My Air Fryer Navajo Tacos are simple to prepare, even when you make the fry bread from scratch. Top each piece with your favorite taco fillings for a quick weeknight meal that always impresses.
Navajo tacos are a fun and delicious twist on the tacos you know and love. Instead of using a tortilla, these use fry bread—soft, fluffy, and perfect for piling on toppings. They’re popular throughout the Southwest and are a beloved Arizona state dish.
How Are Navajo Tacos Different from Regular Tacos?
Navajo tacos use fry bread rather than a corn or flour tortilla. The fry bread forms a sturdier, slightly chewy base that holds the toppings like an open-faced taco. They’re great for eating on the go and work well at fairs, family dinners, or taco bars.
What You Need for Air Fryer Navajo Tacos
Fry Bread Ingredients
Flour – all-purpose
Salt
Baking powder
Warm water
Oil
Taco Toppings
Cooked and seasoned taco meat – use your preferred seasoning
Shredded cheddar cheese – freshly shredded adds the best flavor
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Diced onions
Kitchen gadgets & tools
- Air fryer
- Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
How to Make Fry Bread Dough
Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Attach the dough hook to a stand mixer if you have one and start mixing. Slowly add the warm water and oil while mixing.
Knead on medium-slow speed for 5–10 minutes, until the dough forms a smooth ball and no longer clings to the sides of the bowl.
Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough ball inside, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest about 2 hours. While the dough rests, brown and season your ground beef or other protein.
After resting, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball roughly the size of a golf ball, then press or flatten each ball until it’s about 1/4 inch thick.
How To Make Navajo Tacos in the Air Fryer
Grease the air fryer basket lightly so the dough disks don’t stick. Place a few flattened dough pieces in the basket without overlapping (you may need to work in batches). Lightly mist or brush each piece with oil.
Air fry at 330°F for 7 minutes. Flip each fry bread, mist again, and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Later batches may cook a bit faster, so watch for a golden color and puffing.
Remove the fry breads and top with cooked taco meat and your desired toppings. Serve warm.
More Navajo Taco Topping Ideas
If you enjoy classic taco toppings, use them here too. Additional suggestions:
- Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Taco sauce
- Chopped avocado
These tacos work brilliantly for weeknight dinners—prepare the fry bread and meat ahead of time, then reheat and assemble. They’re also perfect for a taco bar when entertaining guests.
Serve Navajo Tacos as a Dessert
You can easily turn fry bread into a sweet treat. Dust warm fry bread with powdered sugar or a cinnamon-sugar blend, drizzle with honey, or add a simple icing for a dessert that’s irresistible.
Recipe Summary
Air Fryer Navajo Tacos
This Air Fryer Navajo Tacos recipe is straightforward and delicious. Homemade fry bread becomes a tender, golden base for your favorite taco toppings.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 pound cooked and seasoned taco meat
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups chopped lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced onion
Instructions
- Combine the dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl).
- With the dough hook attached, add the warm water and oil and knead on medium-slow for 5–10 minutes until a smooth dough ball forms and no longer sticks to the bowl.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rest for 2 hours.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each into a ball.
- Flatten each ball with your hands into a 1/4″ thick disk.
- Lightly grease or mist the air fryer basket, place the dough disks inside without touching, and spritz the tops with oil.
- Cook at 330°F for 7 minutes, flip, spritz again, and cook 3 more minutes.
- Top with taco meat, lettuce, cheese, onions, and tomatoes. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For an easy weeknight meal, make the fry bread and meat ahead. Reheat and assemble at serving time.
- For dessert, dust fry bread with powdered sugar or cinnamon-sugar and drizzle with honey or icing.