Who doesn’t love a good copycat recipe??? This Taco Bell Nacho Fries Copycat Recipe will not disappoint even the biggest Taco Bell fans.ย Trust me, I know a few.ย With every bite you take, you will feel like you are eating the real deal. Surprisingly easy to make, these fries crisp up in your air fryer and no need to deep fry! A few potatoes and some simple spices is all you need.ย Oh, and don’t forget the nacho cheese dip!
Tara’s Tips for Perfect Taco Bell Nacho Fries Copycat Recipe:
- SOAK THEM! ๐ฅ Don’t skip this!!! THIS IS HOW THEY TURN OUT CRISPY! ๐ฅ Soaking them removes the extra starch and allows the fries to crisp better.ย I know … it adds 30 minutes … but trust me here!
- Shake the air fryer basket while cooking.ย Just set a timer and shake the basket half way through cooking. You won’t regret it.
- Don’t crowd your air fryer! Depending on the size of your air fryer this will likely need to be cooked in batches.
- Eat them right away! If you need to save them for someone who sometimes comes home late from work ๐ , toss them back in the air fryer for 5 minutes and they will crisp back up.ย Spoken from experience ๐
- Russet or Yukon gold, you choose.ย These Taco Bell Nacho Fries work great with both. Russet potatoes turn out crispier.
- Don’t skimp on the seasoning your fries.ย It may seem like a lot of seasoning powder, but these are very flavorful fries and they need it!
Let’s Talk Nacho Cheese
Here at MVF, we eat a plant-based diet.ย In perfecting this recipe, Mr.ย MVF and I tested out multiple dairy-free alternatives to the real deal Taco Bell nacho cheese dip.ย First of all, that was a fun day to be a food blogger (and a food blogger’s husband ๐). Second, I nailed it.ย Hands down this nacho cheese dip reminds me of the hot, orange, drippy cheese you get with a pretzel at a game or the cheese that is drizzled over nachos after they dispense it out of that magical nacho cheese machine.ย All joking aside, 2 ingredients is all you need.ย Cheese shreds (vegan or dairy) and plain yogurt (vegan or dairy).ย I used Nancy’s Oat milk yogurt + Daiya cheddar shreds for what you see pictured here. That’s it! Heat it until melted and there you have it nacho cheese sauce for your nacho fries!ย You. Are. Welcome.
Taco Bell Nacho Fries Copycat Are Perfect For Game Day!
Super easy to make a double batch.ย Just be careful not to overcrowd your air fryer! Cook them in batches so that they all crisp up nicely!
Taco Bell Nacho Fries Copycat Recipe
Yes, it is a copycat recipe BUT this one is better than the real thing! This Taco Bell Nacho Fries Copycat Recipe will be loved by even the biggest Taco Bell fans!
Ingredients
- 6 Russet Potatoes (washed + dried)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder or granules
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp of each of the following: chili powder, black pepper
- smoked paprika, cumin
- 1/2 tbsp onion powder
- olive or avocado oil spray
- For The Nacho Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup plain unsweetened yogurt (dairy or non-dairy, I used Nancy's non-dairy plain oat milk yogurt)
- 1 cup cheese shreds (dairy or non-dairy, I used Daiya non-dairy cheddar style shreds)
Directions
- Step 1 Cut potatoes into French fry shape.
- Step 2 Place in a large bowl and rinse under cool water until water runs clear. Then, fill the bowl with enough cool water to cover the fries. Allow to soak for 30 minutes.
- Step 3 While the potatoes soak, mix the garlic powder or granules, chili powder, salt, black pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin powder in a small bowl and gently stir until all spices are mixed.
- Step 4 After the fries have soaked for 30 minutes, drain the water and rinse the fries gain. Lay them on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Be sure to dry them thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.
- Step 5 Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- Step 6 Spray the fries with oil spray, enough to give a light coating. Transfer fries to a deep bowl or ziploc bag, sprinkle with the spice mix. Be sure every fry is coated with the spice mix.
- Step 7 Transfer fries to air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd. This will likely need to be done in 2 batches.
- Step 8 Air fry at 390 degrees F for 18 minutes or until fries are golden brown. Shake the basket half way through cooking.
- Step 9 While fries cook, make the nacho cheese sauce my heating the yogurt and the cheese shreds in a small non-stick skillet over low heat. Stir constantly until the cheese is melted. You will achieve a smooth consistency after about 3 minutes depending if you use vegan or dairy cheese.
- Step 10 When fries are done, transfer to a bowl or plate and serve with nacho cheese dip or ketchup to your liking. Enjoy!
If You Love Taco Bell Nacho Fries Copycat … You Will Love My Other Copycat Recipes:
- Chipotle Mexican Grill:
- Tofu Sofritas: Click here for the recipe ๐ฏ
- Black Beans: Click here for the recipe.ย ๐ฎ
- Guacamole: Click here for the recipe.ย ๐ฅ
- Cilantro Lime Rice: Click here for the recipe.ย ๐
- Mild, Medium, Hot and Corn Salsas: click here for the recipesย ๐
- Copycat McDonald’s Spicy Paneer Wrap
- Chuy’s Salsa Copycat Recipe
Need Another Great Potato Recipe?
How about Vegan Mashed Potatoes,ย Mexican Mashed Potatoes, Oil Free Air Fryer Potato Wedges , Vegan Potato Cheese Sauce (nut-free + oil-free!), Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe, or dice up some peeled potatoes and toss them into this Easy Indian Vegetable Curry,ย or you can tryย Indian Potatoes with Peas.
โญDid you make this Taco Bell Nacho Fries Copycat Recipe? LEAVE A RATING below! โญ
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