These crispy potato and refried bean tacos are easy to make, flavorful and perfect for an appetizer or a meal. paired with a delicious and easy to make vegan spicy ranch dip, I promise these will be a new favorite in your house.
This recipe was inspired by one I saw from my friend Ashley of Eat Figs Not Pigs. She made these crispy potato tacos and I saw them and knew I instantly needed them. I mean what is better than mashed potatoes in a crispy shell. I wanted to keep these little so I decided to use mini street taco style tortillas, which were the perfect size. You will make 8 tacos from this. Since they are mini I think this would make 4 servings as an appetizer/snack or 2 servings as a meal. The beans and potatoes definitely make this hearty even though they are smaller.
I am not sure why it took me so long to make crispy tacos but I am so glad I finally did. I didn’t need to use too much oil for this 1 tablespoon per 4 tacos. However, I think if you wanted to air fry or bake these you definitely could. I am going to highly recommend doing the quick pan fry though because it is easier and they had that perfect golden color and crispiness to them.
All About the Sauce
When I was thinking a dipping sauce for this I wasn’t sure if I should make an avocado creamy dip or even a queso. But ultimately I went with the spicy ranch dip. I thought it would compliment the crispy potato and refried bean tacos well and it is so easy to make, no blender required. Just mix nondairy yogurt with some spices and hot sauce, like Cholula and easy peasy done! My favorite yogurt is the one from Kite Hill but you can use anything you like just as long as it is plain and unflavored.
Beans, Beans They’re Good for Your Heart
I love beans. They are a great source of plant based protein and nutrients. I even more-so love refried beans. They are delicious, great to use in tacos, burrito bowls, dips, anywhere you like. When buying refried beans you do just want to check the label to make sure they are vegan friendly. Most of the time they will put vegetarian on there, but not always. So just check the label to make sure there is no lard. They usually have black refried beans and pinto refried beans both are great. I used pinto refried beans in this recipe but you can use the black refried beans too it will be just as delicious.
FAQ’s
- Can these be made gluten free? Yes, just use corn tortillas instead.
- Are these soy free? Yes, these are soy free.
- Are these nut free? The tacos are nut free but the dipping sauce may not be depending on what yogurt you use.
- Do I have to pan fry? I didn’t try but you should be able to bake or air fry these to get the same effect.
- How can I make this a meal? Pair these tacos with some rice, corn, veggies or salad.
- Can I use leftover mashed potatoes? Of course, that will also speed up the process of making these.
- I don’t like spicy, what should I do? You can make the dip but leave out the hot sauce and chili power.
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Crispy Potato and Refried Bean Tacos with Spicy Ranch Dip
Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes
- 10 small baby Dutch yellow potatoes (about 10.5oz/300g)
- 3 tablespoons nondairy milk unsweetened and unflavored (45ml)
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter (11g)
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
Refried Beans
- 1 cup refried beans (250g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Pinch salt optional
Spicy Ranch Dip
- ½ cup vegan yogurt (85g)
- 1 tablespoon nondairy milk, unsweetened and unflavored (15ml)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon parsley flakes
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Pinch black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce or to taste
Other
- 8 mini street taco style tortillas
- 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- 1 lime sliced for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium sized pot boil the potatoes for 30 minutes or until fork tender. If using a different potato (like a russet you should peel it) but if using one with thinner skin you can leave it on.
- While it boils prepare the refried beans by mixing all ingredients together in a bowl. If the beans are hard you can microwave them for 30 seconds.
- Then prepare the spicy ranch dip by mixing all ingredients in a bowl. Adjust any flavors to your preferences, place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Once the potatoes are done mash the potatoes along with the vegan butter, salt, and nondairy milk until smooth.
- Microwave the tortillas for 30 to 45 seconds so they do not crack when you fold them.
- Spread about 1 ½ tablespoons of the beans on one half of the tortilla and about 2 tablespoons of mashed potatoes on the other half of the tortilla. Spread the beans and potatoes into an even layer. Then fold it over. Repeat until all are made.
