Name: Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 pound 90% lean ground beef; ½ cup diced yellow onion; 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix (homemade or store bought, check for gluten-free); 4 ounce can diced green chiles (drained); 1½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese; 16 tortillas - fajita size flour, 6-inch corn, or 50/50 blend (corn tortillas for gluten-free option); Avocado oil nonstick cooking spray (must be non-propellant); Sour cream; Salsa; Pico de gallo; Guacamole; Shredded lettuce

If you’re craving a snack that’s irresistibly crunchy on the outside with a savory, cheesy beef filling inside, you’re going to love this Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe. They’re simple to make, low in fat, and perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.

A close-up view shows a broken open wrap held by a woman's hand, revealing three layers: a soft, golden-brown tortilla on the outside with a slight toasted texture, a thick dark brown cooked ground meat filling inside, and a thin light orange sauce near the bottom edge of the filling. On top of the wrap, there is a dollop of white creamy sauce, and scattered pieces of red tomato, purple onion, and green cilantro leaves add fresh color accents. The background is softly blurred with more blurred wraps and fresh vegetable pieces on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m honestly obsessed with these taquitos — not only do they taste amazing, but cooking them in the air fryer makes cleanup a breeze. Plus, they’re a great way to enjoy a crunchy Mexican-inspired snack without all the excess oil of deep-frying.

Super Crispy texture: The air fryer crisps the tortillas to perfection without greasiness.
Lean & Flavorful Beef: Using 90% lean ground beef keeps it lower fat without sacrificing taste.
Quick & Easy Prep: Ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish—perfect for weeknights.
Customizable Dips: Serve with sour cream, salsa, guacamole or pico de gallo to suit your mood.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When gathering ingredients for these taquitos, it’s best to pick quality staples you trust. Using fresh onion and a good sharp cheddar really brings the filling to life, while the tortillas you choose can change the whole experience — flour for softness, corn for gluten-free crunch.

Flat lay of a small mound of fresh raw lean ground beef, a small white bowl filled with bright diced yellow onion, a small white bowl holding vibrant diced green chiles, a neat pile of finely grated sharp cheddar cheese, a stack of soft fajita size flour tortillas, and a small white bowl containing rich golden taco seasoning powder, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

90% lean ground beef: Provides a juicy yet lean protein base without too much fat.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and aromatic depth to the beef mixture.
Taco seasoning mix: Brings those classic Mexican spices; homemade gives full control over flavor and sodium.
Diced green chiles: Adds a subtle kick and balances the richness of the beef and cheese.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully into the filling, delivering bold flavor and gooey texture.
Tortillas: Choose fajita size flour, 6-inch corn, or a 50/50 blend depending on preference and dietary needs.
Avocado oil nonstick cooking spray: Helps the taquitos crisp up in the air fryer without sticking, with a light, neutral flavor.
Sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, shredded lettuce: These are perfect for serving alongside to add freshness and variety in textures.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe is how easy it is to customize it to your taste and dietary needs. Whether you want to add a little extra heat, switch up the cheese, or keep it gluten-free, there's room to get creative!

Gluten-Free Version: I love using corn tortillas when I want to keep things gluten-free. They add a lovely corn flavor and maintain that necessary crunch once air fried.
Spicy Kick: If you’re a heat seeker like me, adding chopped jalapeños or a dash of your favorite hot sauce into the beef mixture really wakes up the flavor!
Cheese Swaps: Sharp cheddar is classic, but swapping in pepper jack or a Mexican blend can bring a new twist to the flavor profile.
Extra Crispy Hack: I sometimes give my taquitos a light spray of avocado oil halfway through cooking to boost that irresistible crunch even more.
Fresh Flavors: Topping your taquitos with pico de gallo or shredded lettuce adds a fresh, vibrant bite that contrasts beautifully with the crispy exterior.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe

The image shows a black air fryer basket filled with two layers of golden brown taquitos. The top layer has six tightly rolled taquitos standing upright next to each other with a slightly crispy and textured surface. Below, the second layer has several more taquitos lying flat, showing the curved, lightly browned edges and crispy texture. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sizzle the Beef and Onion to Perfection

Start by heating a skillet over medium heat and cooking the lean ground beef together with the diced yellow onion. Keep stirring and breaking up the beef as it browns, letting those onions soften and become fragrant. This should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Once cooked, drain any excess fat to keep your taquitos nice and light. Then, stir in the taco seasoning mix and diced green chiles, cooking for another 2 minutes to marry all those bold flavors. You’ll know it’s ready when you see those little flecks of seasoning and get that mouthwatering aroma.

