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Home » Plant-Based Recipes

Tacos de Papas (Crispy Potato Tacos)

Published on 10.15.2020 by Jen Hansard

RECIPE CARD LEAVE REVIEW
dairy-free plant-based crispy potato tacos

If you like tacos and potatoes, this is the recipe for you! Tacos de Papa, or Crispy Potato Tacos are a popular traditional Mexican food. I've never met a taco I haven't loved— and I hope you enjoy this dairy free, plant-powered recipe as much as I do.

Read on to find out how to make these delicious, crispy potato tacos as well as more about their origins.

What are Tacos de Papa?

"Papa" means potato in Spanish. These yummy little tacos are made with a flavorful mashed potato filling folded inside a soft corn tortilla and then lightly fried. Tacos de papa are a popular snack in Mexico.

Also, toppings are a must! The crisp potato tacos can be opened up after frying, then filled to the brim with fresh toppings, or the toppings can be served on the side.

Crispy Potato Tacos (Tacos de Papa)

How to make crispy potato tacos

Making Tacos de Papa is super easy and a fairly quick process. The potatoes are boiled whole, unpeeled, until tender. The skins are pulled away and the flesh is mashed. Chunky or smooth? That's totally up to you.

To season the mashed potatoes, it's fairly common to add ground cumin and garlic. Feel free to spice them up or leave them plain. Make these crispy potato tacos the way you want! They are very customizable, as well as delicious.

Crispy Potato Tacos (Tacos de Papa)

Flavorful ingredients in potato tacos

One twist on our Tacos de Papa recipe is to really season up the potato filling. You could add minced jalapeno or other chiles, add ground spices, or even hot sauce to spice things up. If cheese is your thing, then toss it in here!

For even more flavor, sauté onions and red peppers and create a fajita infused treat. I'm getting so hungry just thinking about this!!!

Crispy Potato Tacos (Tacos de Papa)

What to serve with tacos?

Anything is good with tacos. Yet, some favorites are guacamole, rice, beans, and taco salad. You can create an entire meal plan with our Rawk the Year Meal Planner, to add even more great recipes like this one. I love how you can adjust serving sizes based on how many you're cooking for!

For these crispy potato tacos, I suggest using corn tortillas to keep these dairy free as well as gluten free (which usually means less bloating and digestive issues for all).

More plant-based tacos to rawk your dinner table:

If you're trying to eat less meat and more plants, then you're in the right place! Here's a few more recipes to help you fall in love with plant-based eating, as well as get your loved ones on board too!

  • Austinite (Chickpea) Tacos
  • BBQ Jackfruit Tacos
  • Healthy Taco Salad
  • Vegan Taco Meat

Tacos de Papa (Crispy Potato Tacos)

5 from 8 votes
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe
Tacos de Papa is a Mexican street food classic that you'll not want to miss making at home. What could be better than well-seasoned mashed potatoes folded into a corn tortilla and lightly fried until crispy?
Total Time50 minutes
Servings4 (3 tacos each)

Ingredients

  • 4 quarts water with 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 golden potatoes (whole and unpeeled)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin (ground)
  • sea salt (to taste)
  • black pepper (to taste)
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 2 tablespoon avocado oil (plus more if needed)
  • Toppings: Avocado Crema (shredded lettuce, diced tomato, green onion, cilantro)

Toppings

  • avocado crema
  • shredded lettuce
  • tomatoes (diced)
  • green onions
  • fresh cilantro

