Air-Fryer Tacos: Crispy Shells, Perfectly Cooked

Making crispy tacos in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to spice up your Taco Tuesday. This method is perfect for those who like their tacos crunchy and their cheese melty. You can use either corn or flour tortillas, but it's important to warm them up first to prevent cracking when you fold them. After filling your tacos with your desired ingredients, brush or spray them with oil and place them in the air fryer for around 6 minutes at 400°F. You can fill your tacos with anything from chicken to beef, beans, salsa, cheese, and guacamole.

Warm tortillas in the microwave to prevent cracking

Warming your tortillas before assembling your tacos is a crucial step in the process of making tacos in an air fryer. This is because warming the tortillas first makes them pliable, preventing them from cracking when you fold them.

To warm tortillas in the microwave, you can follow these steps:

• Place a damp paper towel on a microwave-safe plate. The damp paper towel will create a steamy environment, keeping the tortillas soft and preventing them from drying out.
• Put the tortillas on top of the damp paper towel. You can also place another damp paper towel on top of the tortillas for more even heating.
• Heat the tortillas in the microwave on high power for 20 to 30 seconds. Check if they are warm enough; if not, continue heating in 15-second intervals until they are.
• Serve the tortillas as soon as they are warm. Keep them wrapped in the paper towel until you are ready to use them.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your tortillas are warm and pliable, reducing the likelihood of cracking when folded for your tacos.

Use corn tortillas for a crispy shell

Corn tortillas are a great option for a crispy taco shell when using an air fryer. Here is a guide on how to make them:

Firstly, you will need to warm up your tortillas. This is a critical step to ensure your tortillas are pliable and do not crack when you fold them. You can do this by wrapping them in a slightly damp towel and microwaving them for around 20-30 seconds, or until they are warm and pliable. Alternatively, you can heat them in a dry skillet for 20-30 seconds on each side, or toast them over an open flame on a gas stovetop. This will also give them a nice char.

Once your tortillas are warm, you can fill them with your desired ingredients. For a classic taco, you can use ground beef or shredded chicken, and cheese. You can also add other ingredients such as beans, salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. Be sure to leave enough space at the edges so that you can fold the tortilla over the filling.

After filling your tortillas, brush or spray the outside with oil. You can use olive oil, canola oil, or a cooking spray. This will help the tortilla get crispy and golden in the air fryer.

Now, place your tacos in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not overcrowded, as this will affect the crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Cook your tacos at around 400°F for about 6-8 minutes. You may need to flip them halfway through to ensure even cooking. The tacos will continue to crisp up as they cool, so you can take them out when they are slightly softer than your desired level of crispiness.

Finally, remove your tacos from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Top them with any additional ingredients such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, and enjoy!

Fillings can include chicken, beef, beans, cheese, salsa, and guacamole

Chicken

Marinate boneless skinless chicken thighs in a mixture of orange juice, vinegar, and spices for 2 hours. Lightly oil the air fryer basket and cook the chicken, flipping once. Shred or chop the chicken into small pieces.

Beef

Slice your choice of steak into strips. Marinate for up to 2 hours. Air fry for 5-6 minutes at 400°F.

Beans

Use refried beans and mix with taco seasoning. Place a slice of cheese in the middle of a tortilla, add a spoonful of the bean mixture, then top with another slice of cheese. Fold the tortilla over and press down to seal. Spray both sides of the taco with cooking spray and air fry for 3 minutes on each side.

Cheese

Use slices of American cheese or shredded cheddar. Place the cheese inside the taco before air frying. Alternatively, make air-fried guacamole bites by shaping guacamole into balls, rolling them in a breading of your choice, spritzing them with oil, and air frying for 8 minutes at 360°F.

Salsa

Cut Roma tomatoes, a jalapeno pepper, and a red onion into halves. Place them, skin-side down, into the air fryer basket along with garlic cloves. Lightly spray the vegetables with cooking spray and air fry for 5 minutes. Add the garlic cloves, spray with cooking spray, and air fry for another 5 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a cutting board and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the skins from the tomatoes and jalapeno, chop the vegetables into large chunks, and add them to a food processor with cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Pulse until the vegetables are finely chopped.

Guacamole

There are many recipes for guacamole available online. Once you have prepared your guacamole, shape it into balls, roll them in a breading of your choice, spritz them with oil, and air fry for 8 minutes at 360°F.

Spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil

Spraying or brushing the air fryer basket with oil is an important step in making crispy tacos. This helps to ensure that the tacos come out crispy and golden brown. You can use cooking spray or olive oil spray, or brush the basket with olive oil or another type of oil. This step should not be skipped, as it helps to guarantee that each taco gets super crispy during the cooking process.

If you are using cooking spray, spritz the basket with the spray, making sure to cover all the areas that will be in contact with the tacos. If you are using oil, use a brush to coat the basket evenly. You don't need to use a lot of oil; a light coat will be sufficient. Alternatively, you can also line the basket with aluminium foil, making sure that the sides are high enough to allow air circulation.

Once the basket is prepared, you can place the tacos inside and cook them according to your recipe instructions. The oil will help the tacos to crisp up and turn a beautiful golden brown colour. This method is a great way to get crispy corn tortilla shells without using a lot of oil or making a mess.

Cook for 6-8 minutes at 360-400°F

So, you've got your tacos assembled and you're ready to cook them in the air fryer. Here's what you need to know to get the perfect crispy finish:

Firstly, spritz or brush the air fryer basket with oil. This will help to ensure that your tacos emerge with the perfect crunchy texture. Place your tacos in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Spritz or brush the tops of the tacos with oil too.

Now, it's time to cook. Set your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F and cook your tacos for 6-8 minutes. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overfilling the basket. Flip your tacos halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and crisping.

Once the timer goes off, your tacos are ready! They will continue to crisp up as they cool, so you may wish to leave them for a minute or two before serving. If you're making a large batch, you can keep the cooked tacos warm in a low oven, or simply let everyone dig in as they come out of the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions