Crispy Air Fryer Beef and Cheese Chimichangas
You can make perfectly crispy, satisfying beef and cheese chimichangas using your air fryer. This recipe delivers the crunch of deep-fried food with less oil, making it a great weeknight Tex-Mex dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 medium flour tortillas (burrito size)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup refried beans (optional)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and water according to the seasoning packet directions. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the liquid reduces. Remove from heat and let the meat cool slightly.
- Lay a tortilla flat. If using, spread a thin layer of refried beans down the center. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the seasoned beef mixture over the beans. Sprinkle with cheese.
- Fold the sides of the tortilla inward over the filling, then tightly roll the tortilla up like a burrito. Secure the seam with a toothpick if necessary. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- Lightly brush or spray all sides of the rolled chimichangas with vegetable oil or cooking spray. This helps them crisp up.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Place the chimichangas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. You may need to cook in batches.
- Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove toothpicks before serving hot with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
Notes
- For an even crispier exterior, you can lightly spray the chimichangas again with oil halfway through the air frying time.
- You can prepare these ahead of time. Assemble the chimichangas, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and freeze them. When ready to cook, remove the plastic wrap and cook directly from frozen, adding about 3 to 5 minutes to the air fryer time.
- Use pre-cooked shredded chicken instead of ground beef for quick chicken chimichangas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chimichanga
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 55