Air Fryer Tacos: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Tacos are a firm family favourite, and an air fryer is a great way to cook them to perfection. You can make tacos in an air fryer using either soft or hard taco shells, and with a variety of fillings, from chicken to beef, and even vegetarian options. Air-fried tacos are less greasy than deep-fried tacos, and the shells get extra crispy. You can also make your own taco shells using corn tortillas.

Choosing your taco filling: chicken, beef, turkey or pork

The great thing about tacos is that you can fill them with almost anything. Chicken, beef, turkey, and pork are all great options and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Here are some things to consider when choosing your taco filling:

Chicken

Chicken is a lean protein that is versatile and can be prepared in many different ways. For air fryer tacos, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of orange juice, vinegar, and spices for extra flavor and tenderness. You can also bread chicken tenders or breasts and air fry them for a crispy option.

Beef

Beef is a popular choice for tacos and can be used in a variety of dishes. For air fryer tacos, you can use ground beef or slice steak into strips. Ground beef is easy to prepare and can be seasoned with taco seasoning. Steak strips can be marinated and air-fried, similar to the chicken option.

Turkey

Ground turkey is another lean protein option that works well in tacos. It has a similar texture and flavor to ground beef but is lower in fat and calories. You can prepare and season ground turkey the same way you would ground beef.

Pork

Pork is a delicious and versatile option for tacos. You can use pork chops or sliced pork belly for your air fryer tacos. Marinate the pork in a similar way to the chicken, and air fry until cooked through.

No matter which filling you choose, you can follow the same steps to assemble and cook your tacos in the air fryer. Remember to warm your tortillas, fill them with your chosen protein, and air fry until crispy. Enjoy experimenting with different fillings and creating your perfect taco!

Preparing your taco filling: seasoning and cooking your meat

The type of meat you use for your tacos is entirely up to your preference. Ground beef, ground turkey, chicken, and pork are all viable options. If you're using ground beef, opt for lean beef, and if you're using chicken, consider boneless skinless chicken thighs for extra juiciness.

To prepare your meat, start by marinating it. For chicken, you can make a marinade with orange juice, vinegar, and spices, or orange juice, green chile, garlic, oil, vinegar, and spices. Let the chicken sit in the marinade for up to two hours, but no more, or it will start to break down. For other types of meat, you can simply brown it in a skillet.

After marinating your chicken or browning your meat of choice, it's time to add the taco seasoning. You can use store-bought taco seasoning, or make your own by mixing spices like garlic powder, hot pepper sauce, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, coriander, and chile powder. Add your chosen taco seasoning to the meat and stir well. If you're using chicken, you can chop or shred it into small pieces at this point.

Now that your meat is seasoned, it's ready to be used as a filling for your tacos!

Choosing your taco shell: hard, soft, corn or flour

The type of taco shell you choose for your air fryer tacos will depend on your personal preference and the type of taco you want to make. Here are some things to consider when choosing between hard, soft, corn, or flour taco shells:

Hard vs. Soft Taco Shells:

• Hard taco shells: If you prefer your tacos crunchy and crispy, then hard taco shells are the way to go. Hard taco shells are typically made from corn tortillas that have been fried or baked to a crispy texture. They provide a sturdy base for your fillings and are less likely to fall apart than soft tacos.
• Soft taco shells: On the other hand, soft taco shells are made from flour tortillas and offer a more pliable and foldable option. Soft tacos are perfect for those who like their tacos to be more of a "wrap" style, and they can also be easier to eat if you're on the go.

Corn vs. Flour Taco Shells:

• Corn taco shells: Corn tortillas are traditionally used for tacos and offer a gluten-free option. They have a more distinct corn flavour and a coarser texture compared to flour tortillas. Corn taco shells tend to fry up nicely in the air fryer, giving them a crispy texture.
• Flour taco shells: Flour tortillas, on the other hand, have a softer, smoother texture and a milder flavour. They are more pliable and less likely to crack or break when folded. Flour tortillas are a good choice if you prefer a softer taco or if you're making air fryer tacos with a lot of moist fillings, as they hold up well.