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot with 4 quarts water and add  whole, unpeeled potatoes. Turn heat to high and allow the water to come to a rolling boil, then lower heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife.
  • Remove potatoes from cooking water and allow to cool slightly so they are easier to handle. Peel the skins from the potato and discard (or leave peels on potatoes, if desired). 
  • Place cooked potatoes into a bowl and gently mash with a fork until almost smooth. Add minced garlic and cumin to mashed potatoes and stir well. Taste and add salt and pepper. 
  • To assemble the tacos, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tiny amount of oil to the pan and gently heat the tortillas on each side, one at a time, adding a little more oil as needed. Keep tortillas covered so they stay warm and pliable. 
  • Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the potato mixture onto one half of each of the tortillas and fold over. (If desired, secure with a toothpick to prevent them from opening back up during cooking.)
  • Once all of the tacos have been filled, add a little more of the cooking oil to the nonstick skillet with heat still at medium-high. Working in two or three batches, adding a little more oil in between as needed, cook the tacos on each side until crisp and golden, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
  • To serve, remove the toothpicks, if used, and open up the tacos and fill with desired toppings, or serve with toppings on top. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Other types of potatoes can be substituted for the golden potatoes. We recommend using a non-waxy potato such as russet rather than red potatoes. Sweet potatoes are also delicious.
  • Try adding extra spices like chili powder and cayenne for extra kick!

Nutrition (estimated)

Calories: 366kcal (18%) Carbohydrates: 65g (22%) Protein: 8g (16%) Fat: 9g (14%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 6g Sodium: 46mg (2%) Potassium: 871mg (25%) Fiber: 9g (38%) Sugar: 2g (2%) Vitamin A: 8IU Vitamin C: 34mg (41%) Calcium: 89mg (9%) Iron: 2mg (11%)
« Avocado Crema (in 5 minutes)
Black Bean Burger »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Daniel

    May 09, 2021 at 8:50 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was great! The tips to get them crispy was a game changer, and it helped this dude (me) that's trying to eat more plant-based not miss meat in my tacos 🙂

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      May 12, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      Way to go dude (you)! So glad you're rawkin more plants these days.

  2. Erin

    May 05, 2021 at 11:57 am

    5 stars
    Made these for dinner last night and they were a huge hit! Next time I might try crisping the potatoes more. Topped with guac, cashew cream mixed with taco seasoning, and cheese for the toddler.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      May 12, 2021 at 3:05 pm

      Always cheese for the toddler! 🙂 Thanks for rawkin this recipe Erin!

  3. Jessica

    December 01, 2020 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    I absolutely LOVE street tacos and am trying to figure out how I didn't know there were potato versions!! Can't wait to make these.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 11:51 am

      Yes! Potato tacos for the win!!

  4. Amanda

    November 10, 2020 at 12:28 pm

    5 stars
    I'm plant-based, but don't like mushrooms and that's usually what you find for tacos. This is a game changer!!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 8:20 am

      It really is, Amanda!

  5. Kat B.

    November 06, 2020 at 5:23 pm

    5 stars
    We don't do corn, but I can't wait to try these with the almond flour tortillas we use! Sounds delicious!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 8:20 am

      They do sound so delicious, don't they?!

  6. Kim

    November 06, 2020 at 1:07 pm

    5 stars
    Potato Tacos?! Yes, please!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 8:21 am

      I know, right?! I had no idea potato tacos were a thing. Sign me up!

  7. Sharon

    November 06, 2020 at 9:13 am

    I've never heard of this before but I love tacos. Excited to give it a shot! Do you think I could even used cauliflower potatoes in here if I wanted?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 8:22 am

      Hey Sharon! Yes, I think cauliflower potatoes would work for sure. The taste might be a little different, but I think with all the spices you may barely notice.

  8. Erin

    October 20, 2020 at 2:53 pm

    5 stars
    Stop it. Tacos + potatoes... you're just putting my favorites together! And it works too! So yummy.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 8:23 am

      Haha I know!!

  9. Dani Mitchell

    October 18, 2020 at 12:55 pm

    5 stars
    These were BOMB! I have always loved tacos but had never heard of this kind before! They were soooo good- like comfort food (but a tad healthier).

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 8:23 am

      Yes, we love healthier comfort food here at SGS!!

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Jen hansard blogger at Simple Green Smoothies About

I'm Jen Hansard, mom of two, plant-based foodie, adventure junkie + cookbook author.

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