Pioneer Woman Air Fryer Taquitos

Pioneer Woman air fryer taquitos are an easy appetizer made with leftover shredded beef, corn tortillas and green chiles, ready in about an hour. Save this crispy taquito recipe for Super Bowl, Cinco de Mayo or birthday parties, because it's made without any hot oil.

Warming the tortillas in a damp paper towel is the step that decides whether these taquitos roll or crack, because cold corn tortillas split the moment you bend them. Skipping it means torn shells and filling spilling out before they ever reach the air fryer basket.

Brushing the taquitos with oil and flipping them halfway gives you a deep golden crunch that usually takes a pot of hot oil to get. The salsa and green chile mixed right into the beef also keeps the filling moist, so leftover pot roast never turns dry inside the crisp shell.

Pioneer Woman Air Fryer Taquitos

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: AppetizerCuisine: American, Tex-MexDifficulty: Easy

Servings

16

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

140

kcal

Spiced shredded beef is rolled tightly in warm corn tortillas, sealed with egg wash and air fried in batches. Each one comes out shatteringly crisp outside with a juicy, chile-laced filling inside.

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. red salsa, plus more to serve
  

• 1 (4-oz.) can chopped green chiles, drained
  

• 2 tsp. chili powder
  

• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  

• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  

• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  

• 3 c. leftover shredded beef, such as pot roast or braised beef
  

• Kosher salt, to taste
  

• Ground black pepper, to taste
  

• 24 (6-in.) corn tortillas
  

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  

• Cooking spray
  

• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
  

• Guacamole, to serve
  

• Sour cream, to serve
  

• Shredded Mexican blend cheese, to serve
  

Directions

• Mix the filling: Combine the salsa, green chiles, chili powder, oregano, garlic powder and onion powder in a large bowl. Stir in the shredded beef, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Warm the tortillas: Wrap 2 to 3 tortillas in a damp paper towel and set them on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute until warm and pliable, then repeat as you work through the rest.
• Roll and seal: Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the beef mixture in a line at one end of a tortilla and roll it up tightly. Brush the edge with the beaten egg and press firmly to seal, then repeat with the remaining tortillas.
• Air fry the first side: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F if needed, then spray the basket with cooking spray. Brush the taquito tops with oil and place 8 seam-side-down in the basket, cooking for 6 to 8 minutes until golden.
• Flip and crisp: Turn the taquitos over and brush them with a little more oil. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes more until crispy, then repeat with the remaining batches.
• Serve hot: Pile the taquitos on a platter while they are still crackling hot. Serve them with guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese and extra salsa for dipping.

Tools for this recipe

• Ninja AF101 4-quart air fryer, OXO silicone pastry brush, OXO 12-inch locking tongs, Diamond Crystal kosher salt, 3 lb. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

What kind of beef works best for these taquitos?

Leftover pot roast or braised beef is ideal because it shreds easily and already has plenty of flavor. Just make sure it is pulled into small strands so it rolls tightly inside the tortilla.

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?

You can, and flour tortillas are actually more flexible, so they may not need as much warming. The texture will be softer and less crunchy than corn, though, which is what gives classic taquitos their signature bite.

Can I make the taquitos ahead of time?

Yes, roll and seal them up to a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Then air fry them straight from the fridge, adding a minute or two if they feel extra cold.

Why did my air fryer taquitos turn out dry?

Skipping the oil brush is the usual reason, since the corn tortillas need a little fat to crisp instead of drying out. Overfilling the basket can also trap steam and make them leathery, so stick to 8 at a time.

How do I reheat leftover taquitos?

Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes until hot and crisp again. The microwave will warm them but leaves the shells soft, so I avoid it when crunch matters.