Description
These crispy air fryer beef taquitos are packed with bold flavors from spiced ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and gooey marble cheese. Quick to prepare and easy to roll, these taquitos come out perfectly crispy thanks to the air fryer, making them a crave-worthy snack or appetizer for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef, lean
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, green, chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, for sautéing
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
To Assemble
- 2 eggs
- 24 corn tortillas, soft
- 2 cups marble cheese, shredded
- Nonstick cooking spray
Optional Garnishes
- Salsa
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
- Hot sauce
- Iceberg lettuce
- Cotija cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Make the Beef Filling: Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Sauté onions and green bell peppers together, stirring occasionally, until the onions sweat and turn slightly brown and the peppers soften. Add the ground beef, breaking up large pieces with a spoon, and cook until it turns slightly brown. Season with garlic powder and paprika and continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked and slightly crispy. Remove the pan from heat and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Mixture: Transfer the cooked beef mixture into a bowl, stirring continuously to allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and then mix them into the cooled beef mixture thoroughly.
- Assemble the Taquitos: On a clean surface, lay a corn husk strip (or kitchen string) horizontally. Place a soft corn tortilla on top of the strip. Add 1 tablespoon shredded marble cheese in a vertical line down the tortilla, then add 1 ½ tablespoons of the beef mixture on top. Roll the tortilla tightly from one side to the other, tucking the edge under the filling. Secure the roll by tying the corn husk strip or kitchen string around the middle. Push any filling that may have escaped back inside and trim excess string or husk. Repeat this process for all tortillas.
- Prepare Air Fryer: Spray the base and sides of the air fryer basket and rack (if using) with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry the Taquitos (Using Rack): Arrange as many taquitos as will fit without overcrowding on the basket and rack, spray the tops with cooking spray. Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 8 minutes. Check the taquitos on the rack, leaving those on the basket. Once the top surface is brown and crispy, flip those on the rack; continue cooking for 4 more minutes. If needed, add 2 more minutes. Remove the taquitos on the rack. Flip remaining taquitos in the basket and cook for another 4 minutes until golden and crispy, then remove.
- Air Fry the Taquitos (Basket Only): Arrange taquitos in the basket without overcrowding and spray tops lightly. Air fry at 375°F for 6 minutes. Flip them over and cook for an additional 3 minutes. If not crispy enough, add 2 more minutes. Remove when golden brown and crispy on both sides.
- Serve: Serve hot with your choice of garnishes such as salsa, guacamole, cilantro, sour cream, hot sauce, iceberg lettuce, and crumbled cotija cheese.
Notes
- Soften the tortillas by steaming them slightly if they are not fresh to prevent cracking when rolling.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook taquitos in batches for the best crispiness.
- Use a strong melting cheese like marble or cheddar for best flavor and gooeyness.
- Allow the beef mixture to cool before mixing with eggs to avoid prematurely cooking the eggs.
- Secure the rolls with corn husk strips soaked in water and dried, or with kitchen string; toothpicks can also be used if preferred.
- Adjust air frying time based on your air fryer model; start with less time and add more as needed, flipping taquitos to assure even crisping.
