Ella Walter
Chimichangas are a popular Mexican-American dish that can be made in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes. The air fryer cooks the chimichanga to perfection, with a crispy outside and a hot, saucy inside. The cooking time depends on the number of chimichangas being cooked, the temperature, and the desired level of crispiness. For example, two chimichangas can be cooked at 360°F for 6-10 minutes, while one chimichanga can be cooked at 375°F for 15 minutes.
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What You'll Learn
Filling options
Chimichangas are deep-fried burritos, so they can be filled with any traditional burrito filling. The most popular option is shredded chicken, but you can also use ground beef or turkey, steak, or even make them vegetarian with rice, corn, or sautéed veggies.
Chicken chimichangas are usually made with shredded cooked chicken, refried beans, cheese, salsa, and spices. You can cook the chicken in salsa for extra flavor, and some recipes call for other ingredients like green chiles, chicken broth, taco seasoning, and cream cheese.
Chimichangas are typically served topped with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and a side of Mexican rice. If you like spicy food, you can add some hot sauce to your chimichangas.
When filling and folding your chimichangas, remember that it's best to avoid too many saucy, wet fillings. Keeping the fillings relatively dry ensures that the chimichangas will hold their shape when fried and will have a light and crunchy shell that doesn't fall apart when bitten into.
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Rolling and securing
Firstly, make sure your tortillas are warmed before filling and rolling. This is an important step to prevent cracking. You can warm them by wrapping them in a towel and microwaving for 30-45 seconds. Once they're warm, you can start assembling your chimichangas.
For the filling, it's recommended to use about 1/2 cup of your chosen meat mixture and 2 tablespoons of refried beans. You can also add a sprinkle of cheese. Place the filling in the centre of each tortilla, being careful not to overfill. Overfilling can cause the tortillas to burst open during cooking.
Now, you're ready to roll! Fold the top and bottom of the tortilla over the filling, then roll it up tightly into a burrito shape. You can secure the tortilla with a toothpick if it's having trouble staying rolled.
Once your chimichangas are rolled, it's time to prepare them for cooking. Brush or spray the outside of each chimichanga with oil or cooking spray. This will help to create a crispy texture during cooking.
Finally, place your chimichangas in the air fryer, seam-side down. This will ensure that they don't unravel during cooking. If you're making a large batch, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.
By following these steps, you'll have perfectly rolled and secured chimichangas that are ready for cooking in your air fryer!
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Air fryer settings
The ideal temperature to cook chimichangas in an air fryer is between 360°F and 400°F. One source recommends setting the temperature at 375°F and the cook time to 15 minutes. Another source suggests preheating the air fryer to 360°F for 3 minutes.
The cooking time varies depending on the number of chimichangas you are cooking and your desired level of crispiness. If you are cooking two chimichangas, set the timer for 6 to 10 minutes, or until they are browned and crispy. If you are cooking six chimichangas, cook them in batches of two, for a total cooking time of 6 to 10 minutes per batch.
If you are cooking frozen chimichangas, wrap them in foil and air fry for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This will prevent the outside from getting too crispy before the inside is heated through.
For reheating chimichangas, place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes, or until heated through.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for chimichangas in an air fryer varies depending on the number of chimichangas being cooked, the temperature set, and the desired level of crispiness.
For two chimichangas, it is recommended to cook them in the air fryer at 360°F for 6-10 minutes or until they are browned and crispy. This can be adjusted based on your desired level of crispiness. If you prefer your chimichangas to be crispier, you can leave them in for an additional 1-2 minutes.
When cooking one chimichanga, it is suggested to set the temperature to 375°F and cook for 15 minutes. However, if you are cooking frozen chimichangas, it is recommended to wrap them in foil and increase the cooking time to 18-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to 400°F and cooking the chimichangas for 4 minutes on each side, for a total of 8 minutes. This ensures even cooking and browning on both sides.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your chimichangas while they are cooking to ensure they don't overcook or burn.
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Reheating and storing
Chimichangas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can use a microwave for about 2 minutes or place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. You can also reheat frozen chimichangas in the air fryer by wrapping them in foil and air-frying for 18-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
If you are storing uncooked chimichangas, it is recommended to wrap them tightly to prevent the filling from leaking out. When you are ready to cook, simply follow the cooking instructions outlined in the previous section.
For frozen chimichangas, open the package and place them in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 375°F and the cook time to 15 minutes. If you prefer a crispier texture, leave them in for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
It is important to note that the reheating and storing instructions may vary depending on the specific ingredients and cooking methods used. The above guidelines provide a general framework, but you may need to adjust the timing and temperature slightly based on your particular recipe and air fryer model.
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