Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos: How Long To Cook?

Chicken taquitos are a quick, easy, and delicious snack that can be made in an air fryer. They can be made from scratch or store-bought frozen taquitos can be used. Making chicken taquitos from scratch involves preparing a filling with shredded chicken, cheese, and spices, rolling the mixture in tortillas, and then air frying them. The air fryer should be preheated to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and the taquitos should be cooked for around 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Frozen taquitos can also be cooked in the air fryer by placing them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cooking them for around 8-10 minutes at 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chicken and cheese taquitos

Ingredients

For chicken and cheese taquitos, you will need the following ingredients:

• Tortillas (corn or flour)
• Cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works well)
• Cheese, shredded (Mexican blend, cheddar, pepper jack, or Monterey Jack)
• Onion, diced
• Garlic, minced
• Green chiles
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: taco seasoning, cilantro, and sour cream

Preparation

Start by heating some olive oil or avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, which should take around 3-5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute until fragrant.

At this point, you can add the shredded chicken, green chiles, and any additional seasonings like taco seasoning and cilantro. Stir everything together and cook for a further 2-3 minutes. Finally, turn off the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted.

Take your tortillas and wrap them in damp paper towels. Microwave them for about 60 seconds to make them more pliable and easier to roll. Place around 3-4 tablespoons of the chicken and cheese mixture in the center of each tortilla and roll them up tightly.

Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F (some recipes suggest a higher temperature of 400°F for a crispier result). Place the taquitos seam-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.

For extra crispness, spray the taquitos with avocado oil or cooking spray before placing them in the air fryer. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip the taquitos, spray again, and air fry for an additional 4-5 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. The total cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispness and the size of your air fryer.

Serving

You can also serve them with a side of Mexican rice or as part of a taco night spread, including toppings such as shredded lettuce, green chilies, salsa, and cheese.

Storing and Reheating

Uncooked, prepared taquitos can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before cooking or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Cooked taquito leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To reheat, simply place the taquitos back in the air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes per side, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the oven or microwave, though the texture may vary.

Tips

• Ensure the taquitos are wrapped tightly before cooking to prevent them from unrolling in the air fryer.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed to allow for proper air circulation.
• Preheating the air fryer is essential for getting that crispy texture.
• If you prefer your taquitos on the spicier side, use hot green chiles or add some hot sauce to the filling.

Chicken and beef taquitos

Chicken Taquitos

To make chicken taquitos, you can use shredded rotisserie chicken or home-cooked chicken breasts. You will also need olive oil or vegetable oil, diced onion, garlic, green chiles, Mexican-style hot tomato sauce, Mexican cheese, and Neufchâtel cheese.

First, heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the onion until soft and translucent. Then, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Next, add the green chiles and Mexican tomato sauce, and stir to combine. Add the shredded chicken and cheeses, and cook until the cheeses have melted and the mixture is warmed through. Season with salt and pepper.

Heat your tortillas in a skillet or on a gas stove until soft and pliable. Place 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture in the center of each tortilla, fold over, and roll into taquitos.

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching, and mist with avocado oil or cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, about 6-9 minutes. Turn the taquitos over, mist with oil again, and air fry until crispy, about 3-5 minutes.

Beef Taquitos

To make beef taquitos, you will need lean ground beef, taco seasoning, water, Mexican cheese, corn or flour tortillas, and oil spray.

First, brown the ground beef in a pan over medium heat. Add the water and taco seasoning, stir, and let simmer over low heat for 3 minutes. Transfer the beef mixture to a mixing bowl and stir in the Mexican cheese.

Wrap 5 tortillas in a damp paper towel and heat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Lay a warm tortilla flat and fill with 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling and place seam-side down in an oiled air fryer basket. Repeat until you have filled all your tortillas.

Spray the taquitos with oil and set the air fryer to 350 degrees F for 14 minutes. Flip the taquitos at the 7-minute mark and spray again with oil. Use tongs to remove the taquitos from the air fryer one at a time, and repeat the process until all your taquitos are cooked.

How to make chicken taquitos from scratch

Chicken taquitos are a fun and tasty dish to make, and they're even better when made from scratch. Here's a detailed guide on how to make delicious chicken taquitos, with tips on cooking them in an air fryer.

Ingredients

For the chicken taquitos, you'll need:

• Tortillas (corn or flour)
• Cooked chicken (shredded)
• Cheese (cheddar), pepper jack, or a Mexican blend)
• Spices (cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, taco seasoning, etc.)
• Oil (neutral-flavored or avocado)
• Optional: spinach, salsa, sour cream, cream cheese, onion, garlic, green chiles, cilantro, etc.

