• Home
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Me
    • Work with Me
  • Video
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Video
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Video
  • Contact
×
Home » Recipes » Ground Beef

Air Fryer Crispy Tacos

Published: Jun 14, 2024 by Debra Clark · 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

Air Fryer Crispy Tacos are a delicious twist on traditional tacos! They make the perfect Taco Tuesday meal. Making them is so easy and they come out crunchy every time. They are great for busy weeknights! 

Crispy taco on a white plate, topped with sour cream and tomatoes.
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe   
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions 
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Top Tip
  • Storage
  • More taco recipes
  • More easy air fryer recipes
  • Serve with
  • Crispy Air Fryer Tacos Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe   

Yum, yum, yum! Ditch those store-bought shells! Instead, use the air fryer to make your favorite tasty tacos with only a few simple ingredients. Whether it's taco Tuesday or Sunday tailgating, they come out perfectly crispy every time, I promise!

Ingredients to make the recipe, with print overlay.

Ingredients

Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements. 

  • taco meat - ground beef and taco seasoning. Substitute ground turkey or chicken if you'd like to lighten up your meal.
  • 6 inch corn tortillas or flour tortillas (corn is my fav choice!).
  • Shredded Monterey jack cheese - if you'd prefer swap out with queso fresco Mexican cheese, shredded cheddar cheese is amazing too!
  • olive oil spray
  • then just add your favorite taco fixings - avocado lettuce, tomato, red onion, sour cream, cilantro, limes, etc.

Add black beans or refried beans to the taco meat as it simmers to stretch that meal and add a little more flavor.

If you prefer your tacos spicy, add a teaspoon of chili powder, or tablespoon of green chilis to the meat mixture.

Step-by-step instructions to make the recipe, with print overlay.

Instructions 

This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
  2. Wrap four tortillas in a paper towel and microwave on high for 45 seconds.
  3. Lay out the four tortillas and spoon taco meat, and sprinkle with cheese (about 2 tablespoon of each)
  4. Fold in half then lightly spray each taco.
  5. Lay the tacos in the air fryer basket, sprayed side down.
  6. Spray the top sides now with the olive oil spray.
  7. Cook for 6 minutes, turning halfway.
  8. Repeat with the second batch of tacos.
  9. Serve with your favorite taco toppings!

Hey, if you want to catch all my videos, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel. You'll be notified each time I share a new video!

Equipment

  • air fryer 
  • paper towels  

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

FAQ's

Can I make these in a skillet instead? 

If you don't have an air fryer you can also make these crispy tacos in a large skillet! Just heat some vegetable oil over medium-high heat and cook the tacos until golden brown on both sides. 

Why do I need to spray the tortillas? 

Spraying the tortillas with oil allows them to crisp up and gives an extra crunchy shell. 

Why did my taco shells crack?

If they cracked it means that you didn't heat them in the microwave BEFORE baking in the air fryer. Heat them first and you won't have that problem.

Crispy Air Fryer Tacos on a plate topped with lettuce and tomatoes.

Top Tip

If the top flap of the taco opens while cooking secure them with a toothpick. You'll be able to take it out when you flip them over.

  • Make sure that you preheat your air fryer as this will the shells to crisp up nicely. 
  • It's important that you don't overload the air fryer basket, you will need to place the tacos in a single layer or they won't get crispy.
  • Don't skip the step of warming the tortillas. That will keep them from cracking.

Storage

Refrigerate -  You can store the air fryer tacos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer - Place the cooked tacos in a freezer bag or wrap them tightly with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating. 

Reheat - To reheat the tacos, preheat your oven to 375°F, place them on a baking sheet, and heat in the oven for about 8-10 minutes or until heated through. You can also use an air fryer set at 350°F for 2-3 minutes or until warm. 

Tacos being fried in an air fyer.

More taco recipes

  • Love a great taco? Be sure to try this recipe for Puff Pastry Tacos! These are so yummy!!!
  • Chilis Shrimp Tacos - just like your favorite restaurant, these are so tasty!
  • Skip the steak tonight and grill Baja Fish Tacos instead.
  • This Ground Beef Taco Dip is perfect party food!
  • I use this Taco Seasoning whenever I make chicken or beef tacos.
  • Are you looking for a different recipe to make for Taco Tuesday this week? If so, give this Taco Salad Casserole a try. It's always a crowd-pleaser with the entire family. 
  • For these slow cooker chicken tacos, you only need 4 simple ingredients. This inexpensive time saver is a delicious meal for your family. 

