Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Introduction
These Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are a crispy, flavorful snack or meal that comes together quickly with simple ingredients. Filled with cheesy, seasoned chicken and cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer, they’re perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup salsa
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 15-20 corn tortillas
- Olive oil, for brushing
- Queso dip, for serving
- Guacamole, for serving
- Salsa, for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses.
- Step 2: In a separate small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, salsa, sour cream, taco seasoning, and fresh lime juice until fully blended.
- Step 3: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the chicken and cheese, stirring until well combined to create the filling.
- Step 4: Wrap a stack of tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20 seconds to soften and make them pliable.
- Step 5: Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the filling onto the bottom third of each tortilla, then roll tightly to enclose the filling.
- Step 6: Brush the outside of each rolled tortilla with olive oil to help crisp them in the air fryer.
- Step 7: Place the taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation. You may need to cook in batches.
- Step 8: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Step 9: Serve the taquitos warm with queso dip, guacamole, and salsa for dipping.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, spray the taquitos with a light mist of cooking spray instead of brushing with olive oil.
- Swap corn tortillas for flour tortillas if you prefer a softer texture.
- Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the filling for a spicy kick.
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time on shredding and cooking.
Storage
Store cooled taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness. For longer storage, freeze uncooked taquitos in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to the air frying time.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these taquitos ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the taquitos and refrigerate them for a few hours before cooking. Just keep them covered to prevent drying out. You can also freeze uncooked taquitos and air fry directly from frozen.
What can I substitute for cream cheese?
If you don’t have cream cheese, a thick sour cream or Greek yogurt can be used, though the filling will be less creamy and slightly tangier.
Print
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 15–20 taquitos 1x
Description
These Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are a crispy, cheesy, and flavorful Mexican-inspired snack, perfect for an easy appetizer or meal. Made with tender shredded chicken, creamy cheeses, and zesty seasonings, these taquitos are cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer, delivering a crunchy exterior without deep frying.
Ingredients
Filling
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 ½ cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup salsa
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Taquitos
- 15–20 corn tortillas
- Olive oil, for brushing
Serving Suggestions
- Queso dip
- Guacamole
- Salsa
Instructions
- Combine the chicken and cheeses: In a medium mixing bowl, add the cooked shredded chicken along with the Monterey jack cheese and cheddar cheese. Stir well to evenly combine all the ingredients.
- Prepare the creamy seasoning mixture: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, salsa, sour cream, taco seasoning, and fresh lime juice until smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Mix the filling: Pour the creamy seasoning mixture into the bowl with the chicken and cheese. Stir everything together until you have a well-blended filling ready to be stuffed into tortillas.
- Soften tortillas: Stack the corn tortillas and wrap them in a damp paper towel. Microwave the stack for 20 seconds to make the tortillas soft and pliable for easy rolling.
- Fill and roll taquitos: Spoon approximately 3 tablespoons of the chicken cheese filling into the bottom third of each softened tortilla. Roll tightly to encase the filling completely.
- Brush with olive oil: Lightly brush the outsides of each rolled tortilla with olive oil to help achieve a crispy exterior during air frying.
- Arrange in air fryer: Place the taquitos in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between each one to allow proper air circulation. Prepare to cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry until crispy: Cook the taquitos at 400°F (204°C) for 7-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. They should be golden brown and crispy when done.
- Serve with dips: Remove the taquitos from the air fryer and serve immediately with your choice of queso dip, guacamole, and/or salsa for dipping.
Notes
- Using warm tortillas is crucial to prevent cracking while rolling; do not skip microwaving or warming them.
- Make sure to brush the taquitos evenly with olive oil for extra crispiness.
- Air fryer models vary, so monitor cooking time closely to avoid burning.
- These taquitos can be made ahead and reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to re-crisp.
- For a spicier variation, add finely chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: air fryer, chicken taquitos, taquitos recipe, Mexican appetizers, crispy taquitos, easy snacks
