Air Fryer El Monterey Burritos: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

El Monterey burritos are a convenient frozen meal packed with flavour. They can be cooked in an air fryer in just a few minutes with minimal effort. This is the perfect snack for a movie night or a quick lunch.

To make El Monterey burritos in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F. Then, place 2 burritos in the air fryer basket, leaving enough room for the hot air to circulate. Drizzle or brush the burritos with olive oil and add seasonings if desired. Air fry for 7-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

For a soft burrito, you can skip the olive oil and simply heat the burrito in the air fryer. You can also try microwaving the burrito for a minute or so first, and then crisping it in the air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is the first step to making delicious El Monterey burritos. This step is crucial to ensuring your burritos cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a detailed guide to help you master the preheating process:

Firstly, it is important to understand the role of preheating. By preheating your air fryer, you bring it to the desired temperature before adding your burritos. This initial heat-up period ensures that your burritos start cooking at the right temperature from the very beginning. It also helps to create a consistent cooking environment, promoting even cooking throughout the entire cooking process.

When preheating your air fryer, the first decision you need to make is the temperature setting. The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer for El Monterey burritos is between 380°F and 400°F. This temperature range is high enough to create a crispy exterior for your burritos without burning them. It is the perfect temperature to achieve that golden brown colour and delicious texture.

The next step is to set the timer for preheating. For El Monterey burritos, preheat your air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes. This duration is sufficient to bring your air fryer to the desired temperature without overheating it. It is important to be mindful of the preheat time because an insufficient preheat period may result in uneven cooking, while an overly long preheat time can waste energy and potentially damage your appliance.

While preheating, keep in mind that different air fryer models may have slight variations in temperature settings and heating capabilities. Always refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions and guidelines. Additionally, if you are using an air fryer accessory, such as an air fryer basket, ensure that it is properly positioned and compatible with your air fryer model.

Once your air fryer reaches the desired temperature, you can proceed to the next step of placing your frozen El Monterey burritos into the air fryer. Remember to place them in a single layer, leaving enough space between each burrito to allow for proper air circulation. This ensures that the hot air can reach all surfaces of the burritos, resulting in even cooking and that desirable crispy texture.

In conclusion, preheating your air fryer is a fundamental step in the process of making El Monterey burritos. By following the recommended temperature and timing guidelines, you can ensure that your burritos cook efficiently and turn out perfectly crispy and tasty every time. Now you're all set to move on to the next steps of cooking and enjoying your delicious air-fried El Monterey burritos!

Place the burritos in the air fryer basket

When placing the burritos in the air fryer basket, it is important to ensure they are in a single layer, with enough space between them for the hot air to circulate. This will ensure that the burritos cook evenly and become crispy. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the burritos in batches. It is also recommended to place the burritos with the bottom sealed side facing up. This will prevent leakage and stop the burritos from sticking to the basket.

For El Monterey Bean and Cheese Burritos, the official cooking instructions recommend placing two burritos in the air fryer basket and cooking them for a total of 14 minutes, flipping them halfway through. However, other sources suggest cooking for a total of 15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes, or even up to 18 minutes, turning every 5 minutes.

For other types of El Monterey Burritos, such as the Beef and Bean variety, it is recommended to cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the burrito.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the type of air fryer you have, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your burritos to ensure they don't overcook.

Drizzle with olive oil

How to Make El Monterey Burritos in an Air Fryer

Once you have preheated your air fryer to 380-400°F, it's time to add the burritos. Place 2-4 frozen burritos into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with enough space between them for the hot air to circulate. The number of burritos you cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer.

Now, drizzle or brush the burritos with olive oil. This step is optional, but it will give your burritos a crispier texture. You can also add seasonings to the olive oil if desired.

Air Frying

After drizzling the burritos with olive oil, it's time to air fry them. Set the cook time for 8-15 minutes, depending on the size of your burritos and your air fryer. Keep an eye on them, and remove them from the air fryer when they are golden brown and crispy.

Serving

Once the burritos are cooked to your liking, carefully remove them from the air fryer and serve them hot. You can enjoy them as is or with your favorite toppings and sides, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or refried beans.

Storing and Reheating

If you have any leftover burritos, let them cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container or wrapping them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. They will last in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

To reheat your burritos, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even heating.

Air fry until golden brown

Air frying your El Monterey burritos is a great way to get a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft. The air fryer is also a more convenient option than the oven as it's faster and mostly hands-free.

To get that perfect golden brown finish, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. Place the burritos in a single layer, leaving enough space for the hot air to circulate. This will ensure that your burritos cook evenly and get crispy. If you have a small air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches. Secondly, it's important to turn the burritos a few times during cooking to prevent them from sticking and to promote even cooking. Set your air fryer to 350-400°F and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning the burritos every 5 minutes, until they're golden brown.

For an extra crispy texture, spray the burritos with olive oil before air frying. However, if you prefer your burritos soft, omit the olive oil.

Now, let's talk about the different types of El Monterey burritos and how their cooking times may vary. If you're cooking larger burritos, you might need to add a little extra cooking time, while smaller burritos may need slightly less time. The number of burritos you're cooking at once can also affect the cooking time. If you're cooking just one burrito, check its progress after about 11 minutes.

Finally, remember that cooking temperatures and times can vary depending on your air fryer model, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your burritos to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

Serve with dips

El Monterey burritos are a tasty treat, especially when cooked in an air fryer. They are a convenient, quick, and easy meal that can be served with a variety of dips and sides to elevate your Mexican feast.

The best dips to serve with your air-fried El Monterey burritos are:

Guacamole

Avocado is a super-food and guacamole is a delicious, healthy dip. The creamy texture and fresh flavour of guacamole make it a perfect partner for a crispy burrito. It is a great way to add some healthy fats and a burst of flavour to your meal.

Sour Cream

Sour cream is a classic side and a must-have for burritos. Its thick and creamy texture and mild flavour add a nice cooling element to your plate. It is a great way to balance the spices and flavours of the burrito.

Salsa

A chunky salsa is a fantastic dip to serve with your burritos. You can make your own by blending tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapenos for an extra kick. Salsa is a traditional Mexican dip that will enhance the flavours of your burrito and add a little spice.

Pico de Gallo

This salsa-like dip is a fresh and tasty addition to your burrito plate. Pico de gallo is made with similar ingredients to salsa but is generally chunkier and less liquid. It adds a burst of freshness and a little heat to your meal.

Black Beans or Refried Beans

Beans are a classic side dish to accompany burritos. Black beans or refried beans provide a creamy texture and a robust flavour. They are a great way to make your meal more substantial and add some extra protein.

There are so many ways to enjoy your El Monterey burritos, and with these dips, you can take your taste buds on a trip to Mexico!

Frequently asked questions