Air Fryer Beef Enchiladas - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

How do you make beef enchiladas not soggy? ›

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

The thing with enchiladas is that they're going to become mushy, that's because of the liquid you prepare them with. But if you want that process to be slower, all you have to do is deep fried corn tortillas first (not to the point to get tostadas).

Most enchiladas are baked and covered with foil until heated through. Oven temperatures and baking times vary per recipe, but on average they cook in a 350°F oven for about 25 minutes. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the enchiladas after they are heated through.

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

The most important tip for avoiding soggy enchiladas is to briefly fry your tortillas in hot oil before you fill and roll. This creates a little bit of a barrier so that the tortillas don't soak up too much of the sauce and therefore start to break down.

After you fry the tortillas, dip both sides in your delicious sauce and cover the entire surface. Then stuff and roll.

If you would like to make a pan of enchiladas in advance, follow the recipe instructions through step 3 (assembling the enchiladas). Wrap the pan tightly with foil. Then you can either refrigerate the enchiladas for up to 3 days, then bake as directed.

The corn tortillas must be softened before they are rolled and baked in the casserole. Frying them gently in a little oil both softens the tortillas and also greatly enhances their flavor.

Pepper jack is great too. Queso fresco is soft, not greasy when it melts, cotija adds a dry saltiness to green enchiladas, combine with Jack which is like asadero, mozzarella, or queso quesadilla. If you don't have options, buy a blend and add pepper jack. Use a fresh cheese, like panela or canasta.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

This particular chicken enchilada recipe probably most closely aligns with Tex-Mex and New Mexican styles of enchiladas, especially being made with flour tortillas (although you are welcome to use corn tortillas), filled with green chiles and soft shredded cheese, and made with a tomato-free red chile sauce.

Traditional Mexican enchiladas are usually finished with Mexican crema and queso fresco or cotija cheese, instead of the yellow cheese typical of Tex-Mex enchiladas.

Roll up tightly and place seam side down in the baking dish. Spoon the enchilada sauce over the tortillas and scatter over the reserved cheese. Grease a large sheet of foil with cooking spray or oil and cover the baking dish, grease side down. Cook in the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted.

Use lard or vegetable oil in a pan to firm up the tortilla and make a shield from moisture, but don't do 30 seconds, you have to keep them in there a little bit longer to where they're almost crispy up a little bit (but not too crispy). Make sure they can be rolled without making a crunch sound, that is too long.

Wrap a stack of tortillas in damp paper towels or a damp kitchen towel, then wrap in plastic wrap or place in a microwave-safe resealable plastic bag (keep the bag open to vent). Microwave until warm and flexible, about 1 minute.

The simplest would be to make a thin paste of 1 teaspoon of cornflour or corn starch and water, add it to the sauce, and simmer it for 3 minutes.

I usually use two cups sauce for eight enchiladas. Bake until the sauce is bubbling and cheese is beginning to brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes and eat them right up. Now tell your family it's time for an enchilada re-do, and get in there and make some great enchiladas.