Trader Joe’s Crispy Potato and Poblano Tacos have landed in the freezer aisle, and let’s just say, they’re here to prove that vegan doesn’t have to mean bland, boring, or a sad pile of wilted kale. These tacos are like the rebellious younger sibling of your usual meat and cheese lineup. They are spicy, crispy, and unapologetically plant-based. Who needs dairy or meat when you’ve got potatoes and poblanos teaming up for a flavor-packed fiesta that’s crunchy on the outside and savory on the inside? Let’s dive in and see if these tacos are the ultimate frozen aisle MVP or just another reason to cry over spilt salsa…
First a caveat. It does not say “VEGAN” anywhere on the box… but… if you look at the ingredients there are no animal products whatsoever. But… in the fine print for the ingredients, it does say “may contain milk, eggs”. That only means they share equipment that uses milk and eggs (and wheat if you are gluten free). So, use your best judgement if you have an allergy or just don’t like that they way they process these tacos, then they aren’t for you.
So, what is in these tacos? They are literally filled with mashed potatoes and poblano peppers and some seasonings. That’s it folks. The taco shell is a corn tortilla that is roughly folded around the the mashed potato mixture. You get six tacos in the box. They are about 120 calories per taco so you could split a box with someone IF you add some extras. I’ll get to that later…
I am not sure if these are supposed to be a replacement for the Trader Joe’s Mini tacos which came in beef and chicken. It seems like they shouldn’t since they are different sizes and those had meat in them, but I have not seen the mini tacos in a long time and my kids, when they were little, used to snarf those down like nobody’s business.
How to make Trader Joe’s Potato and Poblano Tacos
Trader Joe’s gives us three methods to make these tacos and clearly I am going with air fryer! I love my air fryer for this type of food. The oven method would be my second choice and the microwave/skillet method only if you want a sloppy mess. Anyway, so I set the air fryer for 400 degrees and arrange four tacos in the basket like this:
After the 7 minutes or so, they are crispy and browned around the edges and the taco shells are sizzling hot. Make sure you give them a few minutes to cool off before you start eating. Right away, I thought to myself, these are going to be dry and kind of tasteless if I didn’t have some salsa, queso or guacamole. Thankfully, I had a jar of Trader Joe’s Salsa Autentica in the fridge and a bag of shredded Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar shredded cheese to give the tacos a bit more flavor.
I tried one plain without anything to get a base flavor level on them. You can taste the mashed potatoes and there is a hint of heat coming from the poblanos. Also, you get the melange of spices coming through and the eating experience isn’t all that bad. The taco shells are super crispy, which I loved. But it is a little bland on their own and maybe that’s the plan here. Give you a good base to add your own stuff.
The shells were still a little pliable so I was able to dump a bit pinch of cheese in them, which they so much needed then a dip into the salsa between bites and that really pushed them up a notch or two. So much more enjoyable that way.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe’s Crispy Potato and Poblano Tacos are here to save the day when your fridge is looking emptier than your willpower on cookie sample day. At $4.99 for a box of six, these tacos are a budget-friendly option for when you need dinner fast and can’t bear the thought of another night of sad takeout. Three tacos per person, plus a little salsa, cheese, or guac action, make a decent meal for two normal human being, or one overly ambitious snacker.
What really impressed me was how these tacos went from freezer to table in just seven minutes in the air fryer, emerging with a shell so crispy it could moonlight as a chip. The fact that they’re vegan is a nice touch, too perfect for those nights when you’re feeling virtuous or just want to impress your plant-based friends without breaking a sweat.
Flavorwise, they’re solid but not mindblowing on their own. Think of them as a blank canvas for your favorite taco toppings. Without a little help from salsa, cheese, or guacamole, they might feel like they’re missing the party. But once you dress them up, they’re a quick and satisfying meal that’s hard to beat when you’re short on time and energy. If nothing else, they’re proof that the freezer aisle is full of tiny, crispy miracles just waiting to be discovered.
I am going to rate them 7 stars out of 10!
