Ultimate Taco Fries

Get ready to elevate your mealtime with an incredibly fun and absolutely delicious recipe: Loaded Taco Fries! This dish features a vibrant base of golden sweet potato fries, generously topped with richly seasoned taco meat and a cascade of your favorite fresh toppings.

Whether you’re planning a lively family dinner or searching for the perfect game-day appetizer, these Loaded Taco Fries are guaranteed to be a hit. What makes them even better? They’re secretly wholesome – or at least, as healthy as a meal featuring “fries” can be! We achieve this balance by using nutrient-rich sweet potatoes as the foundation, lean ground turkey for the savory meat, and an abundance of aromatic spices coupled with crisp, fresh veggie toppings to infuse every bite with incredible flavor.

Contents

Loaded Taco Fries: The Ultimate Comfort Food with a Twist

If there was ever a dish that could make your taste buds sing, Loaded Taco Fries would be it. Imagine perfectly sea-salted sweet potato fries, baked to a delightful crisp, piled high with the most flavorful taco meat you’ve ever tasted, and then adorned with all the best taco toppings imaginable. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors – savory, sweet, crunchy, creamy, and spicy – all in one glorious bite. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, a joyous celebration of comfort food reimagined.

We absolutely adore these loaded fries as a vibrant, interactive family dinner. The beauty of them lies in their versatility and the sheer fun of customizing each serving. They are also an absolute must-have for any gathering, especially before the big game. They offer a healthier alternative to many traditional appetizer recipes, yet they sacrifice absolutely nothing in terms of robust flavor and satisfying richness. While we often enjoy them for dinner, I can already envision these making a grand appearance at our next game day party, shared amongst friends and family.

Effortless Shortcuts for Busy Cooks

Beyond their incredible taste, one of the most compelling aspects of Loaded Taco Fries is their remarkable simplicity. This recipe truly offers a win-win situation for anyone looking for a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. We’ve incorporated several clever shortcuts that make preparation a breeze:

**Pre-Made Sweet Potato Fries:** Our secret weapon for speed and consistent crispiness is using high-quality store-bought sweet potato fries. While you’re always welcome to make your own from scratch, opting for frozen fries significantly cuts down on prep time. Simply bake them according to package directions while you prepare the other components.
**Ready-to-Use Toppings:** The beauty of taco toppings is that many of them come ready-to-serve. Shredded cheese, pre-diced tomatoes, canned black olives, or even store-bought guacamole mean less chopping and more assembling. It’s all about layering, not labor-intensive preparation.
**Spice Blend Alternatives:** Our homemade spice blend offers unparalleled flavor, but if you’re truly pressed for time, a store-bought packet of taco seasoning can be a convenient substitute. Just be sure to check the ingredients for any unwanted additives and adjust salt levels accordingly.
**Pre-Chopped Aromatics:** Don’t underestimate the time-saving power of pre-minced garlic and pre-diced onions. Many grocery stores offer fresh diced onions in the produce section, or you can find frozen diced onions alongside other frozen vegetables. These small conveniences add up, getting you to dinner faster.

The Perfect Base: Sweet Potato Fries

Our goal for this recipe was to keep things as simple and flavorful as possible, and that starts with the foundation: the fries. We highly recommend and personally love Alexia® sea salt sweet potato fries for their consistent quality and delicious flavor profile, which pairs beautifully with the savory taco meat. (This isn’t a sponsored endorsement; just a genuine recommendation from our kitchen to yours!)

However, the choice of fries is ultimately yours. If you prefer to make your own sweet potato fries from scratch, or even roast up some sweet potato wedges, go for it! For those who love homemade roasted sweet potatoes, we have a fantastic recipe that will guide you through creating perfectly tender and caramelized wedges.

Another excellent alternative to sweet potatoes would be baby Yukon gold potatoes. Their creamy texture and slightly buttery flavor make them a wonderful canvas for the taco toppings. To prepare them, simply cut peeled or unpeeled baby potatoes into wedges. Toss them generously with olive oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Roast them in the oven at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for about 15-20 minutes, then flip them and continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender and beautifully golden. Keep in mind that exact timing may vary depending on the quantity of potatoes and how thick they are cut.

Tips for Flawless Loaded Taco Fries

Achieving perfectly crispy fries and a harmonious blend of flavors is key to the success of this dish. Here are some essential quick tips to ensure your Loaded Taco Fries are nothing short of spectacular:

**Avoid Overcrowding the Pan:** This is perhaps the most crucial rule for crispy fries. If your sweet potato fries are packed too closely together or overlapping on the baking sheet, they will steam instead of roast, resulting in soggy fries. To prevent this, we highly recommend using an extra-large sheet pan (around 15 x 21 inches) or, if you don’t have one, dividing the fries between two standard large sheet pans. Spreading them out ensures ample air circulation, leading to that irresistible golden crispness.
**Serve Immediately for Best Texture:** Loaded Taco Fries are a dish best enjoyed fresh and hot. The moment the fries are pulled from the oven, their crispiness is at its peak. The longer they sit, especially once topped with warm meat and other ingredients, the softer they will become. To ensure a perfect experience, have your taco meat cooked, cheese shredded, and all desired toppings prepped and ready before the fries finish baking. As soon as the fries are done, assemble quickly and serve without delay.
**Appetizer Serving Strategy:** If you’re serving these as an appetizer for a party, a self-serve bar approach works wonderfully. Arrange the baked sweet potato fries on a large platter. Keep the hot taco meat (with cheese stirred in or sprinkled over) warm in a small crockpot or serving dish. Then, present all the delicious toppings in separate small bowls. This allows your guests to customize their own portions, ensuring everyone gets exactly what they want and can enjoy their freshly assembled taco fries while still warm and delicious.

