Description
These Air Fryer Beef Taquitos feature seasoned lean ground beef, diced onions, and melted sharp cheddar cheese wrapped in crispy tortillas. They are a low-fat, low-calorie Mexican-inspired appetizer or snack that's quick to prepare and cook in the air fryer, served with classic sides like sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix (homemade or store bought, gluten-free if needed)
- 4 ounce can diced green chiles, drained
- 1½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
Assembly
- 16 tortillas (fajita size flour, 6-inch corn, or 50/50 blend; use corn for gluten-free)
- Avocado oil nonstick cooking spray (must be non-propellant)
Serving Suggestions
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced yellow onion until the beef is browned and onions are softened, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Stir in taco seasoning mix and diced green chiles. Cook for another 2 minutes to combine flavors, then remove from heat.
- Mix in Cheese: Allow the beef mixture to cool slightly, then stir in the grated sharp cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
- Assemble Taquitos: Lay out each tortilla flat. Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the beef and cheese mixture along one edge of each tortilla. Roll tightly to form taquitos, securing by tucking in the edges as you roll.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Spray Taquitos with Oil: Lightly spray each rolled taquito with avocado oil nonstick cooking spray to help them become crispy.
- Cook Taquitos: Arrange taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until taquitos are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove taquitos carefully and serve warm with your choice of sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, and shredded lettuce on the side.
Notes
- For gluten-free taquitos, use corn tortillas instead of flour or blend tortillas.
- Use a non-propellant avocado oil spray to keep the taquitos crispy without adding excess fat.
- If you prefer spicier taquitos, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Ensure tortillas are fresh or warm slightly before rolling to prevent cracking or breaking.
- Leftover taquitos can be reheated in the air fryer for 5 minutes to restore crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taquito
- Calories: 187 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 331 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
