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 fixings for a quick weeknight meal that’s sure to impress.
If you’re new here, I love tacos in every form — from classic soft tacos to my favorite crockpot salsa chicken tacos. This fry bread recipe has been in the family for years and I make it often because it’s reliable, soft, and delicious.
Navajo tacos are a delicious twist on the traditional taco. Instead of a flour or corn tortilla, they use fry bread — a soft, fluffy, golden flatbread — as the base, then pile on taco meat and toppings. Think of an open-faced taco that’s easy to hold and even easier to enjoy on the go.
How Are Navajo Tacos Different from Regular Tacos?
The main difference is the base. Navajo tacos use fry bread rather than a tortilla, resulting in a heartier, slightly chewy, and more substantial vessel for toppings. They’re especially popular across the Southwest and are even listed as one of Arizona’s iconic dishes.
What You Need for Air Fryer Navajo Tacos
Fry Bread Ingredients
Flour – all-purpose
Salt
Baking powder
Warm water
Oil
Taco Toppings
Cooked & seasoned taco meat – use your preferred taco seasoning
Shredded cheddar cheese – freshly shredded adds the best flavor
Shredded lettuce
Tomatoes
Onions
Kitchen Gadgets & Tools
- Air fryer
- Stand mixer with dough hook (or mix and knead by hand)
How to Make Fry Bread Dough
Combine the dry dough ingredients in a mixing bowl. If using a stand mixer with a dough hook, add the warm water and oil while the mixer runs on low. Knead on medium-low for 5–10 minutes until the dough forms a smooth ball and no longer sticks to the bowl.
Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough ball inside. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 2 hours. While the dough rests, brown and season your ground beef or prepare your preferred taco protein.
After resting, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball roughly the size of a golf ball, then press or flatten them to about 1/4 inch thick.
How To Make Navajo Tacos in the Air Fryer
Lightly coat the air fryer basket with oil so the dough won’t stick. Place the flattened dough disks in the basket without overlapping — you may need to cook in batches. Mist or brush the dough with a little oil.
Air fry at 330°F for 7 minutes. Flip each piece, spritz with a bit more oil, then cook an additional 3 minutes. Note that subsequent batches may cook slightly faster depending on your air fryer.
Top each fry bread with warm taco meat and desired toppings, then serve.
More Navajo Taco Topping Ideas
Traditional taco toppings work perfectly on fry bread. Try these options:
- Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Taco sauce
- Chopped avocado
This recipe is ideal for weeknights: prepare the fry bread and taco meat earlier in the day, reheat when ready, and add fresh toppings. It also makes a fun taco bar for entertaining.
Serve Navajo Tacos as a Dessert
You can easily turn fry bread into a sweet treat. Dust the warm bread with powdered sugar or a cinnamon-sugar mix and drizzle with honey. For an indulgent option, add a simple icing similar to cinnamon roll glaze.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes To Try:
- Air Fryer Ravioli
- Air Fryer Cod
- Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
- Homemade Potato Chips in the Air Fryer
Save Air Fried Navajo Tacos Recipe for Later
Air Fryer Navajo Tacos
Equipment
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Air fryer
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Stand mixer
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Bench scraper (optional)
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Oil mister or brush
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
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Combine all dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer.
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Using a dough hook, mix in the water and oil. Knead on medium-low speed for 5–10 minutes until the dough forms a ball and no longer sticks to the bowl.
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Place the dough ball in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rest for 2 hours.
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Cut the dough into 12 golf ball–sized pieces and shape into balls.
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Flatten each dough ball by hand into a small flatbread about 1/4″ thick.
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Mist or brush the air fryer basket with oil. Place flattened dough in the basket and spritz with oil.
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Cook at 330°F for 7 minutes, flip, spritz with oil, and cook 3 more minutes.
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Top with taco meat, lettuce, cheese, onion, and tomatoes. Serve warm.
Notes
- For an easy weeknight meal, make the fry breads and taco meat ahead of time. Reheat and assemble when ready to serve.
- For dessert, dust fry breads with powdered sugar or cinnamon-sugar and drizzle with honey.
Nutritional Estimate
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Carbohydrates: 25 g
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Protein: 14 g
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Fat: 7 g
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. Verify independently if you need exact values.