These air fryer chicken taquitos are easy to make and loaded with all the right flavors! They’re filled with a cheesy, creamy chicken mixture, wrapped in tortillas, and cooked until crispy with a perfectly melty filling.
AIR FRYER CHICKEN TAQUITOS
Crispy chicken taquitos loaded with a cheesy shredded chicken mixture, that is then fried, baked or air fried to perfection. This Mexican classic is going to become your new go-to dish. Pair these crispy taquitos with shredded lettuce, salsa, and sour cream, the perfect weeknight dinner. Not only does this recipe make for an easy dinner, but it’s also freezer-friendly and a great meal prep idea.
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Tortilla– You want to use either corn or flour tortillas, whichever you prefer. If you want to make small taquitos, use the small taco tortillas, for bigger taquitos, use the medium burrito sized tortillas.
- Chicken– This taquito recipe calls for shredded chicken. You can use homemade shredded chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken or even canned shredded chicken.
- Cream– The key to having creamy taquitos is the mayo and sour cream. You can swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt or for an even creamier filling swap it for cream cheese!
- Jalapenos– Everything is always better with a spicy kick, for that I add jalapenos! Either fresh or canned jalapenos can be used. Swap the jalapenos out for canned green chiles or even some diced tomatoes for a milder taste.
- Cheese– You want to use shredded cheese such as Mexican cheese, taco blend, or cheddar.
- Flavors– For the seasoning, I use salt, pepper, and taco seasoning. Either store-bought or homemade taco seasoning will work. You can also add any other seasonings you prefer.
HOW TO MAKE TAQUITOS IN AIR FRYER
Have these crispy shredded chicken taquitos ready in no time!
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the taquito filling.
- Lay out the tortillas and even divide the filling mixture among the tortillas.
- Spread the filling to cover the entire tortilla. Starting from one side, tightly roll the tortilla. Repeat with all the tortillas.
- Spray the air fryer basket with baking spray and add the taquitos into the basket with the seam side down to prevent them from opening. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the taquitos in batches.)
- Lightly spray the top of the taquitos with baking spray and air fry until the tortillas are golden brown and the filling is warm, and cheese has melted.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve warm with desired toppings.
OTHER COOKING METHODS-
There are several different methods for cooking chicken taquitos! Here are some other great cooking methods:
Baked Taquitos– If you don’t have an air fryer but still don’t want to fry the taquitos, no worries, you can bake them!
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Layout the taquitos onto the lined baking dish and spray with cooking spray and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden crispy.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm with desired toppings.
Fried Taquitos– Frying taquitos is the classic way! This will give you golden, crispy and crunchy taquitos!
- Add oil to a skillet, enough to cover the bottom.
- Heat the oil at medium high, once the oil is hot, add the taquitos and cook until golden crispy all around.
- Once the taquitos are golden, remove and add to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve with desired toppings.
| Avoid Taquitos from Opening– When baking or air frying, be sure to lay the seam side down. For frying, seal the tortillas with some water or use a toothpick! |
TAQUITO VARIATIONS
Have fun with your taquito fillings, you don’t have to just keep it at a chicken filling.
- Beef– Swap the chicken out for beef! You can use shredded or cubed beef for a heartier dish.
- Pork– Use your left-over pork carnitas or pulled pork and make cheesy pork taquitos!
- Buffalo Chicken– Swap the taco seasoning and jalapenos for Frank’s hot sauce for a spicy buffalo chicken taquito!
- Taco Style– Instead of shredded chicken, use ground beef taco meat and make taco style taquitos.
TOPPING IDEAS
I personally think the way you serve your crispy air fryer chicken taquitos is what makes or breaks this dish. Here are some delicious topping
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Lettuce
- Salsa
- Pico de Gallo
- Hot Sauce
- Guacamole
- Queso
- Cilantro
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
You can use either corn or flour tortillas for chicken taquitos, whichever you prefer.
If you want a creamier filling, add 1-2 oz of softened cream cheese instead of sour cream.
Yes! You can make the chicken mixture and store it in the fridge for 2-3 days. When ready to eat, just assemble and cook.
Once the leftovers have cooled, place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
You can totally make a double batch and freeze some for later! Once the tortillas are assembled add them to a parchment paper lined plate and freeze until hard. Transfer to a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for 3-4 months.
You do not have to thaw the taquitos when ready to enjoy, just throw them in the air fryer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the filling is warmed through and the tortilla is crispy.
OTHER MEXICAN-INSPIRED RECIPES–
If you love Mexican-inspired dishes, check out these other dishes:
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Ingredients
- 8 small tortillas flour or corn
taquito filling-
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 2 Tbsp sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp canned jalapenos chopped
- 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 2 ½ tsp taco seasoning
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mayo, sour cream, shredded cheese, jalapenos, cilantro, taco seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Lay out the tortillas and divide the chicken filling evenly among them. Spread the mixture over each tortilla and then tightly roll it up, with the seam facing down. (You can use toothpicks to secure them and prevent them from unrolling.)
- Repeat with all the tortillas- you should get 8-10 small taquitos.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and add the rolled taquitos in. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches, do not overcrowd the basket.)
- Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, until the filling is melty and the tortillas are golden and crispy. (For extra crunch, flip halfway through the cooking time.)
- Top with your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
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