Air-Fryer Taquitos: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Taquitos are a delicious Mexican dish that can be made in an air fryer in a matter of minutes. They are a healthier alternative to fried taquitos as they are cooked without oil, resulting in a crispy and golden finish without the excess fat. You can use a variety of fillings, including chicken, beef, or cheese, and serve them with toppings such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. Air-fried taquitos are a quick, easy, and tasty snack or meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Choosing your ingredients

Meat

You have a variety of options when it comes to selecting the meat for your taquitos. You can go for the traditional choice of lean ground beef, which provides a beefy flavour and is the main filling ingredient. However, if you prefer chicken, you can opt for freshly cooked chicken breasts or even use rotisserie chicken for convenience. For a different flavour profile, you could also try making pulled pork taquitos or using cooked shrimp.

Tortillas

The type of tortilla you choose will impact the overall texture and taste of your taquitos. Corn tortillas are the traditional choice for taquitos, and they provide a nice crispy texture when air-fried. Flour tortillas, on the other hand, are more commonly used for making flautas, which are a similar dish but made with larger tortillas. If you're using corn tortillas, warming them up beforehand will make them more pliable and less likely to crack or rip when rolling. You can do this by wrapping a stack of tortillas in damp paper towels and microwaving them for about a minute.

Fillings and Seasonings

The fillings and seasonings you choose will add flavour and creaminess to your taquitos. Here are some options to consider:

• Cheese: Shredded cheese is a must for taquitos! Go for a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, cheddar, or any other variety that melts well.
• Cream Cheese: Adding a small amount of cream cheese to your filling will give it a creamy texture and help bind the ingredients together.
• Salsa: Any type of Mexican salsa will work. You can also replace the salsa with canned jalapenos or chipotles in adobo sauce for an extra kick.
• Spices: To amp up the flavour, consider adding spices like chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and taco seasoning.
• Beans: If you want to make bean and cheese taquitos, you can replace the meat with black beans.
• Vegetables: Diced onions, garlic, and green chilies can add flavour and texture to your filling.

Toppings and Dips

While not necessary, toppings and dips can take your taquitos to the next level. Here are some ideas:

• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Shredded lettuce
• Green chilies
• Sliced jalapenos
• Mexican-blend cheddar cheese

Preparing the filling

Ingredients

You can choose from a range of ingredients to fill your taquitos. Here are some options:

• Meat: Lean ground beef, cooked chicken breasts, or leftover cooked chicken are common choices. You can also use ground taco meat, rotisserie chicken, or even shrimp.
• Vegetarian Options: You can make vegetarian taquitos by using ingredients like Mexican street corn, cheese, beans, and soyrizo.
• Cheese: Shredded cheese is a must for taquitos. You can use Mexican or taco blend, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or any other melty cheese you prefer.
• Spices and Seasonings: Taco seasoning, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste are all great options to add flavour to your filling.
• Tortillas: Corn or flour tortillas are the traditional choice, but you can also use gluten-free options or soft taco-sized tortillas if you prefer.
• Binding Agents: Eggs and breadcrumbs help hold the filling together and prevent it from leaking out of the taquitos.
• Salsa and Sauce: Salsa, hot sauce, Mexican-style hot tomato sauce, or chipotle sauce can add a spicy kick to your filling. You can also use cream cheese or sour cream to add a creamy texture.

Once you have gathered your ingredients, here is a step-by-step guide to preparing the filling:

• Cook the Meat: If you are using meat, make sure it is cooked thoroughly. For ground beef, brown the meat and add taco seasoning. If using chicken, you can shred cooked chicken breasts or use rotisserie chicken.
• Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine your meat, spices, cheese, salsa, and any other ingredients you are using. Mix them together until they are well combined and the cheese has melted.
• Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper to taste, and any additional spices or seasonings you prefer.
• Warm the Tortillas: To make rolling easier, warm your tortillas by wrapping them in damp paper towels and microwaving them for about 60 seconds, or until they are soft and pliable.
• Fill and Roll: Place a few tablespoons of the filling in the centre of each tortilla and roll them up tightly. Secure them with toothpicks if needed to prevent unrolling.

Your filling is now ready to be cooked in your air fryer! Remember to preheat your air fryer and spray the taquitos with cooking spray or oil before placing them in the air fryer basket. Enjoy your delicious, crispy taquitos!

