Taco Stuffed Shells Air Fryer Recipe: New Taco Tuesday Favorite

Take stuffed shells and tacos and mash them up and youโ€™ve got a whole new creation! This taco stuffed shells air fryer recipe brings together the best of both dishes in one crunchy, tasty combination!

taco stuffed shells air fryer recipe dinners done quick

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

Taco stuffed shells in the air fryer became a TikTok trend overnight, and with good reason โ€“ theyโ€™re delicious!

While you can deep fry them, the air fryer gives you a similar texture with way less oil, making them an option you can feel a little bit better about.

Thatโ€™s not to say theyโ€™re a health food, though. These crispy pasta shells are loaded with taco meat, gooey cheese, and lots of flavor!

dipping air fried taco stuffed shell in chipotle sauce

Theyโ€™re perfect for a snack, appetizer, or a meal when paired with some other sides. You can prep them ahead of time and just do the final cooking before serving for a time saving option. Plus, theyโ€™re sure to be a crowd pleaser!

If youโ€™re looking for a more traditional (Italian) preparation of shells, make sure to check out my Frozen Stuffed Shells in the Air Fryer for a quick weeknight option!

What Youโ€™ll Need: Ingredients

ingredients to make taco stuffed shells in the air fryer
  • 12-ounce box jumbo shells pasta
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1-ounce packet taco seasoning
  • ยฝ medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 poblano pepper, diced
  • 8-ounce block pepper jack cheese, cut into ยฝโ€ thick pieces about 1โ€ long
  • Oil or nonstick spray

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Lean ground beef works very well in this recipe (Iโ€™m using 93/7) but anything 80/20 or higher is fine. You can also substitute ground turkey, chicken, or meat alternatives or use leftover shredded meats
  • Feel free to use an equivalent amount of homemade taco seasoning instead of prepackaged, and low sodium is also fine
  • You can swap the poblano pepper out for a cubanelle, jalapeno, or similar. For less heat, use a green bell pepper
  • Pepper jack cheese can be swapped for Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, cheddar, or even cream cheese if preferred

How to Make Air Fryer Taco Stuffed Shells: Step By Step

  1. Cook pasta shells according to package directions (mine were 15 minutes in boiling, salted water) and drain. Set aside to cool. Tip: you can coat the pasta in a couple teaspoons of olive oil to prevent them from sticking because of the way weโ€™re using them here
cook pasta shells according to box directions
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat
heat olive oil in large skillet
  1. Add the diced onion and pepper and cook until they begin to soften, about 3-5 minutes
begin cooking onions and peppers
  1. Add the ground beef to the skillet and continue cooking, breaking up the beef, until the meat is browned and vegetables are tender
add ground beef to onions and peppers
  1. Drain any grease, then add the taco seasoning and stir to combine and remove from heat
add taco seasoning to ground beef and stir
  1. To assemble, first grab a shell, placing it in your palm and pinching slightly so it opens up
place cooked shell in your hand and open wide
  1. Add about 1 Tablespoon of the meat mixture to the shell, and top it with a piece of your cheese
add taco meat and cheese to shell base
  1. Place another shell over the top of the first shell, creating a sealed taco stuffed shell
cover meat and cheese with second shell
  1. Repeat until all of your shells are stuffed
finished stuffed shells ready for air fryer
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400ยฐF
  2. Place the taco stuffed shells into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
place taco stuffed shells in air fryer basket
  1. Spritz the tops of the shells with a little bit of oil mist or spray
spray taco stuffed shells with oil
  1. Cook on the air fry setting for 8 minutes at 400ยฐF
  2. Flip the shells, reapply oil, and cook for an additional 5-7 more minutes until the desired level of browning and crispiness is achieved
  3. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces!
overhead view of taco stuffed shells with dipping sauces

What to Serve With Taco Stuffed Shells

  • Salsa
  • Queso
  • Creamy chipotle sauce
  • Sour cream
  • Hot sauce
  • Avocado crema
  • Guacamole
  • Mexican rice
  • Street corn
  • Refried beans
  • Southwest salad

There are many great dipping sauces and sides to serve with your taco stuffed shells. For use as an appetizer or snack a dipping sauce (or a few) are the best option. However, a complete meal would benefit from sides as well.

Try your air fryer taco stuffed shells with my recipe for creamy Air Fryer Queso, quick Microwave Refried Beans, or with a side of fresh Air Fryer Corn Fritters.

Recipe FAQs

Can You Air Fry Taco Stuffed Shells?

Yes, you can air fry taco stuffed shells. The air fryer delivers crispy pasta on the outside while heating the taco meat and melting the cheese inside.

Other alternatives are deep frying and baking in the oven.

How Long to Air Fry Taco Stuffed Shells?

On average, you should air fry taco stuffed shells for 10-15 minutes. The time will vary based on how browned and crispy you prefer your exterior to be.

Youโ€™ll also want to make sure the cheese is fully melted, which can vary based on the size of the block and the type of cheese.

Can You Reheat Taco Stuffed Shells?

Taco stuffed shells are best enjoyed fresh, but you can reheat them as well. Heat them in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350ยฐF or until warmed through.

Microwaving the shells for about 1 minute also works, but will reduce the crunchiness of the exterior pasta.

Why Are My Jumbo Shells Splitting Apart?

Your jumbo shells may split apart during cooking for a few reasons. Make sure to use a large pot that holds around 4 qts of water. Stir the pasta regularly but gently, salt the water, and make sure to not overcook.

