Elevate your taco night with these crispy and delicious air fryer bean and cheese tacos. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a fun weekend snack, these tacos are easy to make and packed with flavor. The air fryer gives them a delightful crunch without the need for deep frying.
If you don't usually keep refried beans or corn tortillas in your pantry, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. Refried beans are typically found in the canned goods section, while corn tortillas are usually located in the bread or international foods aisle.

Ingredients For Air Fryer Bean And Cheese Tacos
Corn tortillas: These are the base of your tacos, providing a sturdy yet flexible shell.
Refried beans: A creamy and flavorful filling made from cooked and mashed beans.
Shredded cheese: Adds a melty, cheesy goodness to the tacos.
Olive oil: Helps to crisp up the tortillas in the air fryer.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure your tortillas come out perfectly crispy and golden, make sure to brush them lightly with olive oil on both sides. This helps achieve an even crispiness and prevents the tortillas from drying out. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook the tacos in batches if necessary to allow hot air to circulate freely around each taco.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
corn tortillas - Substitute with flour tortillas: Flour tortillas are a common alternative and provide a softer texture compared to corn tortillas.
corn tortillas - Substitute with whole wheat tortillas: Whole wheat tortillas offer a healthier option with more fiber and nutrients.
refried beans - Substitute with black beans: Black beans can be mashed to a similar consistency and provide a different flavor profile.
refried beans - Substitute with pinto beans: Pinto beans are often used to make refried beans and can be mashed for a similar texture and taste.
shredded cheese - Substitute with vegan cheese: Vegan cheese is a dairy-free alternative that melts similarly to regular cheese.
shredded cheese - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta cheese provides a tangy flavor and can be crumbled over the tacos.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.
olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used for its slightly sweet flavor and high smoke point.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the tacos to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make them soggy.
For short-term storage, place the tacos in an airtight container. Line the container with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.
Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes to regain crispiness.
For freezing, wrap each taco individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This helps prevent freezer burn and keeps them fresh.
Place the wrapped tacos in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw the tacos in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through and crispy.
For added flavor, serve with fresh toppings like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream after reheating.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover bean and cheese tacos in the basket in a single layer. Heat for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are warmed through and crispy again.
If you prefer using an oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the tacos in aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out. Place them on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes.
For a quick microwave method, place the tacos on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking to ensure they are heated through.
On the stovetop, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the tacos in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are warmed through and the cheese is melted.
If you have a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the tacos on the rack or a baking sheet and heat for 5-7 minutes until they are crispy and hot.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Air fryer: Used to cook the tacos to a crispy and golden finish without deep frying.
Basting brush: Used to lightly brush olive oil on the tortillas for added crispiness.
Spatula: Helpful for flipping the tacos halfway through the cooking process.
Measuring cup: Ensures accurate measurement of refried beans and shredded cheese.
Spoon: Used to spread the refried beans evenly on each tortilla.
Cutting board: Provides a clean surface to assemble the tacos.
Knife: Useful for cutting any additional toppings you might want to add.
Tongs: Handy for placing and removing the tacos from the air fryer basket.
Air fryer basket: Holds the tacos in a single layer for even cooking.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare the filling: Make the refried beans and shredded cheese mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
Use pre-made tortillas: Save time by using store-bought corn tortillas instead of making them from scratch.
Batch cooking: Cook multiple tacos at once in the air fryer to reduce overall cooking time.
Efficient assembly: Set up an assembly line to quickly spread beans, sprinkle cheese, and fold tortillas.
Preheat properly: Ensure the air fryer is fully preheated to 375°F (190°C) to cook the tacos evenly and quickly.

Air Fryer Bean and Cheese Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 pieces Corn tortillas
- 1 cup Refried beans
- 1 cup Shredded cheese
- 1 teaspoon Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of refried beans on each tortilla.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the beans.
- Fold the tortillas in half and brush lightly with olive oil.
- Place the tacos in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Saint Paddys Irish Sandwich Recipe25 Minutes
- Philadelphia Style Roast Pork Sandwiches Recipe2 Minutes
- Salmon BLT Sandwich Recipe25 Minutes
- Tuna Recipe25 Minutes
- Grilled Mac and Cheese Recipe35 Minutes
- Tomato Sandwich Recipe5 Minutes
- Shrimp Po' Boys Recipe30 Minutes
- Creamed Hot Lobster Sandwich Recipe35 Minutes
Leave a Reply