Picture this: it’s Christmas Eve, the house is buzzing with excitement, and you need something warm, hearty, and FAST. Enter my Christmas Air Fryer Taco Soup—packed with ground beef, beans, and all the cozy spices you love, but ready in under 30 minutes. I swear by my air fryer for holiday meals because it locks in flavor while cutting down on time (and dishes—hallelujah!). This isn’t just any taco soup; it’s got a festive twist that’s become our family’s go-to between gift wrapping and carol singing. Trust me, the aroma alone—smoky, a little spicy, and totally comforting—will have everyone gathered around the kitchen, asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Air Fryer Taco Soup
This isn’t just another holiday recipe—it’s your new secret weapon for festive chaos. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
- Lightning-fast magic: From fridge to table in 25 minutes flat (yes, even on Christmas!). The air fryer works its high-heat sorcery while you tackle last-minute wrapping.
- Hug-in-a-bowl flavor: Hearty ground beef and two kinds of beans create that stick-to-your-ribs goodness everyone craves when it’s chilly outside.
- Effortless crowd-pleaser: Kids go wild for the cheesy toppings, adults adore the smoky depth—it’s the rare dish that makes both camps happy.
- One-basket wonder: Minimal cleanup means more time for eggnog and mistletoe shenanigans. Your future post-feast self will thank you.
Pro tip: Double the batch. Between sneaky taste-testers and second helpings, it disappears faster than Santa’s cookies!
Ingredients for Christmas Air Fryer Taco Soup
Gather these simple ingredients—most are pantry staples—to whip up this festive favorite:
- 1 lb lean ground beef (85/15 works best for flavor without excess grease)
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed (that liquid’s no friend to our soup!)
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, same deal—give ’em a good rinse
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained (frozen works too in a pinch)
- 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning (I use mild for the kids but go spicy if you dare!)
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel is my go-to for that extra kick)
- 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium lets you control the salt)
- Toppings: Shredded cheddar, sour cream, and fresh cilantro—the holy trinity of taco soup garnishes!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
No black beans? Pinto beans make a fine swap. For a lighter twist, try ground turkey instead of beef (just add a splash of olive oil). Dairy-free? Skip the cheese or use a plant-based shred. I’ve even used Greek yogurt when I ran out of sour cream—still delicious! Veggie broth keeps it meatless while beef broth adds that deep, rich base. The beauty? This soup forgives and adapts.
How to Make Christmas Air Fryer Taco Soup
Okay, let’s get cooking! This soup comes together so fast you’ll barely believe it. Just follow these simple steps—and don’t skip the stirring halfway through. That’s the secret to everything cooking evenly in that magical air fryer basket!
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
First, grab your trusty skillet and crank it to medium heat. Toss in that pound of ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon—get it nice and crumbly. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s no longer pink (about 5-6 minutes). Here’s the key: drain off that excess fat. Trust me, your soup will thank you for it later!
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in Air Fryer
Now, dump that beautifully browned beef right into your air fryer basket. Here’s where the party starts! Add your drained beans, corn, taco seasoning, tomatoes, and beef broth. Give it all a good stir—I mean really get in there and mix it up. You want every bite to have a little bit of everything!
Step 3: Air Fry and Serve
Set that air fryer to 370°F and let it work its magic for 15 minutes. Here’s my pro tip: at the 7-minute mark, pull the basket out and give it another good stir. This ensures nothing sticks and everything cooks evenly. When it’s done, ladle it into bowls and go wild with toppings—cheese, sour cream, cilantro, the works! The steam rising off this soup smells like Christmas cheer in a bowl.
Tips for the Best Christmas Air Fryer Taco Soup
Want to take your taco soup from good to “can I get this recipe?” amazing? Here are my hard-earned tricks:
- Broth is your BFF: Like it thicker? Use 3 cups instead of 4. Prefer it soupier? Add an extra half cup—just don’t overfill that air fryer basket (leave an inch at the top or you’ll have a bubbly mess!).