That said, the pasta can and will still break on occasion even if you do everything โ€œcorrectlyโ€ so donโ€™t be disheartened.

Recipe Pro Tips

  • You can boil the pasta, cook the filling, and stuff the shells ahead of time to save time. Just store in the refrigerator until youโ€™re ready and then cook in the air fryer before serving
  • While you could technically put the filling in raw and cook it in the air fryer, the vegetables donโ€™t get soft enough for my tastes and the shells become too oily with the excess grease from the meat
  • If your shells break apart during cooking, you can use them if theyโ€™re not too bad. Make sure to put ripped pieces on the inside and cover with a whole piece. They will expand during cooking, which will make the cracks more obvious, though
  • Assuming you can use every shell successfully, this recipe makes 18 taco stuffed shells (though Iโ€™d think closer to a dozen is a safe bet with how many typically break)
closeup of taco stuffed shells with cheese coming out

Storage and Reheating

  • Store leftover taco stuffed shells in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days
  • Air fryer taco stuffed shells are best enjoyed fresh. However, you can reheat them in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350ยฐF or until warmed through. Alternatively, microwave for about 1 minute, though they wonโ€™t be as crispy

More Air Fryer Recipes With Mexican Flavors

Final Thoughts

This taco stuffed shell air fryer recipe is going to be your new favorite twist for Taco Tuesday or any night honestly!

They make a great, dippable appetizer and party food, but theyโ€™re equally great for dinner when paired with a side or two.

Adjust them to your personal tastes with different meats, cheeses, and flavorings. No matter how you roll, the air fryer will give you crispy, cheesy pockets of goodness to enjoy!

taco stuffed shells air fryer recipe dinners done quick featured image

Crispy Taco Stuffed Shells Air Fryer Recipe

These crispy air fried pasta shells are stuffed with taco meat and cheese. Theyโ€™re perfect for an appetizer, snack, or even a meal when paired with sides!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 352 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
ย ย 

  • 12 Ounce Box jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Pound ground beef
  • 1 Ounce packet taco seasoning
  • ยฝ Medium yellow onion (finely diced)
  • 1 Poblano pepper (finely diced)
  • 8 Ounce block pepper jack cheese cut into ยฝโ€ thick pieces about 1โ€ long
  • Oil or nonstick spray

Instructions
ย 

  • Cook pasta shells according to package directions (mine were 15 minutes in boiling, salted water) and drain. Set aside to cool. Tip: you can coat the pasta in a couple teaspoons of olive oil after cooking to prevent them from sticking because of the way weโ€™re using them here
    12 Ounce Box jumbo pasta shells
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat
    1 Tbsp olive oil
  • Add the diced onion and pepper and cook until they begin to soften, about 3-5 minutes
    ยฝ Medium yellow onion, 1 Poblano pepper
  • Add the ground beef to the skillet and continue cooking, breaking up the beef, until the meat is browned and vegetables are tender
    1 Pound ground beef
  • Drain any grease, then add the taco seasoning and stir to combine and remove from heat
    1 Ounce packet taco seasoning
  • To assemble, first grab a shell, placing it in your palm and pinching slightly so it opens up
  • Add about 1 Tablespoon of the meat mixture to the shell, and top it with a piece of your cheese
    8 Ounce block pepper jack cheese
  • Place another shell over the top of the first shell, creating a sealed taco stuffed shell
  • Repeat until all of your shells are stuffed
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400ยฐF
  • Place the taco stuffed shells into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
  • Spritz the tops of the shells with a little bit of oil mist or spray
    Oil or nonstick spray
  • Cook on the air fry setting for 8 minutes at 400ยฐF
  • Flip the shells, reapply oil, and cook for an additional 5-7 more minutes until the desired level of browning and crispiness is achieved
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauces!

Notes

  • Lean ground beef works very well in this recipe (Iโ€™m using 93/7) but anything 80/20 or higher is fine. You can also substitute ground turkey, chicken, or meat alternatives or use leftover shredded meats
  • Feel free to use an equivalent amount of homemade taco seasoning instead of prepackaged, and low sodium is also fine
  • You can swap the poblano pepper out for a cubanelle, jalapeno, or similar. For less heat, use a green bell pepper
  • Pepper jack cheese can be swapped for Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or cheddar if preferred
  • You can boil the pasta, cook the filling, and stuff the shells ahead of time to save time. Just store in the refrigerator until youโ€™re ready and then cook in the air fryer before serving
  • While you could technically put the filling in raw and cook it in the air fryer, the vegetables donโ€™t get soft enough for my tastes and the shells become too oily with the excess grease from the meat
  • If your shells break apart during cooking, you can use them if theyโ€™re not too bad. Make sure to put ripped pieces on the inside and cover with a whole piece. They will expand during cooking, which will make the cracks more obvious, though
  • Assuming you can use every shell successfully, this recipe makes 18 taco stuffed shells (though Iโ€™d think closer to a dozen is a safe bet with how many typically break)
  • Store leftover taco stuffed shells in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days
  • Air fryer taco stuffed shells are best enjoyed fresh. However, you can reheat them in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350ยฐF or until warmed through. Alternatively, microwave for about 1 minute, though they wonโ€™t be as crispy
  • Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, substitutions, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only

Nutrition

Serving: 142gCalories: 352kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 22gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6.4gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 481mgPotassium: 221mgFiber: 1.8gSugar: 2.5gVitamin A: 12.4IUVitamin C: 7.2mgCalcium: 160mgIron: 3.1mg
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Katie Vine