Air Fryer Beefy Vegan Taquitos Recipe

Vegan ground beef: A plant-based alternative to traditional ground beef, providing a similar texture and flavor.

Diced onions: Adds a sweet and savory flavor to the filling.

Diced bell peppers: Provides a crunchy texture and a burst of color.

Garlic powder: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of garlic.

Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy flavor to the filling.

Chili powder: Brings a bit of heat and depth to the dish.

Small corn tortillas: The base for the taquitos, offering a slightly sweet and earthy flavor.

Vegan cheese: A dairy-free alternative that melts well and adds a creamy texture.

Cooking spray: Used to prevent the taquitos from sticking to the air fryer basket and to help them crisp up.

To ensure your taquitos come out perfectly crispy, make sure to not overfill the tortillas. Overfilling can cause them to burst open during cooking. Additionally, when rolling the taquitos, make sure the seam side is down in the air fryer basket to help them stay tightly rolled. If you find the corn tortillas are cracking, try microwaving them with a damp paper towel for about 20 seconds to make them more pliable.

• vegan ground beef - Substitute with lentils: Lentils provide a similar texture and are rich in protein and fiber.

• diced onions - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder flavor and can be used similarly in recipes.

• diced bell peppers - Substitute with diced zucchini: Zucchini adds a different texture and a mild flavor that complements the dish.

• garlic powder - Substitute with fresh minced garlic: Fresh garlic provides a more robust and aromatic flavor.

• cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander offers a citrusy and slightly sweet flavor that can enhance the dish.

• chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika provides a milder heat and a sweet, smoky flavor.

• corn tortillas - Substitute with whole wheat tortillas: Whole wheat tortillas are a healthier option and provide a different texture.

• vegan cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor and is rich in B vitamins.

• cooking spray - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be brushed on for a healthier and more flavorful alternative.

• Allow the taquitos to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
• For short-term storage, place the taquitos in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
• To freeze, arrange the taquitos in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer. This prevents them from sticking together.
• Once frozen, transfer the taquitos to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• When ready to reheat, preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the frozen taquitos in the basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
• For oven reheating, preheat the oven to 375°F. Arrange the taquitos on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until hot and crispy.
• Avoid microwaving the taquitos as it can make them lose their crispiness.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the leftover taquitos in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy again. This method ensures they retain their delightful crunch.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Arrange the taquitos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are hot and crispy. This method is great for reheating multiple taquitos at once.

• Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray. Place the taquitos in the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are heated through and crispy. This method is quick and adds a bit of extra crunch.

• Microwave Method: Place the taquitos on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Note that this method may not retain the crispiness as well as the other methods.

• Air fryer: Used to cook the taquitos until they are crispy without the need for deep frying.

• Pan: Utilized to cook the vegan ground beef along with the onions, bell peppers, and spices.

• Cooking spray: Helps to prevent the taquitos from sticking to the air fryer basket and ensures they get crispy.

• Spatula: Handy for stirring and cooking the vegan ground beef mixture in the pan.

• Knife: Essential for dicing the onions and bell peppers.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the vegetables.

• Spoon: Used to place the vegan ground beef mixture and vegan cheese onto the tortillas.

• Microwave: Useful for warming the tortillas to make them pliable.

• Tongs: Helps to place and remove the taquitos from the air fryer basket without burning your hands.

Prepare the filling: Cook the vegan ground beef, onions, and bell peppers in advance and store them in the fridge. This way, you can quickly assemble the taquitos when you're ready.

Warm tortillas efficiently: Stack the corn tortillas between damp paper towels and microwave them for 30 seconds. This makes them pliable and easy to roll.

Use pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded vegan cheese to save time on grating.

Batch cooking: Make a large batch of taquitos and freeze them. You can air fry them directly from the freezer for a quick meal.