Description
This air fryer ground beef recipe offers a quick, flavorful, and healthier way to prepare seasoned ground beef perfect for tacos. Using simple spices and cooking the beef in an air fryer ensures a juicy texture with a deliciously spiced crust, ideal for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Taco Assembly
- 8 pieces taco shells
- Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect cooking temperature before adding the beef.
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the seasoned beef into small, compact meatballs approximately 1 inch in diameter to cook evenly and fit well inside taco shells.
- Arrange Meatballs in Basket: Place the meatballs in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between them for proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Cook for 10 minutes at 380°F, shaking the basket halfway through to turn the meatballs and promote even browning.
- Check Doneness: After 10 minutes, check if the meatballs are browned on the outside and fully cooked on the inside; cook for an additional 2-3 minutes if needed.
- Mash Meatballs: Remove the cooked meatballs from the air fryer and transfer to a bowl. Gently mash them with a spatula to create a ground beef texture suitable for filling taco shells.
- Warm Taco Shells: If desired, warm the taco shells in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or heat according to the package instructions to enhance their crispiness.
- Assemble Tacos: Fill each warmed taco shell with the mashed ground beef mixture and top with your preferred toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, or salsa.
Notes
- Adjust chili powder quantity to customize the spice level to your taste.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For gluten-free tacos, use certified gluten-free taco shells.
- Leftover cooked beef can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-13 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: air fryer ground beef, air fryer tacos, quick taco recipe, easy ground beef recipe, Mexican air fryer recipes
