Air-Fryer Taquitos

Air fryer taquitos may be the only reason you need to justify owning one of these incredible appliances. Traditional taquitos are fried in oil and can be greasy if they’re not done right. Taquitos in the air fryer come out crisp and golden, but without all of that unnecessary fat. Don’t get us wrong, we have lots of other air fryer recipes, but this one will definitely earn a spot in your weeknight rotation.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Taquitos

• Eggs: The eggs act as a binding ingredient, holding the meat filling together so it doesn’t leak out of the taquitos.
• Bread crumbs: Bread crumbs complement the eggs as a binding ingredient, but also help retain moisture in the filling.
• Taco seasoning: Taco seasoning gives the filling its Mexican-inspired flavorings.
• Ground beef: Lean ground beef provides the bulk of the filling, and its beefy flavor.
• Corn tortillas: Warmed corn tortillas act as the wrapping for the taquitos.
• Cooking spray: A spritz of pan spray helps give the taquitos their crisp, “air-fried” texture.
• Salsa and guacamole: Salsa and guacamole are optional for serving, but they add lots of bright flavor to the finished taquitos.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the filling

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, bead crumbs and taco seasoning. Add the beef to the crumbs, and mix it lightly but thoroughly until they’re combined.

Step 2: Cook the taquitos in the air fryer

Spoon ¼ cup of the beef mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll the warmed tortillas around the beef, securing them with toothpicks so they don’t unroll. Working in batches, arrange the taquitos in a single layer on a greased tray in your air fryer’s basket. Spritz them with cooking spray. Cook the initial batch for 6 minutes, then turn and cook them for another 6 to 7 minutes until the meat is cooked through and the taquitos are golden brown and crispy. Repeat until all of the taquitos are cooked. Remove and discard the toothpicks, and serve hot with salsa and guacamole if desired.

Editor’s tip: Depending on the size and configuration of your air fryer, you may be able to cook this entire recipe in a single batch. Just ensure that the taquitos aren’t crowded, which interferes with airflow and browning.

Air Fryer Taquito Variations

• Use cheese as your binding ingredient: The mixture of eggs and breadcrumbs is a standard combination for helping ground beef hold together in dishes like meatloaf or meatballs, and it works just as well here. If you’d rather stick with plain beef, that’s fine too. Brown the beef to make crumbles, drain the fat from the skillet, and divide that between your tortillas. Then shred enough cheddar, Jack or other melty cheese to hold the beef in the taquitos, and cook them as directed.
• Make chicken taquitos: If you have a rotisserie chicken to use up, or other leftover cooked chicken, you can make chicken taquitos as an alternative. Shred 1 ½ to 2 cups of chicken, divide it between the tortillas, and then add enough shredded cheese to hold the chicken in place as it cooks. Sliced green onions, cilantro or sliced, pickled jalapenos can be added to the filling if you wish. Cook the taquitos as directed in the recipe.
• Make pulled pork taquitos: Just like shredded chicken, pulled pork makes a yummy taquito. Use the add-ins shown in our pulled pork taquitos recipe or come up with your own combination, but then cook the taquitos in your air fryer as shown in this recipe.

How to Store Air Fryer Taquitos

Any leftover taquitos should be transferred to a food safe storage container with an airtight lid, and refrigerated as soon as possible. Unlike fried taquitos, you won’t need to line the container with a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

How long will my air fryer taquitos keep?

Leftover taquitos will last for up to 4 days in the fridge, as long as your beef was fresh and you refrigerated them promptly after the meal. Reheat them in your oven, toaster oven or air fryer.

Can I freeze my taquitos?

Taquitos freeze well, if you want to keep some on hand for quick meals. Cool them completely, and freeze the taquitos in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Once they’re frozen, package them up in freezer bags or containers. They’ll remain food safe indefinitely, but should usually be eaten within 1 to 3 months for the best quality.

Air Fryer Taquito Tips

Can I make these taquitos without an air fryer?

Yes, absolutely. They’re traditionally fried in a skillet with oil, but you can also bake them on a sheet pan in your oven or toaster oven at 400°F.

How do I keep the corn tortillas from cracking when I roll them?

The tortillas shouldn’t crack as long as they’re reasonably fresh and have been warmed up correctly. The simplest method is to wrap a stack of 10 tortillas in damp paper towels, and then microwave them for 30 to 60 seconds until they’re warmed and pliable. Wrap them in a towel to stay warm as you work, or if you have a tortilla warmer you can use that. As for freshness, well, nothing beats homemade tortillas.

How do I know how long to air fry taquitos?

In the case of this contest-winning recipe, our test kitchen verified the cooking time so you won’t have to. If you’re making one of the variations listed above, or have your own recipe you want to adapt to the air fryer, you can use your judgment. If your filling is precooked, the taquitos are done once the tortillas are crisp and golden. If your filling is uncooked, as in this recipe, use an instant-read thermometer to make sure it reaches a temperature of 160°F (the USDA’s temperature recommendation for ground meats). For other air fryer foods, we’ve prepared a handy air fryer cheat sheet for your convenience.