Making ground beef taco meat at home? Learn the secret to making the BEST filling!

More easy air fryer recipes

Are you new to the air fryer? Don't worry, we have all of your questions answered here - Air Fryer Tips for Beginners.

  • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes - No guesswork for perfectly crispy skin and fluffy insides!
  • Air Fryer Bacon - crispy bacon every time without the mess.
  • Air Fryer Garlic Bread - it's the perfect amount of butter, garlic and cheese!
  • Find all of the easy air fryer recipes here!

Serve with

  •  If you ask me you can't serve a meal like this air fryer taco recipe without a delicious side dish like this Roasted Verde Salsa recipe alongside some crunchy tortilla chips. 
  • I love making my own homemade seasoning for taco night and this Homemade Taco Seasoning is my go-to recipe. Plus, it's a great way to avoid a trip to the grocery store when you are out of packets. 
  • This Copycat Chipotle Black Bean recipe is easy to make when pairing something with your delicious tacos. Even picky eaters will love this fiber-filled side dish. 

If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! 

Crispy air fryer tacos on a plate topped with lettuce and chopped tomatoes.
No ratings yet

Crispy Air Fryer Tacos Recipe

Tacos are ready in minutes with this easy-to-make recipe!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time6 minutes mins
Total Time11 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican, TexMex
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 306kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 pound taco meat link to recipe
  • 8 corn tortillas 6"
  • 8 ounces Monterey jack cheese shredded
  • olive oil spray
  • Optional Extras: Avocado lettuce, tomato, red onion, sour cream, cilantro, limes, etc.

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
  • Wrap four tortillas in a paper towel and microwave on high for 45 seconds.
  • Lay out the four tortillas and spoon taco meat, and sprinkle with cheese (about 2 tablespoon of each)
  • Fold in half the lightly spray each taco.
  • Lay the tacos in the air fryer basket, sprayed side down.
  • Spray the top sides now with the olive oil spray.
  • Cook for 6 minutes, turning halfway.
  • Repeat with the second batch of tacos.
  • Serve with your favorite taco toppings!

Love this recipe? Join the free membership group!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 224mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 219IU | Calcium: 243mg | Iron: 2mg

    More 30 Minute Meals

    • Platter of roast beef tortillas sandwiches.
      Roast Beef Rollups Recipe
    • Lemon Garlic Pasta twirled around a fork with a bowl of pasta in the background, served with slices of fresh lemon.
      Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • Sliced golden brown baked sandwiches on parchment paper. With a spatula on the side.
      Baked Ham and Cheese Sandwich
    • Poor Man’s Steak on a spatula above a pan of gravy, showing the golden-brown crust and thick mushroom sauce.
      Poor Man's Steak

    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. rena says

      June 18, 2023 at 5:20 pm

      hi
      I noticed you said corn tortillas in the ingredient list but
      in the recipe instructions it says flour tortillas not corn tortillas?

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        June 18, 2023 at 6:43 pm

        Give it another look Rena; it says four, not flour tortillas. You can certainly use flour if you'd prefer! I hope you give the recipe a try, enjoy!

        Reply
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

    Hey I'm Deb Clark! I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over. We live in a sleepy little town just north of Portland in the beautiful Pacific Northwest... (read more)

    Everyone's Favorites

    • Spoon filled with chicken spaghetti over casserole dish.
      Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel
    • Ground Beef Casserole in a cast iron skillet with a spoon taking out a big scoop.
      Hobo Casserole
    • Sauce in bowl with spoon.
      Smashburger Sauce Recipe
    • Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole in white dish.
      Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
    • Quarter Pounder Hamburger with bite taken out. Burger is loaded with cheese, lettuce and tomato.
      How to Cook Frozen Hamburger Patties in the Oven
    • Close-up view of crispy smashed fingerling potatoes with caramelized garlic, herbs, and seasoning for a crunchy golden finish.
      Smashed Fingerling Potatoes

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Me
    as featured in

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2013 - 2025 Bowl Me Over, LLC

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required