Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
These Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are crispy, cheesy, and flavorful rolled tortillas filled with a creamy chicken mixture seasoned with taco spices. Perfect as a delicious appetizer or snack, they cook quickly in the air fryer to achieve a golden-brown, crunchy exterior without deep frying.
- Author: Lily
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 15-20 taquitos 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
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
- Queso dip
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Combine cheeses and chicken: In a medium mixing bowl, add cooked shredded chicken along with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses. Stir to evenly distribute the cheese.
- Mix creamy sauce: In a separate small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, salsa, sour cream, taco seasoning, and fresh lime juice. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Make filling: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the chicken and cheese mixture, stirring thoroughly to combine all ingredients into a creamy, flavorful filling.
- Soften tortillas: Stack the corn tortillas and wrap them in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 20 seconds to make the tortillas soft and pliable, which prevents cracking while rolling.
- Fill and roll taquitos: Spoon approximately 3 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto the bottom third of each tortilla. Tightly roll the tortilla around the filling, securing the edges to hold the stuffing inside.
- Brush with olive oil: Lightly brush the outside of each rolled taquito with olive oil to help achieve a crispy, golden exterior when air fried.
- Arrange in air fryer: Place the taquitos in a single layer inside the air fryer basket or tray, making sure to leave space between each for proper air circulation. You may need to cook in batches.
- Air fry: Cook the taquitos at 400°F (204°C) for 7-8 minutes. Flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and crispiness all around.
- Serve: Remove taquitos from the air fryer once golden and crispy. Serve hot with dipping sauces such as queso dip, guacamole, and salsa for added flavor.
Notes
- Microwaving the tortillas wrapped in a damp paper towel is key for preventing them from cracking when rolled.
- You can adjust the amount of taco seasoning according to your preferred spice level.
- Olive oil brushing is essential to getting a crispy texture similar to frying without extra oil.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to maintain proper air circulation and crispiness.
- Leftover taquitos can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer to maintain crispness.
Keywords: Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos, crispy chicken taquitos, easy chicken taquitos recipe, air fryer snacks, Mexican appetizers