Make authentic, crunchy potato tacos using this straightforward recipe. We focus on achieving a golden brown, fried texture for a satisfying Mexican street food experience.
Boil the diced potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain them completely.
In a bowl, lightly mash the drained potatoes, leaving some texture. Do not make them smooth like mashed potatoes.
Mix in the 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin into the potatoes.
Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warm the corn tortillas briefly in a dry skillet or microwave to make them pliable.
Place about 2 tablespoons of the potato filling onto the center of each warm tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half around the filling to create a taco shape. Secure with a toothpick if necessary.
Carefully place the filled tacos into the hot oil, working in batches so you do not crowd the pan.
Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy.
Remove the crispy potato tacos from the oil and place them on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Remove toothpicks before serving.
Serve immediately with your preferred toppings like lettuce, cheese, salsa, and crema.
Notes
For extra crispiness, you can briefly pan-fry the cooked potato filling in a separate skillet before adding it to the tortillas.
Use fresh corn tortillas; they crisp better than flour tortillas for this style of taco.
If you prefer an Air Fryer Crispy Potato Tacos method, lightly brush the assembled tacos with oil and air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway.