Air Fryer Chimichangas: Cooking Time Perfection

Chimichangas are a popular dish in Mexican-American restaurants and are considered a comfort food by many. They are essentially fried burritos, but the air fryer provides a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version, while still delivering a satisfying crunch and flavorful filling. The air fryer will cook the chimichanga to perfection, leaving the outside crispy and the inside saucy and hot. The cooking time depends on the number of chimichangas being cooked, the temperature set, and the desired level of crispiness.

Air Fryer Chimichangas

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the chimichanga-making process. It ensures that your food will cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for chimichangas:

• First, ensure your air fryer is clean and dry. Any leftover residue from previous cooking can impact the taste of your chimichangas.
• Next, set the temperature. For chimichangas, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F. Different recipes suggest different temperatures within this range, so you may need to experiment to find your preferred temperature.
• After setting the temperature, allow your air fryer to preheat for approximately 3 minutes. This will ensure that the air fryer basket is sufficiently hot to start cooking your chimichangas.
• Once preheated, you can add your chimichangas to the air fryer basket. Place them seam or folded-side down to prevent them from unrolling during cooking.
• Lightly spray the chimichangas with cooking oil or non-stick cooking spray. This will help create a crispy exterior and prevent sticking.
• Depending on the recipe you are following, you may need to cook the chimichangas in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Remember, preheating your air fryer is crucial for achieving the desired crispiness and even cooking of your chimichangas. By following these steps, you'll be on your way to enjoying delicious, perfectly cooked chimichangas.

Prepare the filling

Chimichangas are a popular Mexican dish, almost identical to burritos, except they are deep-fried. They are usually filled with meat, beans, and cheese. You can use a variety of meats, including chicken, ground beef, ground turkey, or steak. If you want to make vegetarian chimichangas, you can substitute the meat with rice, corn, or sautéed vegetables.

Prepare the meat

If you are using chicken, cook the chicken breasts or thighs in a frying pan until tender and no longer pink. You can also bake the chicken in an oven. Place the chicken in a casserole dish, drizzle with oil, and add seasonings like cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it using two forks.

For beef chimichangas, you can use either fattier or leaner ground beef, depending on your preference. Cook the ground beef in a skillet with onions, spices, and other ingredients like green chiles and tomato sauce. You can also add refried beans to the mixture.

Prepare the beans

You can use a can of refried beans and mix them with the cooked chicken or beef. If you prefer, you can also use black or pinto beans.

Prepare the vegetables

Sautéed vegetables like onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers can be added to the filling. You can also include spices and herbs like chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic.

Combine the filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked meat, beans, vegetables, and any spices or herbs you want to add. Mix until everything is well combined and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Fill the tortillas

Place a large flour tortilla on a flat surface and add a generous spoonful of the filling to the center. You can also add cheese, salsa, or other toppings to the filling. Fold the sides of the tortilla over the filling, then roll it up like a burrito. Secure the end of the tortilla with a toothpick to keep it closed during frying.

Now that your chimichangas are filled and rolled, they are ready to be cooked in the air fryer!

Assemble the chimichangas

To assemble the chimichangas, start by warming your tortillas. You can do this by wrapping them in a towel and microwaving for 30-45 seconds, or heating them directly on the grates of a gas stove until soft and pliable.

Next, lay out the tortillas and add your desired fillings. A classic combination is refried beans, shredded chicken, and cheese, but you can also add other ingredients like salsa, green chiles, onions, and spices such as cumin, chili powder, oregano, and garlic powder. Be careful not to overfill the tortillas, as this can cause them to burst during cooking.

Once filled, roll up the tortillas like you would a burrito. You can use a toothpick to secure the tortilla if it's having trouble staying rolled. Then, brush the outside of the chimichangas with oil or spray them with nonstick cooking spray. This will help create a crispy texture when cooked.

Finally, place the chimichangas seam-side down on a baking sheet or directly into the air fryer basket, making sure they fit in a single layer. If your air fryer basket isn't big enough, you may need to cook the chimichangas in batches.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chimichangas in an air fryer vary depending on the recipe and the number of chimichangas being cooked. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer at 360°F to 400°F for 3 minutes.

For two chimichangas, one recipe suggests cooking them for 6-10 minutes or until they are browned and crispy. This recipe also mentions that you can cook up to six chimichangas in batches of two, cooking each batch for the same amount of time. Another recipe recommends cooking chimichangas at 400°F for 5 minutes, turning them over, spraying them with cooking spray, and cooking them for another 5 minutes.

If you are cooking frozen chimichangas, one recipe recommends setting the temperature to 375°F and the cook time to 15 minutes. To reheat chimichangas, you can place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes or until heated through.

For a more comprehensive cooking guide, some recipes provide instructions for cooking one chimichanga at a time. In this case, you would preheat the air fryer to 400°F, spray the metal insert with nonstick cooking spray, and cook the chimichanga for 4 minutes. Then, flip it over and cook it for an additional 4 minutes.

Reheating and storage

Chimichangas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To store them, place them in an airtight container. When you're ready to eat, there are a few reheating options. You can reheat chimichangas in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave for about 2 minutes.

If you want to freeze your chimichangas, wrap them in foil and air fry them straight from frozen for 18-20 minutes at 375°F, flipping them halfway through.

It's worth noting that some sources suggest cooking chimichangas for longer than 4 minutes on each side, so you may want to experiment to find the perfect cooking time for your air fryer.

Frequently asked questions