If you’re craving a crispy, flavorful snack that’s bursting with zesty chicken goodness, you’re gonna love this Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe. I absolutely love how these little rolled delights come out perfectly crunchy without the mess of deep frying – trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Prep and cook these taquitos in under 20 minutes total, perfect for busy days or last minute snacks.
- Mess-Free Crunch: Using the air fryer gives you that golden crispiness without oil splatters or deep-frying.
- Versatile Filling: The blend of chicken, salsa verde, and spices means you get a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors every bite.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for these – they’re always gone in minutes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The combo of tender chicken, creamy sour cream, tangy salsa verde, and fresh lime juice really makes the filling sing. Plus, the taco seasoning and cheddar cheese bring all that authentic Mexican flavor you want. Here’s what I use to get that perfect taquito every time.
- Cooked Chicken: I love to use shredded rotisserie chicken for a super quick option that’s tender and flavorful.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Gives a creamy, tangy texture that balances the salsa verde nicely.
- Salsa Verde: Adds fresh, zesty notes that brighten the filling – homemade or store-bought both work great.
- Fresh Lime Juice: A squeeze of lime lifts all the flavors and adds that fresh citrus punch.
- Taco Seasoning: You can use a packet from the store or mix your own for extra control over spice level.
- Chopped Fresh Cilantro: This herb is a must to keep the filling light and vibrant.
- Cheddar Cheese: I like tossing in sharp cheddar for melty, savory goodness inside the taquitos.
- Flour Tortillas (Fajita Size): These are just the right size and pliability to roll the filling tightly.
- Cooking Spray: To ensure a crispy finish in the air fryer without sticking.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe. Feel free to swap out the chicken for beef or mushrooms for a vegetarian twist – you really can customize it to suit your cravings or pantry. Here are a few ideas I’ve tried and loved.
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne in the filling for extra heat – my family loves the spicy version!
- Cheese Variations: Try pepper jack or Monterey jack instead of cheddar for a creamier melt.
- Vegetarian: Swap chicken for black beans, corn, and sautéed peppers – it’s just as delicious and hearty.
- Whole Wheat Tortillas: For a healthier twist, you can use whole wheat or low-carb tortillas without compromising crispness.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Filling
Start by preheating your air fryer to 370℉ – this ensures it’s hot and ready to crisp those taquitos up perfectly. While it heats, combine your shredded chicken, sour cream, salsa verde, lime juice, taco seasoning, cilantro, and shredded cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Give it a good stir so everything is evenly mixed. I find that mixing everything thoroughly helps the flavors meld together beautifully and makes each taquito taste consistent.
Step 2: Roll Up Your Taquitos
Scoop about ¼ heaping cup of the chicken mixture onto each flour tortilla. Then, roll them up tightly—this keeps the filling in place and helps create those beautiful crispy edges. Don’t worry if your first one isn’t perfect; you get better at rolling as you go! I like to roll snug enough so they don’t unravel during cooking but not so tight that the tortilla tears.
Step 3: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the taquitos in a single layer, making sure they’re not overcrowded so the air circulates well. You might need to do two batches depending on your air fryer size. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until they’re golden brown and crispy. I keep a close eye toward the end – sometimes an extra 30 seconds makes all the difference between good and amazing crispness.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Once out of the air fryer, serve your taquitos warm with plenty of garnishes like sour cream, guacamole, and diced green onions. Trust me, the mix of creamy and fresh toppings is the perfect contrast to the crunchy taquitos. Everyone always asks for seconds when I bring these to the table!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
- Don’t Overfill the Tortillas: I learned the hard way that stuffing too much filling makes rolling tricky and can cause splitting during air frying.
- Spray, Spray, Spray: A light coat of cooking spray on the taquitos before air frying really amps up the crispiness—don’t skip this step!
- Batch Cook if Needed: For even cooking and maximum crunch, give them some breathing room in the basket and cook in batches if necessary.
- Rest Before Serving: Letting taquitos rest for a couple of minutes after air frying helps them set up, making them less prone to falling apart.
