If you’ve ever missed the Spicy Potato Soft Taco from Taco Bell, you’re not alone. This underrated gem was beloved for its crispy, seasoned potatoes paired with a smoky, spicy sauce wrapped in a soft tortilla.
Though Taco Bell has since removed it from their menu, you can easily recreate this tasty taco at home. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to bring that beloved Taco Bell flavor right into your kitchen.
What so Special About Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco?
The Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco is special because of its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The crispy, seasoned potatoes are a standout, delivering a satisfying crunch in every bite. Paired with a smoky, spicy chipotle sauce, fresh lettuce, and shredded cheese, it offers a deliciously bold and comforting taste.
Its simplicity makes it an underrated gem, providing a satisfying vegetarian option that’s flavorful, crispy, and spicy. Its unique blend of seasoning with Taco Bell Spicy Potato Taco Sauce and texture made it a fan favorite before it was discontinued.
Ingredients for Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco Recipe
- 3 large russet potatoes
- Salt (for boiling)
- 1 teaspoon chicken powder (or MSG alternative)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Olive oil (for tossing)
For the Taco Assembly:
- 6 small flour tortillas
- Shredded lettuce (iceberg or romaine)
- 1 block Colby Jack cheese (shredded)
- Optional: Smoked cheddar cheese (for extra flavor)
Tools Required
- Medium pot
- Knife and cutting board
- Stick blender or food processor
- Oven (or toaster oven)
- Baking sheet
- Large bowl
- Shredding tool for cheese (box grater or food processor)
- Tongs or spatula for flipping potatoes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
How to Make/ Recipe for Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco Recipe
1. Cook Potatoes: Boil diced potatoes in salted water for about 20 minutes, until easily pierced but not falling apart. Drain and set aside.
2. Make Sauce: Blend mayonnaise, sour cream, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and parsley until smooth. Refrigerate to let flavors meld.
3. Season & Roast Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss boiled potatoes with chicken powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne, black pepper, cornstarch, and olive oil. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
4. Prepare Taco Fillings: While potatoes roast, shred lettuce and cheese.
5. Assemble Tacos: Warm tortillas. Spoon in roasted potatoes, drizzle with chipotle sauce, and top with lettuce and cheese.
Wrap the taco and enjoy your homemade Spicy Potato Soft Taco!
Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco Recipe
1. Side of Mexican Rice: Serve the tacos with a side of fluffy, seasoned Mexican rice for a more complete meal.
2. Guacamole: Pair your tacos with fresh guacamole for added creaminess and a burst of flavor.
3. Salsa Bar: Offer a variety of salsas—mild, medium, and hot—so everyone can pick their preferred heat level.
4. Crispy Tortilla Chips: Serve with a side of crispy tortilla chips and a bowl of salsa or queso for extra crunch.
5. Mexican Street Corn (Elote): Top off your meal with some grilled Mexican street corn, slathered in mayo, chili powder, and cotija cheese.
6. Black Beans or Refried Beans: A side of black beans or refried beans adds a hearty, protein-packed side to balance the spiciness of the tacos.
7. Pickled Jalapeños: Add a tangy kick by serving your tacos with pickled jalapeños or other pickled vegetables on the side.
8. Lime Wedges: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the tacos right before serving for an extra zing of flavor.
9. Crispy Potato Skins: If you have leftover potatoes, slice them into skins, season them, and bake for an appetizer or side dish.
10. A Cold Drink: Pair your tacos with a refreshing drink, like a cold margarita, iced tea, or a fizzy lime soda, to balance the heat and spiciness.
Some Tips on This Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco Recipe
1. Boil Potatoes with Salt: Season the water generously when boiling the potatoes. This helps infuse flavor directly into the potatoes for better taste.
2. Don’t Overboil: Boil potatoes until easily pierced with a knife but not falling apart. Overcooked potatoes may become too mushy for roasting.
3. Use Convection Roast: If your oven has a convection setting, use it! It helps make the potatoes extra crispy. If not, just roast at 425°F.
4. Even Potato Pieces: Cut the potatoes into uniform chunks to ensure they cook and crisp up evenly.
5. Cornstarch for Extra Crispiness: Coating the potatoes with cornstarch before roasting gives them that perfect crunch, mimicking the fried texture of Taco Bell’s version.
6. Chill the Sauce: Let the chipotle sauce sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. The flavors will meld, giving you a richer, smoother taste.
