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Home » Dinner

Published: Feb 5, 2022 by Tino Marie · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Crispy Air Fryer Tacos

Air Fryer Tacos are delicious and turn out beautifully crisp every time -  if you know the prep tricks. Two quick steps before assembling Air Fryer Tacos are key to achieving consistent, crispy results.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

There is a fun simplicity about Air Fryer Tacos that is addicting. You only really need three ingredients to make them - protein of your choice, shredded cheese, and flour tortillas. But there are two key prep steps that shouldn’t be skipped because I’ve found they result in the most consistently crispy results. 

You’ll definitely want some salsa or sauce to dip these Air Fryer Tacos in. I highly recommend this Creamy Green Sauce (pictured), Chipotle Blender Hollandaise, Cucumber Pico de Gallo, or Roasted Garlic Guacamole. And why not pair these tacos with some Restaurant Style Refried Beans from a Can? And if you like these Air Fryer Tacos, you should definitely try Doritos Walking Tacos.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tacos
Air Fryer Tacos cooked for 14 minutes, flipped at around the 8-minute mark.
Jump to:
  • Top Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Tacos using Flour Tortillas
  • Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Tacos
  • Instructions - How to Make Air Fryer Tacos
  • Variations - What fillings can I use to make Air Fried Tacos?
  • Equipment 
  • Leftovers
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Other Air Fryer Snacks!
  • Crispy Air Fryer Tacos

Top Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Tacos using Flour Tortillas

Making crispy tacos in the air fryer requires a little finesse. I’ve tested several strategies out and these are my top tips to achieve crispy taco success when using your air fryer. 

  1. Warm your tortillas first to make them pliable. My preferred method is to heat them over the open flame on my gas stovetop (plus they get a nice little char). You can also heat them up in the microwave, covered with a damp paper towel. Don't skip this step - it prevents the tortillas from cracking when you fold them into tacos.
  2. Lightly spray BOTH sides of the tortillas before assembling. Grab your trusty cooking spray and lightly mist both sides of your tortillas before adding the filling. Doing so prepares the exterior for crispness and helps prevent the interior from getting soggy from the filling. You could also lightly brush with olive or canola oil, just make sure to hit both sides.
Crispy Air Fryer Tacos

Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Tacos

What ingredients you decide to use in this Air Fryer Taco recipe aren't as important as following the instructions and top tips. This is one of those technique-driven recipes where you can feel free to get creative with the ingredients. But here’s the recipe I use often. Makes 8 tacos.  

Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Tacos, included here are flour tortillas, shredded chicken, and shredded cheese
  • 8 flour tortillas (I used La Banderita, ~6 inches diameter)
  • 1 large chicken breast, cooked and shredded (or leftover Rotisserie chicken)
  • 3(ish) cups cheddar cheese, shredded (I shred my own)
  • Cooking spray

Instructions - How to Make Air Fryer Tacos

Warm up your tortillas first to make them pliable (you can do this over the open flame of a gas stove or in your microwave). 

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to fry in batches (I usually cook four at a time). Spray both sides of each tortilla lightly with cooking spray (only do this with the ones you plan on cooking immediately) and set on a flat pan.

Add some cheese to half of each tortilla. Follow this with some shredded chicken. Top with a little more cheese and fold the tortilla over the filling. 

Add shredded chicken and shredded cheese to a warmed flour tortilla
Fold tortilla in half to make a taco

If necessary, preheat your air fryer. Add the tacos to the air fryer.

Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for, 12-14 minutes, flipping the tacos at around the 8-minute mark. 

Fit as many tacos as you can on a baking sheet and air fry

Remove from the air fryer and let sit for 2 minutes before digging in. Repeat with remaining tacos, if necessary. 

Crispy air fryer tacos, fresh from the oven.

Serve with your favorite salsa or guacamole. 

Crispy Air Fryer Tacos with creamy green sauce

Variations - What fillings can I use to make Air Fried Tacos?

I encourage you to make this recipe your own. I used some leftover shredded chicken, but choose whatever protein you like! Try using Grilled Ranch Chicken or Instant Pot Salsa Chicken!

  • Shredded or ground beef
  • Shredded or ground turkey
  • Shredded or ground pork
  • Chorizo
  • Black or pinto beans
  • Chickpeas
  • Sauteed peppers and onions

Same goes for the cheese! Choose one that melts nicely like the following, and avoid using pre-shredded cheese.

  • Oaxaca
  • Monterey jack
  • Pepper jack 

Equipment 

An air fryer! I snagged this Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Smart XL Air Fry Oven discounted on Amazon's Treasure Truck. It's been worth every penny. 

One of the first things I made in it was this Pork Enchilada Hot Dish and I have to say, the broiler function is money.

Note: While I'm using an oven-style air fryer, this recipe also works with basket-style air fryers (but depending on the size, you may have to fry in smaller batches).

Crispy Air Fryer Tacos

Leftovers

... just don’t reheat well. Plan on making what you need. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best toppings for Air Fryer Tacos?

So many great topping options! I recommend:
Pico de Gallo (or try this Cucumber Pico de Gallo!)
Homemade Guacamole
Taco Sauce or Hot Sauce
Salsa (try this Roasted Green Tomato Salsa!)
Sour Cream
Creamy Green Sauce (with Jalapeno and Spring Onion)

What should I serve with Air Fryer Tacos?

If you're looking for slammin' sides to serve with Crispy Air Fryer Tacos, definitely give these a try!
Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Refried Beans, Restaurant Style
Instant Pot Spanish Rice

Other Air Fryer Snacks!

  • Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
  • Air Fryer Walleye
  • Air Fryer Nachos
  • Air Fryer Pickle Spears
crispy air fryer tacos

Crispy Air Fryer Tacos

Air Fryer Tacos are delicious and turn out beautifully crisp every time -  if you know the prep tricks to achieving consistent, crispy results.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 14 minutes mins
Total Time 24 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Servings 8 tacos

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 8 flour tortillas (I used La Banderita, ~6 inches diameter)
  • 1 large chicken breast, cooked and shredded (or use leftover Rotisserie chicken)
  • 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (I shred my own)
  • Cooking spray

Instructions
 

  • Warm up your tortillas first to make them pliable (you can do this over the open flame of a gas stove or in your microwave).
  • Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to fry in batches (I usually cook four at a time). Spray both sides of each tortilla lightly with cooking spray (only do this with the ones you plan on cooking immediately) and set on a flat pan.
  • Add some cheese to half of each tortilla. Follow this with some shredded chicken. Top with a little more cheese and fold the tortilla over the filling. 
  • If necessary, preheat your air fryer. Add the tacos to the air fryer.
  • Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for, 12-14 minutes, flipping the tacos at around the 8-minute mark. 
  • Remove from the air fryer and let sit for 2 minutes before digging in. Repeat with remaining tacos, if necessary. 
  • Serve with your favorite salsa or guacamole.
Keyword air fryer tacos, crispy air fryer tacos
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Christina from Midwexican

About Christina

I'm a Minnesota native who can't get enough of south-of-the-border flavors. My recipes combine comforting Midwestern eats with bold Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors. If you love comforting food, bold flavors, and - most importantly - tacos! then you'll love what I'm cooking!

Learn more about me →

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