Air Fryer Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas

Air fryer veggie black bean enchiladas make an easy, quick, weeknight meal that the whole family will love!

What to cook for dinner? As the day progresses, this question comes to my mind. For weeknights, you want something that does not require too much preparation and cooking time.

And when you are vegetarian or vegan, sometimes it feels like you are running out of ideas on what to cook that everyone in your family will love.

I have tried the air fryer veggie black bean enchiladas recipe many times to bring you the perfect recipe for vegetarian enchiladas. This recipe does not contain onion, garlic, or eggs.

The secret ingredient in this recipe is authentic Mexican enchilada sauce. This homemade enchilada sauce gives this recipe the next level you miss in your vegetarian enchiladas.

These air fryer veggie black bean enchiladas are filled with black beans, zucchini, red bell peppers, rice, and a few warm spices. These air-fried enchiladas are perfectly cheesy and crispy on top, and tender from inside.

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Air Fryer Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas Recipe

These veggie black bean enchiladas are a hearty meal that your whole family will love. I have perfected this recipe for you so you can invite guests for a vegetarian enchiladas party without even trying this recipe beforehand. But, I want you to trust me on this!

The perfect combination of black bean, zucchini, red pepper, rice and warm blend of spices, lots of cheese on top, and homemade enchilada sauce makes a delicious meal everyone wants to eat.

And once assembled, you can air fry them for 10 minutes to make a healthy, filling weeknight dinner.

Ingredients needed to make Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas

These vegetarian enchiladas are made from ingredients easily available in a pantry. Also, this recipe is so adaptable that you can replace or add any ingredients you like. Here is a list of ingredients and substitutes for this recipe.

Black beans – I have used canned black beans for this recipe. You can use dry beans if you have them on hand but soak them for 3-4 hours before cooking them. If you don’t like black beans, you can replace them with kidney beans or pinto beans.

Vegetables – Zucchini, bell pepper (washed and chopped in small pieces). You can also add whatever vegetables you like. I also like adding mushrooms, spinach, and corn to my enchiladas.

Rice – I have used cooked basmati rice for this recipe. Rice is optional for this recipe. However, I had leftover rice from the day before, so I used it for this recipe.

Tortilla – Use corn or flour tortilla for this recipe. Choose the bigger tortilla (about 8” in diameter) for this recipe. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will need 4-6 tortillas

Spices – Ground cumin powder, paprika, cinnamon, ground back pepper

Enchilada sauce – I highly recommend making homemade Enchilada sauce for this recipe. Use can also use store-bought enchilada sauce too. But my homemade enchilada sauce is the star of this recipe, and it does not take time to cook. Check out the enchilada sauce recipe below.

Cheese – Shredded Monterey Jack or your favorite blend of shredded cheese.

Oil – Olive oil

Cilantro – for garnish

How to make Air Fryer Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas

I have cooked enchiladas directly in an air fryer basket. However, if you do not want to air fry enchiladas in the air fryer basket, you can use any container that fits in your basket.

You will be able to cook 4-6 enchiladas at a time. So, if you are serving a crowd, you will need to cook them in batches.

And if you are cooking in batches, make sure to divide the sauce, bean mix, and cheese equally for each batch.

1.In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. When oil is shimmering, add chopped pepper and salt. If you want to add onion, you can add it at this point. Sauté the pepper for a few minutes.

2. When pepper (and onion if added) is soft, add zucchini and black beans and let it cook for 6-8 minutes.

3. Then add cooked rice, ground cumin powder, paprika, and a pinch of cinnamon. Mix well until well combined.

4. Transfer the mixture to the bowl, add 1-2 tablespoons of homemade enchilada sauce, and mix well.

5. Assemble enchiladas – Add enchilada mixture to the center of the tortilla evenly and leave the ends, top, and bottom uncovered. Do not overfill tortillas.

6. Fold the sides inwards over the filling as shown in the picture. It helps prevent the filling from falling out while cooking.

7. Then, start rolling the burrito from the bottom flap, tucking the filling firmly inward until it is rolled all the way up.

8. Place the tortillas seam side down in an air fryer basket.

9. Assemble the rest of the tortillas and arrange them in an air fryer basket, as shown in the picture.

10. Top the enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce and cheese.

11. Air fry at 360°F for 6-8 minutes.

12. Once air fried, let the enchiladas rest for 10 minutes. Then, carefully, serve enchiladas from the air fryer basket to a serving platter. Garnish them with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.

Enchilada sauce recipe

This homemade enchilada sauce is delicious, spicy, and has an authentic Mexican flavor. With a handful of ingredients you find in your pantry, you can whip this enchilada sauce in no time. Once you try this sauce, you will never go back to store-bought enchilada sauce.

You can also make this sauce ahead and freeze it for later use.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
• ½ tablespoon chili powder (you can increase or decrease the spice level depending on your preference).
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional but taste great)
• ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 ½ cup vegetable broth
• 1 ½ tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tsp white vinegar

You can add 1/2 tsp of garlic powder to this sauce if your diet allows.