How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Garnishes
I always keep sour cream, guacamole, and chopped green onions on hand because they add the perfect cool, creamy, and fresh touches to each bite. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little extra cilantro or add a squeeze of lime wedges on top for that extra zing. It’s these simple garnishes that make the taquitos taste restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
These chicken taquitos pair wonderfully with a side of Mexican street corn salad, a crisp green salad, or even some black beans and rice for a more filling meal. You could also serve them alongside your favorite salsa and chips to turn these into a fun party spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party idea, I sometimes stand the taquitos upright in a glass or decorative jar and surround them with colorful dips in small bowls. Kids and adults alike love dipping into guacamole or sour cream while grabbing a taquito off the stack. It makes for a casual yet impressive presentation that’s easy to enjoy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the fridge, usually layering parchment paper between them to prevent sticking. They stay crispy-ish for a day or two, but they’re best reheated to regain that crunch.
Freezing
I’ve had great success freezing these taquitos before air frying. Just roll them up and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. When you want to enjoy, cook them straight from frozen in the air fryer, just add a couple extra minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-air-fryer crispiness, I pop leftovers into the air fryer at 350℉ for 3-4 minutes. This heat quickly revives their crunch without drying out the filling, unlike microwaving which makes them soggy.
FAQs
-
Can I make Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap regular flour tortillas for gluten-free tortillas that are sturdy enough to roll, and check that your taco seasoning doesn’t contain gluten ingredients. The air fryer method still works perfectly.
-
What’s the best chicken to use for these taquitos?
I recommend using cooked shredded chicken like from a rotisserie or leftover roasted chicken. It’s tender, flavorful, and speed cuts down prep time. You can also cook and shred chicken breasts or thighs at home if preferred.
-
Can I freeze fully cooked taquitos?
Freezing fully cooked taquitos is possible, but I find freezing them before air frying yields better texture after reheating. If freezing cooked ones, reheat straight from frozen at a slightly lower temperature to avoid drying out.
-
How do I prevent the taquitos from unrolling?
Rolling them snugly helps, and placing the seam side down in the air fryer basket keeps them closed during cooking. If needed, you can secure them with a toothpick, but I usually avoid this for convenience.
-
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Simply substitute sour cream with a dairy-free alternative, and use a dairy-free cheese or omit it altogether. The salsa verde and lime juice keep the filling flavorful even without dairy.
Final Thoughts
Ever since I discovered this Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe, it’s become my go-to when I want something quick, satisfying, and downright delicious without turning on the oven or heating up the whole kitchen. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a treat but is simple enough to whip up on any night. Seriously, give it a try – your future self (and your hungry crew) will thank you!
Print
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (10-12 taquitos) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
These crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are a perfect quick and delicious appetizer or meal. Made with shredded chicken, creamy sour cream, tangy salsa verde, and melty cheddar cheese, all wrapped in warm flour tortillas and air fried to golden perfection. Serve with guacamole, sour cream, and diced green onions for a delightful bite-sized treat.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup salsa verde
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 3 teaspoons taco seasoning (1 packet)
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
For Assembly and Garnish
- Flour tortillas (fajita size)
- Cooking spray
- Sour cream, for garnish
- Guacamole, for garnish
- Diced green onion, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370℉ to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for crisping the taquitos evenly.
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken with sour cream, salsa verde, fresh lime juice, taco seasoning, chopped cilantro, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Roll Taquitos: Lay out each flour tortilla and place about a heaping ¼ cup of the chicken mixture onto one end. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling to form a taquito. Repeat with the remaining filling to make about 10-12 taquitos.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy crisping.
- Arrange Taquitos: Place the rolled taquitos in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd so they cook evenly. You may need to cook them in batches depending on your air fryer size.
- Cook Taquitos: Air fry the taquitos for 3-4 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve: Serve the hot taquitos with your favorite garnishes like guacamole, sour cream, and diced green onions for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
- This recipe is a fantastic way to use leftover rotisserie chicken for a quick meal.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake them at 400℉ on a baking sheet lined with foil for about 12-15 minutes until crispy.
- For extra crispiness, lightly brush each taquito with oil before air frying.
- These taquitos can be frozen before cooking; just air fry a few minutes longer if cooking from frozen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 taquitos
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
