Description
Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes are a flavorful and crispy air-fried potato dish loaded with a rich cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheeses. Perfect as a festive side dish or snack, the potatoes are seasoned with taco spices and topped with sour cream, green onions, jalapenos, and diced tomatoes for a deliciously satisfying treat.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 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
- Sour cream
- Green onion, chopped
- Sliced jalapenos
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes: In a medium bowl, combine the diced russet potatoes with vegetable oil, taco seasoning, and seasoned salt. Toss thoroughly until the potatoes are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture and set aside.
- Preheat and prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure an even crisp.
- Air fry the potatoes: Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. Then, shake the basket to redistribute the potatoes for even cooking and continue to air fry for an additional 5 minutes or until the potatoes are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
- Make the cheese sauce: While the potatoes are cooking, pour the heavy whipping cream into a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edges. Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, along with kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder. Stir constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Cover the saucepan to keep the cheese sauce warm until ready to serve.
- Assemble and serve: Transfer the air-fried potatoes to a serving platter or plate. Drizzle generously with the warm cheese sauce. Garnish with sour cream, chopped green onions, sliced jalapenos, and diced tomatoes to add freshness and extra flavor. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes!
Notes
- For best results, make sure to dice the potatoes uniformly to ensure they cook evenly.
- If you prefer spicier potatoes, add extra chili powder or a dash of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- You can prepare the cheese sauce ahead of time and gently reheat it before serving.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the model and size of your air fryer; adjust accordingly.
- This recipe can be customized by adding other toppings like avocado, cilantro, or salsa.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
