Description
These crispy air fryer beef taquitos are bursting with bold flavors from spiced ground beef, sautéed onions and peppers, and gooey marble cheese. Easy to assemble and quick to cook in the air fryer, these taquitos make a perfect snack or appetizer that’s satisfyingly crunchy and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef, lean
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, green, chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, for sautéing
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
To Assemble
- 2 eggs
- 24 corn tortillas, soft
- 2 cups marble cheese, shredded
- Nonstick cooking spray
Optional Garnishes
- Salsa
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
- Hot sauce
- Iceberg lettuce
- Cotija cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Make the Beef Filling: Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and green peppers, sautéing until onions sweat and turn slightly brown and peppers soften, about 5-7 minutes. Add ground beef, breaking up large pieces, and cook until lightly browned, about 7-10 minutes. Stir in garlic powder and paprika, cooking further until beef is fully cooked and slightly crispy. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.
- Cool and Mix: Transfer the beef mixture to a bowl and stir continuously while letting it cool for about 10 minutes. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and then add to the cooled beef mixture, combining well.
- Assemble the Taquitos: Lay a corn husk strip or kitchen string horizontally on a clean surface. Place one soft corn tortilla on top. Add 1 tablespoon shredded cheese forming a vertical line, then 1 ½ tablespoons of beef mixture on top of the cheese. Roll the tortilla tightly by folding the right side over the filling toward the left. Tuck the edge under the filling and continue rolling. Secure the roll by tying the corn husk strip or kitchen string around the middle. Push any filling that may have escaped back inside. Trim excess string. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Prepare Air Fryer: Spray the air fryer basket and extra rack with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange as many taquitos as fit without crowding and spray tops lightly with cooking spray.
- Air Fry the Taquitos Using Rack: Set air fryer to 375°F. Cook for 8 minutes on the rack. Check and remove brown, crispy taquitos from the top rack, leaving others. Flip remaining taquitos and cook for another 4 minutes. If needed, add 2 more minutes until crispy. Remove top layer and rack, flip remaining taquitos and cook for 4 more minutes until golden and crisp.
- Air Fry the Taquitos Using Basket Only: Set air fryer to 375°F. Cook for 6 minutes. Flip taquitos over and cook an additional 3 minutes. Add 2 more minutes if needed to achieve crispiness on both sides.
- Serve: Remove taquitos from air fryer and serve hot with your preferred garnishes like salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or crumbled cotija cheese.
Notes
- If corn tortillas are not fresh, steam them slightly before rolling to prevent cracking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer; cook in batches for proper crispiness.
- Use a strong melting cheese, freshly shredded, for best flavor and texture.
- Let beef mixture cool before adding eggs to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
- Use soaked corn husk strips or kitchen string to tie taquitos securely to keep shape during cooking.
- Cooking time may vary depending on air fryer model; check frequently and adjust time to ensure crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taquito
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
