Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These potato flautas are the ultimate comfort food! The tender, mashed potatoes are flavored with savory seasonings like cumin, garlic, and onion powder, while the crispy tortillas add the perfect crunch. They’re versatile, easy to make, and customizable with your favorite toppings like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole. Whether you’re enjoying them as a snack or a hearty meal, these flautas are sure to satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- ½ cup grated cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Corn tortillas (10-12)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or shredded lettuce
Directions
- Boil the Potatoes: Place the diced potatoes in a pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Mash the Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash them thoroughly until smooth.
- Season the Mixture: Add the grated cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the mashed potatoes. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Heat the Tortillas: In a dry skillet over medium heat, warm the corn tortillas for about 30 seconds on each side, just until they become pliable.
- Fill the Tortillas: Place about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture at one end of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, tucking in the edges to seal.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep pan, heat around ½ inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (180°C).
- Fry the Flautas: Fry the flautas in batches, about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- Drain Excess Oil: Once crispy, remove the flautas from the oil and set them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.
- Cool Slightly: Allow the flautas to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe makes about 10-12 flautas.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 30-40 minutes
- Total time: 45-55 minutes
Variations
- Spicy: Add some diced jalapeños or a dash of chili powder to the mashed potatoes for a spicy kick.
- Vegan: Omit the cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative to make the flautas vegan-friendly.
- Different fillings: Experiment by adding other fillings like black beans, corn, or sautéed onions to the potato mixture for added flavor and texture.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover flautas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a hot skillet or the oven to maintain their crispiness. You can also reheat them in the microwave, though they may lose some of their crunch.
FAQs
1. Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?
While corn tortillas provide a more authentic flavor and crispiness, you can use flour tortillas if preferred. Keep in mind that they will be softer and may not crisp up as much.
2. Can I bake these instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake the flautas in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Brush them with a little oil before baking to get that crispy texture.
3. How can I make these spicier?
For extra spice, add diced jalapeños to the mashed potato filling or sprinkle chili powder over the tortillas before frying.
4. Can I freeze these potato flautas?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked flautas. Once rolled, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. To cook, fry from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the frying time.
5. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can substitute the cheddar or Mexican blend cheese with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even vegan cheese for a dairy-free option.
6. Can I make these without cheese?
Yes, you can make these without cheese, or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative if you prefer.
7. How do I keep the flautas crispy?
To keep them crispy, make sure the oil is hot enough before frying, and avoid overcrowding the pan. Place the fried flautas on paper towels to absorb excess oil, which will help maintain their crispiness.
8. How do I make the filling more flavorful?
Feel free to add more seasonings like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or fresh cilantro to the mashed potato mixture for an added depth of flavor.
9. Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes?
Yes, sweet potatoes can be used for a unique twist on this dish. Just keep in mind that they have a naturally sweeter flavor, which will change the taste of the flautas.
10. Can I use store-bought guacamole or salsa?
Absolutely! If you want to save time, store-bought guacamole or salsa will work perfectly as toppings for your flautas.
Conclusion
Potato flautas are the ultimate comfort food—crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside. Whether you’re enjoying them as a snack or as part of a meal, they’re sure to satisfy your cravings. With easy ingredients, simple steps, and plenty of room for customization, this recipe is one you’ll want to keep coming back to. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy a delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion!
Potato Flautas: An Amazing Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Potato flautas are crispy, golden tortillas filled with seasoned mashed potatoes and melted cheese. A perfect comfort food for any occasion, whether as a snack, appetizer, or main dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Total Time: 45-55 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 flautas
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
½ cup grated cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Corn tortillas (10-12)
Vegetable oil for frying
Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Boil the Potatoes: Place the diced potatoes in a pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Mash the Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash them thoroughly until smooth.
- Season the Mixture: Add the grated cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the mashed potatoes. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Heat the Tortillas: In a dry skillet over medium heat, warm the corn tortillas for about 30 seconds on each side, just until they become pliable.
- Fill the Tortillas: Place about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture at one end of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, tucking in the edges to seal.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep pan, heat around ½ inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (180°C).
- Fry the Flautas: Fry the flautas in batches, about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- Drain Excess Oil: Once crispy, remove the flautas from the oil and set them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.
- Cool Slightly: Allow the flautas to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or chili powder to the mashed potatoes.
Sweet potatoes can be substituted for regular potatoes for a unique twist on the flavor.
If you prefer, you can bake the flautas in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes until crispy.
For a vegan version, use plant-based cheese alternatives or omit the cheese altogether.
These can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 flauta
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
