Air Fryer Navajo Tacos
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My Air Fryer Navajo Tacos are easy to make, even with homemade fry bread. Add your favorite toppings for an easy weeknight recipe that will wow everyone!
If you’re new around here, you may not know that I absolutely LOVE tacos in every shape and form! This fry bread recipe has been in the family for years and I still make it on a regular basis.
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Making Navajo tacos is a great spin on the traditional taco you are used to eating. But you may be wondering how they are different.
How Are Navajo Tacos Different from Regular Tacos?
For starters they are much easier to eat on the go. Think of fry bread (in the shape of a bagel) with all of your regular taco toppings piled on top. Almost like an open faced taco.
And Navajo Tacos are considered one of the top 10 state dishes in Arizona and are very popular throughout the Southwest. You’ll even find them on restaurant menus.
Rather than using a flour or corn tortilla, we are making a homemade fry bread, which is soft, fluffy and aah-mazing.
What You Need for Air Fryer Navajo Tacos
Fry Bread Ingredients
Flour – we are using all purpose
Salt
Baking powder
Warm water
Oil
Taco Toppings
Cooked & seasoned taco meat – use my favorite homemade taco seasoning
Shredded cheddar cheese – freshly shredded is the best and adds more flavor
Shredded lettuce
Tomatoes
Onions
Kitchen Gadgets & Tools
- Air fryer
- Stand mixer with dough hook
How to Make Fry Bread Dough
Add all of the dry dough ingredients into the mixing bowl. Using the dough hook attachment, turn the mixer on. Slowly add in your water and oil.
Let the mixer knead on medium-slow speed for 5-10 minutes, until the dough no longer sticks to the edges of the bowl and a dough ball has formed.
Add a little oil to a large and place the dough ball in the greased bowl. Dampen a cloth and place over the bowl. Allow dough to rest for about 2 hours.
While the dough is resting, prepare your ground beef by browning and seasoning the meat.
After the dough has rested, cut the dough into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball (about the size of a golf ball), then press them down so they are ¼ of an inch thick.
How To Make Navajo Tacos in the Air Fryer
Coat the bottom of your air fryer basket with enough oil so the dough disk doesn’t stick. Place the flattened dough balls in the basket, making sure they aren’t touching (you may need to cook in batches). Mist the dough with a little bit of oil.
Start air frying at 330 degrees for 7 minutes. Flip the dough, spritz with a little more oil and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Subsequent batches may cook a little faster.
Top your fry bread with taco meat and desired toppings, and you’re ready to eat.
More Navajo Taco Topping Ideas
If you love all of the traditional taco toppings, you can use them here, too! Here are a few more ideas on ways to serve:
- Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Taco sauce
- Chopped avocado
Making air fryer Navajo tacos is great for weeknights. You can prepare the fry bread earlier in the day, then reheat and add toppings.
But don’t forget about entertaining! You can turn this simple dinner into a fun taco bar party for your guests.
Serve Navajo Tacos as a Dessert
Did you know you can turn the fry breads into a yummy dessert? Yes, you certainly can!!
Once the fry bread is made, simply dust it with a little powdered sugar and/or cinnamon sugar mix, then add a drizzle of honey. You can also top with an icing similar to what is used on top of cinnamon rolls.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes To Try:
**Save Air Fried Navajo Tacos Recipe for Later**
Air Fryer Navajo Tacos
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 pound cooked & seasoned taco meat
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups chopped lettuce
- 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
Instructions
- Combine all the dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Using the bread hook, mix in the water and oil. Knead on medium-slow speed for 5-10 minutes, until the dough forms a ball and no longer sticks to the side of the bowl.
- Place the dough ball in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth and let the dough rest for 2 hours.
- Cut the dough into 12 golf-ball sized pieces and shape into balls.
- Using your hands, flatten the dough balls to form a small flat bread 1/4” thick.
- Mist or brush the air fryer basket with a light coating of oil. Place flattened dough in the greased basket and spritz with oil.
- Cook on 330 degrees F for 7 minutes, flip, spritz with oil and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Top with taco meat, lettuce, cheese, onion and tomatoes.
Notes
- For an easy weeknight dinner, prepare the fry breads & taco meat ahead of time. To serve, reheat the breads and meat and serve with desired toppings.
- For a dessert option: serve the fried dough with honey, dusted with powdered sugar or a cinnamon & sugar mixture.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
