17 Mexican Air Fryer Recipes To Try

Do you only use your air fryer for fries and chicken wings? 

I get it, they come out perfectly every time! But maybe it’s time to branch out and try a few of these awesome Mexican air fryer recipes!

Make everything from quesadillas and taquitos to fajitas and tacos, all in the easy-to-clean basket.

Better still, you’ll use minimal oil and still get crazy tender and crispy food. What more could you ask for?

1. Air Fryer Chimichangas

Chimichangas are essentially deep-fried burritos, and they contain everything you’d expect, from ground beef or chopped pork to tomatoes, rice, and beans. 

Of course, burritos are already quite filling and calorific, so cooking them again in a vat of oil isn’t ideal if you’re trying to eat healthily. 

Luckily for us all, you can get the same great taste and texture of a chimichanga without all that added grease!

It just needs 8 to 10 minutes in the air fryer. 

2. Air Fryer Quesadillas

How many times have you tried to make a quesadilla on the stove only to have the filling tumble out when you try to flip it?

That’s why I love the air fryer so much.

Though you’ll still have the flip your quesadilla to ensure even cooking, the cheese will already be melted, so everything should stay right in place.

3. Easy Air Fryer Taquitos

Taquitos are one of my all-time favorite late-night snacks. They’re crunchy, spicy, and loaded with tender meat.

Unfortunately, they won’t come out quite right in the oven. 

So, to guarantee a crispy outer shell, just spray with a bit of cooking spray before adding them to the basket. 

4. Air Fryer Steak Fajitas

This recipe for steak fajitas will make your next taco Tuesday one to talk about. 

Just slice the steak, peppers, and onion, and toss in your favorite seasoning before cooking for around 12 minutes. 

Don’t forget the guac!

5. Air Fryer Cheesy Taco Crescents

If you’re looking for a taco-style recipe that’s a little more filling, these crescent tacos are for you. 

Instead of using tortillas, you’ll wrap your favorite taco fillings in canned crescent dough like a pizza pocket.

Once baked, they’ll be pillowy and piping hot. 

6. Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn on the Cob

If you only try one recipe on this list, let it be this one! I can’t oversell this stuff enough, and you’ll have to try it to believe it. 

Once the corn is nice and charred, go ahead and brush some mayo or sour cream over the cob.

Then, roll it in plenty of cotija cheese and finish with lots of zesty Tajin.

(Check out my post – What is Tajin – if you’ve never tried it and get ready to have your mind blown! This stuff is addictive.)

7. Air Fryer Empanadas

Empanadas should be light, flaky, and loaded with delicious fillings. In this case, you’ll use spiced beef and onions. 

Of course, these would be just as good if you added chicken or carnitas. 

8. Street Corn Empanadas

As much as I love the corn on the cob recipe above, I have to admit that it’s deliciously messy to eat. 

So, if you want the same fantastic taste just without the pile of used napkins, why not try these corn empanadas?

They’re full of roasted corn, jalapeños, onion, and plenty of lime juice. 

9. Air Fryer Churros

You won’t believe how amazing these air fryer churros come out! Serve them at your next party, and nobody will guess they’re not deep-fried. 

The trick is to make the churro dough, pipe them onto a baking sheet, then leave them to chill in the fridge.

That way, you can easily lift them into the air fryer basket.

10. Air Fryer Burrito

When they make burritos in restaurants, they seal them shut on the flat-top grill. That’s how they keep everything packed in neat and tight. 

To recreate that at home, just use the air fryer.

Be sure to wrap everything, so there are no gaps, then place them seam down in the basket. After a few minutes, they’ll be good to go. 

11. Easy Air Fryer Salsa Verde

Tomatillos are bright and tangy, but they add something special when cooking with them.

Make them into salsa verde, and you can add it to tacos or serve with chips for a yummy dip. 

If you’ve ever made any kind of sauce before, you’ll know that roasting the ingredients first helps bring out their flavor. 

And unless you’re making a huge batch, using your air fryer means you won’t need to turn the oven on for such a small amount of food.

12. Air Fryer Taco Salad Bowls

There’s something so satisfying about eating out of a crunchy tortilla bowl. But they’re not that easy to make in the oven without the right baking dish.

The good news is that your air fryer basket is just about the perfect size. 

And since they’ll only need about 5 minutes, you could easily feed the whole family.

13. Air Fryer Mexican Pizza Recipe

This is a lot like the infamous Taco Bell Mexican pizza, and it’s super satisfying. 

Layered between two tortillas, you’ll find tender refried beans, taco meat, salsa, and lots of cheese. 

To top it off, there’s even more cheese on top plus a little taco sauce to bring it all together. 

14. Air Fryer Shrimp Taco Recipe

I typically cook shrimp over high heat on the stove with lots of garlic and butter. They’ll only need a couple of minutes until they’re pink and perfect. 

As rich as adding butter makes these, it’s not the healthiest choice. 

So, if you want a lighter version, just pop them in the air fryer for around 5 minutes.

15. Air Fryer Shrimp Fajitas

The trick to making shrimp fajitas in the air fryer is to cook the peppers and onions first.

They’ll need around 12 minutes, so if you were to add the shrimp with them, they’ll come out rubbery.

Once the peppers are tender, you can add the shrimp and cook for the final few minutes. 

16. Air Fryer Tostadas

Tostadas are like open-face tacos and can be topped with everything from beans and cheese to shredded beef or chicken. 

The main difference is that the tortilla should be crispy instead of soft. 

Use the extra rack to cook two at once, and add any cheese for the last couple of minutes in the basket, so it will melt. 

17. Air Fryer Enchiladas

The critical aspect of enchiladas is the topping. You need plenty of sauce and even more cheese!

The stuffed tortillas get smothered and baked, leaving you with a warm and comforting dinner in no time at all. 

You can even save on dishes with this air fryer recipe by lining the basket with foil.