How to make homemade enchilada sauce (without onion and garlic)

In a pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Once the oil is heated, add flour and whisk it until it is roasted, fragrant, and dark in color for 2-3 minutes. Then turn the heat down and add the rest of the dry ingredients while mixing it at each step. (You do not want burnt flour. So, make sure you are stirring them constantly. You can also premix dry ingredients before heating the oil).

Then add vegetable broth and combine everything well by whisking.

Once the mixture is well combined, add tomato paste, salt, and pepper to taste.

Let the mixture cook for 5-6 minutes over medium heat to thicken (it will thicken as it cools). Once it thickens, turn the heat off and add vinegar.

Tips for success

• To make tortillas pliable while assembling, warm them in the microwave.
• It is okay for the assembled tortilla to touch one another in the air fryer basket as everything is pre-cooked.
• You can also pour sauce at the bottom of the air fryer before you arrange to place tortillas if you like extra saucy enchiladas.

Recipe Variations

• You can use any vegetables you like along with your black bean for this recipe. For example, broccoli, mushroom, and spinach go well with black beans.
• If you want to make vegetarian enchiladas without black beans, you can use firm tofu as a source of protein and vegetables as an enchilada filling. Crumble tofu and cook it with olive oil for 5-6 minutes before adding chopped vegetables. Cook the mixture for additional 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
• For vegan enchiladas, use vegan cheese or skip the cheese altogether and top the enchiladas with sliced avocado or guacamole once they are air fried.
• For gluten-free enchiladas, use gluten-free tortillas or corn tortillas. They are smaller than regular, so depending on the size of the air fryer basket, you will need 6-8 tortillas.

What to serve with Veggie black bean enchilada?

You can enjoy veggie black bean enchiladas on their own with cold drinks (that’s what my husband prefers).

But you can serve them with Mexican rice or green salad. You can also serve them with cheesy potatoes.

For extra richness, you can also top your enchiladas with sour cream, guacamole, or cut avocado.

Can I Freeze Air fryer veggie black bean enchiladas?

These air fryer veggie black bean enchiladas are a great make-ahead meal.

You can freeze air-fried vegetarian enchiladas once they are cooled down completely. First, transfer them to an airtight container and freeze them. Then, once you rea ready to serve, take them out and place them in a baking tray (that fits in your air fryer basket) and air fry them at 350°F for 5 minutes until they are heated all through.

You can freeze vegetarian enchiladas for 2-3 months. If you do not want to freeze enchiladas, you can prepare vegetables the day before and refrigerate them and when you are ready, assemble tortillas, and air-fry them for a quick meal.

Other Air Fryer Recipes

Keto Air Fryer Eggplant fries

Keto Vegan Rice paper Dumplings

Potato cheese balls without breading (Gluten-free)

Cassava Fries (not keto)

Air Fryer Veggie Stuffed Zucchini Boats (Vegan, Keto)

Air Fryer Zucchini Pizza boats (Gluten-free)

Air Fryer Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas

Recipe by PiaraCourse: Air Fryer SnacksCuisine: Mexican

Servings

8

Enchiladas

Prep time

10

minutes

Cook time

20

minutes

Total time

30

minutes

Air fryer veggie black bean enchiladas make an easy, quick, weeknight meal that the whole family will love!

Ingredients

• 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil

• 1 medium-size zucchini chopped

• 1 red bell pepper chopped

• 1 can black bean drained and rinsed

• 1 tsp. cumin

• 1 tsp Paprika

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• ½ cup cooked rice

• ½ cup shredded Shredded Monterey Jack cheese

• 8 flour or corn tortillas

• 2 cup homemade enchilada sauce (Check out the recipe above) or store-bought enchilada sauce.

• Chopped Cilantro for garnish

• Equipment

• Air Fryer

• Skillet

Directions

• In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. When oil is shimmering, add chopped pepper and salt. If you want to add onion, you can add it at this point. Sauté the pepper for a few minutes.
• When pepper (and onion if added) is soft, add zucchini and black beans and let it cook for 6-8 minutes.
• Then add cooked rice, ground cumin powder, paprika, and a pinch of cinnamon. Mix well until well combined.
• Transfer the mixture to the bowl, add 1-2 tablespoons of homemade enchilada sauce, and mix well.
• Assemble enchiladas – Add enchilada mixture to the center of the tortilla evenly and leave the ends, top, and bottom uncovered. Do not overfill tortillas.
• Fold the sides inwards over the filling as shown in the picture. It helps prevent the filling from falling out while cooking.
• Then, start rolling the burrito from the bottom flap, tucking the filling firmly inward until it is rolled all the way up.
• Place the tortillas seam side down in an air fryer basket.
• Assemble the rest of the tortillas and arrange them in an air fryer basket, as shown in the picture.
• Top the enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce and cheese.
• Air fry at 360°F for 6-8 minutes.
• Once air fried, let the enchiladas rest for 10 minutes. Then, carefully, serve enchiladas from the air fryer basket to a serving platter. Garnish them with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.

Notes

• To make tortillas pliable while assembling, warm them in the microwave.
• It is okay for the assembled tortilla to touch one another in the air fryer basket as everything is pre-cooked.
• You can also pour sauce at the bottom of the air fryer before you arrange to place tortillas if you like extra saucy enchiladas.