Air Fryer Mexican Pizza: The Ultimate Quick & Easy Taco Bell Copycat Recipe for Speedy Dinners
Recreate the beloved Taco Bell classic at home with this incredibly quick and easy Air Fryer Mexican Pizza recipe! Ready in under 25 minutes, it’s the perfect solution for a flavorful weeknight family dinner that satisfies all your taco cravings. Minimal ingredients, maximum taste, and a truly unbeatable dupe for the fan-favorite.
Who else vividly remembers the joy of biting into a crispy, cheesy Taco Bell Mexican Pizza? The sheer delight of that layered flavor combination, with its perfectly seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and tangy sauce, all encased between two golden-brown tortillas, was truly a fast-food masterpiece. If you, like many, have been left with a craving since its periodic disappearances from the menu, prepare to rejoice! This homemade Air Fryer Mexican Pizza recipe is here to bring that nostalgic taste right back into your life, faster and easier than ever before.
Our version of this iconic treat is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. It’s a super simple, speedy meal that will quickly become a go-to for busy evenings. What makes these Mexican pizzas truly exceptional is their versatility. They can be cooked to crispy perfection in an air fryer, offering that desirable crunch and quick turnaround, or baked in an oven, which is ideal when you’re feeding a larger family or preparing multiple pizzas at once. Filled with savory taco meat and creamy refried beans, then generously topped with a blanket of melted cheese and a drizzle of your favorite taco sauce, this combo is simply unbeatable. Each pizza takes less than 5 minutes to cook in the air fryer, making assembly and cooking a breeze. Plus, they’re incredibly customizable – pile on your favorite Mexican toppings from fresh salsa to vibrant cilantro. My entire family is absolutely obsessed with these flavorful pizzas, and everyone always leaves the table feeling satisfied and happy!
Essential Ingredient Notes for Your Perfect Mexican Pizza
Crafting the perfect Air Fryer Mexican Pizza starts with understanding your ingredients. Here’s a deeper dive into the components that make this recipe so special:
Taco Meat: The heart of any good Mexican pizza is its savory meat filling. While I personally love the convenience and flavor of my Instant Pot Taco Meat, often using leftovers for this recipe, you have plenty of flexibility here. Feel free to use your preferred method for cooking ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based alternative) seasoned with your favorite taco spices. Preparing the taco meat ahead of time is a fantastic time-saving hack that makes this recipe come together even faster. For those looking to explore other options, consider swapping the ground meat for a shredded Mexican-style chicken or even creating a delightful vegetarian version using seasoned lentils or black beans.
Tortillas: For an authentic feel and hearty portion, I recommend using large burrito-sized flour tortillas. These provide a great canvas for layering all the delicious fillings. However, it’s crucial to consider the size of your air fryer basket. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to adjust and use taco-sized flour tortillas instead. In that scenario, you’ll be able to make 6-8 smaller, equally delicious pizzas rather than 4 large ones. Don’t be afraid to lightly crisp your tortillas in the air fryer for a minute or two before assembling to ensure maximum crunch!
Refried Beans: These creamy beans are a crucial layer, adding moisture and classic Mexican flavor. Canned refried beans work perfectly for convenience. Just ensure they are spread evenly across the tortilla. If you’re going for a vegetarian or vegan option, double-check that your refried beans are vegetarian-friendly (many brands use lard, so look for a specific vegetarian label).
Taco Sauce: The taco sauce binds all the flavors together and provides that essential tangy kick. My family and I typically opt for a mild taco sauce, which is a crowd-pleaser. However, this is where you can truly customize to your taste! Feel free to substitute with a spicy taco sauce if you enjoy a bit of heat, or even use enchilada sauce for a slightly different, yet equally delicious, flavor profile. A combination of sauces can also create a unique and personal taste experience. The overall concept and layering will remain the same, regardless of your sauce choice.
Shredded Cheese: A blend of Mexican-style shredded cheese melts beautifully and provides that gooey, satisfying layer. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a “Mexican blend” are all excellent choices. For best results, shred your own cheese from a block; it melts smoother than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents.
