Air fryer taquitos have become my go-to snack for a quick, delicious bite without the guilt of deep frying.
As someone who loves to cook and share kitchen wins, I've found that nothing beats the ease of popping these little rolls of goodness into the air fryer and getting a perfect, crispy result every time.
With a few basic ingredients and even simpler steps, you'll get to enjoy a meal that's both satisfying and light. Stick with me, and I'll show you how to churn out taquitos that'll make your taste buds sing and your guests line up for more.
Let’s get those air fryers humming and the taquitos rolling!
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Video Tutorial
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon of avocado oil
- 4 tortillas (7-8 inches in diameter)
- 1 chicken breast (cooked and finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons of red Mexican salsa
- 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning
- 3 tablespoons of cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons of cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon of dried cilantro leaves
Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed
- Air Fryer (Mine is the Instant Vortex Plus XL)
- Mixing Bowl (for the filling)
- Kitchen Tongs
- Silicone Brush
- Serving Plate
- Knife
- Cutting Board
Instructions
Start by heating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Mix the finely chopped cooked chicken, taco seasoning, salsa, cheddar cheese, dried cilantro, and cream cheese in a small bowl. Fresh cilantro is a great upgrade if you have it on hand.
Ensure your chicken is already cooked to your liking, either boiled or smoked. For a custom taco seasoning, simply blend together salt, garlic powder, paprika (smoked or sweet), cumin, a dash of chili powder, and oregano.
Take a tortilla, spoon about two tablespoons of filling into the center, then roll it halfway into a tube. Brush avocado oil on the exposed tortilla edge to help keep it sealed.
Complete rolling the taquito and lay it seam-side down. Do this for the rest of your tortillas, and lightly oil the outside with a silicone brush.
Place the taquitos in the air fryer basket in a single layer, spaced apart for even cooking.
Cook them for 6 minutes. Check the color for your preferred crispiness, adding 2-3 minutes more if you like them extra crispy.
Once done, serve your taquitos with extra salsa or dips of your choice. Enjoy your delicious and crunchy air fryer taquitos!
Tips for Adjusting the Cooking Time and Temperature
Remember, not all air fryers are built the same. Yours might run hotter or cooler than others, which means you might need to tweak the cooking times and temperatures a bit to get those taquitos just right.
For those new to this recipe or trying out a new air fryer, start with the guidelines I've provided. Keep an eye on your taquitos as they cook, and adjust the time as needed for that perfect golden crunch.
It’s all about finding that sweet spot for your machine.
Serving Recommendations
- Pair your air fryer taquitos with a fresh, tangy guacamole dip to add creaminess and zest to every bite.
- Drizzle with a bit of sour cream or a homemade cilantro-lime sauce for a flavor-packed garnish.
- Serve alongside a crisp, colorful salad to turn these taquitos from a snack into a full meal.
- For a true fiesta of flavors, offer a variety of salsas—red, green, and mango—for dipping.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Swap out the chicken for shredded beef, pork, or even a plant-based alternative to cater to everyone's preferences.
- If you’re not a fan of cheddar, try melting in some pepper jack or queso fresco for a different taste.
- Make the taquitos gluten-free by using corn tortillas in place of flour ones.
- Add black beans or corn to the filling for an extra punch of flavor and fiber.
- For those who love a kick, incorporate diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper into the mix.
Pro Tips for Success
- To prevent the taquitos from opening while cooking, make sure to roll them tightly and brush the ends with a bit of oil to seal.
- Avoid overfilling the tortillas. Too much filling can cause the taquitos to burst open during cooking.
- Preheat your air fryer before cooking the taquitos to ensure maximum crispness.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; air circulation is key to achieving an even cook and crisp exterior.
Air Fryer Taquitos FAQs
It takes about 6-8 minutes to cook taquitos in the air fryer if they're fresh or thawed. I set my air fryer to 400°F and keep an eye on them after the 6-minute mark to ensure they get to that perfect golden-brown without overdoing it.
Absolutely! There's no need to thaw them. Place the frozen taquitos in the air fryer and cook for about 8-10 minutes. You might need to add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time compared to fresh taquitos to make sure they heat through completely.
To heat up already-cooked taquitos, set the air fryer to 350°F and warm them for about 3-4 minutes. This should heat them through and bring back that crispiness we all love without burning them. Always keep an eye out, as different air fryer models might heat differently.
To prevent taquitos from unrolling, secure the seam with a toothpick or make sure to place them seam-side down in the basket. A little brush of oil along the seam before cooking can also help seal them shut.
Yes, corn tortillas work well for taquitos, but they tend to crack if not warmed slightly before rolling. Heat them up for a few seconds on each side in a skillet to make them pliable.
There you have it—air fryer taquitos that are sure to impress with their crunch and flavor. Whether you're whipping up a quick dinner or hosting a gathering, these taquitos are the perfect addition to your recipe collection.
But why stop there? Our blog is brimming with more air fryer recipes waiting to be discovered.
I'd also love to hear from you, so if you've given these taquitos a try, drop a comment and share your experience. Your feedback fuels our culinary adventures, and together, we'll continue to make the air fryer our trusted kitchen ally for meals that are both scrumptious and simple!
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Recipe
Air Fryer Taquitos
Equipment
- Mixing bowl (for the filling)
- Kitchen tongs
- Silicone brush
- Serving plate
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon avocado oil
- 4 flour tortillas (7-8 inches in diameter)
- 1 chicken breast (cooked and finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoon red Mexican salsa
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- 3 tablespoon cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoon cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Start by heating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix the finely chopped cooked chicken, taco seasoning, salsa, cheddar cheese, dried cilantro, and cream cheese in a small bowl. Fresh cilantro is a great upgrade if you have it on hand.
- Ensure your chicken is already cooked to your liking, either boiled or smoked. For a custom taco seasoning, simply blend together salt, garlic powder, paprika (smoked or sweet), cumin, a dash of chili powder, and oregano.
- Take a tortilla, spoon about two tablespoons of filling into the center, then roll it halfway into a tube. Brush avocado oil on the exposed tortilla edge to help keep it sealed.
- Complete rolling the taquito and lay it seam-side down. Do this for the rest of your tortillas, and lightly oil the outside with a silicone brush.
- Place the taquitos in the air fryer basket in a single layer, spaced apart for even cooking.
- Cook them for 6 minutes. Check the color for your preferred crispiness, adding 2-3 minutes more if you like them extra crispy.
- Once done, serve your taquitos with extra salsa or dips of your choice. Enjoy your delicious and crunchy air fryer taquitos!
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