Preparing the Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine your shredded chicken with the spices and any optional ingredients you're using, such as chopped spinach, salsa, sour cream, or cream cheese. You can also add in some shredded cheese at this stage. Mix everything together until well combined. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Preparing the Tortillas

Heat a non-stick griddle or skillet over medium heat. Place a corn tortilla on the griddle and cook for about 15-30 seconds on each side, just until it's soft and pliable. If you're using flour tortillas, you can wrap them in damp paper towels and microwave them for about 60 seconds to make them easier to roll.

Assembling the Taquitos

Place a large spoonful of the filling in a line along the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle a little cheese next to the filling, then roll the tortilla up tightly. Secure it with a toothpick if needed. Repeat this process until you've filled and rolled all your tortillas.

Cooking the Taquitos in an Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the taquitos in the air fryer basket, seam-side down, making sure they're not touching. You may need to cook them in batches. Mist the taquitos with avocado oil or cooking spray. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then turn them over, mist with oil again, and air fry for another 3-5 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken taquitos are delicious served with various toppings and dips, such as guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or an avocado cream sauce. You can also serve them with sides like refried beans, black beans, Spanish rice, or a simple veggie dip. Enjoy!

How long to cook chicken taquitos in the air fryer

Chicken taquitos are a great snack or meal, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare them. The length of time it takes to cook chicken taquitos in an air fryer depends on the quantity you are cooking, the power of your air fryer, and the desired level of crispiness. On average, it takes between 4 and 10 minutes to cook chicken taquitos in an air fryer.

Preparation

Before cooking chicken taquitos in an air fryer, you should prepare the filling and roll the taquitos. You can use cooked, shredded chicken, and mix it with taco seasoning, fresh chopped cilantro, and diced green chilies. You can also add some shredded cheese to the mixture.

For the tortillas, you can use either corn or flour tortillas, but corn tortillas are more traditional for taquitos. Heat the tortillas in the microwave for about 60 seconds, wrapped in damp paper towels, to make them easier to roll. Place 3-4 tablespoons of the chicken mixture in the centre of each tortilla and roll them up tightly.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the taquitos in the air fryer basket, seam-side down, in a single layer with a little space between each one. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Spray the taquitos with cooking spray or avocado oil, and then cook for 4-5 minutes.

After this time, use tongs to flip the taquitos, spray them with cooking spray again, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.

Tips

• If you are cooking frozen taquitos, there is no need to thaw them first.
• You don't need to use cooking spray or oil, as most frozen foods already contain oil.
• If your taquitos are not crispy, try cooking for an extra 1-2 minutes on each side.
• If you are making a large quantity, you can keep the first batches warm by putting them in the oven at a low temperature, or reheat them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to make chicken taquitos in the oven

Chicken taquitos are a Mexican dish consisting of a small tortilla that is rolled around a filling of meat and cheese and then deep-fried. However, you can also bake them in the oven. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious chicken taquitos in your oven.

Ingredients

• Tortillas (corn or flour)
• Cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
• Cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Oaxaca cheese)
• Cream cheese, softened
• Spinach (baby spinach leaves, chopped)
• Salsa
• Sour cream or plain Greek yoghurt
• Spices (cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Toothpicks (optional)

Instructions

• Mix the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, salsa, and sour cream until smooth. Then, add the shredded chicken, cheese, spinach, and spices. Mix well and adjust seasoning if needed.
• Prep the Tortillas: If using corn tortillas, heat a non-stick griddle over medium-high heat. Cook the tortillas for about 15-30 seconds on each side until soft and pliable. For flour tortillas, wrap them in damp paper towels and microwave for about 60 seconds to make them easier to roll.
• Assemble the Taquitos: Place a large spoonful of the filling in a line along each tortilla and roll it up tightly. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
• Bake the Taquitos: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place the taquitos on it, seam-side down. Spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking spray or brush them lightly with olive oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the shells are crispy and golden brown.
• Serve: Remove the taquitos from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Serve with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips and Variations:

• Make-ahead: You can make the filling up to one day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Roll the filling in the tortillas just before baking.
• Freezer-friendly: These chicken taquitos are also great for freezing. Make the filling, roll it up in the tortillas, and place them in a freezer bag. When ready to eat, bake them at 350°F for about 20 minutes covered with foil, and then an additional 15-20 minutes uncovered until warmed through and crispy.
• Gluten-free option: Use corn tortillas or gluten-free flour tortillas.
• Spicy option: Add hot green chillies and a few teaspoons of hot sauce to the filling for an extra kick. You can also cook minced jalapeños or serrano chillies with the onions.

Frequently asked questions