you made this recipe and love it, please be sure to rate it below!

 
Crispy Potato tacos served on a long tray with plenty of sides next to it

Crispy Potato Tacos

5 (8 ratings)
Crispy potato tacos are also known as “Tacos Dorados de Papa” or “Tacos de Papa” in Spanish. If you’re looking for a vegetarian taco recipe, try these crispy tacos stuffed with a flavorful and cheesy mashed potato mixture.
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 20 tacos
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes

Ingredients

Crispy Potato Tacos

  • 4 Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons salt, divided
  • 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika powder
  • 1 cup queso Oaxaca, shredded
  • 1 cup canola oil, for frying tacos
  • 20 corn tortillas

Toppings

  • Shredded cheese
  • Shredded iceberg
  • Salsa of your choice 

Instructions 

  • Place the potatoes and 1 tablespoon of salt in a large pot of water and boil over high heat. Lower the heat to medium and continue to boil until potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Strain potatoes and put them back into the pot. Add butter, 1 tablespoon salt, garlic, if using, and paprika. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes. Mix well until all the ingredients are well combined and potatoes have a whipped consistency. Sprinkle in cheese and combine. Taste and add salt if needed. 
  • Heat corn tortillas until soft and pliable or on a hot griddle to prevent cracking. Lay tortilla flat and fill half with about 1 tablespoon of the mashed potatoes. Fold in half. Continue until all the tortillas have been filled.
  • Meanwhile heat the canola oil in a frying pan until very hot. Test oil by dipping an edge of the tortilla in the oil, if it sizzles it’s ready for the tacos.
  • Using tongs, carefully place about 3 to 4 tacos into the hot oil. If available, cover with a splatter screen to avoid the hot oil from splattering. Fry for about 2 minutes, just until tortilla looks crunchy, turn over and fry the other side.
  • Remove tacos from the oil and place on a paper-towel lined plate to drain. Continue to fry the rest of the tacos. 
  • Serve tacos with toppings of your choice, such as shredded iceberg lettuce, cheese, and salsa of choice.

Video

Notes

  • Mashed potatoes can be made ahead and refrigerated and tacos assembled and fried.
  • Do not overfill the filling.
  • Use your cheese of choice.
  • Nutrition does not include toppings and garnishes.
Calories: 228kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 777mg, Potassium: 236mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 168IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 62mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Yvette Marquez
Course: Dinner, tacos
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex

Photography by Jenna Sparks

This post is in partnership with Kroger. As always, thank you for reading and for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own.