To reheat a frozen burrito in an air fryer, cook at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, turning once, until the tortilla is crisp and the center is hot.
Why Air Fryer Frozen Burritos Work So Well
Microwaves often leave a frozen burrito with a soggy tortilla and uneven heat. An air fryer pushes hot air around the burrito, so the outside dries and crisps while the inside warms more evenly.
Air fryers act like compact convection ovens with a small chamber and strong fan. The basket keeps the burrito raised, which lets hot air reach every side. You get toasty edges, melted cheese, and a warm center without firing up a full oven or adding oil.
A reheated frozen burrito should still reach at least 165°F in the center, which matches reheating advice for leftovers from food safety agencies.
That 165°F target keeps the filling out of the temperature danger zone, where bacteria grow fastest, while the air fryer gives you that crisp finish that microwaves struggle to deliver.
Frozen Burrito Air Fryer Time And Temperature Guide
If you want quick numbers for reheat time in the air fryer, start with this guide. Times assume a preheated air fryer and frozen burritos that were cooked before freezing.
| Burrito Size Or Type | Air Fryer Temperature | Approximate Time |
|---|---|---|
| Small frozen burrito (4–5 oz) | 350°F (175°C) | 8–10 minutes |
| Regular frozen burrito (6–8 oz) | 350°F (175°C) | 10–12 minutes |
| Large frozen burrito (9–12 oz) | 350°F (175°C) | 12–15 minutes |
| Extra large or stuffed burrito | 340°F (170°C) | 14–18 minutes |
| Breakfast burrito with egg | 330–340°F (165–170°C) | 10–14 minutes |
| Bean and cheese frozen burrito | 350°F (175°C) | 9–11 minutes |
| Two frozen burritos at once | 350°F (175°C) | 12–16 minutes |
Brands use tortillas and fillings with different thickness and moisture, so you may need to trim a minute or add a couple more.
How To Reheat A Frozen Burrito In Air Fryer Step By Step
This method works for most store bought burritos straight from the freezer and for homemade burritos that you cooked, wrapped, and froze earlier.
Step 1: Read The Burrito Wrapper
Start by checking the package. Some frozen burritos include air fryer directions. If your wrapper lists special steps, such as keeping a crisping sleeve or removing sauce packets, follow those first. When only oven or microwave directions appear, use the oven time and temperature as a loose guide and shorten the time for the air fryer.
Step 2: Preheat The Air Fryer
Set the air fryer to 350°F and let it run for 3–5 minutes empty. A hot basket helps the tortilla start to crisp as soon as the burrito goes in. If your model runs hotter than most, drop the setting to 330–340°F for large burritos.
Step 3: Unwrap And Prep The Burrito
Remove any plastic wrap, cardboard sleeves, or paper trays that are not oven safe. Keep sauce packets to the side. If the burrito is covered in ice crystals, brush them off with a dry paper towel so extra water does not steam the tortilla. For an extra soft shell, wrap the burrito loosely in a small sheet of foil for the first half of cooking.
Step 4: Air Fry From Frozen
Place the frozen burrito seam side down in the basket. Leave a little space on all sides so air can move. Cook at 350°F for 6–7 minutes, flip with tongs, then cook for another 4–6 minutes. Large burritos may need a couple more minutes, while smaller ones can finish earlier.
Step 5: Check Temperature And Texture
Use a food thermometer if you have one. Slide the probe into the center from one end and look for at least 165°F. That matches the standard for reheated leftovers and keeps meat, beans, and rice in a safer range.
At the same time, feel the tortilla. The surface should feel dry and lightly firm. A few golden spots on the edges mean you are near the balance between soft and crunchy.
Step 6: Rest, Slice, And Serve
Let the burrito rest on a plate for 2–3 minutes before cutting. The filling evens out, and the tortilla relaxes so it does not split as easily. Cut in half on the diagonal or slice into thick rounds for kids or snacking plates. Add salsa, chopped lettuce, or a spoon of sour cream to freshen up the filling.
Reheating A Frozen Burrito In Air Fryer Safely
Reheating frozen burritos follows the same basic food safety rules as other leftovers. Cooked fillings should not sit in the temperature danger zone for long, and reheating should bring the center to a safe level.
Guidance for leftovers from USDA Food Safety And Inspection Service says that reheated dishes should reach 165°F in the middle. That applies to frozen burritos as well, since most brands cook the filling before freezing.
You can see the same 165°F target for leftovers listed in the safe minimum internal temperature chart used by food safety agencies.
Storing Burritos Before Reheating
For homemade burritos, cool the filling, roll tightly, wrap in foil or freezer paper, and freeze within two hours of cooking. Pack them in a freezer bag, remove extra air, and label with the date. For the best texture, reheat within two to three months.
If you froze leftovers from a restaurant burrito, the same two hour rule applies. Move the leftovers into the fridge as soon as you can, then freeze if you will not eat them within a couple of days.
