Cooking mini tacos in the air fryer is a game-changer! You’ll have crispy air fryer mini tacos in minutes for a quick snack, easy appetizer, or light lunch. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauces—guacamole, chunky salsa, or creamy chipotle lime sauce for the perfect bite.
Why Make Mini Tacos in the Air Fryer?
A better question is, why settle for soggy microwaved mini tacos when the air fryer makes them perfectly crispy? Quick and easy to make, air fryer mini tacos are an ideal after-school snack or game-day appetizer. Pop the tacos into the basket and let the air fryer handle the rest!
If you are looking for easy appetizers, try air fryer chicken sausages, air fryer frozen sweet potato fries, or air fryer Buffalo chicken tenders.
Key Ingredients
Air frying is the best way to enjoy frozen or homemade mini tacos—it keeps them crispy on the outside and warm on the inside.
Grab a box of your favorite brand of frozen mini tacos—I usually buy the big box of Jose Ole mini tacos from Costco— but there are many brands to choose from in the frozen foods section at grocery stores.
What are the best brands of mini tacos?
José Olé – A classic in the frozen snack aisle, the Jose Ole brand is my go-to for crispy, flavorful mini tacos.
El Monterey – El Monterey’s mini tacos are a fan favorite for their extra crunchy mini tacos.
Amy’s Kitchen – Amy’s offers a popular organic option of frozen mini tacos that many people enjoy.
Trader Joe’s – I am adding Trader Joe’s to the list simply for the lore. They used to have the best mini tacos on the market, causing Trader Joe’s mini chicken tacos and mini beef tacos to gain a cult following online. However, they must have changed suppliers because the new ones are not as good. Let’s hope they return.
Additions and Substitutions
- Spice things up. Sprinkle spices like taco seasoning or tajin over the tacos for even more flavor.
How to Make Air Fryer Mini Tacos
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the frozen mini tacos in a single layer in the air fryer basket– careful they don’t overlap.
Step 2: Cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the tacos halfway through until the tacos are warmed and golden brown.
Expert Tips
- Cook from frozen. No need to thaw—keep the mini tacos frozen until you’re ready to cook them.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Arrange the mini tacos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a bit of space between each one to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
- Shake halfway through. Give the basket a good shake halfway through the cooking time or flip the mini tacos to ensure they crisp up evenly on all sides.
- Keep the tacos warm. Whether working in batches or cooking a bunch of tacos, I recommend transferring the heated tacos to a tortilla keeper lined with paper towels or a serving dish covered with foil.
If you enjoy the mini air fryer tacos, try more air fryer recipes from Jamil Ghar!
How to Serve Mini Tacos
This is such an easy air fryer recipe. Crispy mini tacos are an ideal appetizer, delicious snack, or easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love. It’s a great way to get food on the table in less than 10 minutes. Pair them with cilantro-lime rice, refried beans, vegan Mexican rice, sautéed veggies, or a refreshing avocado cucumber tomato salad.
Serve tiny tacos with your favorite taco toppings (chopped lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and pickled jalapeños) and sauces like avocado lime crema, salsa verde, serrano crema, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
Air fryer mini tacos are a great addition to any snack spread. Place mini tacos on a large platter with other small bites like brisket sliders, taquitos, and nachos for your next party or gathering.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: I don’t know about you, but I generally don’t end up with leftovers when I make mini tacos. If you do, store the tacos in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- Reheat: Warm the leftover mini tacos in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 380℉ (193℃) until the tacos are crispy and ready to eat again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook mini tacos in the air fryer?
The cooking time for mini tacos in the air fryer ranges from 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the strength of your air fryer and the size of the tacos you are heating.
Do I need extra oil to cook frozen mini tacos?
No need for extra oil or non-stick cooking spray. The frozen mini tacos typically have a thin layer of oil on the outside to help them become crispy as they cook.
Cooking air fryer mini tacos is simple and fast. Make this easy air fryer recipe your go-to when you need to whip up something quick. Prepare a batch of these crispy tacos using simple ingredients and minimal prep work.
More Taco Recipes:
- Carne Asada Tacos
- Homemade Tacos with Ground Beef
- Instant Pot Carnitas
- Chimichurri Steak Tacos
Air Fryer Mini Tacos
- ½ bag frozen mini tacos
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the frozen mini tacos in a single layer in the air fryer basket– careful they don’t overlap.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the tacos halfway through until the tacos are warmed and golden brown.
- Cook from frozen. No need to thaw—keep the mini tacos frozen until you’re ready to cook them for the best results.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Arrange the mini tacos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a bit of space between each one to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
- Shake halfway through.Give the basket a good shake halfway through the cooking time or flip the mini tacos to ensure they crisp up evenly on all sides.
- Keep the tacos warm. Whether working in batches or cooking a bunch of tacos, I recommend transferring the heated tacos to a tortilla keeper lined with paper towels or a serving dish covered with foil.