Air-Fried Tacos: A Healthy, Crunchy Twist

Yes, you can fry tacos in an air fryer! This method of cooking tacos is perfect for those who want a crispy shell without the mess of deep-frying. Air-fried tacos are also a great option for those who don't want to use store-bought crispy shells, as you can make your own at home with corn tortillas.

To make tacos in an air fryer, simply fill your tacos with your desired fillings (such as ground beef, chicken, or beans) and cheese, and then place them in the air fryer basket. You can brush or spray the tacos with oil to help them crisp up. Cook at around 400°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted.

Some people choose to add all their toppings, including lettuce, before air-frying, while others prefer to add their toppings after cooking. It's also possible to just air-fry the shells and then fill them with toppings afterward.

Filling options: beef, chicken, beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and more

Tacos are a fun, flavourful, and filling meal that can be adapted to suit all tastes. The options for fillings are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started:

Beef

Ground beef is a popular choice for tacos and can be purchased with varying levels of fat content. Lean beef is a good option to avoid excess grease, but any ground meat will work. Season the beef with a packet of taco seasoning or make your own with chilli powder, garlic, oregano, and cumin. Barbacoa beef is another option for tacos and involves braising beef short ribs with chilli and spices until tender before crisping on a grill and shredding.

Chicken

Chicken is a versatile option that can be used in soft or crispy tacos. Chicken fajitas are a tasty choice for soft tacos and involve cooking chicken with onions, peppers, and spices such as cumin, oregano, and garlic. For crispy tacos, chicken can be marinated in a mixture of orange juice, vinegar, and spices before being cooked in the air fryer and shredded.

Beans

Beans are a great vegetarian option for tacos and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Black beans can be seasoned with cumin, oregano, and lime juice, while refried beans also make a tasty filling. For a simple option, heat tinned baked beans and use these as a filling.

Cheese

Cheese is an essential taco ingredient and can be used as a filling or topping. Cheddar and Jack cheese are popular choices and can be shredded and melted inside the taco or sprinkled on top.

Salsa

Salsa is a must-have taco topping and can be purchased or made at home. Homemade salsa can be made by dicing tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and chillies and mixing them with lime juice and salt. For a salsa verde, blend in an avocado for a creamy variation.

Sour Cream

Sour cream is a classic taco topping and can be purchased or made at home by blending cashews into a creamy, tangy sauce.

Guacamole

Guacamole is a must-have for any taco night and can be made by mashing avocados and mixing them with onion, lime juice, and chilli.

Other Options

Other filling and topping options include shredded lettuce, cabbage, spinach, or coleslaw, diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and scallions. For a fun twist, try air fryer cauliflower, roasted sweet potatoes, or grilled portobello mushrooms.

Shell options: corn tortillas, flour tortillas, hard shells, and soft shells

When it comes to taco shells, you have several options to choose from, each with its own unique texture and flavour. Here is a detailed guide on the different types of taco shells you can fry in your air fryer:

Corn Tortillas

Corn tortillas are a popular choice for taco shells due to their slightly nutty flavour and sturdy texture. They can be purchased pre-made or freshly made at home. To prepare corn tortillas for the air fryer, follow these steps:

• Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp towel and microwave them for about 30 seconds to one minute. This step ensures that the tortillas are warm and pliable, reducing the chances of cracking.
• If you don't have a microwave, you can heat the tortillas in a dry skillet for about 20-30 seconds on each side until they become soft and pliable.
• Fill each corn tortilla with your desired fillings, such as meat and cheese, and then fold it over to form a taco shape.
• Lightly brush or spray both sides of the tortilla with oil or cooking spray. This step will help the tortilla achieve a crispy and golden texture in the air fryer.
• Place the tacos in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
• Cook at 400°F for about 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process.
• Once done, carefully remove the tacos from the air fryer and top them with your favourite toppings.

Flour Tortillas

Flour tortillas are another option for taco shells, offering a softer and more pliable texture compared to corn tortillas. They can be used interchangeably in most recipes, but the cooking time may vary slightly. Here's how to prepare flour tortillas in the air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 250°F.
• Wrap up to six soft flour tortillas in aluminium foil.
• Place the wrapped tortillas in the air fryer and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they are heated through.
• If you want to crisp up the tortillas, increase the temperature to 350°F and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• Fill the tortillas with your desired toppings and enjoy!

Hard Shells

Hard taco shells are the traditional choice for tacos and can be easily made in the air fryer. They provide a crispy and crunchy texture that many people enjoy. Here's how to make them:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Arrange the hard taco shells in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Cook the shells for about 2 minutes, or until they are warm and crispy.
• Remove the shells from the air fryer and fill them with your favourite toppings.

