Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos: A Quick and Easy Recipe

Craving Mexican food but short on time? These air fryer chicken taquitos are the perfect solution! They’re crispy, flavorful, and much healthier than their deep-fried counterparts. This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, making it a weeknight dinner winner. Plus, the air fryer cooks them up in minutes, so you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time. Get ready to enjoy these addictive, crunchy taquitos!

## Why Air Fryer Taquitos Are Amazing

* **Crispy Perfection:** The air fryer circulates hot air around the taquitos, resulting in an evenly cooked and incredibly crispy shell.
* **Healthier Option:** Using an air fryer significantly reduces the amount of oil needed compared to deep frying, making these a healthier choice.
* **Quick & Easy:** This recipe is simple and requires minimal prep time. The air fryer cooks the taquitos much faster than baking.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize the filling with your favorite ingredients. Add different cheeses, spices, or vegetables to suit your taste.
* **Kid-Friendly:** These taquitos are a hit with kids and adults alike. They’re perfect for lunchboxes, snacks, or a quick and easy dinner.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Cooked Chicken:** 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!)
* **Shredded Cheese:** 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend)
* **Cream Cheese:** 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* **Taco Seasoning:** 1-2 tablespoons taco seasoning (adjust to your taste)
* **Salsa:** 1/2 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot, depending on your preference)
* **Small Corn Tortillas:** 12-15 small corn tortillas
* **Cooking Spray:** Olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray

**Optional Toppings:**

* Sour cream
* Guacamole
* Pico de gallo
* Shredded lettuce
* Hot sauce

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s get started! Follow these simple steps to create crispy, delicious air fryer chicken taquitos.

**1. Prepare the Chicken Filling:**

* In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, shredded cheese, softened cream cheese, taco seasoning, and salsa.
* Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed and the filling is creamy and cohesive.
* Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more taco seasoning for extra flavor or a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

**2. Warm the Tortillas:**

* This step is crucial! Corn tortillas tend to crack when rolled if they’re not warmed properly. There are a few ways to warm them:
* **Microwave:** Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until pliable.
* **Skillet:** Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Warm each tortilla for a few seconds on each side until softened.
* **Oven:** Wrap the tortillas in foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.

**3. Assemble the Taquitos:**

* Lay a warmed tortilla flat on a clean surface.
* Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto the center of the tortilla.
* Roll the tortilla tightly, starting from one end and rolling towards the other. Tuck in the ends as you roll to prevent the filling from spilling out.
* Secure the taquito with a toothpick, if needed. This will help prevent them from unrolling during cooking. However, if you roll them tightly enough, toothpicks may not be necessary.
* Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.

**4. Preheat the Air Fryer:**

* Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
* Preheating ensures that the taquitos will cook evenly and get crispy. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, simply turn it on to 400°F and let it run for a few minutes before adding the taquitos.

**5. Air Fry the Taquitos:**

* Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
* Arrange the taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
* Spray the taquitos lightly with cooking spray. This will help them get extra crispy.
* Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy.
* Keep a close eye on them, as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model.

**6. Serve & Enjoy:**

* Carefully remove the taquitos from the air fryer basket and let them cool slightly before removing the toothpicks (if used).
* Serve immediately with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, and hot sauce.

## Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

* **Don’t Overfill:** Overfilling the tortillas will make them difficult to roll and more likely to burst open during cooking.
* **Warm Tortillas are Key:** As mentioned earlier, warming the tortillas is essential to prevent cracking. Don’t skip this step!
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer:** Cook the taquitos in batches to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness. Overcrowding the air fryer will result in steamed taquitos rather than crispy ones.
* **Use Cooking Spray:** Spraying the taquitos with cooking spray helps them to get nice and golden brown.
* **Adjust Cooking Time:** Air fryers can vary, so adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness. Start checking the taquitos at 8 minutes and add more time if necessary.
* **Get Creative with Fillings:** Feel free to experiment with different fillings. Try adding black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, or different types of cheese.
* **Make Ahead:** You can assemble the taquitos ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if cooking from cold.

## Variations and Add-ins

* **Spicy Taquitos:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the chicken filling for a spicy kick.
* **Vegetarian Taquitos:** Substitute the chicken with black beans, pinto beans, or a mixture of vegetables like corn, bell peppers, and onions.
* **Beef Taquitos:** Use shredded cooked beef instead of chicken.
* **Cheese Taquitos:** Simply fill the tortillas with your favorite shredded cheese for a quick and easy cheese taquito.
* **Add Black Beans and Corn:** Incorporate drained and rinsed black beans and corn kernels into the chicken mixture for added texture and flavor.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, Colby jack, or queso fresco.

## Serving Suggestions

These air fryer chicken taquitos are delicious on their own or as part of a larger Mexican-inspired meal. Here are some serving suggestions:

* **Serve with a side of Spanish rice and refried beans.**
* **Top with your favorite salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.**
* **Serve as an appetizer at your next party.**
* **Pack them in lunchboxes for a tasty and satisfying meal.**
* **Serve with a side salad for a lighter meal.**

## Storage and Reheating

**Storage:**

* **Refrigerate:** Leftover cooked taquitos can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Freeze:** To freeze, arrange the cooked taquitos in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours, or until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. This prevents them from sticking together.

**Reheating:**

* **Air Fryer:** Reheat the taquitos in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
* **Oven:** Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the taquitos for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
* **Microwave:** While not the best option for crispiness, you can microwave the taquitos for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. However, they will be softer.

## Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe

**Yields:** 12-15 taquitos
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 8-10 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
* 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1-2 tablespoons taco seasoning
* 1/2 cup salsa
* 12-15 small corn tortillas
* Cooking spray

**Instructions:**

1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, shredded cheese, softened cream cheese, taco seasoning, and salsa. Mix well.
2. Warm the corn tortillas using your preferred method (microwave, skillet, or oven).
3. Lay a warmed tortilla flat and spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto the center.
4. Roll the tortilla tightly and secure with a toothpick if needed.
5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
7. Arrange the taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
8. Spray the taquitos lightly with cooking spray.
9. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
10. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Enjoy your crispy and delicious air fryer chicken taquitos! This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a perfect way to satisfy your Mexican food cravings without all the guilt of deep frying. Happy cooking!