Place the lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it's completely browned, draining any excess grease.

Stir in the taco seasoning packet along with the water. Bring it to a simmer and let it cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and beautifully coats the beef.

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is mostly melted and well combined with the beef mixture.

To make the tortillas pliable, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave them briefly until warm and soft. This prevents them from cracking when you roll them up.

Lay a warm tortilla flat and spoon a few tablespoons of the beef and cheese mixture onto one edge. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling and repeat with the remaining tortillas.

Lightly brush the outside of each rolled taquito with olive oil, or spray them with cooking spray to achieve that crunchy texture. Place them seam-side down on a baking sheet or in your air fryer basket.

Air fry the taquitos at 375°F until they turn golden brown and crispy. Don't forget to flip them halfway through for even cooking.

Allow the taquitos to cool slightly before serving. They taste best when hot and fresh, delivering that crispy and cheesy experience everyone loves.