Name: Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 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; 2 eggs; 24 corn tortillas, soft; 2 cups marble cheese, shredded; nonstick cooking spray; salsa; guacamole or sliced avocado; cilantro; sour cream; hot sauce; iceberg lettuce; cotija cheese, crumbled

I can’t get enough of these Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe—they’re the perfect blend of crispy, cheesy, and flavorful all rolled into a bite-sized snack. If you love Mexican-inspired appetizers, you’re going to want to make these ASAP!

A white rectangular plate holds four rolled, golden brown taquitos arranged diagonally in a slightly overlapping row. Each taquito is drizzled with two sauces: a smooth light brown sauce and a creamy white sauce, both applied in thin lines across the surface. Small bright green cilantro leaves are scattered on top, adding a fresh color contrast. At the top left corner of the plate, there is a wedge of fresh lime with a bright green peel and pale green flesh. The plate sits on a vibrant, multi-colored tile surface with intricate blue, orange, white, and yellow patterns in a variety of geometric shapes. 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

From the moment I first air fried these taquitos, I knew they’d become a staple in my kitchen. Crispy edges, juicy spiced beef, and melty marble cheese make every single bite a winner.

Quick and Easy: Prep and cook these in just 35 minutes total—perfect for last-minute cravings or casual gatherings.
Healthier Crispy Option: Air frying gives you that crunch you love without deep frying in oil.
Crowd-Pleaser: Makes 24 taquitos, so you’ll have plenty to share with hungry friends or family.
Flavor-Packed Filling: Spiced ground beef with sautéed onions and bell peppers hits all the savory notes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When shopping for this recipe, look for fresh, soft corn tortillas to avoid cracking when rolling. Using a good quality shredded marble cheese adds that delicious melt and a bit of mild sharpness that blends wonderfully with the beef filling.

Flat lay of fresh lean ground beef formed into a loose mound, one whole brown onion with papery skin, one fresh green bell pepper sliced to show seeds, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small pile of soft yellow corn tortillas stacked neatly, a small mound of shredded marble cheese with white and orange hues, a few whole garlic bulbs beside a small white ceramic bowl of garlic powder, a small white ceramic bowl of ground paprika powder, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse salt, a small white ceramic bowl of freshly ground black pepper, all arranged symmetrically 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

Ground beef: Lean beef keeps the filling flavorful without too much grease, so your taquitos won’t be soggy.
Onion: Adds a natural sweetness and depth when sautéed.
Green bell pepper: Gives a nice crunch and bright color to the filling.
Garlic powder: For that warm, savory punch that complements the beef perfectly.
Ground paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and a warm, earthy flavor.
Olive oil: Helps sauté the veggies and beef while keeping things light.
Salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning to bring all the flavors together.
Eggs: These bind the beef mixture, helping keep it moist and easy to roll.
Corn tortillas: The classic base, soft and pliable to wrap all those good fillings.
Marble cheese: A blend of white and yellow cheddar gives a gooey, flavorful melt.
Nonstick cooking spray: Keeps your taquitos crispy and prevents sticking in the air fryer.
Optional garnishes: Salsa, guacamole, cilantro, and more let you customize each bite.

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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 things about this Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Feel free to tailor the filling and toppings to suit your mood or what's in your pantry!

Spicy Kick: I love adding a finely chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper into the beef filling to up the heat. It adds a lively zing that pairs beautifully with the melting marble cheese.
Cheese Swap: For an extra creamy texture, try substituting part of the marble cheese with a bit of shredded Monterey Jack or even a sprinkle of queso fresco. It melts wonderfully and brightens the flavor.
Vegetarian Version: Replace ground beef with seasoned black beans or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian twist. You won’t miss the meat at all with these tasty alternatives.
Herb Freshness: Stir some chopped fresh cilantro or oregano into the beef mixture before rolling. It adds a lovely herbal note that freshens up each bite.
Make It Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use corn tortillas and check your seasoning blends for gluten. Perfect for those with dietary restrictions!

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

The image shows a white plate with four rolled tacos placed side by side. Each taco has a golden brown, slightly crispy shell with a textured surface. Inside, dark cooked filling is visible at the open end of each taco. The tacos are drizzled with thin lines of white sauce and light red sauce, and small green herb pieces are scattered on top. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with chopped green leafy vegetables sitting on a white marbled surface with colorful, patterned tiles around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics and Brown the Beef

Start by heating 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, stirring occasionally until the onions sweat and turn a lovely golden hue and the peppers soften—about 5 to 7 minutes. This slow softening builds a flavorful base for the beef. Next, add 1 ½ pounds of lean ground beef, breaking it up with your wooden spoon. Cook until it’s no longer pink and is starting to get a little crispy on the edges. This Maillard reaction adds texture and depth. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons garlic powder and 1 tablespoon ground paprika, mixing well and cooking until fragrant. Finally, season generously with salt and black pepper to taste, then remove from heat.

Step 2: Cool and Combine with Eggs

Transfer the cooked beef mixture into a bowl and stir it continuously for about 10 minutes to help it cool down evenly. This is key because you don’t want the eggs to scramble when you add them. In a small bowl, whisk the 2 eggs until smooth, then mix into the cooled beef mixture thoroughly. This step helps bind the filling so it holds together nicely when rolled.

