Air Fryer Taco Pie (Easy 30-Minute Ninja Foodi Dinner)

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Taco Pie is the easy weeknight dinner your whole family will ask for on repeat. Layered with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and melty cheese between soft tortillas, this taco pie comes together in under 30 minutes and cooks up hot and bubbly in your air fryer or Ninja Foodi. It’s a fun, hands-on meal the kids can help build — think Taco Tuesday, but reinvented as a sliceable pie.

If you love fast, crowd-pleasing Mexican-inspired dinners, this one earns a permanent spot in the rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Ninja Foodi Taco Pie

• Make-ahead friendly. Brown the beef in the morning and assemble at dinnertime. link)
• Fast enough for a weeknight. Twenty minutes of prep, five minutes to cook.
• Simple pantry ingredients. Just five main ingredients, most of which you likely already have.
• Kid-friendly and fun to build. Layering the pie is the kind of hands-on cooking kids actually want to help with.
• Endlessly customizable. Swap the protein, go vegetarian, or pile on whatever toppings your crew loves.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything that goes into this air fryer taco pie:

• Flour tortillas – The base of every layer. See the tortilla notes below for gluten-free and low-carb swaps.
• Refried beans – Canned works perfectly and adds a creamy, hold-it-together layer.
• Lean ground beef – Browned and seasoned. Ground turkey or ground chicken work just as well.
• Taco seasoning – One packet, or your favorite homemade blend.
• Shredded cheese – Cheddar or a Mexican blend both melt beautifully.

What Type of Tortillas to Use for Taco Pie

Almost any tortilla works here. Traditional flour tortillas give you that classic, pliable texture, but this recipe is flexible:

• Gluten-free: Corn tortillas make an easy swap. I make a separate gluten-free version for my oldest son, who has celiac disease.
• Low-carb: Low-carb tortillas hold up surprisingly well. My favorite is a low-carb brand that tastes almost identical to flour.

Choose whatever fits your family’s needs — the layering method stays exactly the same.

How to Make Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Taco Pie

There are a few steps, but every one of them is simple.

Step 1: Brown and season the beef. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain, then stir in the taco seasoning and water according to the packet directions. (This step can be done earlier in the day and refrigerated.)

Step 2: Prep your pan. Spray a springform pan with cooking spray. A springform pan is the secret to getting a clean, intact pie out after cooking — a regular pan makes removal much harder.

Step 3: Layer the pie. Place a tortilla in the bottom of the pan, then build your layers in this order:

• Tortilla
• Refried beans
• Taco meat
• Shredded cheese

Repeat the layers until you’ve used up your taco meat. Finish with a generous top layer of shredded cheese.

Step 4: Air fry. Set the pan into your Ninja Foodi or air fryer and cook at 400°F for about 5 minutes, using the air crisp or air fryer setting, until the cheese on top is fully melted.

Step 5: Garnish and serve. Release the springform pan, slice into wedges, and add your favorite toppings.

Best Toppings for Taco Pie

This is where the whole family gets to make it their own. A few favorites:

• Sour cream
• Black olives
• Sliced green onions
• Extra shredded cheese
• Salsa
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded lettuce
• Sliced avocado or guacamole
• Pico de gallo
• Black beans

Easy Variations

• Change the protein: Swap the ground beef for ground chicken, ground turkey, shredded pork, or shredded brisket.
• Make it vegetarian: Skip the meat entirely and load up on black beans or sautéed vegetables.
• Switch the cheese: Cheddar is my go-to, but any melting cheese you love will work.
• Homemade taco seasoning: A quick DIY blend lets you control the salt and spice level.

How to Store Taco Pie

Let the taco pie cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It keeps well for 2 to 3 days.

How to Reheat Taco Pie

• Microwave: Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate and heat until warmed through — the quickest option.
• Air fryer: Set the leftovers in an air-fryer-safe pan, then air fry at 330°F until warm. This keeps the tortilla edges from going soggy.

What to Serve With Taco Pie

Round out taco night with a few easy sides and dinners from the site:

• Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers for another simple, family-friendly main.
• Air Fryer Copycat Taco Bell Nachos BellGrande if you want to lean all the way into a fiesta night.
• Air Fryer Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat) for another cheesy, layered favorite.
• Ninja Foodi Tortilla Pizza if you’ve got extra tortillas to use up.

Craving more air fryer and Ninja Foodi dinners? Try Ninja Foodi Grill Steak, Air Fryer Sesame Beef Stir-Fry in the Ninja Foodi, or a comforting Ninja Foodi Boxed Macaroni and Cheese. For a lighter side, Air Fryer Stir-Fried Bok Choy rounds out the plate nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make taco pie ahead of time? Yes. Brown and season the beef up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. You can also fully assemble the pie a few hours ahead, then air fry it right before serving.

What pan should I use for taco pie in the air fryer? A springform pan is ideal because the sides release, letting you lift the pie out cleanly. Make sure your pan fits inside your air fryer basket or Ninja Foodi before you start layering.

Can I make this taco pie gluten-free? Absolutely. Use corn tortillas or a certified gluten-free tortilla, and double-check that your taco seasoning is gluten-free.

What temperature do you cook taco pie in the air fryer? Cook at 400°F for about 5 minutes, just until the top layer of cheese is melted and bubbly.

Can I freeze taco pie? It’s best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container.

How do I keep the layers from sliding apart? The refried beans act like glue between layers, and slicing the pie once it’s rested a few minutes helps every wedge hold its shape.