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These crispy Air Fryer Taquitos feature juicy chicken and cheese rolled up and crisped to perfection in under 30 minutes. They’re a healthier alternative to traditional fried taquitos and are great topped with sour cream, hot sauce and all your favorite toppings!
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You won’t miss the traditional fried version of taquitos once you try these Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos. They’re just as crispy and crunchy but with less oil and ready in half the time!
Are Air Fryer Taquitos Healthy?
These are a great healthier alternative to your traditional taquitos that are deep-fried or pan-fried. Also, these homemade taquitos are better for you than the store-bought frozen variety that is often loaded with sodium and preservatives.
Air Fryer Taquitos Ingredients
- Shredded chicken: I used my easy shredded chicken recipe and added even more spices like chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin to give the chicken extra flavor.
- Shredded cheese: I recommend using a Mexican blend or Monterey Jack shredded cheese (a little extra won’t hurt).
- Corn tortillas: I used corn tortillas for the flavor and size, and they get more crispy than flour tortillas.
- Toothpicks: These help secure the taquitos once they’re rolled into shape.
- Cooking spray: I used my favorite avocado oil cooking spray, but you can use any you have on hand. You can also lightly brush oil onto the taquitos if you don’t have a spray version.
How to Make Air Fryer Taquitos
First, take your shredded chicken in a bowl and add chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and salt. Toss together to combine and set aside.
Heat up your corn tortillas to make them soft and pliable. Wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway through. This helps prevent tearing when you’re rolling the taquitos.
Assemble the taquitos by placing a heaping spoonful of shredded chicken and cheese onto the tortilla. Tightly roll them and secure them with a toothpick on the seam.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket seam side down. Depending on how big your air fryer is, you will likely have to cook in multiple batches.
Spray the taquitos with cooking spray, air fry for 5 minutes, flip and spray again, then air fry for 2 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining taquitos.
Once all the batches are done, top with sour cream, hot sauce, chopped onions, cilantro, and shredded lettuce!
What Kind of Chicken Do I Need for Air Fryer Taquitos?
You’ll need cooked shredded chicken for these taquitos. You can make your own, use any leftover chicken you have in the fridge, or make this recipe even easier and quicker by using shredded rotisserie chicken from the grocery store!
How Do I Keep the Tortillas from Cracking?
First, heat up your corn tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving them for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway through. This helps prevent tearing when you’re rolling the taquitos. Then to keep them warm and moist during assembly, place them in a tortilla warmer to keep them from drying out and falling apart.
The Best Taquito Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Cotija cheese (or queso fresco)
- Hot sauce (or roasted tomato salsa)
- Diced onions
- Chopped cilantro
- Pico de gallo
- Sour cream (or Mexican crema)
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
- To store, transfer the taquitos to an airtight container in the fridge and store them for up to 5 days.
- To freeze, place the taquitos in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, place them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to crisp up again.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Equipment
- 14 toothpicks
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- ½ tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- salt, to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or Mexican blend)
- 14 corn tortillas
- cooking spray
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the shredded chicken, chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, onion powder and salt in a bowl. Toss together to combine. Taste and season with more salt if necessary.
- Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, flipping the tortillas halfway through until all of them are warm and pliable.
- Place a heaping spoonful of shredded chicken and shredded cheese onto each tortilla. Tightly roll up the tortillas and secure it closed by threading a toothpick along the seam (see photo in blog post).
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place the taquitos in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer seam side down. Depending on how big your air fryer is, you will likely have to cook in multiple batches. Spray the taquitos with cooking spray, air fry for 5 minutes, flip and spray again, then air fry for 2 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining taquitos.
- Remove the toothpicks from the taquitos and serve with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, mexican crema and guacamole.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These taquitos were amazing. Having lived with taco shops on practically every corner in San Diego, I really missed them and Mexican food in general when we moved to Europe. I finally located a good source for corn tortillas in Madrid Spain so I’m in heaven trying many of your recipes. Not new to cooking Mexican food but a newbie with an airfryer. The taquitos turned out perfect and delish. Easy breezy to make as I followed your instructions that were very helpful.
These are really good! Loved them and will make them again definitely, thank you!
Tried this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos tonight for Cinco de Mayo. Everyone here, said this recipe was delicious. I have never tried making Taquitos before, now, have decided to rotate this recipe once a week, because the recipe is easy follow and the ingredients are pantry staples. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Tried this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos tonight for Cinco de Mayo. Everyone here, said this recipe was delicious. I have never tried making Taquitos before, now, have decided to rotate this recipe once a week, because the recipe is follow and the ingredients are pantry staples. Thanks for sharing your recipe.