Air Fryer Cheesy Chicken Taquitos
Air Fryer Cheesy Chicken Taquitos are the perfect savory snack or entrée for busy weeknights. With just a handful of ingredients and a mix of flavorful spices, you will have a cheesy, crispy meal that will have your family coming back for seconds every time.
Air fryers have taken the cooking world by storm. This simple kitchen gadget has become the saving grace of busy families everywhere with its capacity and versatility. Air fryers allow you to fry food without all the mess and waste of traditional frying. Our air fryer cheesy chicken taquitos are a prime example of how your air fryer can give you a delicious, hearty meal in minutes.
These air fryer taquitos are easy and cheap to make, making them an excellent option for busy families on the go. You can even prep your taquito filling ahead of time for added convenience. These taquitos are great on their own or with your favorite Mexican sides. No matter how you serve these taquitos, they will be gone as soon as they come out of the air fryer. Our Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichanga are delicious appetizers that you can enjoy along with your taquitos.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups shredded chicken
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheese
- 8oz full-fat cream cheese (softened)
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp seasoned salt
- 20 taco-size corn tortillas
- Cooking spray
Equipment You’ll Need
This recipe comes together quickly with just an air fryer! If you are looking to cut down on your clean-up time, you can place a basket liner in your air fryer basket before preheating the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Cheesy Taquitos
- Combine the chicken, cream cheese, and spices in a large bowl.
- Mix in the shredded cheese. Set aside.
- Microwave the tortillas until warm and flexible.
- Add a spoonful of chicken filling to each tortilla and roll to close.
- Fill the air fryer with the taquitos and spray with cooking oil.
- Cook until crispy, flipping partway through the cooking time.
- Garnish and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put aluminum foil in the air fryer?
Sure thing! Aluminum foil is a great way to avoid making a mess in your air fryer. It is important to note that if you line your air fryer with foil your food will not cook as evenly since the bottom will not have the constant flow of hot air running over it. However, with a recipe like this that requires you to flip halfway through, you don’t have to worry about it.
How do I keep my taquitos from unrolling?
Inserting a toothpick into each taquito is a great way to keep them from unrolling in the air fryer. You can also place your taquitos in the air fryer with the rolled side down so that the weight of the filling prevents your taquitos from unrolling.
Are taquitos better with corn or flour tortillas?
This debate comes down to personal preference. Both flour and corn tortillas work great for taquitos. While corn tortillas will give you a crispier end product, flour tortillas are less likely to crack.
How to Serve and Store Cheesy Chicken Taquitos
We like serving our cheesy chicken taquitos with Spanish rice, guacamole, and a dollop of sour cream. Other sides that go great with this dish include black beans, fresh salsa, and a side salad.
Leftover taquitos can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Simply reheat them in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 400°F. Alternatively, you can store your taquitos in the freezer for up 2 months. Reheat frozen taquitos for 8-10 minutes in the air fryer at 400°F.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- These taquitos will not crisp up as much when reheated in the air fryer, so they are best served fresh.
- You can use any cheese in this recipe. Pepper jack will add a little bit of spice while also giving you a nice gooey melt. We also like using mild cheddar and Colby Jack cheese.
- Fill your air fryer basket all the way to prevent the taquitos from bursting open while they cook.
More Recipes:
Air Fryer Cheesy Chicken Taquitos
Air Fryer Cheesy Chicken Taquitos are the perfect savory snack or entrée for busy weeknights. With just a handful of ingredients and a mix of flavorful spices, you will have a cheesy, crispy meal that will have your family coming back for seconds every time.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded chicken
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheese
- 8oz full fat cream cheese (softened)
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp seasoned salt
- 20 taco size corn tortillas
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together shredded chicken, cream cheese, paprika, onion
- powder, garlic powder, cumin, and seasoned salt.
- Add in the shredded cheese and mix until combined.
- Heat tortillas (4 at a time) on a plate with a bowl over the top in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Scoop 2 tbsp of filling into the center of each tortilla and roll it up.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400° for 3 minutes.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place taquitos into the air fryer basket (making sure they aren’t touching). Spray lightly with cooking oil. You might have to do these in batches!
- Air fry at 400° for 5 minutes then flip the taquitos. Spray with cooking oil and air fry for another 2 minutes. Taquitos should be golden brown.
- Remove from the air fryer and place on a platter. Cover them with a towel to keep them warm.
- Repeat steps 6-8 with the rest of the taquitos.
- Top with sour cream, queso fresco, guac, and tomatoes then enjoy!
Ingredient Notes
- Shredded Chicken—Rotisserie, baked, grilled, or leftover.
- Shredded Cheese—Use freshly shredded cheese to get the best melt.
- Cream Cheese—Makes the filling smooth and creamy.
- Paprika—Provides a mild spice to the filling.
- Onion Powder—Or use dried minced onion.
- Garlic Powder—Alternatively, you can use one clove of freshly minced garlic.
- Cumin—Gives the filling a slightly smokey flavor.
- Seasoned Salt—Boosts the flavor of the other spices.
- Corn Tortillas—Keeps your taquitos together and crisps to perfection.
Notes
Equipment You’ll Need
This recipe comes together quickly with just an air fryer! If you are looking to cut down on your clean-up time, you can place a basket liner in your air fryer basket before preheating the air fryer.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- These taquitos will not crisp up as much when reheated in the air fryer, so they are best served fresh.
- You can use any cheese in this recipe. Pepper jack will add a little bit of spice while also giving you a nice gooey melt. We also like using mild cheddar and Colby Jack cheese.
- Fill your air fryer basket all the way to prevent the taquitos from bursting open while they cook.
Nutrition Information
Yield
20Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 344Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 66mgSodium 753mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 3gSugar 2gProtein 19g
