I prefer making my refried beans myself, because that way I can control all the seasonings myself! These air fryer refried beans take a can of pinto beans and turn it into something flavorful and delicious, with no stove required! They’re a perfect side or filling for a variety of dishes.
These air fryer refried beans are an easy way to make your own refried beans at home, for a quick and easy side dish or filling option. I use them to fill burritos, tacos, taquitos, and more, plus refried beans are great on their own as a dip too.
I start with canned pinto beans because the air fryer isn’t ideal for soaking and cooking dried beans. By starting with cooked ones, I skip the tedious part and get right to the heating and eating all that much quicker!
So, what’s the advantage here? Well, ultimately it comes down to control. You can add seasonings to your liking, control the salt levels, and it makes it much easier to keep them vegetarian as well, since a lot of canned refried beans are not.
In my opinion, it’s not a lot of effort to create something that tastes better overall and you can make it just right for you!
If you have a microwave, you can also try my ultra-fast Microwave Refried Beans recipe for another simple option.
Ingredients List
2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 Tbsp olive oil
¼ cup diced onion (yellow or white)
1 tsp minced garlic (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
½ cup beef, chicken, or vegetable stock
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp Mexican oregano
⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You can also use black beans instead of pinto beans if you prefer
The oil can be swapped for butter, bacon grease, or lard for different flavors
All seasonings are adjustable to taste, but this is a good base recipe. I also like different chili (ancho or chipotle) when I want a spicier version
Toppings are entirely optional, but can include crumbled cotija cheese, jalapenos (fresh or pickled slices), pickled red onions, chopped cilantro, or any salsas or hot sauces you like
Step By Step Instructions
Place the beans, oil, onions, garlic, and all seasonings into an oven-safe pan that fits in your air fryer’s basket (I use small loaf pans, but anything similar works)
Add the stock or broth, making sure that it just covers the beans (this will prevent your beans from getting hard and crunchy). You may need more or less broth than the amount listed based on the exact size and depth of your dish, so adjust as needed
Set the filled pan into your air fryer’s basket or rack, and then cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until hot
Use a potato masher (preferred) or a fork to smash the beans to the desired consistency. Place them back in the air fryer for 5-10 additional minutes, stirring after 5, until the desired consistency and browning level on top is reached
Add any toppings if desired, and enjoy!
What to Use Refried Beans In
Burritos
Burrito bowls
Huevos rancheros
Tacos
Tostadas
Taco casserole
Chili
Refried bean soup
Fajitas
Tamales
Mexican lasagna
Taquitos
Mexican stuffed shells
Enchiladas
Quesadillas
Mexican Pizza
Nachos
Spicy cheeseburgers
Taco dip
Seven layer dip
Bean and cheese dip
Mexican style salads
Taco salad
There are so many great dishes you can use refried beans in as a flavorful filling. Even if you serve them as a side dish one night, you can use leftovers later in the week to make something else delicious!
Yes, you can cook canned beans, such as black or pinto beans, in the air fryer. They need to be covered in liquid like water or stock to prevent burning and becoming crunchy.
However, if you want crispy fried beans as a crunchy snack, that is a viable option as well.
How Do I Make Refried Beans in the Air Fryer?
Start by cooking soaked pinto beans in the air fryer with onion, garlic, and spices until tender. Then, mash them to desired consistency.
If needed, cook again until thickened, or to add browning on top.
Can I Use Canned Beans for Air Fryer Refried Beans?
Yes, canned pinto beans work well, and are actually the best option for refried beans in the air fryer. Drain and rinse them before cooking.
While you could technically use dried beans, they would need to be soaked overnight, and then cooked for around 40 minutes in the air fryer covered in liquid to get them tender. While feasible, it is a lot of excess work and time.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Refried Beans in the Air Fryer?
Starting with canned beans, it takes about 15-20 minutes to cook refried beans in the air fryer. An additional 5 minutes may be added to thicken them or brown the top.
For raw beans that have been soaked overnight, 40 minutes is average to get the beans tender enough for mashing.
What Seasonings Can I Add to Air Fryer Refried Beans?
You can add any seasonings you like to your refried beans. Popular options include cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, and salt.
However, you can adjust to personal tastes and experiment with different combinations, which is part of the appeal of making refried beans at home.
Can I Freeze Refried Beans?
Yes, allow refried beans to cool, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. They can be stored for up to 3 months.
For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Refried beans can be reheated in the microwave, stove, or air fryer.
Recipe Pro Tips
I do not preheat my Ninja air fryer for this recipe. You may need to adjust cooking times slightly if your air fryer takes a long time to get up to temperature, but since we’re really just heating them, it’s somewhat forgiving
For reference, I used about ⅔ cup broth to get my beans fully covered (this will vary based on your dish size). I added 10 more minutes of cooking post-mashing to get them to the right thickness for my preferences with that amount of liquid, but you can adjust as needed for your own situation and how you like them!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover refried beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
You can reheat refried beans in the microwave on high for 45-60 seconds until hot. Alternatively, place in an oven-safe dish in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes at 350°F (times can vary based on size of portion). If they start to overbrown in the air fryer, cover them with foil
Air fryer refried beans are a delicious way to control your recipe and make them just the way you like them! This makes it easier to adjust your seasonings, your spice level, and to keep them vegetarian or gluten free if needed.
While you can definitely make them on the stove, the air fryer provides a low-fuss method to cook refried beans, and is a great alternative if you don’t have one. They come out delicious!
Beans make a great side dish for a variety of meals, though they’re most commonplace in Mexican cuisine. Try them for Cinco de Mayo!
You can also use refried beans as a filling in tons of dishes, which makes using up leftovers a breeze. I also like serving them with tortilla chips and various toppings as a simple, budget friendly, and flavorful dip option!
Air Fryer Refried Beans (With Canned Pinto Beans)
These air fryer refried beans come out creamy and delicious, seasoned just the way you like them! They take less monitoring than the stove, and allow you to customize your beans to your tastes.
Place the beans, oil, onions, garlic, and all seasonings into an oven-safe pan that fits in your air fryer’s basket (I use small loaf pans because I have a Ninja Dual Zone, but anything similar works)
Add the stock or broth, making sure that it just covers the beans (this will prevent your beans from getting hard and crunchy). You may need more or less broth than the amount listed based on the exact size and depth of your dish, so adjust as needed
½ cup beef, chicken, or vegetable stock
Set the filled pan into your air fryer’s basket or rack, and then cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until hot
Use a potato masher (preferred) or a fork to smash the beans to the desired consistency. Place them back in the air fryer for 5-10 additional minutes, stirring after 5, until the desired consistency and browning level on top is reached
Add any toppings if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
You can also use black beans instead of pinto beans if you prefer
The oil can be swapped for butter, bacon grease, or lard for different flavors
All seasonings are adjustable to taste, but this is a good base recipe. I also like different chili (ancho or chipotle) when I want a spicier version
Toppings are entirely optional, but can include crumbled cotija cheese, jalapenos (fresh or pickled slices), pickled red onions, chopped cilantro, or any salsas or hot sauces you like
For reference, I used about ⅔ cup broth to get my beans fully covered (this will vary based on your dish size). I added 10 more minutes of cooking post-mashing to get them to the right consistency for my preferences with that amount of liquid in my Ninja air fryer, but you can adjust as needed for your own situation and how you like them!
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and variety of ingredients, any toppings or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fried pinto beans, air fryer refried beans, cooking pinto beans in an air fryer, mashed beans, ninja air fryer refried beans, refried bean recipe, refried pinto beans
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!