Why This is a Must Make!
Quick & Easy: Only 5 Minutes Per Pizza!
Kid Approved: Great for Weeknight Family Dinners
Versatile: Easily Customize with Different Toppings
Minimal Ingredients Required
Let’s dive deeper into why this Air Fryer Mexican Pizza should be on your regular meal rotation:
- Unbelievably Quick & Easy: In today’s fast-paced world, finding a meal that’s both delicious and quick to prepare is a game-changer. These Mexican pizzas fit the bill perfectly, cooking in just 4-5 minutes per pizza in the air fryer. If your taco meat is prepped, you can have a hot, flavorful dinner on the table in under 25 minutes from start to finish. It’s faster than ordering takeout and infinitely more satisfying!
- Kid-Approved & Family-Friendly: Getting everyone to agree on dinner can be a challenge, but this recipe is a guaranteed winner with kids and adults alike. The familiar flavors of tacos and pizza combine into a fun, interactive meal that even the pickiest eaters will love. Plus, because they’re so easy to customize, each family member can top their pizza exactly how they like it!
- Highly Versatile & Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic canvas for creativity. While the core ingredients are delicious, you can easily adapt it to suit various tastes and dietary preferences. Add extra veggies, swap proteins, or experiment with different sauces and cheeses. The possibilities are endless, ensuring you’ll never get bored!
- Requires Minimal, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need a special trip to the gourmet store for this recipe. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples that you likely already have on hand, or can easily find at any grocery store. This makes it a convenient and budget-friendly option for any night of the week.
Step-by-Step Air Fryer Instructions
Making these Air Fryer Mexican Pizzas is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for perfectly crisp and cheesy results:
- **Prepare Your Taco Meat:** First, ensure your taco meat is fully cooked. You can prepare it on the stove top or, for ultimate convenience, use your Instant Pot. I highly recommend cooking it ahead of time and utilizing leftover taco meat; this significantly cuts down on your prep time for this recipe.
- **Preheat and Assemble:** Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Once preheated, carefully lay one large flour tortilla flat into the air fryer basket.
- **Layer the Beans:** Evenly spread a generous layer of refried beans across the surface of the tortilla. Ensure coverage to the edges for a full-flavored bite.
- **Add the Taco Meat:** Next, spread an even layer of your cooked taco meat over the refried beans. Don’t overfill, as this can make the pizza soggy (more on that in our Pro Tips!).
- **Second Tortilla:** Gently place a second flour tortilla directly on top of the meat and bean filling, creating a delicious sandwich.
- **Sauce and Cheese:** Spread approximately ¼ cup of your chosen taco sauce over the top of the second tortilla. Then, generously sprinkle ½ to 1 cup of shredded Mexican-style cheese over the sauce.
- **Air Fry to Perfection:** Close the lid of your air fryer and cook at 360 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 4-5 minutes. You’re looking for the cheese to be beautifully melted and bubbly, and the tortillas to be warm and slightly crispy.
- **Serve and Garnish:** Once cooked, carefully remove the hot Mexican pizza from the air fryer using a large spatula. Transfer it to a plate and immediately top with your favorite fresh garnishes such as diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, and black olives. For an extra flourish, consider adding a dollop of sour cream, a spoonful of salsa, or a scoop of guacamole. Enjoy this delicious homemade classic while it’s warm!
Make it Vegetarian!
If you prefer, you can easily adapt this Air Fryer Mexican Pizza recipe to be vegetarian. Simply omit the taco meat and instead add in some flavorful cooked fajita veggies (like sautéed peppers and onions) or even a spoonful of warm corn salad. Just be sure that your chosen refried beans are also vegetarian-friendly to keep the dish entirely meat-free.
Oven Instructions for Batch Cooking
Don’t have an air fryer, or simply need to make a larger quantity of Mexican pizzas at once? The oven is a fantastic alternative that still yields delicious results. The Mexican pizzas turn out wonderfully crispy and gooey, allowing you to feed a crowd with ease.