- Taste & tweak: After air frying, give it a quick taste. Need more kick? A pinch of cayenne fixes everything. Too salty? A squeeze of lime brightens it right up.
- Fresh cilantro is non-negotiable: That pop of green makes it festive, and the flavor is night-and-day better than dried. No cilantro haters in your house? Sub fresh green onions for a milder touch.
Oh, and that air fryer basket? Give it a light spritz of oil first—trust me, cleanup will be a breeze!
Serving Suggestions for Christmas Air Fryer Taco Soup
This soup is like a holiday party in a bowl, so let’s dress it up right! Pile on the festive toppings—I’m talking crushed tortilla chips for crunch, creamy avocado slices, and a sprinkle of diced red and green bell peppers for that Christmas pop. My family goes wild when I serve it with warm, buttery cornbread on the side (bonus points if you’ve got a cast iron skillet to bake it in). For a real crowd-pleaser, set up a toppings bar with small bowls of shredded cheese, sour cream, and lime wedges—let everyone customize their perfect bowl while you take all the credit.
Storage & Reheating
Here’s the good news—this soup keeps like a dream! Pop leftovers in an airtight container (I love my glass ones for this) and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for round two, reheat it in the microwave (stir every 30 seconds) or toss it back in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes. If it’s looking a little thick, just splash in some extra broth to bring it back to life. Pro tip: Store toppings separately so your chips stay crunchy and your cheese doesn’t turn into a weird melted blob!
Nutrition Information
Okay, let’s talk numbers—but remember, these are just estimates (your exact counts might dance around a bit depending on your toppings and tweaks). For one hearty bowl of this Christmas Air Fryer Taco Soup, you’re looking at:
- 320 calories (perfect for holiday indulgence without the guilt!)
- 22g protein thanks to that powerhouse combo of ground beef and beans
- 7g fiber (those beans are doing double duty!)
Swap ingredients? Your numbers will shift—like using turkey instead of beef knocks down the fat, while extra cheese… well, we don’t talk about that during the holidays!
FAQs About Christmas Air Fryer Taco Soup
Can I freeze this soup? Honestly? I don’t recommend it. Those beautiful beans turn to mush in the freezer—it’s a texture tragedy. Instead, stash leftovers in the fridge and enjoy within 3 days. Your taste buds will thank you!
Is this soup spicy? It’s as spicy as you want! The taco seasoning packet calls the shots here. For kiddos or sensitive palates, grab “mild.” Want to turn up the heat? Use hot seasoning or toss in diced jalapeños with those tomatoes. (My brother adds a dash of cayenne—he’s wild like that.)
Can I use chicken instead of beef? Absolutely! Swap in ground chicken or turkey—just know lean meats need help. Add 1 tablespoon oil when browning to keep things juicy. Chicken cooks faster too, so check at 12 minutes instead of 15. Pro tip: Shredded rotisserie chicken works great—just stir it in with the broth.
My air fryer’s small—can I halve this? Smart thinking! Half-batches work beautifully in compact air fryers. Same temp, but check at 12 minutes since less food = faster cooking. And whatever you do, leave that inch of space at the top—nobody wants a bubbling-over mess to clean on Christmas!
Share Your Holiday Creation!
Made this festive soup? Snap a pic and tag me—I’d love to see your cheesy, cilantro-topped masterpiece! Nothing makes me happier than spotting your holiday kitchen wins.
Print
25-Min Christmas Air Fryer Taco Soup (So Good!)
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A hearty and flavorful taco soup made with ground beef and beans, cooked quickly in an air fryer for a perfect Christmas meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat.
- Drain excess fat and transfer the beef to the air fryer basket.
- Add black beans, kidney beans, corn, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and beef broth to the basket.
- Mix well and air fry at 370°F for 15 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Serve hot topped with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.
Notes
- Adjust spice level by choosing mild or hot taco seasoning.
- For a thicker soup, reduce the beef broth by 1 cup.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Soup
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Mexican