Air-Frying Flautas: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Flautas are a traditional Mexican dish that can be made in an air fryer. They are made with a filling of shredded meat, cheese, and onions, and rolled up in a tortilla. The type of tortilla used determines the name of the dish: corn tortillas are called taquitos, while flour tortillas are called flautas. Air-fried flautas are a healthier alternative to deep-fried ones and can be made with various fillings, including chicken, beef, and pork. They are a quick and easy dish to make, taking only about 15 minutes to prepare and cook.

Flauta fillings

Flautas are a popular Mexican dish that are easy to make and can be cooked in an air fryer. They are made by filling and rolling up tortillas, which are then cooked until golden brown and crispy.

There are many options for fillings, but the most popular choice is shredded chicken. You can use leftover chicken or cook it specifically for the flautas. Chicken can be stewed with tomato sauce and onions, or you can use my Best Ever Shredded Chicken recipe. Other proteins such as steak, pork, beef, or shrimp can also be used.

The chicken filling can be mixed with salsa, cheese, sour cream, and jalapenos. You can also add cream cheese to the filling, and guacamole is a great topping option. For a dairy-free option, use dairy-free cheese and cream cheese.

If you want to make your flautas extra crispy, you can fry them in canola oil over medium heat, constantly turning them to ensure an even cook. However, air frying is a healthier alternative that still produces a delicious, crispy result.

Flauta toppings

Flautas are a traditional Mexican snack, consisting of rolled-up tortillas, filled with meat and cheese, and fried until golden and crispy. They are called flautas because 'flauta' means 'flute' in Spanish, and the shape of the snack resembles a flute. Flautas are often served with toppings and dips, such as:

• Guacamole
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Hot sauce
• Shredded lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Avocado
• Crema
• Cheese
• Jalapenos
• Onions
• Shredded iceberg lettuce
• Sliced tomato
• Sliced avocado
• Sliced onion
• Queso fresco
• Cotija

You can also serve flautas with sides of rice and beans.

Flauta cooking times

Most sources recommend cooking flautas in an air fryer preheated to between 360 and 380 degrees Fahrenheit. One source recommends preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is important to ensure that the flautas are placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket and that they are not overcrowded. This allows the hot air to circulate properly and cook the flautas evenly. Depending on the size of the air fryer and the number of flautas being cooked, it may be necessary to work in batches.

Cooking times for flautas in an air fryer range from 6 to 10 minutes. Some sources recommend cooking flautas for 6 to 9 minutes, while others suggest 7 to 10 minutes. It is important to keep an eye on the flautas during cooking to ensure they do not overcook or burn.

Most sources recommend flipping the flautas halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning. One source suggests checking on the flautas after 5 minutes of cooking to see how fast they are cooking and determine if they need to be flipped.

Once cooked, the flautas should be golden brown and crispy. They can be served with various toppings, such as salsa, sour cream, guacamole, hot sauce, or queso.

Flauta rolling techniques

Flautas are long, thin, and flute-shaped, resembling the musical instrument from which they get their name. They are made by rolling up tortillas around a filling. Here are some tips for rolling flautas:

Choosing the Right Tortillas

Flautas are traditionally made with flour tortillas, but corn tortillas can also be used. Choose the freshest tortillas you can find to prevent tearing. If you are using corn tortillas, warm them up in the microwave for about 30 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel to make them pliable. This will help prevent cracking when you roll them up.

Preparing the Filling

The filling for flautas typically includes chicken, cheese, salsa, and various seasonings. You can also add ingredients like sour cream, jalapeños, and green chiles. Mix the filling thoroughly in a bowl until it is completely blended, then set it aside until you are ready to assemble the flautas.

Rolling Technique

Place a tortilla on a flat surface and spoon the filling onto the bottom third of the tortilla. Use about 2-3 tablespoons of filling, or start with one tablespoon and add more as needed, being careful not to overfill. Spread the filling horizontally across the tortilla, then tightly roll up the tortilla and secure it with a toothpick to prevent it from unraveling. Place the rolled flauta on a plate, seam-side down, and repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and filling.

Cooking the Flautas

Once you have rolled all your flautas, you can cook them in an air fryer, oven, or traditional frying method. For air frying, preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and spray the basket with cooking spray. Place the flautas in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket, and spray the tops with cooking spray. Air fry for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy.

Flauta tortilla types

Flautas are traditionally made with corn tortillas in Mexico, while in the US, flour tortillas are used. However, you can use either type of tortilla to make flautas, and some recipes even suggest using gluten-free, low-carb, or dairy-free tortillas.

Flautas made with corn tortillas are considered more traditional and are sometimes referred to as taquitos. Corn tortillas are typically filled with shredded seasoned chicken, cheese, and salsa, then fried until golden brown and crispy.

On the other hand, flautas made with flour tortillas are considered more Tex-Mex and non-traditional. Flour tortillas are usually larger, so they can be filled with more ingredients, such as beef or pork, in addition to the standard chicken and cheese filling.

The type of tortilla you choose may depend on your personal preference, the availability of ingredients, or your desired level of authenticity.

Frequently asked questions