Air Fryer Beef and Bean Taquitos are crispy and golden, and they are air-fried to perfection instead of deep-fried. These taquitos are the perfect option for a busy weeknight meal with simple ingredients!
With just a few simple ingredients, Air Fryer Taquitos can be made in mere minutes. They are crunchy, cheesy, and better than the fried alternative. These taquitos can be made with a variety of ingredients. In our case, we are doing beef and beans, but they can also be made with chicken, pork, or vegetarian too!
What ingredients do you need for Air Fryer Taquitos?
- Ground Beef
- Taco Seasoning
- Refried Beans
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar
- White Corn Tortillas or Flour Tortillas
- Serving Suggestions – Homemade Salsa, Guacamole, Sour Cream, Fresh Cilantro, Shredded Lettuce, or Cheddar Cheese
How do you make Air Fryer Beef and Bean Taquitos?
Begin by preparing the ground beef and taco seasoning in a skillet on the stove on medium heat. In a small bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, refried beans, and cheese. Then wrap the tortilla. These need to be rolled tightly and placed seam side down, or use a toothpick to secure them. If you are using white corn tortillas, warm the tortilla before filling it with the meat mixture.
Once the tortillas are filled, use olive oil spray or grapeseed oil spray to coat the air fryer basket, then place taquitos into the basket. Give the taquitos another coat of spray and air fry at 390 degrees F.
It’s always best to keep a close eye on the taquitos if this is the first time you have made them in your air fryer. All machines heat differently so the cooking time may vary a bit. They should be a golden brown color when fully cooked.
Can you use foil in the air fryer?
For quick cleanup, use foil, parchment paper for the air fryer, or silicone mats for the air fryer. These can be placed in the basket of the air fryer; however, be sure that food is also on top of the foil or parchment before turning the air fryer on. If you turn it on without food, it can blow into the heating element.
Always be sure there is enough room around the sides of the foil or parchment for air to fully circulate.
Should you use corn or flour tortillas for Air Fryer Taquitos?
To make these gluten-free taquitos, we use white corn tortillas. If you do not need gluten-free options, you can use flour tortillas; however, taquitos are traditionally made with corn tortillas.
White corn tortillas can be heated in the microwave with a damp paper towel, this will give them enough moisture to make them soft and pliable, much easier to roll up for taquitos.
Tips for making Air Fryer Taquitos:
- Warm the Tortillas – Corn tortillas should always be warmed up for at least 20 seconds before folding.
- Do Not Overfill – Add just enough mixture that it fits nicely inside the tortilla; do not overfill it.
- Always keep an eye on them – Always watch closely, as all air fryers heat differently.
- Use Leftover Rotisserie Chicken – This a great meal prep-style recipe that can be done with leftover chicken instead of ground beef.
- Make them ahead – Make the taquitos and store them in the fridge until you are ready to air fry them.
- Single Layer – Be sure to keep them in a single layer; do not stack them in the air fryer.
- Always use Cooking Spray – This should be cooking oil spray such as olive oil spray, grapeseed oil spray, or avocado oil spray. The grapeseed oil spray has the highest smoke point.
Variations of Air Fryer Taquitos:
- Breakfast Taquitos – Use up scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon to make a breakfast version.
- Veggie Taquitos – Use black beans or refried beans, corn, and cheese for a meat-free option.
- Buffalo Chicken Taquitos – Use shredded chicken with buffalo sauce to make this chicken mixture for zesty taquitos.
- Spicy Taquitos – Add red chili pepper flakes, jalapenos, or green chiles to make these spicy.
How do you store leftovers?
Once fully cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
When ready to heat, place them in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes and warm until hot and crispy. Add additional olive oil spray if needed.
If you need to make frozen taquitos, click here to follow this recipe.
Air Fryer Beef and Bean Taquitos are the perfect party appetizer or easy dinner to add to your list of air fryer recipes or air fryer beef recipes. This meal is ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!
Air Fryer Beef and Bean Taquitos
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 Package Gluten-Free or Regular Taco Seasoning
- 1 Can of Refried Beans
- 1 Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar
- 20 White Corn Tortillas
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the ground beef if it isn’t already.
- Brown the meat on medium-high heat and add in the taco seasoning per the instructions on the package.
- Once you are done with the meat, heat up the corn tortillas for about 20 seconds in the microwave, this will make them pliable. Corn tortillas need to be warmed up before using or they will tear when rolling them. *See Note*
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray or add a sheet of foil and spray.
- Add ground beef, beans, and a bit of cheese to each tortilla.
- Wrap them tightly and place seem side down in the air fryer.
- Add a quick spray of cooking oil spray, such as olive oil cooking spray.
- Cook at 390°F for 5 minutes. Carefully flip them, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until browned on top.
- Repeat for any additional tortillas.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Jocelyn says
Do you heat up the refrigerator beans first?
Kristy says
No, you don’t have to heat the refried beans first.
Tina says
Can you make ahead in the air fryer then freeze or make ahead freeze then air fry?
Kristy says
I think you could, I would probably make them in the air fryer then freeze them.
Lisa says
This is the best recipe I’ve found so far. I love taquitos and will change up the ingredients pretty often by changing to chicken or add a thin layer of rice and/or tomatoes. Adding mushrooms is the bomb too! I cut these into long strips. Yes, you sure do have to heat up the corn tortilla’s or they will break up pretty bad. Thanks for another great air fryer recipe!
Kristy says
I warm them in the microwave. They can be wrapped in foil for the air fryer or oven though. I just put them on a plate, my husband likes to wrap them in a paper towel then put them in the microwave.
Allison says
You should specify this in the recipe. I think that’s why so many people had issues with it.
You just say heat tortillas for 30 seconds.
Kristy says
Good point!! Updated to clarify.
Emily says
Delicious Recipe! Make sure that you heat the tortillas so they fold nicely.
Krista says
Great recipe! Thank you. I used Siete Cassava Flour tortillas and it worked out great. If you need grain free, these work. I put just a little bit of olive oil spray on the tortillas before I heat them for 15 to 18 seconds in the microwave. They roll very easily then and did not crack or fall apart.
Amos Heath says
I like to warm my tortillas in the microwave between moistened paper towels. That little bit of moisture really makes them soft and pliable. Thanks for the recipe.
John McTier says
I have been cooking Baja style Mexican food for about 50 years. Theses taquitos (rolled tacos, in So Cal) looked way over cooked. The degree of hardness of the shell can be controlled by cooking time. Harder darker shells
( dorados) longer time higher temps. Using corn tortillas are best when slightly heated, with a little “oil” or butter for pliability. Roll the softened tortilla and filling like a cigarette ( or other smoking item). A paste of flour and water can be used to keep the taquitos together. Warming the tortillas then placing them in foil, created steam. The steam cooling, created a rubber like texture. Short of using toothpicks, this method works best and created a more authentic “Mexican” taste.