- In a medium size pan heat up 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat for about a minute. Then add in 4 of the tacos. Pan fry for about 2 minutes or until golden. Then flip and pan fry for about 1 minute or until golden. Repeat with the remaining tablespoon of oil and 4 tacos. You may need to adjust heat as the pan will get hotter to avoid burning.
- To serve place on a dish with cut up lime, drizzle with more hot sauce, and the ranch dip.
Video
Notes
- You can use any potatoes you like, I just love yellow or gold potatoes.
- I suggest using a potato masher as it is really helpful and inexpensive.
SAVE TO PINTEREST
Made these last night! Easy enough for my husband to help with dinner 😂 and so tasty that my picky little brother didn’t complain about eating. I absolutely enjoyed this recipe ❤
hi Stephanie! wooooo yay I am so so happy to hear this!!! thank you for taking the time to leave a comment xo
These are delicious and got a rating of “make again” from even my pickiest family member!
What I appreciate about this recipe is that I was able to prep the sauce, potatoes, and beans ahead of time, making this a perfect dinner for a night when I don’t have a lot of time to get dinner on the table. We ate this with Fiesta corn on the side.
This will definitely be on our menu again!
hi Julie! oh yay!! I am so so glad to hear your family loved it! thank you so much for making it and so happy it is on your make again list!! 🙂
I am wondering about freezing these as meal prep for friends to have after their baby arrives. Do you have any thoughts about possibly air frying them? What would you recommend? I am hoping to make it really easy for them.
Hi Rychelle, sure if you have frozen them after cooking you can either reheat in the air fryer or the oven. Very sweet of you to do that for them!
Very good & easy! Used olive oil and didn’t have the east results but will change that up next time. The filling was delicious!
Hi Lisa, so glad you enjoyed them! thank you for trying it, and leaving a comment/review! ah yes I would recommend olive oil for this recipe.
Are the tortillas wheat or corn? Or does it matter?
I prefer wheat but you can use whichever you like 🙂
I really want to try this. Do you happen to have the nutrional panel for it?
Hi, I don’t this recipe was shared before I started to include nutritional info. You can just any calorie counting app to input the ingredients and create a recipe to get calories and macronutrients.
This was yummy! I added some sweet paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper to the refried beans as well. Loved the yogurt ranch sauce! Served with fresh avocado
Hi Ina! I am so glad you enjoyed them thank you so much for trying to the recipe and taking the time to leave a comment/review means so much xoxo
So delicious! Thank you!
so glad you enjoyed them thank you for trying and leaving a comment!!!
I made dinner in advance of my pickiest eater being home because I had to go out in the evening. When I came home after he’d eaten he said, “Dinner was great.” I thought he was being sarcastic because he complains every night that pasta isn’t on the menu. He meant it! So kudos to you for that highest praise! 🙂
hi Kristie! omg that makes me so happy. how sweet, I am so glad he enjoyed it. yay!!! thank you for coming and leaving a comment!! xo
I’m not vegan, but want to try this recipe. I can use sour cream in place of the “vegan yogurt”, correct?
Hi Kathy, as I am a vegan page I don’t like to give substitutes with animal products. You can use a vegan sour cream or vegan yogurt or whatever it is that you choose to do in your own kitchen. However, I encourage you to try it the vegan way as it is delicious. enjoy!
Whole family loved, great recipe!
Hi Michelle, yay I am so happy to hear that!!! thank you for trying it out and taking the time to leave a comment and review it means a lot!!
Made this recipe tonight. It was so very simple to make, yet so very delicious. Will make it again. Put Jalapenga peppers in the puree. Spicy shrimp in mine and my husband ate it with meat. I don’t eat meat.
Thanks very much, will make it again. Used corn tortillas.
Hi Chris, glad to hear overall it was enjoyed by you and your husband! Definitely recommend you try them without the shrimp and meat sometime because they are so delicious all on their own! Thanks for leaving a comment and review!