- **Prepare Your Pizzas:** Follow all the assembly steps (1-7) outlined in the Air Fryer Instructions above for cooking the taco meat and filling the Mexican Pizzas. Layer the tortillas with beans, meat, sauce, and cheese as directed.
- **Preheat Oven & Arrange:** Preheat your oven to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). While the oven heats, carefully place your assembled Mexican Pizzas onto a large baking sheet. Depending on the size of your pizzas and baking sheet, you can usually fit two per sheet. For easy cleanup and to prevent sticking, you might want to line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
- **Bake to Perfection:** Bake in the preheated oven for 5-10 minutes. The baking time can vary slightly based on your oven, so keep an eye on them. You’ll know they’re ready when the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and the tortillas are golden brown and crispy around the edges.
- **Serve Warm:** Once cooked, carefully remove the Mexican pizzas from the oven and transfer them from the pan. Serve them warm with your choice of fresh toppings, just as you would with the air fryer version. Enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness!
How to Store Leftovers
These Mexican pizzas are undeniably at their best when enjoyed fresh and warm, straight out of the air fryer or oven. However, if you find yourself with leftovers, you can certainly save them! Simply wrap them tightly in aluminum foil and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For reheating, I typically keep mine wrapped in foil and warm them gently in the oven until heated through and the cheese is melted again. This method helps maintain some of their crispness.
Pro Tips for Success
To ensure your homemade Air Fryer Mexican Pizzas turn out perfectly every time, keep these expert tips in mind:
Don’t Overfill
While it might be tempting to pile on the taco meat and refried beans, resist the urge to overstuff your tortillas. If you add too much filling, the tortillas won’t hold up as well under the weight and moisture, leading to a soggy, less enjoyable pizza. Additionally, an overfilled pizza is prone to bursting out the sides when you cut into it or try to eat it, making for a messy experience. A thin, even layer of each component is key to maintaining structural integrity and achieving that desirable crispiness.
Air Fryer Tips
Getting the most out of your air fryer for this recipe is crucial for that signature crispy texture:
- **Preheat is Prime:** As with almost all air fryer cooking, I always recommend preheating your air fryer before adding any food. This ensures the cooking chamber is at the optimal temperature from the start, helping the food cook faster and more evenly, and leading to a crispier exterior.
- **Spray for No Stick:** To prevent your tortillas from sticking to the basket and to enhance their crispiness, make sure to lightly spray the air fryer basket with your oil of choice (such as avocado oil or olive oil spray). This little step makes a big difference in the final texture and ease of removal.
- **Single Layer for Crispness:** If your air fryer basket isn’t large enough to accommodate the tortilla without bending, opt for smaller taco-sized tortillas. Cooking in a single layer is essential for the air to circulate properly and achieve that even, crispy texture.
- **Consider a Pre-Crisp:** For an extra layer of crispness, you can air fry each individual tortilla for 1-2 minutes before adding any fillings. This helps them get a head start on browning and creates a sturdier base.
Meal Prep Like a Pro:
This recipe is incredibly meal-prep friendly! Cook your taco meat in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also dice your tomatoes, slice green onions, and prepare other toppings beforehand. Having all your components ready makes assembly lightning-fast on a busy weeknight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
The journey of Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza has been a tumultuous one! Contrary to popular belief, the item was *not* initially discontinued due to low sales. Its removal from the menu in 2020 was part of a larger menu simplification effort by Taco Bell. This decision, however, sparked immense outrage across social media, with fans passionately demanding its return. After a significant public outcry and even a petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures, Taco Bell eventually listened! The fan-favorite Mexican Pizza made its triumphant return to the menu in 2022, albeit with some initial supply challenges due to overwhelming demand. Its popularity continues to this day, proving that some classics are just too good to stay gone.
A classic Mexican Pizza is a delightful layered creation. It traditionally features two crispy flour tortillas, sandwiched together with a savory filling. This filling usually consists of seasoned Mexican-style ground beef and creamy refried beans. The top tortilla is then spread with a tangy sauce (either taco or enchilada sauce) and generously sprinkled with shredded cheese. After being cooked until warm and the cheese is perfectly melted, it’s typically garnished with fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and green onions. Many enjoy adding extra condiments such as sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for an even more indulgent experience.
