Air Fryer Frozen Burrito: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Cooking frozen burritos in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy, soft, and gooey meal. It is a convenient cooking method that can be used for all kinds of frozen burritos, including chicken, beef, bean, and breakfast burritos. The air fryer ensures that the burritos are evenly cooked, with a golden brown exterior and a hot and melty interior. This method also eliminates the need for thawing, making it a fast option for a satisfying dish.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in cooking frozen burritos. While some recipes do not require preheating, it is generally recommended to ensure even cooking. By preheating your air fryer, you create a consistent temperature environment for your burritos to cook through. This helps achieve that desirable golden brown colour and crispy texture on the outside, while keeping the inside moist and tender.

The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer is 350°F to 400°F. However, different models of air fryers may have varying preheat settings, so it is essential to refer to your air fryer's instructions manual for specific guidelines. Once preheated, you can proceed to the next steps of preparing your frozen burritos for cooking.

When preheating your air fryer, it is important to ensure that the cooking surface or basket is clean and free of any residue from previous cooking sessions. This helps to prevent any unwanted flavours or smells from transferring to your burritos. Additionally, it maintains the overall hygiene and quality of the cooking process.

While preheating, you can also take this time to prepare your frozen burritos. Remove them from their packaging and place them on a clean surface. If you are cooking multiple burritos, ensure they are placed in a single layer and not overlapping, with space between each one. This allows for proper air circulation and even cooking.

After preheating, you may want to lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. This step is especially important if you tend to experience sticking or if you want to enhance the crispiness of your burritos. Avocado oil is a recommended choice for this purpose. However, you can also use olive oil or any other cooking oil of your preference.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for making frozen burritos in an air fryer depend on several factors, such as the model of the air fryer, the size of the burritos, and the number of burritos being cooked. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 350°F or 400°F, and then cook the burritos for 12 to 18 minutes, depending on the aforementioned factors.

When cooking multiple burritos, it is important to place them in a single layer with some space between each one to ensure even cooking. The cooking time can be reduced by microwaving the burritos first and then finishing them off in the air fryer. For smaller burritos, the cooking time may need to be decreased, while larger burritos may require a longer cooking time.

To achieve a crispy texture, the burritos can be sprayed with olive oil or avocado oil before cooking. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check the internal temperature of the burritos to ensure they are thoroughly heated. It is recommended to let the burritos stand for a minute or two after cooking to allow them to cool down before handling or cutting.

Some sources suggest cooking the burritos at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Others recommend cooking at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them several times during the cooking process to ensure even cooking. One source suggests cooking at 380°F for 5 minutes and then checking if additional time is needed.

Oil spray for crispiness

If you want to achieve a crispy texture for your frozen burrito, you can spray the outside of the burrito with cooking oil before placing it in the air fryer. You can use a stainless steel oil mister or a spray bottle. The Evo Oil Sprayer is a popular choice, which you can fill with olive oil or avocado oil. You can also brush the air fryer basket with oil or spray it with vegetable oil to prevent the burrito from sticking to the basket.

However, if you want a softer burrito, you can omit the oil spray. You can also wrap the burrito in aluminium foil before placing it in the air fryer to achieve a tender texture with a lightly crispy exterior.

It is important to note that overcrowding the air fryer basket can restrict airflow, preventing the burrito from cooking evenly. Therefore, it is recommended to leave enough space between the burritos to allow for proper air circulation.

Placing the burritos in the air fryer

Before placing the burritos in the air fryer, you can spray them with olive oil or avocado oil for a crispier texture. This step can be omitted if you prefer softer burritos. Additionally, you can also wrap the burritos in foil before placing them in the air fryer, but this will require a longer cooking time of around 30 minutes.

Once the burritos are in the air fryer, you can preheat the air fryer to 350-400°Fahrenheit. Preheating is not mandatory, but it helps the burritos cook evenly. If you do preheat, remember to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve frozen burritos cooked in an air fryer. The most important thing to keep in mind is that burritos are a Mexican dish, so toppings and sides should reflect that.

If you want your burrito to be soft, you can omit the olive oil spray. However, if you want a crispier texture, spray the outside of the burrito with olive oil or cooking oil before placing it in the air fryer. You can also spritz the burrito with oil at the beginning of cooking to help with crisping.

You can serve your burrito with toppings such as guacamole, sour cream, salsa, or cilantro. If you're serving beef burritos, you can also add black beans or refried beans. For a chicken burrito, you can add a side salad.

If you're feeling creative, you can upgrade your burrito with some quality toppings and sauces. A Chimichanga, for example, is a deep-fried burrito often served on a plate with sauce poured over the top, eaten with a fork and knife.

Be sure to serve your burrito immediately, as it may become soggy if left to sit for too long.

Frequently asked questions