Air-Fried Taco Bowl: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a fantastic way to make crispy, delicious taco bowls with a fraction of the oil used in traditional frying methods. This simple recipe is a fun twist on taco night and can be made with just a few ingredients. You'll need burrito-sized flour tortillas, cooking spray, and two oven-safe bowls that fit in your air fryer. You can also use aluminium foil to shape the bowls. First, spray the tortillas with cooking spray and place them inside a bowl, moulding them to the shape. Then, place a smaller bowl on top of the tortilla and put it in the air fryer for 5-12 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Once cooled, fill your tortilla bowls with your favourite taco salad ingredients and enjoy!

Choosing the right tortilla size

The tortilla size you choose for your taco bowls will depend on the size of your air fryer. If you have a small air fryer, opt for 8-inch taco-size tortillas. If your air fryer is on the larger side, you can use either 8-inch or 10-inch tortillas.

For an 8-inch tortilla, use a 6-inch bowl as the outer mould and a 3-inch or 3.5-inch bowl as the inner mould. For a 10-inch tortilla, use an 8-inch bowl as the outer mould and a 6-inch bowl as the inner mould. It's important to find bowls that are the right size for your tortillas to ensure they take the shape of a bowl and don't end up flying around in the air fryer!

Remember, the bigger the tortilla, the bigger the mould should be. Just make sure the mould fits in your air fryer.

Using cooking spray

To make taco bowls in an air fryer using cooking spray, you will need a burrito-sized flour tortilla and two oven-safe bowls. You can also use aluminium foil to shape the bowls.

First, spray both sides of the tortilla with cooking spray. Place a bowl under the tortilla and centre the tortilla over the bowl. Then, place the second bowl on top of the tortilla to create a 'sandwich'.

Place the bowls and tortilla setup into the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350-375°F and cook for 5 minutes. Then, remove the outer bowl and cook for another 3-4 minutes. If you want to brown the inside of the tortilla bowl, remove the inner bowl and flip the tortilla over, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes.

You can also use a piece of foil to shape the tortilla bowl. Double over a piece of foil, slightly larger than the tortilla, and place it into the air fryer basket. Place a ramekin or similar in the middle of the tortilla to weigh it down and prevent air bubbles from forming. After 5 minutes, remove the ramekin and foil, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Preheating the air fryer

• Set the temperature: Start by adjusting your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to between 350°F to 375°F (180°C to 190°C). This temperature range is ideal for cooking the tortilla bowls to achieve a golden brown, crispy texture.
• Allow time for preheating: Depending on your air fryer model, it may take a few minutes for the appliance to reach the set temperature. As a rule of thumb, preheat your air fryer for at least 3 minutes. This ensures that the heating elements are sufficiently hot before you begin cooking the taco bowls.
• Consider the air fryer's size: If you have a smaller air fryer, keep in mind that it may take a bit longer to preheat compared to larger models. Additionally, the size of your air fryer will determine the size of the bowls or moulds you can use to shape your tortilla bowls.
• Use oven-safe materials: When creating the mould for your tortilla bowls, ensure you use oven-safe materials that can withstand the high temperatures of the air fryer. Stainless steel or glass bowls are excellent choices, as they can handle the heat without warping or releasing toxins.
• Prepare the tortilla: While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the tortilla by spraying it with cooking spray or brushing it with oil. This step ensures that your tortilla bowls will become crispy and golden during the cooking process.

Remember, preheating your air fryer is essential for achieving the best results when making taco bowls. By following the recommended temperature settings and allowing sufficient time for preheating, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy tortilla bowls for your taco salads.

Using bowls to mould the tortilla

Firstly, you will need to gather your tortilla, cooking spray, and two oven-safe bowls that will fit inside your air fryer. One bowl should be larger than the other, and both should be made from materials such as stainless steel, glass, or ceramic. You will also need to ensure that your tortilla is the correct size for your bowls; it should not hang over the edges too much, as this will affect the shape of your bowl. For a burrito-sized tortilla, a good combination is an 8-inch stainless steel bowl for the outer mould and a 6-inch stainless steel or glass bowl for the inner mould. For a smaller tortilla, you can use a 6-inch bowl and a 3.5-inch bowl.

Once you have your equipment, spray your tortilla with cooking spray and place it inside the larger bowl, pressing it down to mould it into a bowl shape. Then, place the smaller bowl on top of the tortilla, pressing it down to weigh it down and keep the tortilla in place.

Place the entire setup into your air fryer, which should be preheated to around 350-375°F. Cook for 5 minutes, then remove the outer bowl and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. This will help brown the outside of the tortilla bowl.

If you are happy with the colour of your bowl, you can finish here. Otherwise, you can remove the inner bowl and air fry for another minute or two to add some extra browning to the inside of the bowl. Be sure to flip the tortilla bowl over to avoid it flying around in the air fryer.

And that's it! Your tortilla bowl is now ready to be filled with your favourite taco ingredients. Enjoy!

Filling the taco bowl

Now that your tortilla bowls are ready, it's time to fill them with your favourite taco ingredients! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fill your tortilla bowls with all your favourite taco salad ingredients. Some classic options include:

• Lettuce
• Avocado or guacamole
• Ground taco-seasoned meat
• Salsa
• Cheese
• Sour cream
• Beans
• Shredded chicken
• Tomatoes
• Cilantro

You can also add some unique twists, such as:

• Italian dressing
• Nacho cheese Doritos
• Wheat tortillas
• Southwest-style salad kit

Be creative and experiment with different combinations to find your perfect taco bowl!

Frequently asked questions