7. Customize the Sauce: Adjust the heat level by adding more chipotle or cayenne pepper if you prefer spicier tacos.
8. Fresh Lettuce: Shred your lettuce as finely as possible to match the texture of Taco Bell’s version, ensuring a perfect crunch in each bite.
9. Shred Cheese Finely: Taco Bell’s cheese is finely shredded, so use a box grater or food processor for a similar texture. It helps the cheese melt more evenly.
10. Warm Your Tortillas: Gently warm your tortillas in a pan or microwave before filling them. This makes them more pliable and easier to fold.
How to Store and Reheat Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco Recipe
To store, keep the assembled tacos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. For best results, store potatoes, sauce, and taco fillings separately. To reheat, warm the potatoes in the oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes until crispy. Reheat tortillas in a skillet, then assemble the tacos again.
Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large russet potatoes
- Salt for boiling
- 1 teaspoon chicken powder or MSG alternative
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Olive oil for tossing
- 6 small flour tortillas
- Shredded lettuce iceberg or romaine
- 1 block Colby Jack cheese shredded
- Optional: Smoked cheddar cheese for extra flavor
Instructions
- Boil diced potatoes in salted water for about 20 minutes, until easily pierced but not falling apart. Drain and set aside.
- Blend mayonnaise, sour cream, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and parsley until smooth. Refrigerate to let flavors meld.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss boiled potatoes with chicken powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne, black pepper, cornstarch, and olive oil. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
- While potatoes roast, shred lettuce and cheese.
- Warm tortillas. Spoon in roasted potatoes, drizzle with chipotle sauce, and top with lettuce and cheese.
- Wrap the taco and enjoy your homemade Spicy Potato Soft Taco!
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Notes
FAQs on This Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco Recipe
Here are some commonly asked questions and their short answers on this Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco Recipe
1. What is in the Spicy Potato Soft Taco at Taco Bell?
The Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco consists of crispy seasoned potatoes, creamy chipotle sauce, lettuce, and shredded cheese wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. It’s a vegetarian option but packs a ton of flavor with smoky, spicy potatoes.
2. What is Taco Bell Soft Taco Made Of?
A Taco Bell Soft Taco typically contains a soft flour tortilla filled with seasoned meat (like beef, chicken, or steak), lettuce, cheese, and other toppings like tomatoes or sour cream, depending on your choice. You can also customize it to your liking.
3. Is Spicy Potato Soft Taco Vegan?
The Spicy Potato Soft Taco at Taco Bell is not entirely vegan because it contains cheese and sauce that are dairy-based. However, it can be made vegan by asking for no cheese and swapping the sauce for a plant-based option (if available).
4. What Makes a Soft Taco a Soft Taco?
A soft taco is made with a soft, pliable tortilla (usually flour or corn) that is easy to fold and wrap around the fillings. Unlike hard tacos, which are made with a crispy fried shell, soft tacos offer a chewy texture that holds ingredients well.
5. Can I Make the Chipotle Sauce Spicier?
Yes, you can make the chipotle sauce spicier by adding more chipotle peppers, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce. Adjust the spice level to your taste!
6. Can I Use Sweet Potatoes Instead of Russet Potatoes?
You can definitely use sweet potatoes for a different twist on the recipe. They’ll give the taco a slightly sweeter taste, but they will still pair well with the smoky chipotle sauce.
7. How Do I Get the Potatoes Extra Crispy?
To make the potatoes extra crispy, make sure they are evenly coated with cornstarch and oil before roasting. Spread them out in a single layer on the baking sheet to avoid overcrowding, and flip them halfway through the roasting process.
8. Can I Make the Potatoes Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can boil and season the potatoes ahead of time. Store them in the fridge and roast them just before serving to get them crispy and hot.
9. What Type of Tortilla Should I Use?
You can use flour tortillas for a classic soft taco. If you prefer a gluten-free option, you can substitute with gluten-free tortillas, which are widely available in most grocery stores.
10. Can I Make This Recipe Spicy Potato Soft Taco Gluten-Free?
Yes! Simply use gluten-free flour tortillas or corn tortillas instead of traditional flour tortillas. This will make the taco gluten-free without compromising on flavor.
The Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Taco may no longer be on the menu, but now you can bring that incredible flavor to your own kitchen anytime. With crispy, seasoned potatoes, smoky chipotle sauce, and melty cheese, this homemade version is bound to be a hit.
Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner or craving something spicy, these tacos are sure to satisfy!
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Great
Thanks
so simple a good for breakfast
Thank you