Air Fryer Enchiladas: El Monterey Frozen Treats, How Long?

Frozen chicken enchiladas are a convenient and delicious meal option, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this dish. El Monterey offers a range of frozen chicken enchiladas, such as their signature chicken enchiladas and chicken fajita enchiladas, that can be prepared in an air fryer for a tasty and efficient meal. With a cooking time of around 18 minutes in the air fryer, this method is perfect for a quick and flavorful meal.

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time you should set your air fryer to cook frozen El Monterey enchiladas will depend on the number of enchiladas you are cooking and your personal preference for texture.

If you are cooking a single El Monterey chimichanga, you should set your air fryer to 380°F and cook it for 12 minutes in total, flipping it over halfway through.

For a batch of frozen enchiladas, you should cook them at 390°F for 18 minutes. If you like your enchiladas crispy, leave them in for 3-4 minutes longer.

It is important to ensure that your food reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety. You can use a thin knife to check that the middle of your enchiladas is cooked through before serving.

If you are short on time, you can also cook frozen El Monterey enchiladas in the microwave in just a few minutes.

Preparation and cooking from frozen

To cook El Monterey frozen enchiladas in an air fryer, first remove the product from its packaging. Place the enchiladas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have room around them to cook evenly. If you don't have an air fryer basket, you can use a baking pan that fits inside your air fryer, or make one out of a few layers of foil. Set the air fryer temperature to 380°F to 390°F and cook for 12 to 18 minutes.

For a crispy texture, leave the enchiladas in for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. After cooking, let the product stand for 1 to 2 minutes before serving. Use a thin knife to check the middle of the enchiladas before serving to ensure they are hot throughout. If you prefer your enchiladas with a moister texture, add enchilada sauce.

If serving to children, be sure to let the enchiladas cool down for 10 to 15 minutes and cut them into smaller pieces.

Tips for serving

El Monterey frozen enchiladas can be served with a variety of sides, such as rice and beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, or sour cream. For a fresh bite, add a squeeze of lime juice, salsa, or cilantro.

Ingredients and toppings

Enchiladas are a fun and versatile dish to make, with a variety of ingredients and toppings to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Protein:

You can use either firm tofu (pressed) or ground beef as your protein source. If you opt for tofu, start by pressing it for about 10 to 12 minutes, tightening it every 3 to 4 minutes. For beef, add crumbled ground beef to the onion mixture and sauté until the meat is browned.

Oil:

Avocado oil is a great choice, but you can also use any oil of your preference.

Spices:

Cumin and chili powder are a must-have for that delicious Mexican flavour. You can also add in some paprika, garlic powder, and dried oregano to enhance the taste. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations!

Onion:

White, yellow, or red onions will all work perfectly in this dish. Sauté them in your chosen oil for about 3 minutes or until they are soft.

Beans:

Black beans are a popular choice, but feel free to use any type of bean you like. Canned beans are convenient, but if you have the time, cooking your own beans from scratch will add a deeper flavour to your dish.

Rice:

Use any variety of cooked rice that you have on hand. Rice is a great way to make your enchiladas more filling and stretch the dish to feed a larger crowd.

Tomatoes:

Fire-roasted canned tomatoes add a nice touch to your enchiladas. They bring a smoky flavour to the dish and are readily available.

Tortillas:

Burrito-sized corn or flour tortillas are the perfect base for your enchiladas. Corn tortillas are more traditional in Mexican cuisine, but flour tortillas are more commonly used in Tex-Mex and American-style enchiladas as they are easier to roll.

Cheese:

Go for Mexican shredded cheese or any blend of shredded cheese that you like. Cheese adds a creamy texture and savoury flavour to your enchiladas.

Enchilada Sauce:

You can use a store-bought enchilada sauce or make your own. A good enchilada sauce can really elevate your dish. Try making a red enchilada sauce with vegetable broth, flour, oil, chilli powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and vinegar for a touch of warmth and complexity.

Toppings:

When it comes to toppings, the more, the merrier! Fresh toppings like chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, diced red onion, radishes, jalapeños, sour cream, and extra cheese will take your enchiladas to the next level. You can also add some salsa, guacamole, or pico de gallo on the side.

Sides:

Rice and beans are the standard side dishes for enchiladas, but you can also serve them with a Mexican salad, tortilla chips, or even margaritas for a fun twist!

Sides and garnishes

While El Monterey doesn't specify how long their frozen enchiladas should be cooked in an air fryer, a general rule of thumb is to cook them at 390F for 18 minutes.

Now, onto the fun part: sides and garnishes!

Rice

Rice is a classic side dish for enchiladas, and there are several ways to prepare it. Here are some ideas:

• Cilantro lime rice
• Green rice with green chiles, romaine lettuce, fresh cilantro, green onions, tomatillos, and spices
• Lime and coriander rice
• Spanish rice (Mexican-style red rice)

Beans

Beans are another traditional side dish for enchiladas, and can be served in a variety of ways:

• Black beans and rice
• Refried beans
• Mexican bean salad
• Mexican black beans, garnished with onion, tomatoes, chillies, coriander, avocado, and creme fraiche

Salads

A fresh salad can provide a nice contrast to the rich, cheesy enchiladas:

• Jicama mango salad with cilantro and lime
• Mexican salad with salad leaves, carrots, radishes, spring onions, feta, avocado, and black beans
• Tomato and avocado salad
• Cucumber, tomato, and avocado salad

Corn

Corn is another popular choice to serve with enchiladas:

• Mexican street corn (elote)
• Corn tortillas
• Corn chips with salsa

Other Sides

There are also several other side dishes and garnishes that would complement the enchiladas:

• Guacamole
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Avocado
• Garlic vegetable saute
• Mexican-style cornbread

Comparison to other cooking methods

El Monterey frozen enchiladas can be cooked in an air fryer, microwave, or conventional oven.

Air Fryer

Air frying frozen El Monterey enchiladas is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. The air fryer gives the enchiladas a fresher flavor and better texture than other cooking methods. There is no need to thaw the enchiladas before air frying, and they can be cooked straight from frozen. The cooking time is typically around 18 minutes at 390°F, but the time may vary depending on the desired level of crispiness.

Microwave

The microwave cooking instructions for El Monterey enchiladas are straightforward and result in a convenient and delicious meal. The film on the rice side of the tray should be vented before cooking, and the cooking time is approximately 4 minutes and 50 seconds on high power. The product should then be left to stand for 2 minutes before serving.

Conventional Oven

Cooking El Monterey enchiladas in a conventional oven offers a traditional cooking method that may be preferred by some. The oven temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the specific model and desired level of doneness.

In summary, the air fryer method provides a quick and easy way to prepare El Monterey enchiladas with a fresh flavor and appealing texture. The microwave method is also convenient and straightforward, making it ideal for those short on time. Lastly, the conventional oven method offers a traditional approach to cooking the enchiladas, which may be preferred by those seeking a classic preparation. Each method has its advantages, and the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and time constraints.

Frequently asked questions