This Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes recipe is a Taco Bell-inspired treat you can easily whip up at home! With seasoned potatoes, nacho cheese sauce, and sour cream, these crispy cubes are perfect for any occasion. Skip the drive-thru and enjoy this fast-food favorite in minutes.
Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes Taco Bell Copycat
Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes may be back from their brief removal from the menu, but just in case they become discontinued again, I’ve created a copycat recipe that’s just as delicious!
No need to peel any potatoes or make a seasoning from scratch (although you absolutely can), these Taco Bell fiesta potatoes are easy to prepare in 5 fast minutes using bagged, diced potatoes and a packet of taco seasoning.
Taco Bell potatoes have the perfect combination of tastes and textures: they’re soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside and seasoned all around with the classic spices. And don’t forget the creamy cheese sauce and sour cream on top!
This Taco Bell cheesy potatoes recipe makes a great vegetarian replacement for beef, poultry, fish, or pork found in many Mexican main meals, (like burritos, tacos, or salads) – these party potatoes are so delicious, you won’t mind that the meat is missing!
Why We Love This Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes Copycat Recipe
- Quick and easy to make at home.
- Uses a handful of simple ingredients.
- Vegetarian dish that can be made vegan with dairy free ingredient swaps.
- Tastes even better than the Taco Bell fast-food favorite.
- Save money and time by skipping the drive-thru (and they won’t turn soggy on the ride home).
- Perfectly seasoned side dish to serve with dinner, at potlucks, parties, or as a snack.
Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Canola oil
- All-purpose flour: You can use gluten free flour to make this a GF recipe.
- Cornstarch
- Taco seasoning: Use a store bought packet or try my homemade taco seasoning.
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Ready-to-use nacho cheese sauce
- Sour cream: Use either regular sour cream, or for authenticity, go with light sour cream.
Substitutions and Additions
- Tasty Taco Bell Toppings: Top your potatoes with the classic Taco Bell toppings. Try some creamy jalapeño sauce, guacamole, onions, shredded cheese, salsa, or diced tomatoes.
- Pick Your Potato: I used a bag of partially cooked diced potatoes for ease and convenience. But you can peel, cube, and cook your own fresh potatoes (Russet or Idaho work well in this recipe) if you prefer.
- Grab A Garnish: You can garnish your Taco Bell potatoes with a sprinkle of cilantro, green onions, or scallions for a pop of color and extra flavor.
- Vegan Version: Use dairy-free cheese and sour cream in place of the nacho cheese sauce and regular sour cream.
How to Make Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
- Prepare The Potatoes: Toss the potatoes in canola oil to fully coat.
- Make The Seasoning Mixture: Stir together the flour, cornstarch, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss the potatoes with the seasoning mixture to coat.
- Bake: Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Flip the potatoes, then finish baking for an additional 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy.
Pro Tip: Be sure that the potatoes are spread out and not crowded together to allow the potatoes to get crispy on all sides. - Serve: Divide the potatoes into small bowls and top a spoonful of warmed nacho cheese sauce and a dollop of sour cream. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips For Making Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
- I find my bagged, diced potatoes in the refrigerated section near the eggs and fresh bagged hash browns. If you get yours from the frozen section, then be sure to thaw them completely in the refrigerator before proceeding with this recipe.
- Be sure you are not purchasing the “O’Brien” potatoes (found in the same section), as they have added bell peppers and onions to the bag of potatoes.
- Any brand taco seasoning packet will work, but I like to use the Taco Bell brand for this recipe. Note that you will not use the entire 1-ounce packet. You can store leftover seasoning mix in a ziplock bag in the pantry to use for other dishes.
