Flautas de Papa with Salsa Roja (Potato Flautas)
Why this recipe works
- Crisp tortilla shell: Warming the corn tortillas before rolling helps them hold their shape, while frying in batches keeps the exterior golden and crisp.
- Simple filling, bold finish: The potato filling is mild and savoury, giving the warm tomato and guajillo salsa space to bring depth, acidity, and gentle chilli flavour.
- Easy to serve casually: The flautas can be plated individually or served sharing-style with salsa, lettuce, sour cream, and lime added at the table.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For a gentler salsa: Use a mild chilli powder in place of guajillo chilli powder and add lime gradually so the salsa stays bright without tasting sharp.
- For more heat: Add a hotter chilli powder or serve with a spicy table salsa, keeping the potato filling mild so the heat stays balanced.
Texture tips
- Keep the oil steady: Fry in batches and avoid crowding the pan, as a drop in oil temperature can make the tortillas absorb oil instead of crisping.
- Top just before serving: Add salsa, lettuce, and sour cream at the last moment so the flautas stay crisp underneath.
- Cool the filling slightly: Let the mashed potato cool a little before rolling; a firmer filling is easier to shape and less likely to squeeze out.
Make-ahead tips
- Make the components ahead: The potato filling and salsa roja can be prepared in advance, then the tortillas can be filled and fried closer to serving.
- Store separately: Keep fried flautas and salsa in separate airtight containers so the tortillas do not soften in the fridge.
- Re-crisp before serving: Reheat the flautas in a 200°C (390°F) oven until hot and crisp, and warm the salsa separately before adding lime to taste.
Ingredient notes
- Use corn tortillas: Corn tortillas give flautas their characteristic flavour and crisp snap; warm them well so they roll without cracking.
- Choose ripe tomatoes: Ripe tomatoes soften quickly into a fuller-tasting salsa roja and need less adjustment at the end.
- Finish with lime: Add lime after the salsa has simmered so the acidity stays fresh and can be adjusted to taste.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cut into even chunks. Put them in a large pot, cover with water, and add 1 tsp of the fine sea salt. Bring to the boil and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until very tender.
- Meanwhile, finely chop half the onion and mince 1 garlic clove for the filling. Thinly slice the remaining onion and mince the remaining garlic for the salsa. Shred the romaine lettuce and cut the lime into wedges.
- Drain the potatoes well, then mash until smooth. Stir in the chopped onion, 1 minced garlic clove, the ground cumin, and 0.5 tsp of the fine sea salt. Let the filling cool slightly so it is easier to roll.
- Make the salsa roja: put the tomatoes, sliced onion, remaining garlic, guajillo chili powder, water, and 0.5 tsp fine sea salt in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes collapse and the onion is soft. Crush with a potato masher for a rustic salsa, then squeeze in a little lime to taste.
- Warm the corn tortillas briefly in a dry frying pan so they are pliable. Spoon the potato filling down the centre of each tortilla and roll up tightly. Keep them seam-side down while you heat the oil.
- Pour the vegetable oil into a frying pan to a depth of about 2 cm and heat over medium-high until shimmering. Fry the flautas in batches, turning with tongs, for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Drain briefly on a plate and season lightly with a pinch of fine sea salt.
- Serve the flautas topped with warm salsa roja, shredded romaine lettuce, and spoonfuls of sour cream. Finish with extra lime wedges for squeezing at the table.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the crispest flautas, keep the oil at a steady medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan, which drops the temperature.
- If the tortillas crack as you roll, warm them a little longer so they soften before filling.
- If serving anyone who is vulnerable, use pasteurised sour cream and ensure the flautas are fried until piping hot throughout.
Substitutions
- Replace romaine lettuce with iceberg lettuce for extra crunch.
- Replace sour cream with greek yogurt for a lighter topping.
- Replace guajillo chili powder with mild chili powder for a gentler heat.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Store flautas and salsa separately in airtight containers. Reheat flautas in a 200°C (390°F) oven for 8 to 10 minutes until hot and crisp; warm the salsa gently in a saucepan and add lime to taste after reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 55min (45min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Mexican
-
Allergens:
Milk
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