Ella Walter
Air Fryer Enchiladas are a quick and delicious meal that can be prepared in minutes. They are a tasty twist on a classic Mexican dish, perfect for a weeknight dinner. You can use a variety of fillings, including chicken, beef, or vegetarian options, and they can be made in large batches to be frozen for later. The air fryer cooks the enchiladas to perfection, with crispy tortillas and melted cheese. With just a few simple steps, you can have a flavourful and healthy meal ready in no time.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Enchiladas
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Savory Mexican meal, vegetarian or non-vegetarian |
| Ingredients | Chicken, ground beef, ground turkey, tortillas, enchilada sauce, cheese, olive oil, taco seasoning, black beans, refried beans, salt, pepper, flour, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salad, coleslaw, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, rice, broccoli, lime |
| Tools | Air fryer, chopping board, sharp knife, large non-stick frying pan, tin or pan suitable for the air fryer, cheese grater, food thermometer, silicone mitts, silicone mat |
| Time | 4-10 minutes in the air fryer, 5-10 minutes for filling preparation |
| Temperature | 350°F/175°C or 370°F or 375°F |
| Recipe Variations | Use store-bought sauce, spice mix, and tortillas; add fried eggs for brunch; serve with sides like potato wedges, corn on the cob, spicy rice, or chips |
| Storage | Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients and equipment
To make enchiladas in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Taco seasoning
- Enchilada sauce
- Tortillas
- Cheese
- Black beans
- Salt
- Pepper
You can also add other ingredients such as:
- Rice
- Sour cream
- Avocado
- Guacamole
- Cilantro
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Onions
- Ground beef
- Ground turkey
- Corn
- Refried beans
- Butterbeans
In terms of equipment, you will need:
- A chopping board and sharp knife
- A large, non-stick frying pan
- A tin or pan that fits in your air fryer (glass or metal)
- A cheese grater (unless you buy shredded cheese)
- A food thermometer
- A silicone mat to place in the air fryer basket
- Silicone mitts
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Preparing the filling
First, prepare your choice of protein. Common options include chicken, ground beef, or ground turkey. If you choose chicken, butterfly the breasts to make four pieces, and flatten them to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season with taco seasoning. Place the seasoned chicken in the air fryer and cook at 370°F for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once done, remove the chicken and let it rest while you prepare the rest of the filling.
If you opt for ground beef or turkey, cook the meat in the air fryer by crumbling it into the basket, adding oil and taco seasoning, and cooking at 400°F for 5 minutes. Stir the meat and cook for an additional 3 minutes or until there is no pink meat remaining.
In a separate pan, you can sauté onions for 5 minutes, stirring often. You can also add in peppers, cooking until they reach your desired level of doneness. If you're using beans, add them to the pan now. Stir in enchilada sauce, and optionally, some cheese, to create a cohesive filling mixture.
Now, it's time to assemble your enchiladas. Spread a couple of spoonfuls of enchilada sauce on each tortilla. Layer on the sliced chicken or beef, followed by any additional ingredients like beans, vegetables, or cheese. Roll up the tortillas and place them in a baking pan or directly into your air fryer basket, depending on your preferred cooking method.
Remember, you can always adapt the filling to your taste and get creative with ingredients like black beans, refried beans, rice, or avocado.
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Rolling the enchiladas
First, smear a little enchilada sauce over one side of the tortilla. You can also heat the tortillas in the microwave to soften them and make them more pliable. Next, add your filling. This could include cooked, seasoned chicken, beef, or vegetables. Don't overfill the tortilla, as this will make it harder to roll.
Once you have added your filling, it's time to start rolling. Begin at one end of the tortilla and carefully roll it up, ensuring the filling stays inside. Place the rolled tortilla, seam-side down, in your prepared baking pan or air fryer basket. Repeat this process until you have filled the pan or basket, ensuring the enchiladas are placed snugly against each other.
If you have extra filling, you can freeze it for later use. Simply defrost it slightly, assemble a few more enchiladas, and cook them in the air fryer.
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Cooking the enchiladas
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Taco seasoning
- Enchilada sauce
- Tortillas
- Cheese
- Black beans
- Salad, coleslaw, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or other dips and sauces
Cooking the Chicken
First, butterfly the chicken breasts to make four pieces. If they are thicker than 1/4 inch, flatten them to that size with a rolling pin. Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with taco seasoning. Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook at 370°F for 6 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 6 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F.
Preparing the Tortillas
Spread about 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce on each tortilla. Layer on top of each tortilla some sliced chicken down the center. On top of the chicken, add some black beans. Finally, top with shredded cheese.
Rolling the Tortillas
Roll up all the filled tortillas and lay them side by side in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook in batches or freeze some for later.
Air Frying the Enchiladas
Cover the enchiladas generously with sauce, making sure they are fully covered. Top with more cheese. Place the pan in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F-375°F for 4-8 minutes, until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese is melted.
Serving
Air fryer enchiladas can be served with a variety of dips and sauces, such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or other dips and sauces. They can also be served with sides like salad, coleslaw, potato wedges, corn on the cob, spicy rice, or chips.
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Serving suggestions
When it comes to serving your air fryer enchiladas, there are several options to consider. Firstly, decide whether you want to serve them as a standalone dish or with sides. Enchiladas can be quite filling, so they can certainly be enjoyed on their own, especially if you have a smaller appetite or are serving multiple courses.
However, if you want to bulk out the meal, there are several side dishes that pair well with enchiladas. A crunchy salad is a popular choice, as it can provide a fresh and healthy contrast to the rich, savoury enchiladas. You can opt for a simple salad with leafy greens and a creamy dressing, or get creative with additions like avocado, mozzarella, tomato, or chickpeas. Potato wedges, corn on the cob, spicy rice, or chips are also great options for more substantial sides.
In terms of dips and sauces, sour cream is a classic choice that goes well with enchiladas. You could also offer salsa, guacamole, or a combination of the two, known as "guac salsa." If you want to add some spice, try jalapeno poppers on the side. For a heartier meal, serve the enchiladas with a side of refried beans, black beans, or even fried eggs for a brunch-style spread.
Finally, consider the drinks and desserts that will round out the meal. Enchiladas are well-suited to a variety of beverages, from margaritas and Mexican beers to refreshing iced tea or lemonade. For dessert, a light and fruity option like sorbet or a citrus-based cake might be a good choice after a savoury, spicy main course.
With these serving suggestions, you can create a well-rounded and satisfying meal featuring air fryer enchiladas as the star dish.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need 8-12 tortillas, 1 1/2 cups of grated cheese, enchilada sauce, and your choice of filling. Popular fillings include seasoned chicken, ground beef, ground turkey, refried beans, and black beans. You will also need a tin or pan that fits in your air fryer.
First, spread about 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce on each tortilla. Then, add your desired fillings. Popular fillings include sliced chicken, black beans, and cheese. Finally, roll up the tortillas and place them in the tin or pan.
Place the pan in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F to 375°F for 4 to 10 minutes, until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese is melted.
Enchiladas can be served on their own or with a variety of sides and dips. Popular options include salad, coleslaw, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, potato wedges, corn on the cob, spicy rice, or chips.
