Air-Fried Tacos Dorados: A Quick, Crunchy Treat

Tacos dorados are a variety of crispy, fried Mexican tacos. They are typically made with corn tortillas and filled with shredded chicken, potatoes, ground beef, or vegetables. The term dorado in Spanish means golden, referring to the golden-brown exterior of the fried tacos.

To make tacos dorados in an air fryer, you can follow these steps:

1. Prepare the filling of your choice, such as shredded chicken, seasoned ground beef, or mashed potatoes.

2. Warm the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel or cloth for about a minute in the microwave to make them pliable and prevent cracking.

3. Place a few tablespoons of filling on one half of each tortilla and gently fold it over to form a taco shape.

4. Brush the tacos with olive oil or cooking spray.

5. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

6. Place the tacos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap.

7. Cook the tacos for 6-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

You can serve these tacos with a variety of toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or shredded cheese. Enjoy!

Soften the tortillas

Softening the tortillas is an important step in making tacos dorados in an air fryer, as it ensures they are pliable and don't crack or rip when folded. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

To start, you can use either corn or flour tortillas, depending on your preference. Corn tortillas are more traditional for tacos dorados and will give you a crunchier texture, but they are also more fragile. Flour tortillas are less likely to crack and are easier to roll, but may not get as crispy.

To soften the tortillas, you have a few options. One method is to wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel or a moist towel and microwave them for around 20-30 seconds, or until they are very soft and pliable. This helps to add moisture to the tortillas, making them more flexible. Alternatively, you can heat them in a small non-stick skillet on the stovetop until soft. This method is ideal if you don't have a microwave or prefer not to use one.

If you are using corn tortillas, be sure not to overheat them, as they can become brittle and more prone to cracking. It is also important not to skip the softening step, as trying to fold or roll brittle tortillas can cause them to break or crack, leading to a messy filling experience.

Once your tortillas are soft, you can fill them with your desired filling. Keep in mind not to overfill them, as this can cause the filling to leak out during the cooking process. Place a couple of tablespoons of filling on one half of the tortilla and gently fold it over to create a taco shape.

If you notice that the tortillas are still cracking or breaking after softening, you can try microwaving them again for a few seconds to add more moisture.

Prepare the filling

Preparing the filling for your tacos dorados is a straightforward process. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Firstly, decide on your filling. Tacos dorados can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including shredded chicken, potatoes, ground beef, beans, vegetables, and more. You can also experiment with different combinations to create your own unique filling. For a more authentic Mexican experience, consider using mashed potatoes, chorizo, shredded beef, or chicken tinga.

Once you've chosen your filling, prepare it and ensure it's ready to go. If you're using shredded chicken, simply combine it with cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning. For mashed potato fillings, boil and mash the desired number of potatoes, seasoning them with salt, pepper, chicken bouillon, and Mexican crema or sour cream. You can also add sautéed onions to enhance the flavor.

If you want to include ground beef or turkey in your filling, cook the meat in a skillet over medium heat, crumbling it as it cooks. Drain the grease, then stir in taco seasoning and a small amount of water. Continue cooking until most of the liquid has evaporated.

Now that your filling is ready, it's time to warm your tortillas. This step is crucial, as it ensures your tortillas are soft and pliable, reducing the risk of them breaking or ripping when folded. Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel or a moist cloth and warm them in the microwave for 20-60 seconds, or until they are soft and easy to work with.

With your filling prepared and your tortillas warmed, you can now assemble your tacos. Place a couple of tablespoons of filling onto one half of each tortilla and gently fold it over to create a taco shape. Be careful not to overfill the tacos, as this can cause the filling to leak during cooking.

If you prefer a flauta or taquito shape, you can roll the tortillas instead of folding them. However, be cautious when rolling, as corn tortillas are more fragile than flour tortillas and can break easily.

And that's it! You've successfully prepared the filling for your tacos dorados. You can now move on to the next step of cooking your tacos in the air fryer. Enjoy the rest of your taco-making process!

Fill the tortillas

Filling tortillas for tacos dorados is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to ensure they don't crack or break. Firstly, it's important to use soft and pliable tortillas, so wrap your corn tortillas in a damp paper towel or cloth and microwave them for around 20 seconds or until warm and pliable. This will ensure they don't crack when you fold them. You can also heat them in a dry skillet for 20-30 seconds on each side.

Once your tortillas are soft, it's time to fill them. Place a couple of tablespoons of your chosen filling on one half of the tortilla—a traditional filling would be shredded chicken, cheese, and sour cream, but you can also use potatoes, ground beef, beans, or vegetables. Just ensure your filling isn't too moist, or your tacos may become soggy.

After filling, gently fold the tortilla over to create a half-moon shape. If you're making taquitos or flautas, you would roll the tortilla instead. Be careful not to overfill the tortillas, or the filling may leak during cooking.

If you're making a large batch, you can place the filled tortillas on a plate or baking sheet and cover them with a damp paper towel until you're ready to cook them.

Air-frying tips

• To soften corn tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20 seconds or until warm. This will make them pliable and less likely to crack.
• If you don't have a microwave, you can heat the tortillas in a small non-stick skillet to soften them.
• Brush or spray the tortillas with oil before placing them in the air fryer to make them crispier.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Cook the tacos in batches if necessary, and place them seam-side down.
• Depending on your air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and timing. Check the tacos regularly to ensure they don't burn.
• If your tacos open up during cooking, use toothpicks to hold them closed.
• For freezing, place the tacos on a baking sheet with the edges of the tortillas facing down to keep them rolled. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.
• To reheat frozen tacos, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 12-15 minutes. You can also reheat in the oven at 300°F for about five minutes.

Toppings and serving suggestions

Tacos dorados are typically served with a variety of toppings and sides. Here are some ideas to elevate your air-fried tacos dorados:

Toppings

• Sour cream or Mexican crema
• Avocado or guacamole
• Queso cotija or queso fresco
• Shredded lettuce
• Salsa
• Cheese
• Cilantro
• Green onions
• Restaurant-style salsa

Sides

• Rice
• Beans
• Salad
• Mexican Street Corn Salad
• Black beans or Frijoles Charros
• Mexican Cauliflower Rice
• Mexican Chopped Salad

Frequently asked questions