These Air Fryer Taquitos are crispy, cheesy, and ready to become a family favorite. Made with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and tortillas, they cook up quickly in the air fryer with far less oil than traditional frying.
They make a perfect appetizer or main course. Top them with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, shredded lettuce, or fresh cilantro for extra flavor and texture.
Air Fryer Taquitos Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you’ll need for rolled taquitos in the air fryer. Adjust quantities as desired for your serving size.
- Lean ground beef
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Cumin
- Tomato paste
- Cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
- Mozzarella cheese (freshly grated)
- Flour tortillas – 7-inch tortillas work well
- Olive oil or olive oil spray
- Optional garnishes: guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cilantro, shredded lettuce
How to Make Taquitos in an Air Fryer
- In a medium skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat.
- Add chili powder, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and tomato paste. Stir to combine and cook until the beef is no longer pink. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Lay a tortilla flat, add about 3 tablespoons of the seasoned beef in the center, then sprinkle with cheddar and mozzarella. Roll the tortilla tightly and secure the seam with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Lightly brush or spray the air fryer tray or basket with olive oil. Place taquitos seam-side up in a single layer, brush the tops with a little more oil, and air fry 4 minutes. Remove toothpicks, flip, and cook 4 more minutes until crisp and golden.
- Serve immediately with desired garnishes. Enjoy with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and shredded lettuce.
The pictured air fryer offers a compact design and user-friendly controls that make quick meals like taquitos easy to prepare.
Recipe Variations
- Corn tortillas: Warm them briefly on a skillet before rolling to prevent cracking.
- Shredded chicken: Use rotisserie chicken for a quick, tasty substitute.
- Refried beans: A great vegetarian filling option.
- Different cheeses: Try Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for varied flavor.
- Taco seasoning packet: Use a packet instead of separate spices for convenience.
- Party size: Cut taquitos in half for bite-sized appetizers and keep batches warm in a 200°F oven while you finish cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve taquitos as a meal with sides like brown rice and beans, pozole, or Mexican street corn. They also work perfectly as an appetizer for game day or gatherings.
FAQs
Warm tortillas briefly in the microwave or on a skillet to make them more pliable before assembling.
Air fryer models vary. The recipe author used a Cosori model; you may need to adjust time or temperature slightly for different brands.
More Air Fryer Appetizers
- Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
- Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
- Air Fryer Mac n Cheese Bites
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Taquitos
Equipment
-
Air fryer
-
12-inch fry pan or skillet
-
Toothpicks
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
- 12 flour tortillas (7-inch recommended)
- Olive oil spray or a light brush of olive oil
- Optional: guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cilantro, shredded iceberg lettuce
Instructions
- In a medium frying pan, brown the ground beef.
- Add spices and tomato paste, stir to combine, and cook until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place a tortilla on a plate, add about 3 tablespoons of beef and top with shredded cheeses.
- Roll the tortilla and secure the seam with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- When the air fryer is hot, spray or brush the tray with olive oil and place taquitos seam-side up in a single layer. Brush tops with a little oil. Cook 4 minutes, remove toothpicks, flip, and cook 4 more minutes until golden and crisp.
- Serve immediately with garnishes such as cilantro, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and shredded lettuce.
Notes
Can I make these for a crowd?
Yes. Cut taquitos in half for smaller bites and keep batches warm in a 200°F oven while you finish cooking.
What if my tortillas break?
Warm them briefly in the microwave or on a skillet to make them more flexible for rolling.
Can I substitute ingredients?
You can swap cooked chicken or refried beans for the beef for different variations.
What pairs well with taquitos?
Serve with brown rice and beans, pozole, or Mexican street corn for a fuller meal.
Which air fryer should I use?
Different air fryers vary in performance. You may need to adjust cooking times and temperature slightly depending on your model.
Nutrition
Calories: 403 kcal
Carbohydrates: 33 g
Protein: 28 g
Fat: 17 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Sodium: 981 mg
Fiber: 3 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.
The recipe and photos are the property of the original author and are provided here as a guide.