Name: Crispy Air Fryer or Oven Tacos Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 12 6-inch corn tortillas (preferably gluten-free or gluten-free flour tortillas); 1 pound ground beef; 1 packet taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought); 1 cup dairy-free Mexican cheese or dairy-free cheddar cheese; Cooking oil spray; Pinch of salt; 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded; 1 cup pico de gallo; Salsa, guacamole, or Cilantro Ranch for serving

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

Crispy tacos are a delightful twist on the traditional taco, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite. Using an air fryer or oven, you can achieve perfectly crispy shells without deep frying. This recipe is simple, quick, and customizable for your favorite toppings.

The image shows five small tacos arranged on a white tray lined with paper, each made of a golden, crispy tortilla shell folded over three visible layers: a brown cooked meat layer at the bottom, topped with bright red salsa containing visible bits of tomato and onion, and finished with fresh green leafy lettuce. Small green cilantro leaves are scattered around the tacos. Near the bottom left corner of the tray is a small round metal cup filled with a creamy white sauce speckled with herbs. The tray sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

12 6-inch corn tortillas (gluten-free or gluten-free flour tortillas recommended)
1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning (homemade preferred, see notes)
1 cup dairy-free Mexican cheese (or dairy-free cheddar cheese)
1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded (optional, for topping)
1 cup pico de gallo (optional, for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, sprinkling the taco seasoning evenly. Stir well to coat the meat and cook until fully browned with no pink remaining. Set aside.
Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F or your oven to 425°F.
Step 3: Soften the tortillas by wrapping them in a wet paper towel and microwaving for 1-2 minutes until pliable. Alternatively, warm them in the oven on a sheet pan for 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Place your tortillas on parchment or foil. Lightly spray one side with cooking oil, then flip over. On the non-oiled side, spoon about 1 tablespoon of cheese on half the tortilla, add roughly 3 tablespoons of cooked beef on top, and fold the tortilla to cover the filling. Repeat for all tortillas.
Step 5: Air fryer method: Arrange tacos in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Spray generously with cooking oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Cook for 4 minutes, flip tacos, spray again with oil, and cook another 4-5 minutes until crispy and light brown, about 8-9 minutes total.
Step 6: Oven method: Place tacos on a parchment-lined baking sheet without overlap. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and bake for 10 minutes. Flip tacos, spray generously with cooking oil, and bake an additional 10 minutes until crispy and browned.
Step 7: Remove tacos once crispy. Serve immediately while hot and crunchy with your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole, or Cilantro Ranch.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with crumbled tofu or cooked lentils seasoned with taco spices.
Use homemade taco seasoning for more control over salt and spice levels.
Try adding sliced jalapeños or avocado slices inside the tacos before crisping for extra flavor.
If you don’t have cooking spray, lightly brush tortillas with oil using a pastry brush.

Storage

Store any leftover crispy tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to restore crispiness instead of the microwave. Avoid storing tacos with wet toppings like lettuce or salsa; add those fresh at serving time for the best texture.

How to Serve

The image shows a tray with six crispy golden brown tacos standing upright in a row on white parchment paper. Each taco has a deep yellow fried shell filled with layers of rich dark brown cooked ground meat at the bottom, topped with bright red chunky salsa and fresh shredded light green lettuce on top. The tacos are placed closely together inside a metal tray, and the background shows a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?

Yes, you can use flour tortillas if preferred. Just be sure to soften them well before filling and crisping. Keep in mind flour tortillas may be softer and less crispy than corn when cooked this way.

Can I prepare these tacos in advance?

You can assemble the tacos ahead of time and keep them refrigerated. Cook them fresh in the air fryer or oven just before serving to maintain crispiness. Avoid assembling toppings that add moisture until ready to eat.