Soft Shells

Soft shell tacos offer a more pliable and foldable option for those who prefer a more flexible eating experience. Here's how to prepare soft shells in the air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 250°F.
• Place the soft shells, such as soft flour or corn tortillas, directly into the air fryer basket.
• Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the shells are heated through and softened.
• If you desire a slightly crispier texture, increase the temperature to 350°F and cook for an additional minute or two.
• Fill the soft shells with your desired toppings and enjoy the delicious blend of flavours and textures!

Marinating the chicken

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• Olive oil
• Fresh lime juice
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Chilli powder
• Dried oregano
• Salt & pepper
• Neutral oil (optional)
• White vinegar (optional)
• Ground coriander (optional)

Method

• Make the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, onion powder, chilli powder, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Prepare the chicken: Trim the chicken breasts of fat and slice them in half widthwise. For chicken thighs, trim the excess fat. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. For chicken thighs, poke a few holes with a fork.
• Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken to a large resealable bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag and knead with your hands to ensure the chicken is well coated. Place in the fridge and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2-3 hours, but no longer than 4 hours.
• Grill the chicken: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 450°F). Remove the chicken from the bag, allowing excess marinade to drip off. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 4-6 minutes on each side, until the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F and the meat is nicely charred. Baste the chicken with the reserved marinade as you grill and after flipping.
• Rest the chicken: Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil. Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or chopping.

Tips

• Flip the bag of marinating chicken onto the other side during the marinating process to ensure even flavour.
• If grilling, generously oil your grill grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
• Don't marinate the chicken for longer than 4 hours, as the acid from the lime juice will start to dry out the chicken.
• Chicken thighs can handle longer marinating times better than chicken breasts.
• For a quicker marinating time, cut chicken breasts in half horizontally or poke holes in chicken thighs with a fork.

Heating up shells in the air fryer

Heating up taco shells in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to get your taco night started. It's also super simple! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

First, you'll want to preheat your air fryer. Set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit if you're using hard taco shells, or 250 degrees Fahrenheit for soft flour or corn tortillas. This step ensures that your shells start cooking as soon as they go into the air fryer, giving you that perfect crispiness.

Step 2: Prepare Your Taco Shells

If you're using hard taco shells, simply arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. For soft shells, wrap up to six tortillas in aluminium foil before placing them in the air fryer. This will help keep the moisture in and prevent them from drying out.

Step 3: Air Fry Your Shells

Now it's time to air fry! For hard shells, air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about two minutes. Soft shells will take a little longer, around 3-4 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't overcook, and feel free to adjust the time if you like your shells extra crispy.

Step 4: Assemble Your Tacos

Once your shells are nice and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer. Now it's time for the fun part—filling them with all your favourite taco toppings! You can go traditional with ground beef, lettuce, cheese, and salsa, or get creative with different proteins, veggies, and sauces.

Tips for Success:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, especially when cooking hard shells. You want to make sure there's adequate space for the air to circulate and crisp up all sides of the shells.
• If you're using corn tortillas, make sure to heat them well before filling and air frying to prevent cracking. You can do this by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving briefly, or heating them in a dry skillet for about 20-30 seconds on each side until pliable.
• If you want to add toppings before air frying, go for it! Just be aware that some ingredients, like lettuce, may wilt slightly during the cooking process.

Toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, onions, salsa, hot sauce, and more

Tacos are a versatile dish, and you can top them with anything you like. Here are some ideas for toppings to add to your air-fried tacos:

Lettuce

Shredded lettuce is a classic taco topping. It adds a nice crunch and freshness to your taco. You can use iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, or any other variety you prefer.

Tomatoes

Diced tomatoes bring a burst of freshness and colour to your taco. You can use any type of tomato, but Roma or cherry tomatoes are great options as they have a good balance of sweetness and acidity.

Onions

Chopped red or white onions add a sharp, pungent flavour to your taco. If you prefer a milder onion flavour, you can use green onions or scallions instead.

Salsa

Salsa is a must-have topping for many taco lovers. You can make your own salsa by blending tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice, or buy it from a store.

Hot Sauce

If you like your tacos spicy, add a few dashes of your favourite hot sauce. There are many different types of hot sauce available, so you can experiment to find your favourite.

Other Toppings

• Sour cream: Adds a creamy, tangy flavour.
• Guacamole: Made from avocados, lime juice, and cilantro, it's a delicious, creamy topping.
• Cheese: Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese adds a nice, salty flavour.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves add a bright, herbal flavour.
• Lime wedges: Squeeze a bit of lime juice over your taco for added freshness.
• Jalapenos: If you like your tacos extra spicy, add some sliced jalapenos.
• Black olives: Sliced black olives add a briny, savoury note.
• Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms can add a earthy, umami flavour.

Frequently asked questions