While these pizzas are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer or oven for optimal crispness, you can certainly do some prep work in advance. Cook your taco meat and prepare all your toppings (dicing vegetables, shredding cheese) ahead of time. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble the pizzas and cook them according to the instructions. Assembled but uncooked pizzas can get soggy if left to sit, so it’s best to assemble right before cooking.
Most standard basket-style air fryers or even air fryer ovens will work great for this recipe. The main consideration is the size of your basket relative to your tortillas. For large burrito-sized tortillas, a basket with at least an 8-inch diameter is ideal. If your air fryer is smaller, you might need to use smaller taco-sized tortillas or cut larger tortillas to fit.
My FAVORITE Kitchen Tools for Mexican Pizza Success
For effortlessly crispy Mexican pizzas and all my air frying needs, I swear by my Ninja Foodi Grill. Its spacious basket ensures everything gets perfectly crisp and evenly cooked, making it an absolute star for this recipe.
And for that perfectly seasoned homemade taco meat (and so much more!), my Instant Pot is a kitchen must-have. It simplifies the cooking process and is invaluable for meal prepping components for quick dinners like this one.
Thank you so much for stopping by and trying out this delicious recipe! If you made this Air Fryer Mexican Pizza, I would absolutely love to hear from you below in the comments section. Your feedback and ratings mean the world to us. To stay up-to-date with all the culinary adventures and explorations from The Erhardts (and for more fantastic recipes!), be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter & Youtube!
You May Also Enjoy These Mexican-Inspired Delights…
- Vegetarian Quesadillas with Black Beans and Sweet Potato
- Crockpot Mexican Beef Barbacoa Recipe
- Easy Instant Pot Carne Asada Tacos
- Sweet & Spicy Jalapeno Pineapple Salsa Recipe
Happy Eating!
Air Fryer Mexican Pizza
Caitlyn Erhardt
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Ingredients
- 1 lb Instant Pot Taco Meat Cooked-See Notes
- 8 Large Flour Tortillas Burrito Size
- 16 oz Refried Beans
- 1 Cup Taco Sauce
- 2-4 Cups Mexican Cheese Shredded
For Serving
- 2 Roma Tomatoes Diced
- 2 Green Onions Sliced
- ½ Cup Black Olives Sliced
- Sour Cream Optional
- Salsa Optional
- Guacamole Optional
Instructions
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Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C).
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Once preheated, lightly spray your air fryer basket with oil. Lay one flour tortilla flat inside the basket. Spread an even layer of refried beans over the tortilla. Follow with an even layer of cooked taco meat over the refried beans. Place the second flour tortilla over the filling. Spread ¼ Cup of taco sauce over the top tortilla, then sprinkle with ½-1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese.
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Close the lid of your air fryer and cook at 360 degrees F for 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and warm, and the tortillas are lightly crispy. Once cooked, carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer with a large spatula. Top with diced tomatoes, green onions, and black olives.
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Repeat these steps for the remaining 3 Mexican Pizzas, ensuring to cook them one at a time for best results.
Notes
Vegetarian Option: To make your Air Fryer Mexican Pizza vegetarian, simply omit the meat. Instead, add some cooked fajita veggies (bell peppers and onions) or a vibrant warm corn salad as a delicious filling. Remember to ensure your refried beans are vegetarian-friendly if you choose this option.
Tortilla Note: This recipe uses burrito-sized tortillas, which fit well in my air fryer basket. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to use smaller, taco-sized tortillas to ensure they fit without bending and cook evenly.
Leftover Storage: For storing leftovers, wrap the cooked Mexican pizzas tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. For reheating, I typically warm them in the foil in my oven until heated through. Keep in mind that for the best taste and crispness, THEY ARE BEST EATEN RIGHT AWAY.
Oven Instructions: If you’re using an oven, follow all the filling steps as described above. When ready to cook, place the assembled Mexican Pizzas on a large cookie sheet (you can usually fit two per sheet). Bake in a preheated oven at 360 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
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