Air Fryer Frozen Burritos: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook frozen burritos, yielding a crispy exterior and a soft, evenly-cooked interior. The cooking time depends on the air fryer model and the burrito size, but generally ranges from 12 to 15 minutes at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F. Preheating the air fryer and flipping the burritos during cooking can also improve the results.

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/400°F

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in ensuring your food cooks evenly and efficiently. While some air fryers have a preheat setting, others require manual preheating. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, follow these steps to preheat it to 350°F/400°F:

• Ensure your air fryer is clean and plugged in.
• Set the temperature to 350°F/400°F.
• Allow the air fryer to heat up for 3-5 minutes.

Preheating your air fryer to 350°F/400°F is ideal for cooking frozen foods, as it helps them cook evenly and quickly. It's also perfect for achieving a crispy texture, which is desirable for many dishes, especially fried or breaded foods.

If your air fryer has a preheat setting, simply press the preheat button, set the temperature, and let the air fryer do its magic. Most air fryers will preheat to 400°F in 3-5 minutes.

It's important to note that not all foods benefit from preheating. For delicate foods like shrimp or dishes that require longer cooking times, such as roasted chicken, it's best to avoid preheating your air fryer. Always refer to your air fryer's manual for specific instructions and recommendations.

Place frozen burritos in the air fryer basket

Placing frozen burritos in the air fryer basket is the first step to achieving the perfect air-fried burrito. This method works for all types of frozen burritos, whether you're craving chicken, steak, bean, or even breakfast burritos. It's a convenient and quick way to enjoy your favourite Mexican treat without having to resort to takeaway.

• Remove the burritos from their packaging: Take your desired number of frozen burritos and carefully remove them from their wrappers. It is important to do this before placing them in the air fryer to avoid any mess or leakage during the cooking process.
• Place the burritos in a single layer: Arrange the frozen burritos in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap or touch. This is crucial to allow the hot air to circulate properly and cook the burritos evenly.
• Position the burritos seam-side up: To prevent any leakage during cooking, position the burritos with the "seam" or sealed side facing up. This will ensure that any potential leakage stays contained within the burrito and doesn't drip into the air fryer basket.
• Preheat the air fryer: Before starting the cooking process, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 400°F. This step ensures even cooking and helps you achieve the perfect crispy texture.
• Lightly spray the burritos with oil (optional): If you prefer a crispier texture, you can lightly spray the burritos with olive oil, canola oil, or cooking oil. This step is optional, as some people prefer softer burritos.
• Adjust for different air fryer models: Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the model and size of your air fryer. Always refer to the specific instructions for your air fryer and adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy, and evenly cooked frozen burritos from the convenience of your air fryer.

Spray the burritos with oil for a crispier texture

How to Achieve the Perfect Crisp on Your Frozen Burritos Using an Air Fryer

If you're craving a crunchy, golden brown frozen burrito, using an air fryer is the way to go. To achieve the perfect crisp, it's essential to spray the burritos with oil before placing them in the air fryer. This technique works for various types of burritos, including beef and bean, chicken, veggie, and breakfast burritos. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure you get that mouth-watering texture:

Start by removing the frozen burritos from their packaging. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. This step ensures even cooking and browning.

Lightly spray the outside of the burritos with olive oil or canola oil. This step is key to achieving that coveted crispiness. If you prefer a softer burrito, you can omit this step, but spraying them with oil will give them that restaurant-style crunch.

Set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the optimal temperature to ensure your burritos cook evenly and attain that desirable golden brown colour.

Air fry the burritos for 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size and brand of the burritos. Larger burritos might need a little extra time, while smaller ones may be ready a bit sooner.

Once they're done, carefully remove the burritos from the air fryer and let them cool down for a minute or two before handling them. This is important because the air fryer cooks them to a very high temperature, and you don't want to burn yourself!

Now, you can enjoy your crispy, golden brown burritos! They go well with various toppings and sides, such as sour cream, homemade salsa, pico de gallo, black beans, or refried beans. You can also pair them with guacamole or serve them with a side salad.

