Going vegan is kinda huge right now and people do it for all sorts of reasons like wanting to be healthier, caring about animals or even helping the planet. But flipping your entire diet can feel tricky especially when youre just cravin something quick and tasty. Thats why having a few neat tricks to whip up plant based meals that dont taste like plain old salad is awesome.
One thing a lot of folks cant stop talking about is air frying, its got way less oil but still gets crunchy. Air fryers work by shooting hot air arround your food so it gets crisp on the outside but stays moist inside. It makes vegan comfort food way less greasy, plus its simpler to clean then a pan thats full of oil. Perfect for busy people who dont wanna spend forever scrubbing pans after cooking.
Of all the Mexican foods taquitos are extra fun, theyre those little rolled tortillas stuffed with yummy stuff. Normally theyre full of meat but you can swap in beans, veggies or spices to make them vegan. Its cool cos you can change up whats inside so no single taquito has to be the same and everyones happy. Theyre great for family dinners or parties and dont take all day to make.
Down below youll find a vegan air fryer taquito recipe thats super crunchy on the outside and packed with flavor inside, plus a bunch of ideas to switch it up and answers to common problems so even total beginners wont feel lost.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer
Air fryers have tons of health perks compared to deep frying. For one, you need way less oil but still get that nice crunch. Instead of dunking food in hot oil you just let a blast of hot air crisp it up. That way you cut a bunch of calories but still eat stuff that tastes fried.
Another good thing is you can cook really fast, which is great if youre always on the go. Most air fryers have presets so you dont have to guess time or temp, you just pick a mode and let it do its thing. No more oil splatters all over the stove or standing around watching pots boil.
And dont think theyre just for frying: you can roast veggies, bake muffins or even toast bread in some models. That means its a handy gadget no matter what you wanna make especially if youre vegan and wanna play with different textures without buying a million tools.
Vegan Diet Fundamentals
Being vegan means you dont eat or use any animal stuff so no meat, eggs, milk or anything that comes from animals. Lots of people do it because they feel bad for animals, want to protect the planet or just wanna feel healthier. Its a big change but after a while you might realize it isnt as hard as it seems.
Since you drop a lot of usual foods you gotta make sure you get enough of the good nutrients. Things like protein, iron, calcium, vitamin B12 and omega 3 can be tougher to find in plants but its there if you look. Eating beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruits and veggies helps you stay strong and healthy.
In these taquitos we use stuff like black beans, corn, quinoa or sweet potato cos they taste nice and give you energy. You can swap any of those for lentils or other beans if you wanna try new flavors.
Recipe for Vegan Air Fryer Taquitos
Ingredients
- 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- ½ cup diced bell pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- Cooking spray or a light brush of olive oil
- Optional toppings: avocado, salsa, vegan cheese, cilantro
Directions
- Prepare the Filling: In a bowl mash the black beans until theyre kinda chunky. Stir in the corn, bell pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt and pepper till everythings mixed.
- Assemble the Taquitos: Warm the tortillas in the microwave or on a skillet so they bend without cracking. Spoon some of the bean mix on one side of each tortilla and roll it up tight then set them seam-side down on a plate.
- Air Fry the Taquitos: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the taquitos in a single layer in the basket. Lightly spray the tops with oil for extra crisp. Cook about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway or until theyre golden and crunchy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Take the taquitos out and top with avocado, salsa, vegan cheese or cilantro. Serve right away with more salsa or guac on the side.
Cooking Tips and Advice
- Alternatives for Fillings: Try lentils, quinoa or different beans to mix up the taste.
- Preventing Cracking: Always warm tortillas before filling so they dont break. If theyre still stiff, cover them with a damp paper towel while heating.
- Dipping Sauces: Go for dairy-free sour cream, chipotle aioli or a zesty avocado sauce.
Variations of Vegan Air Fryer Taquitos
The best thing about taquitos is you can change the fillings any way you want. Here are some fun twists:
- Filling Substitutions: Swap black beans for shredded jackfruit or roasted sweet potatoes for a new texture.
- Spicy Elements: Add chopped jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the mix.
- Different Wraps: Use gluten-free tortillas or even big lettuce leaves for a low-carb choice.
- Cooking Times: Adjust the time a bit based on your air fryer so you get just the crunch you like.
Nutritional Benefits of the Ingredients
These ingredients arent just tasty, theyre good for you too:
- Black Beans: Packed with protein and fiber to keep you full and give you energy.
- Corn: Gives carbs for energy and a dose of B vitamins, plus a sweet pop of flavor.
- Tortillas: Provide extra carbs so you can stay active all day.
Putting these foods together gives you a balanced meal thats both yummy and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I prepare taquitos ahead of time? Yeah, you can roll them up and keep them in the frige until you’re ready to air fry.
- What can I use instead of tortillas? Try lettuce wraps or nori sheets for a low-carb option.
- How do I store leftovers? Put leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer to get them crispy again.
- Can I freeze taquitos? Sure, freeze them un-cooked. When you wanna eat, just air fry from frozen and add a few extra minutes.
Conclusion
Making vegan air fryer taquitos is a fun and easy way to start cooking plant based meals. With less oil, fast prep and tons of ways to customize, theyll quickly become a go to recipe. Give it a shot, mix up different fillings, and share what you come up with!
Vegan Air Fryer Taquitos
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Baking sheet optional
Ingredients
- 500 g sweet potatoes About 2 medium.
- 400 g black beans 1 can, drained and rinsed.
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 small corn tortillas
- as needed spray or oil cooking spray or olive oil For brushing.
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Peel and cube the sweet potatoes, then place them in a pot of boiling water. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the cooked sweet potatoes with a fork. Add the black beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Warm the corn tortillas slightly in the microwave for about 30 seconds to make them pliable.
- Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the sweet potato and black bean mixture onto the center of each tortilla.
- Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling and place seam-side down in the air fryer basket. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Lightly spray or brush the taquitos with cooking spray or olive oil for a crispy texture.
- Air fry the taquitos at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
- Serve warm with your favorite salsa or guacamole.
