Air Fryer Smash Burger Tacos Recipe: A Crispy Twist

Air Fryer Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Looking for a fun and easy twist on taco night? Try this Crispy Viral Smash Burger Taco Recipe made in the air fryer for a crispy, cheesy, and flavorful meal the whole family will love. This simple yet delicious smash burger taco is packed with ground beef, melted cheese, and your favorite taco toppings, all wrapped in a crispy tortilla. Whether you're a fan of air fryer recipes or just love trying viral food trends, this recipe will quickly become a weeknight favorite. Perfect for busy families, it combines the best of a smash burger and taco into one irresistible dish!

When I first tried making these smash burger tacos, I attempted to cook them on the stove. Unfortunately, both times the tortilla got soggy or the beef didn’t cook properly. That’s when I decided to give the air fryer a shot after seeing a similar recipe on MyFitnessPal. It was a total game-changer! The crispy tortilla combined with the cooked ground beef and melted cheese created the perfect crunch and flavor that the whole family devoured. This recipe is simple to follow, quick, and packs a punch of delicious flavors.

If you enjoy viral recipes, you may also want to try my Viral TikTok Creamy Vodka Pasta Recipe - No Vodka Required!

• Total cook time: 10-15 minutes

• Family-friendly: Yes, our family of 3 loved this recipe

• Difficulty level: Easy
• Serving size: 4 servings
• Serving suggestions: Serve with a side of ketchup and top with your favorite toppings

What Makes a Smash Burger Taco Unique?
A smash burger taco combines the best parts of both a smash burger and a taco. The ground beef is flattened like a burger patty but cooked directly in a tortilla, making it a crispy, crunchy shell filled with juicy beef. The heat from the air fryer ensures the beef cooks through, while the tortilla crisps up perfectly, giving you that satisfying crunch in every bite. This recipe is ideal for taco lovers looking for something outside of the usual ground beef taco.

How to Make the Perfect Smash Burger Taco in Your Air Fryer
The air fryer is perfect for this recipe because it gives the tortilla that golden, crispy texture without the need for excess oil. Unlike traditional frying, the air fryer circulates heat around the taco, creating an evenly cooked, crispy shell with a perfectly browned crust. The ground beef gets juicy and flavorful, while the melted cheese adds a rich, cheesy layer that perfectly complements the crunch of the tortilla. It’s the ideal method for getting that crispy outer layer with a deliciously tender inside.

Ingredients for the Smash Burger Taco

• Four medium sized tortilla
• 1 pound ground beef

Topping suggestions for Smash Burger Taco

• Shredded lettuce
• Sour cream
• Taco sauce
• Pico de Gallo
• Tomatoes
• Pickles
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard 
• Guacamole
• Shredded cheese

How to Make the Perfect Smash Burger Taco in Your Air Fryer
Step #1 Spread out the ground beef in a medium sized tortilla (take a beef patty, flatten it as if you were making a burger patty, and press it right into the tortilla raw, almost to the edges. 

Step #2 Preheat your Air Fryer at 400 degrees. 

Step #3 Once ready, add the tortilla and ground beef to the Air Fryer - ground beef side up - and cook for 9 minutes. 

Note: If your air fryer runs a bit hotter or cooler, you might need to tweak the cooking time slightly. Keep an eye on the taco to ensure the tortilla is crispy and the beef is fully cooked.

Step #4 Top with shredded cheese and cook it for one more minute. 

Step #5 Add your toppings and serve.

Note: If you want to turn it into a Big Mac Smash Burger Taco, I have a recipe for a Homemade Big Mac Sauce that I think you will love! 

This might look different than the other tacos you have seen because mine is pure crispy. I cooked it a little bit longer to avoid what I did in the past with having a soggy tortilla. If you like yours less crispy and browned, you can experiment and try it in the Air Fryer. For reference, I have the Gourmia Air Fryer. 

If you make this, I would love your feedback! And if you enjoy Air Fryer recipes, you may also like:
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with PopCorners Spicy Queso
Homemade Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Please comment, review or rate this recipe below. and tag your recipes on Instagram using the hashtag #savvywithabbie for a chance to be featured!