Unleash Your Creativity: Topping Extravaganza

The beauty of Loaded Taco Fries truly shines when it comes to the toppings. Think about your favorite tacos, nachos, or fajitas, and let your imagination run wild! The possibilities are virtually endless, allowing you to customize each plate to perfection. Here are some fantastic topping ideas to get you started, spanning fresh, creamy, and spicy categories:

**Fresh & Crunchy:**
- **Shredded Lettuce or Cabbage:** Adds a refreshing crunch and vibrant color.
- **Diced Tomatoes or Pico de Gallo:** Offers juicy freshness and a burst of acidity.
- **Diced Bell Peppers:** For a sweet crunch and extra veggie goodness.
- **Fresh Cilantro or Parsley:** Essential for bright, herbaceous notes.
- **Diced Raw Onion (Red or White):** Provides a sharp, pungent kick.
- **Lime Wedges:** A squeeze of fresh lime juice is absolutely crucial for balancing the richness and brightening all the flavors.
**Creamy & Cool:**
- **Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt:** Offers a cool, tangy counterpoint to the spicy meat.
- **Diced or Sliced Avocado (or Guacamole):** Adds a luxurious creaminess and healthy fats.
- **Shredded Cheese (Colby Jack, Cheddar, Monterey Jack):** Melts beautifully over the warm meat and fries, creating an irresistible cheesy layer.
**Spicy & Bold (Optional):**
- **Diced Jalapeño Peppers (Fresh or Pickled):** For a pleasant kick.
- **Hot Sauce or Sriracha:** For those who love an extra fiery punch.
**Other Delicious Additions:**
- Black beans, corn, pickled red onions, crumbled cotija cheese, salsa verde, or a drizzle of chipotle mayo.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match to find your perfect combination!

More Ridiculously Easy Dinner Recipes

If you loved the simplicity and flavor of our Loaded Taco Fries, you’re in luck! We specialize in creating meals that are both incredibly delicious and wonderfully easy to prepare. Explore some of our other favorite quick dinner ideas:

Margherita Pizza ready in just 15 minutes
A satisfying 30-minute Chicken Ramen
Apple Salad with a delightful simple dressing
Rotisserie Chicken Tacos for quick weeknight meals
Quinoa Fried Rice a healthier take on a takeout classic

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Loaded Taco Fries

By Chelsea Lords

Loaded Taco Fries are the ultimate fun meal or appetizer! Sweet potato fries piled high with taco meat and all your favorite toppings.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 4 servings (for dinner; 8 for appetizer)

Equipment

Sheet pan (15″ x 10″)
Large pan

Ingredients

2 (20-ounce) frozen bags sweet potato fries (I use and recommend Alexia)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced yellow onion (about 1/2 of an onion)
2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
1 tablespoon ground chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 tablespoon beef bouillon powder
1 pound lean ground turkey (or ground beef)
1/3 cup tomato sauce
1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese (or extra-sharp Cheddar cheese)
Toppings as desired (see note 1)

Instructions

Prepare the sweet potato fries according to package directions, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan to allow them to roast crisply instead of steam. While the fries are baking, gather your spices, prepare your desired toppings, and begin cooking the turkey meat.
When the fries are approximately 10–15 minutes from being done, start preparing the taco meat. Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, and once it’s shimmering, add the diced onion. Cook for 3–5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 20–30 seconds until fragrant. Add all the seasonings: chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and beef bouillon powder. Stir the spices into the onions and garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds until aromatic. Reduce heat if needed to prevent burning.
Increase the heat to high and add the ground turkey (or beef). Break the meat into small pieces with a spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink, about 5 minutes. It doesn’t need to be completely cooked through at this stage. Stir in the tomato sauce, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any flavorful browned bits. Let the mixture simmer for 3–4 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, then remove from heat.
Once the fries are golden and crispy, divide them evenly among 4 individual plates (refer to Note 2 for appetizer serving suggestions). Top each portion with equal amounts of the prepared taco meat and generously sprinkle with shredded cheese. The residual heat from the fries and meat should be sufficient to beautifully melt the cheese. Immediately add your chosen toppings. Our favorites include a generous dollop of sour cream, ripe sliced avocado (or guacamole), a spoonful of pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, and plenty of fresh lime juice. For a spicy kick, consider adding some jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. Enjoy these loaded fries while they are hot and cheesy. We recommend using forks, as the delicious toppings and meat tend to make them a bit messy – in the best way possible!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Suggested toppings include sour cream, fresh guacamole or ripe avocados, salsa or pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, and fresh lime wedges.

Note 2: To serve as an appetizer, arrange everything in separate dishes for a build-your-own experience. Place the baked sweet potato fries on a large platter. Keep the taco meat (with cheese added) warm in a small crockpot. Provide various toppings in separate bowls so guests can customize their portions and enjoy them immediately.

Nutrition Note: The nutrition information provided is for the basic recipe only and does not include any additional toppings.

Storage: Loaded Taco Fries are best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store the taco meat and fries separately from the fresh toppings. Reheat the fries in the oven or an air fryer to restore their crispiness before adding the meat and fresh toppings again.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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