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