Air Fryer Taco Pizza is my go-to meal when I crave pizza and tacos in one bite. The crust is golden and crispy, the refried beans and salsa create a rich, deeply savory base, and the taco-seasoned beef with melted cheese on top is so bold and hearty that every bite tastes like the best taco you’ve ever had, on a pizza. One bite and you’ll see why this is my ultimate cheat-day favorite.
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I love making this for Friday night dinners, game day gatherings, and potlucks when I want something that feels exciting and different but comes together fast in the air fryer. The fresh toppings make it completely customizable so everyone at the table gets exactly what they want, which makes it a huge win for family dinners and get-togethers with friends. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer to bring the crust right back to life.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Taco Pizza with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Making Air Fryer Taco Pizza is straightforward, and the air fryer does the heavy lifting to get that crust perfectly golden without heating up your whole kitchen. It’s also a great way to use up leftover taco meat if you have some on hand from taco night.
Par-Bake the Crust
Roll or press your pizza dough onto a greased pizza pan or baking sheet, then lightly spray with cooking spray so nothing sticks. Pop it into the air fryer basket at 400°F (200°C) and bake for 5 minutes, then pull it out and set aside.
A compact air fryer is perfect for keeping the crust from sticking while still getting that crispy bottom.
Cook and Season the Beef
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until it’s browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart as it goes. I like using this meat chopper because it makes breaking up the beef fast and even as it cooks.
Drain off any excess fat. This grease container keeps my kitchen clean and makes disposing of it safely a breeze.
Stir in the taco seasoning, then let everything cook together for 1 to 2 more minutes, until fully combined.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
Build the Pizza
Spread refried beans in an even layer over the pre-baked crust, then spoon the salsa over the beans. Add the seasoned ground beef over the beans and salsa, then sprinkle on the Mexican shredded cheese and black olives.
You can also swap the salsa for red enchilada sauce for a deeper, richer base.
Melt the Cheese
Return the pizza to the air fryer and bake for another 5 minutes of cook time, or until the Mexican cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden. A digital instant-read thermometer is handy if you want to confirm the beef is fully cooked through.
Keep an eye on it toward the end because air fryers can vary in intensity.
Add Your Toppings and Serve
Carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer, then load it with your favorite taco toppings. Fresh diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, green onions, cilantro, avocado, sour cream, and red onions all work beautifully here. I always use my rocker-style pizza cutter, which makes slicing through a loaded assembled pizza quick and clean.
If you’re bringing taco pizzas to a potluck or gathering, let them cool slightly before slicing, then transfer them to a foil- or plastic-wrapped tray. An insulated casserole carrier keeps it warm on the way there. Pack any fresh favorite toppings like sour cream, avocado, remaining cheese, and tomatoes separately and add them once you arrive.
Air Fryer Taco Pizza
Add Preferred SourceEquipment
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup refried beans
- ¼ cup salsa
- 2 cups Mexican blend cheese
- ¼ cup olives sliced
Optional toppings:
- Diced tomatoes
- Fresh cilantro
- Sour cream
- Avocado
- Red onions
Instructions
- Roll or press the pizza dough onto a greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Par-bake in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes, then remove from the air fryer.1 pizza dough
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for 1–2 more minutes until fully combined.1 pound ground beef, 1 packet taco seasoning
- Spread a layer of refried beans over the pre-baked crust. Spoon salsa evenly over the beans. Add the seasoned beef on top, then sprinkle with shredded cheese and sliced olives.1 cup refried beans, ¼ cup salsa, 2 cups Mexican blend cheese, ¼ cup olives
- Return the pizza to the air fryer and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden.
- Remove from the air fryer and finish with your favorite taco toppings—like fresh tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, sour cream, or onions.Diced tomatoes, Fresh cilantro, Sour cream, Avocado, Red onions
Notes
- Par-bake the crust first: Don’t skip the first 5-minute bake. It keeps the crust from getting soggy once you load it with toppings.
- Drain the beef well: After browning the ground beef, drain off all the excess fat before adding the taco seasoning. Extra grease will make the pizza oily and wet.
- Don’t overload the salsa: Stick to ¼ cup. Too much liquid will soften the crust even after baking, so a light, even layer is all you need.
- Spread the beans thinly: Refried beans can be thick, so spread them in a thin, even layer across the crust. This helps every bite get an even amount without weighing down the pizza.
- Check your air fryer at the 4-minute mark: Air fryers vary, so peek at the pizza around the 4-minute mark of the second bake. You’re looking for fully melted, bubbly cheese and a golden crust edge.
- Flash-freeze before stacking: If you’re freezing leftover slices, lay them on a baking sheet for about an hour first before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. This keeps them from sticking together and makes it easy to grab just one slice at a time.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Let the pizza cool completely before storing. Transfer leftovers to an airtight glass container or wrap individual slices in foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop slices back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes to bring the crust right back to life.
For longer storage, freeze individual slices in a single layer on a baking sheet for about an hour before stacking them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 375°F for 6 to 8 minutes.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Taco Pizza
It’s filling enough on its own, but a few simple sides turn it into a full spread worth sharing. A light Mexican-style coleslaw or a simple corn salad adds freshness to balance all that melty, savory goodness. You could also serve a bowl of tortilla chips and guacamole alongside for a fun, snacky spread.
For something heartier, a side of Spanish rice or seasoned black beans works really well. A cold glass of agua fresca or a fizzy limeade makes for the perfect drink pairing to tie everything together.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes for You to Try at Home
Once you start cooking everything in the air fryer, it’s hard to stop, so here are a few more to try.