Remember, different air fryer models may have slightly different temperature settings and cooking times, so adjust accordingly if needed. Additionally, make sure to use pure cooking oil in your air fryer, and avoid cooking sprays like PAM, as they may contain ingredients that can damage it.

Air fry for 12-15 minutes

Air frying frozen burritos for 12-15 minutes is a great way to get a quick, easy, and tasty meal. Here's a detailed guide to help you achieve the perfect air-fried burritos:

Preparation:

First, remove the frozen burritos from their packaging. If you're cooking multiple burritos, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch but leaving them close together. For a crispier texture, spray the burritos with olive oil or canola oil. Alternatively, omit the oil for softer burritos.

Cooking:

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Once preheated, place the burritos in the air fryer basket with the sealed side facing up to prevent leakage. Set the timer for 12-15 minutes. Depending on your air fryer model and the size of the burritos, you may need to adjust the cooking time.

Serving:

After air frying, carefully remove the burritos from the air fryer and let them stand for a minute or two before serving. This allows the extremely hot internal temperature to cool down slightly, making it safer to handle and eat.

Customization:

While the basic method is simple, there are several ways to customize your air-fried burritos:

• Size and Number of Burritos: If you're cooking larger burritos, you may need to add a little extra cooking time. Conversely, for smaller burritos, reduce the cooking time accordingly.
• Oil: Spraying the burritos with oil will give them a crispier texture, while omitting the oil will result in softer burritos.
• Temperature and Timing: Depending on your air fryer model and preferences, you can experiment with different temperatures and timings. Some people suggest cooking at 400°F for 7 minutes, flipping the burritos, and then cooking for an additional 8 minutes. Others recommend starting at a lower temperature to heat the insides without burning the tortilla and then increasing the temperature towards the end to crisp the tortilla.
• Microwaving First: If you're short on time, you can partially defrost or reheat the burritos in the microwave before placing them in the air fryer. This reduces the overall cooking time.

Tips:

• Always keep a close eye on your burritos to prevent overcooking or burning.
• If cooking multiple burritos, work in batches to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
• For an extra crispy burrito, spray the tops of the burritos with cooking oil after placing them in the air fryer basket.
• For an authentic restaurant-style experience, serve your air-fried burritos with dips and toppings such as guacamole, sour cream, salsa, or pico de gallo.

Air frying frozen burritos is a convenient and tasty way to enjoy a quick meal. By following these instructions and customizing to your preferences, you can achieve delicious, crispy, and evenly cooked burritos every time.

Serve with dips like salsa, guacamole and sour cream

While air-fried burritos are delicious on their own, they can be made even better with dips like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Here are some tips and ideas to elevate your air fryer burrito experience:

Salsa

Salsa is a classic dip for burritos and can add a nice kick of flavour and texture to your meal. You can choose from a variety of salsas, ranging from mild to spicy, depending on your preference. If you want to make your own salsa, simply chop up some fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapenos, and mix them with lime juice and salt. This fresh salsa will complement the air-fried burrito perfectly.

Guacamole

Guacamole is another popular dip that pairs well with air-fried burritos. Avocados are a healthy fat source and can add a creamy texture and mild flavour to your burrito. You can make your own guacamole by mashing avocados and mixing them with chopped onions, tomatoes, lime juice, and salt. A sprinkle of cilantro can also be added for extra flavour.

Sour Cream

Sour cream provides a cool and tangy contrast to the spicy and savoury flavours of the burrito. It can help balance out the heat from the salsa or any spicy ingredients in the burrito. You can also mix sour cream with various seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or chopped chives, to create a flavoured sour cream dip.

Presentation and Serving Ideas

When serving your air-fried burritos with dips, you can get creative with the presentation. Place the burritos on a platter or individual plates, and arrange the dips in small bowls or ramekins on the side. You can also garnish the burritos with fresh cilantro or green onions to add a pop of colour and freshness.

Additionally, you can offer a variety of toppings and condiments alongside the dips. Chopped onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, and lettuce can be great additions to the burritos, allowing your guests or family members to customise their meal. Don't forget to provide some napkins and cutlery, as this meal can get a little messy!

Frequently asked questions