Step 2: Melt the Cheese into the Beef Mixture

Remove your skillet from the heat and gently stir in the grated sharp cheddar cheese. The residual warmth will melt the cheese just enough to create a creamy, cheesy filling that holds together beautifully inside each taquito. This step adds that comforting richness that makes every bite satisfying.

Step 3: Wrap It Up – Assemble Your Taquitos

Warm your tortillas slightly — either in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or in a dry skillet — just enough to make them soft and pliable. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef and cheese mixture onto one end of each tortilla. Then roll them up tightly, keeping the filling snug inside. If needed, you can tuck in the edges to prevent filling from escaping during cooking.

Step 4: Get Ready for Crispy Goodness – Air Fryer Prep

Arrange your rolled taquitos seam-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer – avoid crowding to ensure every taquito crisps evenly. Lightly spray each one with avocado oil nonstick cooking spray; this step is key for that golden, crispy crust. If you want an extra crunch, feel free to spritz again around the halfway point during cooking.

Step 5: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook the taquitos for 15–20 minutes. Don’t forget to flip them halfway through cooking to ensure all sides get that perfect crispy texture. The taquitos are done when they turn a gorgeous golden brown and feel crisp to the touch. This part is always a little exciting—I love hearing the sizzle and seeing those flawless edges.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy the Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos

Carefully remove the taquitos from the air fryer (they’ll be hot and delicious!) and serve them right away with your favorite sides—sour cream, salsa, fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, or shredded lettuce all make fantastic dippers. Each bite delivers that satisfying crunch balanced by hearty, cheesy beef filling. Enjoy!

Top Tip

Getting those taquitos perfectly crispy and flavorful can take a little finesse, so here are some handy tips that will help your Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe turn out just right every time.

Use Non-Propellant Avocado Oil Spray: This helps avoid soggy spots and ensures a nice, even crisp on the outside of each taquito without adding extra fat.
Warm Your Tortillas: Gently heating the tortillas before rolling keeps them flexible and prevents cracking while rolling and air frying.
Don’t Overfill: Two tablespoons of filling is just enough to get a full flavor without bursting your taquitos open during cooking.
Flip Halfway Through: Turning the taquitos mid-cook helps both sides get golden brown and extra crispy, so don’t skip this step!

How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe

A white plate rests on a white marbled surface filled with five golden-brown rolled taquitos arranged in a line over a bed of shredded light green lettuce. A creamy white sauce is drizzled along the top of the taquitos under a colorful pile of diced red tomatoes, purple onions, and green cilantro. Around the edge of the plate, several lime wedges add a fresh green touch. Surrounding the plate are small white bowls containing chunky green guacamole, shredded orange cheese, white sour cream, and red salsa, with fresh cilantro bunch peeking from the top left. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For an even more delicious experience, top these taquitos with dollops of creamy sour cream or guacamole. Fresh pico de gallo adds a zesty brightness, while shredded lettuce brings satisfying crunch. A drizzle of your favorite salsa rounds out the flavors perfectly.

Side Dishes

Pair your crispy taquitos with Mexican rice or a fresh corn salad to keep things light yet filling. Black beans or refried beans make excellent hearty sides. And for a refreshing touch, a simple cucumber and tomato salad with lime juice never fails.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 3 days—perfect for quick lunches or snacks.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead of time, freeze the assembled taquitos before air frying. Lay them out on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat leftover or frozen taquitos in the air fryer at 400°F for about 5-7 minutes until heated through and crisp again. This is the best way to preserve their amazing crunch without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour for this recipe?

Absolutely! Using corn tortillas is a great gluten-free option and adds a nice traditional flavor. Just warm them well to prevent cracking when rolling.

How can I make the taquitos extra crispy?

Lightly spray the taquitos with avocado oil both before cooking and halfway through the air frying process. Flipping them halfway also helps all sides crisp evenly.

Can I prepare the filling in advance?

Yes, the beef and cheese mixture can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Just assemble the taquitos right before cooking for best results.

What if I don’t have taco seasoning mix?

You can easily make your own with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. This gives you control over sodium and additives.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so satisfying about biting into these perfectly crispy, golden taquitos filled with seasoned beef and melty sharp cheddar. This Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe is a wonderfully approachable way to enjoy a Mexican-inspired meal that’s both low fat and full of flavor. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a fun snack for friends, I hope you enjoy making—and eating—these as much as I do!