Air Fryer Beef & Bean Chimichangas

What ingredients do you need for Air Fryer Chimichangas?

• Ground Beef
• Taco Seasoning or Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning
• Refried Beans
• Shredded Cheese
• Flour Tortillas or Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas
• Toppings – Sour Cream, Lettuce, Tomato, Salsa, Avocado, Queso, Cheddar Cheese, Guacamole

For gluten-free, use Mission Gluten-Free Tortillas.  These have the closest taste and texture to a regular flour tortilla. This swap, along with the taco seasoning, will allow you to make gluten-free chimichangas. Be sure to always check all ingredients before proceeding to be sure there is no cross-contamination.

What size tortilla should you use for Air Fryer Chimichangas?

Burrito-sized tortillas or taco-size tortillas will work; for a smaller portion size, use taco-size tortillas. For traditionally larger chimichangas, use burrito size. The size of tortilla will affect how many that will fit in the air fryer basket, so you may need to cook them in batches.

How do you fold the tortilla for the Chimichanga?

Fill the chimichanga in the middle with the beef and bean mixture. This mixture will be prepared in a large skillet on the stove before being added to the tortillas. Once it’s filled, fold the sides closest to the filling up and then the other two sides in.  Think of it as wrapping a present or something similar to an envelope.

Once the chimichangas are folded, place them seam-side down inside the air fryer basket.

Tips for Making Air Fryer Beef and Bean Chimichangas:

• Keep it Crispy – Use olive oil spray or grapeseed oil spray to coat the chimichangas; this is what is going to make them crispy. A little oil spray is needed to get the crispy exterior.
• Meal Prep – To save time, prepare the chimichangas and place them in the refrigerator until you are ready to air fry them at dinnertime.
• Don’t Overstuff – Be sure to just lightly fill the middle of the chimichangas to be sure they do not burst during the cooking time. If you are using burrito-size, you will be able to fill it with significantly more filling.

Variations of Air Fryer Chimichangas:

• Mix up the Protein – Use chicken instead of beef; leftover shredded chicken works well for these.
• Make it Vegetarian – Use black beans, corn, and peppers for the filling instead of beef or chicken.
• Make it Spicy – Add red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or jalapenos for a spicy kick.
• Serve with Toppings – Use lime wedges or lime juice for extra flavor, sour cream, fresh cilantro, pico de gallo, or salsa!
• Pair with Rice – These pair wonderfully with this Ninja Foodi Mexican Rice Recipe and vegetables.

Can you make Air Fryer Beef & Bean Chimichangas in the Ninja Foodi?

These can easily be made in the Ninja Foodi, making them a great Ninja Foodi Recipe option. If you use the Ninja Foodi, be sure to use the air crisp basket as well as the lid that is attached to the foodi.  

They will be cooked using the air crisp function using the same time, temperature, and method.

How do you store leftover chimichangas?

Once fully cooled, store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When ready to reheat, heat in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 5-7 minutes; add additional oil spray if needed.

Alternatively, cooked chimichangas can be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer-safe storage bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to reheat, defrost the chimichanga and heat in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 5-7 minutes.

Air Fryer Beef Chimichangas will be an easy, crispy, delicious crowd-pleaser that the entire family will enjoy. They’re easy to customize and make on a busy weeknight!