Air Fryer Mini Tacos

Can you make these tacos in the oven?

Yes, follow the same instructions listed below for the air fryer mini tacos but bake in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 14-18 minutes until crispy. 

TIPS for air frying these tacos

First and foremost be sure to microwave your tortillas in a wet paper towel before folding. This will help keep them from splitting down the center when stuffing and folding. Some air fryers seem to blow a bit stronger than others causing the tortillas to fly open while cooking. For this air fryer mini tacos you can:

• Soak toothpicks in water while prepping and secure the tortillas with them in the air fryer 
• You can also add a “weight” by using a oven safe ramekin or similar to hold them down halfway through cooking if you do not want to use toothpicks. 

Can I use rotisserie chicken or beef?

Definitely! Use ground turkey, beef or chicken with the homemade taco seasoning and follow the cooking directions the same for the air fryer mini tacos. You can also use rotisserie chicken and season or leave as is. Another great find is Costco has pre pulled rotisserie chicken packaged so you get to avoid the pulling. 

What kind of air fryer do you use?

I have the COSORI Air Fryer Oven Combo 5.8QT Max XL Large Cooker, linked here. I do find it is pretty loud in the kitchen but it gets the job done and makes perfect air fryer mini tacos. We have had it for years without any issues.

We use our air fryer all the time and I’ve become a bit obsessed. Check out some of these other great air fryer recipes: 

• Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
• Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs

Can I use store bought taco seasoning?

While I love my homemade taco seasoning recipe, especially on these air fryer mini tacos, you can use your favorite. My favorite store bought brand is Siete Mild Taco Seasoning. I usually use half a pack of their seasoning per pound of meat. Don’t let homemade taco seasoning intimidate you though. Like all my recipes, it is easy to make and bonus it’s sugar free! 

Can I make this gluten and dairy free?

Yes, to make these air fryer mini tacos gluten and dairy free use your favorite gluten free tortillas and omit the cheese or use a dairy free cheese. For the sauce you will need to substitute out the ricotta and Greek yogurt with your dairy free choice. 

Ingredients and Substitutes:

These are the main ingredients and substitutions. See recipe card below for full ingredients list and instructions for Air Fryer Mini Tacos.

Chicken Breast: for this recipe I am using one pound of chicken breast, boiled and shredded. You can substitute with ground chicken, turkey, beef or just simply cheese. 

Corn Tortillas: to keep these low calorie I am using the Mission 25 calorie Yellow Corn Tortillas. Use your favorite small corn tortillas for this recipe. Flour will not crisp as well as corn. 

Taco Seasoning: while I love my homemade taco seasoning recipe, especially on these air fryer mini tacos, you can use your favorite. My favorite store bought brand is Siete Mild Taco Seasoning.

Cheese: to fill the tacos I am using shredded Mexican cheese blend. You can use cheddar, mozzarella or any shredded cheese you prefer. You could also leave the cheese out entirely. 

The Sauce!

These are the main ingredients and substitutions. See recipe card below for full ingredients list and instructions for Air Fryer Mini Tacos.

Ricotta Cheese: the ricotta cilantro crema uses part skim ricotta cheese. You can use full fat as well. 

Greek Yogurt: for this recipe I am using nonfat Fage plain Greek yogurt. Fage is my preferred brand to use but you can use your favorite. 

Cilantro: do not skip the cilantro as it’s the main ingredient! 

Lime: fresh or store bought squeezy jar lime juice will work. I use a lot of the store bought because limes are wildly expensive in Alaska. 

How to make Air Fryer Mini Tacos and Crema

Prep your chicken

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the raw chicken breast. Boil for 15-20 minutes until no longer pink. Once cooked through, shred with a fork and add to a mixing bowl. 

Pre your sauce

While the chicken is boiling prep your sauce. Add all the ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until it is completely creamy and no chunks remain. Set aside for topping your tacos. 

Season the chicken

Pre heat the air fryer while you season the chicken with taco seasoning. Add 1/4 cup of water and mix together well so all of the chicken is covered in seasoning. 

Prep the tortillas

Wet a paper towel and wrap the corn tortillas with the towel. Microwave for 20 seconds to soften so they’re easy to work with. 

Fill the tacos

Spray the air fryer with cooking spray. Fill each taco with cheese and chicken – see notes. Fold in half and add to the air fryer pan. Spray the tops with cooking spray. Repeat for as many tacos that can fit in the air fryer. 

Cook the tacos

Cook the tacos in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 minutes. Remove and top with crema, chopped red onions and cilantro. 

How to build the tacos

To keep the nutrition facts exactly as I have provided in the recipe card, use 14 grams of Mexican cheese blend, 40 grams of chicken and 14 grams of sauce per tacos for topping and dipping. 

Topping ideas

Top this air fryer mini tacos with crema, chopped red onion, cilantro and extra shredded cheese. Or just easy them straight out of the air fryer. 

What to serve with these tacos

Serve the air fryer mini tacos as a stand alone meal or with beans and rice on the side for a full blown Mexican take out meal. 

If you like this recipe be sure to check out some of our other easy air fryer recipes!

• Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
• Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
• Air Fryer Breaded Pork Tenderloin
• Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes