Enjoy a Mexican style breakfast with this tasty air fryer huevos rancheros recipe! A crispy tostada is topped with refried beans, a sunny side up egg, and finished with salsa and other toppings for a perfect bite. I love how my air fryer gets everything toasty and delicious!
Take a crispy tortilla, add some creamy beans, fresh salsa, a runny egg, and lots of fresh flavors, and you’ve got yourself some huevos rancheros!
Of course, if you don’t like any of those things, that’s OK too. This is one of those recipes that’s really easy to adjust for preferences or what you happen to have on hand, and I’ll give you all sorts of ideas.
The air fryer helps keep the number of pans required to a minimum, and still gets everything toasty and delicious. Yep, I make my sunny side up egg right in the air fryer too!
Huevos rancheros is a perfect breakfast option for Cinco de Mayo, but also great anytime you’re craving something different, a little spice, or have some fresh salsa to use up!
Ingredients List
8 ounces canned refried beans (seasoned)
4 tostada shells
4 large eggs
Pico de Gallo
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
¼ cup diced white onion
1 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp minced garlic
Salt to taste (I use about ¼ tsp)
Toppings
Mexican crema or crumbled queso fresco
1 avocado, diced or sliced
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You can use homemade refried beans as well, but starting with canned saves time. If you do want to make your own, see my air fryer refried beans recipe to get you started!
If you can’t find tostada shells, you can use a corn or flour tortilla. Spray it with a little oil spray and toast it for about 5-7 minutes at 400°F in your air fryer to make it crispy
The pico de gallo is completely adjustable to taste. You can also skip it entirely and use about ½ cup of your favorite prepared salsa to save time!
All toppings are optional as well, so you can adjust to your preferences there as well. Sometimes I also add extra fresh cilantro or some hot sauce for more heat. Feel free to add some cooked diced chicken, steak, or chorizo if you like!
Variations of Huevos Rancheros
Huevos rancheros with potatoes: instead of a tostada, you can serve your huevos over roasted potatoes for patatas rancheros. Dice two medium potatoes into about ½” cubes, season with 1 Tbsp olive oil and salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin (about a ½ tsp of each, or to taste). Air fry at 400°F for 20 minutes, stirring every 5, until browned and cooked through
A La Mexicana: This variation of huevos rancheros uses scrambled eggs instead of a sunny side up or fried egg. You’ll just crack and mix your egg well before adding it onto the tostada, and then stir it again about halfway through cooking
Vegetarian. Make sure to either make your own, or use specifically vegetarian refried beans, as most “regular” canned refried beans are not vegetarian
Gluten Free. Use corn tostadas, or make your own from corn tortillas. Even though they should be naturally gluten free, it’s always smart to check the packages, as ingredients may be processed in facilities where they can be cross-contaminated
Step By Step Instructions
Prepare your pico de gallo by mixing all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside. Note: if you are using prepared salsa instead, skip this step
Lay your tostadas out on a clean work surface. Add about ¼ cup of refried beans to each one, spreading it across the tostada and mounding it around the edges so it makes a sort of “bowl” shape. Note: if your beans are difficult to spread, you can thin them with a little water or stock as needed
Crack an egg into the center of each tostada (the mounded beans should hold it in place). Season the egg with a little salt and pepper. Note: the eggs are a little finicky, I recommend reading my recipe tips if this is your first time making this recipe
Place the filled tostadas into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, allowing some air space between each one
Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, until the whites of the egg are set (you can also go longer if you want a less runny egg)
Top with pico de gallo, avocado, and queso fresco or crema as desired, and enjoy!
What to Serve With Huevos Rancheros
Mexican rice
Guacamole
Fried potatoes
Green salad
Southwest style coleslaw
Bacon
Sausage
Chorizo
Fresh pineapple
Oranges
While huevos rancheros is great on its own, it’s also delicious when served with some sides!
Huevos rancheros is a traditional Mexican breakfast dish consisting of fried eggs served on a tortilla topped with salsa, beans, cheese, and other flavorful toppings.
There are many variations as well, some of which include potatoes instead of tortillas, or the additions of meats such as chicken or chorizo.
How Do I Make Air Fryer Huevos Rancheros?
To make air fryer huevos rancheros, start by preparing the tortillas and beans, then lay them in the air fryer basket. Crack an egg onto each tortilla, add toppings, and air fry until the eggs are cooked to your liking.
Finish with cold toppings, such as salsa, fresh veggies, or cheese and enjoy.
What Ingredients Do I Need for Air Fryer Huevos Rancheros?
The ingredients for air fryer huevos rancheros typically include tostadas, refried beans, eggs, and salsa (whether prepared or homemade).
Cheese, avocado, cilantro, and any other toppings you like are optional, but can be great additions.
Can I Customize Huevos Rancheros to My Taste Preferences?
Yes, you can customize huevos rancheros to suit your taste preferences.
For example, adjust the level of spiciness in the salsa, add more or fewer toppings, or swap ingredients to create your own unique version of this classic dish.
How Long Do I Cook Huevos Rancheros in the Air Fryer?
As a general guideline, cook huevos rancheros in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 375°F (190°C) or until the eggs are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and temperature settings, so adjust as needed.
Can I Make Air Fryer Huevos Rancheros Ahead of Time?
While huevos rancheros are best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare certain components ahead of time, such as preparing the salsa.
Assemble the dish just before air frying to ensure the tortillas stay crisp.
Are Air Fryer Huevos Rancheros Healthy?
Air fryer huevos rancheros can be a nutritious breakfast option, especially if you use whole-grain tortillas, lean protein sources, and plenty of fresh vegetables.
However, the overall healthiness of the dish depends on your choice of ingredients and portion sizes.
What Can I Serve with Air Fryer Huevos Rancheros?
Air fryer huevos rancheros pair well with additional sides such as sliced avocado, fresh fruit, a side salad, or Mexican-style rice.
Consider adding a dollop of sour cream or Mexican crema, or a sprinkle of chopped green onions for extra flavor.
Recipe Notes and Tips
While you could place the tostadas in the air fryer before cracking the egg, your egg may overflow the beans. It really just depends how big your tostadas, egg, and bean mound are. In this case, it’s better to be on a surface you can wipe up more easily
If your egg does overflow, it’s fine. However, if the yolk becomes exposed (no longer covered in egg whites) it will puff up and crisp on top as it cooks in the air fryer. It’s mostly just unsightly, and it will still be runny underneath
You can also cook the eggs separately in greased, small oven-safe bowls or ramekins. Then, simply slide them out and on top of the tostada (I just don’t like to make more dishes personally)
I usually cook mine for 6-7 minutes for the first batch (while my air fryer is cold). Any subsequent batches I cook at 5 minutes, since the air fryer will be at a hotter starting temperature. I have a Ninja air fryer, so note that other brands and models can vary slightly in terms of needed time (plus your preference on egg doneness)
Storage and Reheating Tips
Huevos rancheros are best enjoyed fresh, but you can leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
To reheat huevos rancheros, air fry at 350°F for about 3-4 minutes, until warmed through. You can also microwave for about 45-60 seconds. In both cases, the eggs will cook more, and the tostada will be soggy (moreso in the microwave than the air fryer, though)
These air fryer huevos rancheros are a simple way to prepare a delicious Mexican inspired breakfast. With creamy refried beans, a crispy tostada, runny egg, and some vibrant fresh salsa, what’s not to love?
Making this classic dish in the air fryer takes under 10 minutes, and keeps the number of pans to a minimum, which is always a plus in my book!
You can customize them a variety of ways, by adding different seasonings, toppings, and even meats to make them your own! Whether you’re kicking off your Cinco de Mayo with huevos rancheros for breakfast, or looking for a simple and flavorful option anytime, you can’t go wrong!
Air Fryer Huevos Rancheros Recipe
This air fryer huevos rancheros recipe is a fast way to make a Mexican inspired breakfast. A crunchy tostada is topped with refried beans, eggs, and fresh pico de gallo for a delicious bite.
Prepare your pico de gallo by mixing all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside. Note: if you are using prepared salsa instead, skip this step
2 medium tomatoes, ¼ cup diced white onion, 1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 1 jalapeno pepper, 1 lime, juiced, 1 tsp minced garlic, ¼ tsp salt
Lay your tostadas out on a clean work surface. Add about ¼ cup of refried beans to each one, spreading it across the tostada and mounding it around the edges so it makes a sort of “bowl” shape. Note: if your beans are difficult to spread, you can thin them with a little water or stock as needed
4 tostada shells, 8 ounces canned refried beans
Crack an egg into the center of each tostada (the mounded beans should hold it in place). Season the egg with a little salt and pepper. Note: the eggs are a little finicky, I recommend reading my recipe tips if this is your first time making this recipe
4 large eggs
Place the filled tostadas into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, allowing some air space between each one
Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, until the whites of the egg are set (you can also go longer if you want a less runny egg)
Top with pico de gallo, avocado, and queso fresco or crema as desired, and enjoy!
1 avocado, Mexican crema or crumbled queso fresco
Notes
While you could place the tostadas in the air fryer before cracking the egg, your egg may overflow the beans. It really just depends how big your tostadas, egg, and bean mound are. In this case, it’s better to be on a surface you can wipe up more easily
If your egg does overflow, it’s fine. However, if the yolk becomes exposed (no longer covered in egg whites) it will puff up and crisp on top as it cooks in the air fryer. It’s mostly just unsightly, and it will still be runny underneath
You can also cook the eggs separately in greased, small oven-safe bowls or ramekins. Then, simply slide them out and on top of the tostada (I just don’t like to make more dishes personally)
I usually cook mine for 6-7 minutes for the first batch (while my air fryer is cold). Any subsequent batches I cook at 5 minutes, since the air fryer will be at a hotter starting temperature. I have a Ninja air fryer, so note that other brands and models can vary slightly in terms of needed time (plus your preference on egg doneness)
Feel free to adjust all toppings and seasonings to taste!
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
