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Crispy Air Fryer Ground Beef Taquitos: Easy 15-Minute Recipe

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These crispy air fryer ground beef taquitos are shatteringly crisp on the outside and perfectly seasoned and juicy on the inside. Ready in just 15 minutes, they’re the perfect weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is ideal)
  • 1/2 cup finely diced onion (yellow or white)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (ancho preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 12–14 small corn tortillas (about 6 inches in diameter)
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese (or cheddar, Monterey Jack)
  • Avocado oil spray (or any high-heat cooking spray)
  • Guacamole (for serving, optional)
  • Sour cream (for serving, optional)
  • Salsa (for serving, optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for serving, optional)
  • Lime wedges (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Beef Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Drain off excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and water, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 1 minute. …
  2. Prepare the Tortillas: Wrap a stack of 4-5 tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm and pliable. Alternatively, heat them one by one in a dry skillet for about 10 seconds per side.
  3. Assemble the Taquitos: Lay a warm tortilla flat on your work surface. Place about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture in a line down the center. Sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, starting from one edge and rolling away from you. Place seam-side down on a plate or baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling (makes 12-14 taquitos).
  4. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for 3 minutes.
  5. Air Fry the Taquitos: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil. Place taquitos in a single layer, seam-side down, without touching. Lightly spray the tops with oil. Air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  6. Rest and Serve: Let taquitos rest in the air fryer basket for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately with desired dips.

Notes

For best results, use corn tortillas and warm them properly to prevent cracking. The cornstarch in the beef mixture helps prevent soggy tortillas. Don’t overfill the taquitos—stick to 2 tablespoons per tortilla. Work in batches to avoid crowding the air fryer. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer taquitos, ground beef taquitos, crispy taquitos, easy taquito recipe, weeknight dinner, Mexican appetizer

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-ground-beef-taquitos-easy-15-minute-recipe/