Introduction

These Air Fryer Mashed Potato Tacos offer a delicious twist on traditional tacos by using creamy mashed potatoes as the filling. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they make a comforting and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare at home.

Air Fryer Mashed Potato Tacos Recipe - Recipe Image

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 and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil.
Step 2: Boil the potatoes for 10-15 minutes, or until fork tender and easy to mash.
Step 3: While the potatoes boil, add the cottage cheese to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the blended cottage cheese, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Mash until mostly smooth, leaving a few lumps. The mixture should be thick enough to prevent oozing; add a bit of cottage cheese or 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 mixture on half of each tortilla, then fold to close.
Step 7: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with oil. Place the tacos in a single layer (about 4 at a time) and spritz both sides with oil spray.
Step 8: Cook at 400°F for 6 minutes. Tortillas will crisp more after removal.
Step 9: Repeat steps 5 through 8 for remaining tacos. Keep cooked tacos warm in the oven or briefly rewarm them in the air fryer for 1 minute before serving.
Step 10: Pry open each taco and add your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheddar, red onion, and cilantro.

Tips & Variations

Use low-fat or full-fat cottage cheese based on your preference for creaminess.
For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lime or a dash of hot sauce to the mashed potato filling.
Swap corn tortillas for flour tortillas if you prefer a softer shell.
Try adding cooked beans or sautéed vegetables inside for a heartier taco.
To make it vegan, substitute cottage cheese with blended silken tofu or cashew cream.

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 warm in the oven. Avoid microwaving for too long, as the tortillas may become soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the mashed potato filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the mashed potato filling a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and reheat gently before assembling the tacos.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can bake the tacos in a conventional oven at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until the tortillas are crisp.

Air Fryer Mashed Potato Tacos Recipe

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5 from 95 reviews

These Air Fryer Mashed Potato Tacos are a delicious twist on traditional tacos, featuring creamy mashed potatoes blended with cottage cheese and seasoned with garlic, onion, and smoky spices. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these tacos are perfect for a comforting meal topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheddar, and cilantro. Using an air fryer to crisp the tortillas adds a perfect texture without the extra oil of frying.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 10 tacos 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Diet: Gluten Free

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

Tortillas and Toppings

10 corn tortillas
Lettuce (shredded, for topping)
Tomato (diced, for topping)
Avocado (sliced, for topping)
Cheddar cheese (shredded, for topping)
Red onion (thinly sliced, for topping)
Cilantro (chopped, for topping)

Instructions

Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and dice the Russet potatoes into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Cover the potatoes with cold water and bring to a boil.
Cook the Potatoes: Boil the potatoes for 10-15 minutes until they are fork tender and easy to mash.
Blend Cottage Cheese: While the potatoes are boiling, add the cottage cheese to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy to create a silky base for the mashed potatoes.
Mash Potatoes with Seasoning: Drain the cooked potatoes and add the blended cottage cheese along with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Mash until mostly smooth with a few lumps remaining. The mixture should be thick enough to hold inside the tortillas; add more cottage cheese or a splash of milk optionally if too thick.
Prepare Tortillas: Place the corn tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 20 seconds to make them pliable for folding.
Assemble Tacos: Spread a few tablespoons of the mashed potato mixture over half of each tortilla, then fold to close the taco.
Prepare Air Fryer: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil spray. Place the folded tacos in a single layer (fitting about 4 at a time in this recipe) in the basket and spray the tops with oil spray as well.
Air Fry Tacos: Cook the tacos at 400°F for 6 minutes until the tortillas are crisp. Note that the tortillas will continue to crisp after removal from the air fryer.
Repeat and Keep Warm: Repeat the assembly and air frying process with the remaining tacos. Keep cooked tacos warm in the oven or briefly rewarm them in the air fryer for 1 minute before serving.
Add Toppings and Serve: Carefully pry apart the folded tortillas and fill each with your preferred toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomato, sliced avocado, shredded cheddar, red onion, and cilantro. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

Cottage cheese can be substituted with cream cheese or sour cream for a richer texture, but cottage cheese keeps this dish lighter.
Adjust the seasoning amounts according to preference for spice and flavor intensity.
Make sure the mashed potato filling is thick enough to prevent the filling from oozing out of the tortillas during air frying.
You can keep the cooked tacos warm in an oven set at low heat (around 200°F) or reheat briefly in the air fryer before serving.
Use fresh toppings for the best taste and contrast to the creamy potatoes.
This recipe is gluten free if using certified corn tortillas.

Keywords: Air fryer tacos, mashed potato tacos, vegetarian tacos, crispy tacos, easy taco recipe, healthy tacos, cottage cheese recipe