Description
Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes are a flavorful and crispy air-fried potato dish topped with a creamy blend of sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheese, seasoned with taco spices and finished with refreshing toppings like sour cream, green onions, jalapenos, and diced tomatoes. This crowd-pleasing recipe offers a perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and crunch, ideal as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Seasoning
- 1 pound russet potatoes, washed, dried, and diced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Cheese Sauce
- ¾ cup (178.5 g) heavy whipping cream
- 1 ½ cups (169.5 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (113 g) pepper jack cheese, shredded
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon chili powder
Toppings and Garnishes
- Sour cream, for serving
- Green onion, chopped, for garnish
- Sliced jalapenos, for garnish
- Diced tomatoes, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes: In a medium bowl, combine the diced russet potatoes with vegetable oil, taco seasoning, and seasoned salt. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture. Set aside.
- Preheat and prepare the air fryer: Lightly spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air fry the potatoes: Place the seasoned potatoes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer’s capacity, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. Shake the basket to ensure even cooking, then continue air frying for an additional 5 minutes or until the potatoes are tender inside and crispy on the outside.
- Make the cheese sauce: While the potatoes cook, pour the heavy whipping cream into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Heat until small bubbles form around the edges of the pan, then reduce heat to low. Gradually stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder. Stir constantly until all the cheese is fully melted, creating a smooth, creamy sauce. Cover the saucepan and keep the sauce warm until ready to serve.
- Assemble and serve: Arrange the crispy air-fried potatoes on a platter or serving plate. Drizzle the warm cheese sauce generously over the potatoes. Garnish with sour cream, chopped green onions, sliced jalapenos, and diced tomatoes to enhance flavor and presentation. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, soak the diced potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes prior to cooking to remove excess starch, then pat dry thoroughly.
- If you do not have an air fryer, these potatoes can be baked in a 425°F oven on a baking sheet for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Feel free to customize toppings such as adding avocado, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime for added freshness.
- Adjust the level of chili powder or jalapenos to suit your heat preference.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to regain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 200 g)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes, air fryer potatoes, cheesy potatoes, fiesta potatoes recipe, crispy potatoes, taco seasoned potatoes
