Air-Fryer Enchiladas: A Tasty, Quick-Fix Dinner Option

Enchiladas are a popular Mexican dish that can be made in an air fryer. They are a delicious alternative to the usual tacos, burritos, and bowls, and can be made with various fillings such as chicken, beef, or cheese. Air-fried enchiladas have crispy edges and melted cheese, with tender and flavorful fillings. They are easy to make and can be served with sides such as beans, salad, salsa, or guacamole.

Air Fryer Enchiladas with Beef Filling

Air Fryer Enchiladas are a fun twist on a classic Mexican dish and a great way to change up your usual tacos, burritos, and bowls for a quick weeknight meal. They are super easy to make and the air fryer gives the dish a nice, crispy texture.

Ingredients:

• Enchilada sauce (red or green, homemade or canned)
• Ground beef, cooked with taco seasoning or homemade enchilada seasoning
• Corn or flour tortillas (you can also use gluten-free tortillas)
• Shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese
• Chopped chives or cilantro (optional)
• Black beans (optional)
• Chopped green chillies (optional)

Instructions:

• Combine the enchilada sauce with some of the cooked ground beef in a medium bowl.
• Spread a few spoonfuls of the sauce mixture at the bottom of a baking pan that fits in your air fryer.
• Heat the tortillas briefly in the microwave to make them pliable.
• Add a couple of spoonfuls of the meat to each tortilla, along with a little cheese and any other desired fillings.
• Roll the tortilla around the filling and place it in the baking pan.
• Once the pan is filled, cover the enchiladas generously with sauce and top with more cheese.
• Place the pan in the air fryer basket and cook at 350-375°F for 5-8 minutes, until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese is melted.
• Serve with your favorite toppings and sides, such as rice, refried beans, or a salad.

Tips:

• You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, use the air fryer or microwave, but note that the microwave won't give you the same crispy texture.
• If you want to make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free tortillas or zucchini strips instead of regular tortillas.
• Don't overfill the tortillas, as they may burst during cooking.
• Spray the enchiladas with olive oil cooking spray before air frying for a crispier texture.

Chicken and Bean Enchiladas

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Black beans
• Red enchilada sauce
• Olive oil
• Taco seasoning
• Flour tortillas
• Shredded Colby Jack cheese
• Optional toppings: sliced tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, guacamole, cilantro

Method:

• Slice each chicken breast horizontally to make 4 thinner breasts.
• Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with taco seasoning.
• Spray a 5-quart air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray.
• Place the seasoned chicken in the air fryer and cook at 370°F for 6 minutes on each side.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow it to rest while you prepare the tortillas.
• Line the bottom and sides of the air fryer basket with non-stick aluminum foil.
• Spread about 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce on each tortilla.
• Layer on some sliced chicken and black beans, then top with shredded cheese.
• Roll up the filled tortillas and place them side by side in the air fryer basket.
• Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
• Air fry at 350°F for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crisp.
• Serve with your favorite toppings.

Tips:

• You can substitute corn tortillas for flour tortillas.
• You can use any seasoning you like instead of taco seasoning.
• Green enchilada sauce also works well in this recipe.
• If you don't like black beans, you can leave them out or substitute another type of bean.
• To prevent sticking, use olive oil or olive oil cooking spray when air frying.

Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Taco seasoning
• Flour tortillas
• Black beans
• Red enchilada sauce
• Shredded Colby Jack cheese
• Toppings of your choice (sliced tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, guacamole, cilantro, etc.)
• Cooking spray

Method

• Slice each chicken breast horizontally to make 4 thinner breasts. Drizzle with olive oil and season with taco seasoning.
• Place the chicken in a 5-quart air fryer basket that has been sprayed with olive oil cooking spray.
• Cook the chicken at 370°F for 6 minutes on each side. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and set aside to rest while you prepare the enchiladas.
• Line the air fryer basket with non-stick aluminum foil, spraying it with non-stick spray if desired.
• Spread about 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce on each tortilla.
• Layer sliced chicken and black beans on top of the sauce.
• Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
• Roll up the tortillas and place them side by side in the air fryer basket.
• Pour the remaining sauce over the enchiladas and sprinkle with more cheese.
• Air fry at 350°F for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the ends of the tortillas are crispy.
• Serve with your favorite toppings.