Step 3: Assemble Your Taquitos

Lay a soaked corn husk strip or kitchen string horizontally on your clean work surface for sturdiness. Place one soft corn tortilla on top. Down the center of the tortilla, add 1 tablespoon of shredded marble cheese, followed by 1 ½ tablespoons of the beef filling layered right on top. Starting from the right, roll the tortilla tightly over the filling to the left, tucking in the edges as you go to keep everything enclosed. Secure the roll by tying it snugly in the middle with your corn husk strip or kitchen string. Trim off any excess. Repeat this warm, hands-on process with the remaining tortillas and filling—it’s part of the fun!

Step 4: Preheat and Prep the Air Fryer

Give your air fryer basket and rack (if you have one) a light spritz of nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the taquitos in a single layer inside the basket and on the rack—be careful not to crowd them so each one crisps evenly. Spray the tops with more cooking spray to encourage that signature golden finish.

Step 5: Crisp to Perfection in the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 375°F. If you’re using the extra rack, cook the taquitos on that rack for 8 minutes first—this cooks the top side evenly. Then remove the rack and taquitos together, flip the taquitos in the basket below, and air fry for an additional 4 minutes. Check crispiness, and if they need more time, add up to 2 extra minutes. Without the rack, air fry the taquitos in the basket for 6 minutes, flip, cook 3 more minutes, then add 2 extra minutes if needed. Keep an eye on them so you catch that perfect golden brown, crispy exterior every time.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once cooked, remove the taquitos from the air fryer. Untie and discard the corn husk strips or kitchen strings—don’t forget this step! Serve your crispy creations hot with your favorite garnishes like tangy salsa, creamy guacamole, cooling sour cream, fresh cilantro, or a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese.

Top Tip

Mastering the perfect Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe is all about a few key details. Here are some insider tips that make a world of difference for the best results.

Softening the Tortillas: Always steam or warm your corn tortillas before rolling if they seem stiff. This prevents cracking and makes rolling much easier.
Cooling the Beef Mixture: Let the beef filling cool before mixing in the eggs. Adding eggs to hot beef can cause them to scramble prematurely.
Securing the Rolls: Use soaked corn husk strips or kitchen string tied tightly to keep your taquitos rolled up during air frying — this step avoids unrolling and spillage of filling.
Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Space them out in the basket or on the rack so hot air circulates well for even crisping. Cooking in batches is worth the extra effort for that perfect crunch.

How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe

The image shows four steps of making rolled tortillas in an air fryer on a white marbled surface. In the first step, a woman's hand sprays oil on a round, lightly browned tortilla placed on a wooden cutting board with a folded tortilla piece at the top. In the second step, four rolled tortillas are stacked on the cutting board, and the open tortilla on the board is filled with a mix of ground meat and melted cheddar cheese in the center, ready to be rolled. The third step shows six rolled tortillas placed side by side in an air fryer basket, their surfaces soft and slightly spotted with browning marks. The fourth step displays the same six rolled tortillas now crispy and golden brown, nicely cooked in the air fryer basket. A white and black striped cloth is partially visible near the cutting board and air fryer. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

There’s no shortage of ways to dress up these crispy taquitos. Fresh salsa adds a bright, zesty touch, while creamy guacamole or sliced avocado brings richness. A dollop of sour cream cools down any extra spice, and crumbled cotija cheese sprinkled on top adds that authentic tangy finish. Don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce to elevate the flavors even more.

Side Dishes

Round out your Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe with some classic sides like crisp iceberg lettuce salad, Mexican rice, or refried beans. For a lighter option, try a fresh cucumber and tomato salad with lime and chili powder. These sides complement the boldness of the beef filling without overpowering the snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your crispy taquitos, let any leftovers cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This keeps them fresh and ready for a quick snack or meal later.

Freezing

Want to prep ahead? Once assembled, freeze the taquitos before air frying by lining them on a baking sheet and freezing until firm. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to 2 months. To cook, simply air fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time until golden and crispy.

Reheating

To reheat refrigerated or frozen Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos, pop them back into the air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. This refreshes that signature crispiness much better than a microwave, keeping them deliciously crunchy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?

Yes, you can substitute flour tortillas if you prefer. Just be mindful that flour tortillas are softer and might roll more easily, but the classic texture and flavor of corn tortillas make them ideal for authentic crispy taquitos.

Why do we add eggs to the beef filling?

The eggs act as a binder, helping to hold the beef and cheese together inside the taquito so they don’t spill out during air frying. Just be sure to add eggs once the beef mixture has cooled to prevent scrambling.

Can I make these taquitos spicy?

Absolutely! Feel free to add chopped jalapeños to the filling or sprinkle chili powder or cayenne pepper along with the garlic powder and paprika for a bit of heat in your crispy air fryer beef taquitos.

Is an air fryer necessary to make this recipe?

While air frying gives you perfectly crispy taquitos with less oil, you can also bake them in a conventional oven at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, but the air fryer is ideal for quick and even crisping.

Final Thoughts

There’s something immensely satisfying about biting into these golden, crispy air fryer beef taquitos filled with savory and cheesy goodness. Whether you're serving them up for a casual get-together, game day, or just a fun family night, this Crispy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos Recipe delivers big on flavor with minimal fuss. I hope these tips and ideas inspire you to savor every crunchy, delicious bite!