Checking Doneness Without A Thermometer
If you do not own a thermometer, use a simple visual check. After air frying, cut the burrito in half. Steam should rise from the center, cheese should be melted, and meat should not look pink.
If the center feels only barely warm, place both halves cut side up in the basket and air fry for 2–3 more minutes.
Reheating A Frozen Burrito In Air Fryer For Different Fillings
Frozen burritos come with lots of fillings, and they do not all behave the same way in the air fryer. Small changes in time and temperature protect softer ingredients and prevent leaks.
Bean And Cheese Frozen Burritos
Bean and cheese burritos usually reheat well. The filling is thick and stays put, so there is less dripping into the basket. Air fry at 350°F for about 9–11 minutes, flipping once. If the edges look dry, spray a thin coat of oil on the tortilla before cooking or brush on a little neutral oil.
Meat Filled Frozen Burritos
Beef, chicken, and pork fillings should always reach 165°F. Keep the air fryer near 350°F and watch the tortilla. If the edges brown too fast while the center still feels cool, drop the temperature to around 330–340°F and cook for a few extra minutes.
Breakfast Burritos With Egg
Eggs dry out faster than beans. For frozen breakfast burritos, set the air fryer to 330–340°F and cook for about 10–14 minutes. Wrapping the burrito in foil for the first half keeps the egg tender. Remove the foil near the end so the tortilla can firm up.
Extra Large And Homemade Stuffed Burritos
Homemade burritos and extra large store bought ones often carry a lot of filling. Drop the temperature slightly to around 340°F and plan on 14–18 minutes total, flipping once or twice. If the outside looks done but the center is still cool, slice the burrito in half and place the cut sides up in the basket until steaming hot.
Air Fryer Frozen Burrito Mistakes To Avoid
Air fryers are friendly, but a few habits make frozen burritos less tasty. Watch for these common mistakes so your reheated burrito stays crisp on the outside and hot inside.
Overcrowding The Air Fryer Basket
Placing several frozen burritos tightly together keeps hot air from reaching every side. The spots where burritos touch stay pale and soft while the exposed edges darken. Cook one or two burritos at a time.
Skipping The Flip
Leaving the burrito in one position for the whole cook can scorch the bottom and leave the top limp. Flip halfway through so each side spends time near the heating element.
Trusting The Timer Alone
Every air fryer model runs a little differently, and frozen burritos vary in size. Use time charts as guides, not strict rules. Check the tortilla color, press gently on the shell, and look inside the filling if you are unsure.
Second Day Burritos And Refreezing Tips
Reheated burritos do not always get finished in one sitting. You might also wonder whether you can refrigerate or freeze leftovers from a burrito that was already frozen once.
| Situation | What To Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Half a burrito left after reheating | Cool quickly, refrigerate within 2 hours, eat within 3–4 days | Limits time in the temperature danger zone |
| Reheating the same burrito again | Reheat only once more and return the center to 165°F | Repeated heating and cooling raises food safety risk |
| Refreezing a reheated burrito | Avoid refreezing cooked burritos after air frying | Texture breaks down and safety margin shrinks |
| Leftovers left out over 2 hours | Discard instead of chilling or refreezing | Too much time at room temperature encourages bacteria |
| Storing homemade frozen burritos | Freeze within 2 hours in airtight wrapping and label | Better texture and flavor, safer storage window |
| Serving reheated burritos to higher risk groups | Be strict with reheating time and temperature | Young children, pregnant people, and older adults need extra care |
| Microwaving instead of air frying | Finish in the air fryer for a crisp shell after microwaving | Microwave alone often leaves the tortilla soft and chewy |
Flavor Upgrades For Air Fryer Frozen Burritos
A basic frozen burrito is handy on a busy night, but small add ons can turn it into a meal you look forward to. Since you already know how to reheat a frozen burrito in air fryer, the next step is adding flavor and texture on top.
Fresh Toppings And Simple Sides
Add chopped cilantro, diced tomato, sliced green onion, or shredded lettuce over the sliced burrito. Serve with tortilla chips, a scoop of guacamole, black beans, or a quick salad.
Cheesy Or Saucy Finish
During the last 2–3 minutes in the air fryer, open the basket and sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top. Close the basket so the cheese can melt. After slicing, drizzle salsa, hot sauce, crema, or plain Greek yogurt over the pieces.
Quick Reference For Reheating A Frozen Burrito In Air Fryer
Here is a simple recap so you can see how to reheat a frozen burrito in air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to about 350°F.
- Unwrap the frozen burrito and remove any plastic or paper that is not oven safe.
- Place the burrito seam side down in the basket with space around it.
- Air fry for 6–7 minutes, flip, then cook for another 4–6 minutes.
- Check that the center reaches at least 165°F and that the tortilla feels crisp.
- Let the burrito rest for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving with toppings.
Once you are comfortable with this method, you can tweak the time and temperature for different burrito sizes and fillings and still enjoy a crisp tortilla and hot, flavorful center every time.