Air-Fryer Taquitos: Frozen To Fabulous In Minutes

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to make frozen taquitos. They can be cooked in under 10 minutes and dressed with toppings such as salsa, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole. The air fryer is a healthier alternative to pan-frying, and the taquitos turn out crispier than when cooked in an oven.

Preheat air fryer and prep basket

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Depending on the model of your air fryer, you may need to manually preheat it before adding your food. Some air fryers have a built-in preheat functionality, while others may require you to heat them up manually. For example, the Cosori air fryer has a preheat button, whereas the Instant Pot Duo Crisp starts counting down before reaching the desired temperature. If your air fryer does not have a preheat function, set it to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes to preheat it manually.

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to prepare the basket. If your air fryer has a basket, ensure you use a non-stick cooking spray to prepare it. You can also use a wire rack if your air fryer doesn't have a basket. Place the frozen taquitos in a single layer in the basket or on the rack, leaving some space between each one. This ensures that hot air can circulate freely and crisp up all sides of the taquitos. Avoid stacking or overcrowding the taquitos, as this can affect the cooking process and prevent them from getting crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the taquitos in multiple batches.

Assemble taquitos

To assemble taquitos, you'll need to prepare the filling and tortillas before rolling them up.

For the filling, you can use shredded chicken, beef, or pork. You can also add cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend. Season the meat with garlic salt, diced green chillies, cumin, chilli powder, or taco seasoning. If you want to add extra spice, you can include chopped chipotle in adobo and adobo sauce. You can also add vegetables, such as spinach or green chillies. To bind the mixture, add cream cheese or sour cream.

For the tortillas, corn tortillas are considered more authentic, but you can also use flour tortillas. Warm the tortillas in the microwave by wrapping them in a damp paper towel or cloth for 10-15 seconds. This will make them more flexible and easier to roll.

Place a heaped tablespoon of the filling on the lower third of the tortilla, spreading it almost to the edges. Roll the tortilla tightly, securing it with a toothpick to keep it closed. Keep the assembled taquitos under a damp cloth while you finish rolling the rest to prevent them from drying out and cracking.

Air fry for 7-11 minutes

Air frying is the best way to cook frozen taquitos. They turn out crispier than in the oven and are done in just minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide to making frozen taquitos in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 375°F/190°C. If your air fryer does not require preheating, you can skip this step. Preheating the air fryer ensures that your taquitos come out as crispy as possible.

Step 2: Prepare the Frozen Taquitos

Place the frozen taquitos in the air fryer basket or on the air fryer wire rack, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between each one. This allows the hot air to circulate better and crisp them up on all sides. Avoid overlapping them, as you want every area of the taquitos to turn golden brown and crispy. You can use any brand of frozen taquitos with any filling, such as beef, chicken, or cheese.

Step 3: Air Fry

Now, air fry your frozen taquitos for 7-11 minutes. You may want to flip them halfway through cooking for more even cooking and extra crispness. The total cooking time may vary depending on your desired level of crispness and the brand and style of your air fryer. For example, in a PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer, the taquitos are perfectly cooked in 9 minutes. If you want them extra crispy, consider spraying them with cooking oil before placing them in the air fryer and then again halfway through the cooking process.

Step 4: Serve

Once the taquitos are golden brown and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F, remove them from the air fryer using tongs. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them as they are, or with a variety of toppings and dips. Popular choices include shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, and jalapeños.

Remove and serve

Once the taquitos are cooked, it's time to remove them from the air fryer and serve. Use tongs to carefully take them out of the air fryer basket and let them cool down for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them as they are, or with a variety of toppings and dips.

Some popular toppings include shredded lettuce, green chillies, salsa, sour cream, shredded Mexican blend cheese, sliced jalapenos, guacamole, and hot sauce. For a vegan option, you can use plant-based cheese or skip the cheese altogether. If you want to add some extra spice, sprinkle cayenne pepper on top. You can also serve them with dips like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

If you're serving the taquitos as a main dish, you can pair them with Spanish rice, seasoned black beans, or a frozen chicken breast. They also go well with sides like refried beans, black beans, and Mexican rice. For a heartier meal, add a frozen chicken breast to each plate.

Taquitos are a great option for a quick and easy snack, lunch, dinner, or party appetiser. They can be made in less than 10 minutes and are sure to be a crowd favourite.

Reheat and store leftovers

If you have any leftover taquitos, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume them within 3 to 5 days.

To reheat the taquitos, you can use the air fryer again. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the taquitos for 3 to 4 minutes until they are heated through. Alternatively, you can wrap the taquitos in paper towels and microwave them to avoid making the tortillas tough.

Frequently asked questions