Rolling the taquitos

Rolling taquitos is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to ensure they hold together and cook evenly. Here is a detailed guide on how to roll taquitos for your air fryer:

Firstly, gather your ingredients and prepare your filling. For a simple beef filling, brown some lean ground beef and add taco seasoning. If you're making chicken taquitos, shred cooked chicken breasts or use rotisserie chicken, and mix with cream cheese, green chillies, and taco seasoning. You can also add other ingredients like onions, garlic, and cheese to your filling—experiment with different combinations to find your favourite!

Next, prepare your tortillas. Corn tortillas are traditional for taquitos, but flour tortillas are more commonly used for flautas (a similar dish). Warm your tortillas by wrapping a stack of around 10 in damp paper towels and microwaving for 30-60 seconds, until they're pliable. This step is important to ensure your tortillas don't crack when you roll them.

Now it's time to roll! Place your filling in the centre of each tortilla and carefully wrap it up tightly, ensuring the filling is completely enclosed. Secure the taquitos with toothpicks so they don't unroll. If you're using flour tortillas, you may not need toothpicks as they're less likely to crack or come undone.

Arrange the taquitos in your air fryer basket, seam-side down, in a single layer with space between them to allow air to circulate. Spray them with cooking spray or avocado oil spray, which has a high smoke point.

Finally, cook your taquitos according to your recipe. As a guide, cook at around 375-400°F for 4-7 minutes, then turn them over, spray again, and cook for another 4-7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Taquitos are a fun and versatile dish, and rolling them is a simple process once you get the hang of it. Enjoy experimenting with different fillings and serving them with your favourite toppings and sides!

Cooking the taquitos

There are several ways to make taquitos in an air fryer, depending on the ingredients you have available. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to cook taquitos in an air fryer.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make taquitos in an air fryer:

• Corn or flour tortillas
• Filling of your choice (cooked chicken, ground beef, or pulled pork)
• Spices and seasonings (taco seasoning, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin)
• Cheese (shredded Mexican blend, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or cream cheese)
• Vegetables (onions, garlic, green chillies)
• Oil or cooking spray
• Salsa, guacamole, or other toppings/dips of your choice

Preparation

Before you start cooking, prepare your filling by mixing your chosen protein with spices, cheese, and any vegetables you want to include. For chicken taquitos, you can use shredded rotisserie chicken or cook your own chicken. If you're making beef taquitos, brown lean ground beef and add taco seasoning. You can also make pulled pork taquitos or vegetarian options like bean and cheese taquitos.

Once your filling is ready, heat your tortillas in a skillet or wrap them in damp paper towels and microwave them for about a minute to make them soft and pliable. This will make them easier to roll up.

Assembly

Place about 3-4 tablespoons of the filling in the centre of each tortilla and roll them up tightly. Secure them with toothpicks if needed to prevent unrolling. You can also brush the top third of the tortilla with an egg white and water mixture to help keep them closed.

Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Place the taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Spray them with cooking spray or avocado oil to help them crisp up.

Air fry the taquitos for about 6-10 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the size of your taquitos. Check on them regularly to avoid overcooking. You want the taquitos to be golden brown and crispy.

Serving

Remove the toothpicks, if used, and serve the taquitos hot with your choice of toppings or dips. Some popular options include salsa, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced jalapenos, or green chilies.

Serving suggestions

Taquitos are a versatile dish that can be served as a quick snack, appetiser, or main course. They can be served with a variety of toppings, dips, and sides to enhance their flavour and texture. Here are some serving suggestions for air-fried taquitos:

Toppings

Taquitos can be served with a variety of toppings to add extra flavour, texture, and colour. Some popular topping options include:

• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Cheese (shredded Mexican blend, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack)
• Shredded lettuce
• Green chillies
• Sliced jalapeños
• Guacamole
• Cilantro
• Crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco

Dips

Taquitos also pair well with various dips. Here are some dip ideas:

• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Chipotle sauce
• Avocado dip
• Ranch dressing
• Queso

Sides

As a main course, taquitos can be served with sides to make a more substantial meal. Some side dish options include:

• Refried beans
• Black beans
• Spanish rice
• Mexican rice
• Salad greens

Combinations

Taquitos can also be served with other dishes to create a complete meal. For example, they can be paired with:

• Air fryer flautas
• Air fryer chimichangas
• Air fryer tortilla chips
• Air fryer chicken taco pockets

Additionally, taquitos can be customised to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. They can be made with different fillings, such as beef, chicken, or pulled pork, and different types of tortillas, such as corn or flour. They can also be made vegetarian or vegan by substituting the meat filling with soyrizo, beans, or cheese.

Frequently asked questions