In summary, if you want a classic, crunchy taco experience, go for hard corn taco shells. If you prefer a softer, more foldable option, choose soft flour taco shells. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and you can always experiment with different types of taco shells to see which you prefer!

Preparing your taco shell: frying, warming or assembling

Preparing your taco shell is a crucial step in making delicious air fryer tacos. You can choose to fry, warm, or assemble your taco shell, depending on your preference and the type of taco you want to make. Here's a detailed guide to help you achieve the perfect taco shell:

Frying Your Taco Shell:

If you're making crispy, crunchy tacos, you'll want to fry your taco shell. This method is perfect for corn tortillas, giving them that golden, crispy texture. Here's what you need to do:

• Start by warming your tortillas. This step is essential to prevent cracking and breaking. Wrap your tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave them briefly.
• Next, rub both sides of the tortillas with oil or spray with cooking spray. This step will help achieve an even crispness and prevent sticking.
• Now, it's time to fill your tacos. Add your chosen filling, such as beef or chicken, and a layer of cheese. You can also add other ingredients like beans, salsa, or vegetables at this stage, depending on your preference.
• Gently fold the tortilla in half, creating a taco shape. You can secure it with a toothpick if needed.
• Spritz your air fryer basket with oil spray to prevent sticking and place the tacos in a single layer in the basket. Spritz the tacos with oil spray as well.
• Set your air fryer to 360-400°F and cook your tacos for around 4-7 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. The tortillas will continue to crisp as they cool, so don't worry if they don't feel too crunchy right out of the fryer.

Warming Your Taco Shell:

If you're using store-bought hard taco shells or simply want to warm your tortillas, follow these steps:

• Place your taco shells or tortillas in the air fryer basket. There's no need to preheat the air fryer.
• Set your air fryer to 360°F and cook the shells or tortillas for about 4 minutes. This will make them warm and crispy without overdoing it.

Assembling Your Taco Shell:

If you want to assemble your tacos before warming or frying, here's what you can do:

• Warm your tortillas in the microwave with a damp paper towel for a few seconds to make them pliable.
• Fill your tortillas with your chosen filling, such as beef, chicken, or beans, and add a layer of cheese. You can also add other ingredients like salsa, vegetables, or sour cream at this stage.
• Gently fold the tortilla in half, creating a taco shape. Secure it with a toothpick if needed.
• Place the assembled tacos in the air fryer basket and spritz with oil spray.
• Set your air fryer to 360-400°F and cook for about 4-7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.

Remember, when it comes to filling and assembling your tacos, you can get creative and add your favourite ingredients. You can also choose to add some ingredients, like lettuce and fresh tomatoes, after cooking to prevent them from wilting or getting too soft.

Choosing your toppings: cheese, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, guacamole, sour cream, hot sauce

Choosing your toppings

Cheese

If you're a cheese lover, you can't go wrong with a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or sharp cheddar. Cheese is optional, but it's hard to resist that melty goodness!

Salsa

Add a spicy kick to your tacos with salsa. Try pineapple or mango salsa for a fresh summery twist.

Lettuce

Shredded lettuce is a classic taco topping. It adds a nice crunch and freshness to your bite.

Tomatoes

Dice up some juicy tomatoes to give your tacos a burst of colour and flavour.

Onions

Chopped white or red onions will give your tacos a nice sharp kick. If you want a milder flavour, you can sauté the onions beforehand to sweeten them.

Guacamole

Avocados are a must-have for any taco bar. You can make your own guacamole or simply slice up some fresh avocado.

Sour Cream

Sour cream adds a creamy, tangy element to your tacos. It's the perfect way to balance out the spice if you've added some heat.

Hot Sauce

For those who like it hot, offer a variety of hot sauces to take your tacos to the next level.

Frequently asked questions