Tips

• You can use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas if desired.
• You can use green enchilada sauce instead of red.
• You can leave out the black beans or substitute another type of bean, such as pinto beans.
• You can use any seasoning you like instead of taco seasoning.
• You can make this recipe low-carb by using zucchini strips instead of tortillas.

Enchilada Toppings

Enchiladas are a versatile dish that can be topped and filled with a variety of ingredients. While enchiladas are typically filled with chicken or beef, there are several vegetarian options as well.

For non-vegetarian options, the most common fillings are shredded chicken, ground beef, or shredded beef. Some recipes also suggest substituting the meat with rotisserie chicken or shredded pork.

For vegetarians, some popular fillings include roasted cauliflower, zucchini, bell peppers, extra beans, or other vegetables.

Regardless of the filling, enchiladas are usually topped with cheese. Shredded Mexican-blend cheese, Asadero, Pepper Jack, and crumbled cotija cheese are all popular options. Other topping options include sour cream, avocado, guacamole, cilantro, sliced radishes, fresh or pickled jalapenos, and red onions.

If you're making enchiladas, feel free to get creative with your fillings and toppings!

Storing and Reheating Enchiladas

Storing Enchiladas:

Allow your cooked enchiladas to fully cool before storing them in an airtight container that’s lined with parchment paper or a paper towel. They will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Don’t allow the enchiladas to sit at room temperature for longer than a couple of hours due to the risk of bacteria growth.

Once the enchiladas have cooled at room temperature, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight storage container or in a Zip-lock bag for up to 3 months.

Thaw your frozen enchiladas overnight in the refrigerator before reheating them.

Reheating Enchiladas:

There are several ways to reheat enchiladas:

• In the oven
• In a skillet on the stove top
• In an air fryer
• In a toaster oven
• In the microwave

Reheating Enchiladas in the Oven:

The oven method is the most effective way to reheat enchiladas, especially if you want them to have a crispy texture. Here are the steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the enchiladas in an oven-safe baking dish, making sure they are in a single layer.
• Pour the remaining sauce (if any) on top of them.
• Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top.
• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until they are heated through.
• Remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese on top of the enchiladas. This will also give you a nice crispy texture!
• Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
• Add your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, on top.

The oven method is great for reheating a large number of enchiladas at once, making it perfect for feeding a whole family. It also allows the enchiladas to cook evenly and gives them a nice crispy texture. However, it takes longer to heat up and requires a longer cooking time than other methods. It’s also not ideal for smaller portions or single servings.

Reheating Enchiladas in a Skillet (Stove Top) Method:

The skillet or stovetop method is another good way to reheat enchiladas. Here’s how to do it:

• Heat up a small amount of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Place the enchiladas in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the cheese is melted and the enchiladas are hot.

The skillet method is quick and easy, making it a great option for busy weeknights. It’s also a good way to reheat smaller portions or single servings. However, it can be messy and may result in splatters of red sauce on your stovetop. It’s also not the best option if you want a crispy texture.

Reheating Enchiladas in an Air Fryer:

The air fryer method is a great option if you’re reheating enchiladas on a busy weeknight. It also gives the enchiladas a nice crispy texture. Here are the steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the enchiladas in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer.
• Spray some vegetable oil on top of the enchiladas to prevent them from drying out.
• Air fry for 3-5 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy.
• Remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
• Add your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, on top.

The air fryer method is quick and easy, but it may not be the best option for frozen enchiladas or larger portions. It may also require some experimentation with cooking time to get the best results.

Frequently asked questions