Description
These crispy air fryer beef taquitos are packed with bold, savory flavors from spiced ground beef, sautéed veggies, and melted marble cheese. Easy to assemble and quick to cook, these taquitos are perfect for a flavorful snack or appetizer with customizable garnishes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef, lean
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, 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 soft corn tortillas
- 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 the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and green bell peppers, sautéing until the onions are translucent and lightly browned and the peppers are soft. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until it turns slightly brown. Stir in garlic powder and paprika, continuing to cook until the beef is fully cooked and slightly crispy. Remove from heat and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Taquitos: Transfer the beef mixture to a bowl and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and then mix them into the cooled beef mixture. Lay a corn husk strip or kitchen string horizontally on a clean surface. Place a soft corn tortilla over the strip. Add 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese in a vertical line, then top with 1 ½ tablespoons of the beef mixture. Roll the tortilla tightly from right to left, tucking in the edges as you roll. Secure the roll by tying the string or corn husk around the middle. Trim any excess string. Repeat for all tortillas.
- Air Frying the Taquitos: Spray the air fryer basket and extra rack (if using) with nonstick spray. Arrange as many taquitos as can fit without crowding, then spray the tops lightly. If using the rack, air fry at 375°F for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, remove the rack and taquitos on it; keep the taquitos in the basket below. Flip them to crisp the bottom side and fry for another 4 minutes, adding 2 more minutes if needed. For basket-only cooking, fry at 375°F for 6 minutes, flip, then fry for 3 more minutes. Add 2 additional minutes if taquitos are not crispy. Remove once golden and crispy.
- Serve: Serve hot with optional garnishes such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, cilantro, hot sauce, iceberg lettuce, and crumbled cotija cheese for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
- If corn tortillas are not fresh, steam them briefly to soften and prevent cracking while rolling.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches to ensure proper crispiness.
- Use freshly shredded marble cheese for the best melt and flavor.
- Allow the beef mixture to cool before mixing with eggs to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
- Use soaked corn husk strips or kitchen string to secure the taquitos tightly so they don't unravel during cooking. Soak husks for 5 minutes and dry before use.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model; start with less time and add in increments, flipping taquitos for even crisping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taquito
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
