Air Fryer Taquitos: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer taquitos are a quick, easy, and delicious snack. They are a healthier alternative to traditional fried taquitos and can be made with a variety of fillings, such as chicken, beef, or cheese. The corn tortillas are heated and softened before being filled and rolled up, then cooked in the air fryer for a crispy, crunchy texture. They can be served with a range of toppings and dips, such as sour cream, salsa, or guacamole, and are perfect for game day, parties, or a quick and easy dinner.

Soften the tortillas

To make taquitos in an air fryer, you'll need to soften your tortillas before filling them to prevent cracking. Here's a detailed guide on how to do this:

Softening Corn Tortillas:

Start by gathering your corn tortillas. Corn tortillas are the traditional choice for taquitos and provide the most crunch. However, they are more fragile than flour tortillas, so softening them is essential to prevent cracking during the rolling process.

You can soften corn tortillas by placing them in the microwave. Wrap a stack of tortillas in a damp paper towel, ensuring the paper towel is only slightly damp. Microwave for 30-45 seconds, or 1-2 minutes, then remove and unwrap. This process will make the tortillas soft and pliable, perfect for rolling. If they start to cool and stiffen while you're filling your taquitos, simply rewrap and microwave again briefly to soften.

Alternatively, you can heat corn tortillas in a skillet or directly on the grates of a gas stove until soft and pliable. This method may give you more control over the softening process, ensuring the tortillas don't become too soft and fall apart.

Softening Flour Tortillas:

If you opt for flour tortillas, they are less likely to crack and may not need softening. However, if you want to soften them, you can use similar methods to corn tortillas. Wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for a shorter duration, or heat them in a skillet until soft and pliable.

Extra Tips for Crispy Taquitos:

For extra crispy taquitos, brush or spray your tortillas with a small amount of olive oil or avocado oil before filling and rolling them. This will make the tortillas even more pliable and help them crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.

Now that your tortillas are softened and ready to go, you can move on to filling and rolling your taquitos before placing them in the air fryer. Enjoy making your delicious, crispy treat!

Fill tortillas with cheese and toppings

To fill your tortillas with cheese and toppings, you'll first need to heat your tortillas in a skillet or in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel. This will make them soft and pliable, preventing tears when you roll them up.

Once your tortillas are soft, you can add your desired fillings. For cheese, you can use shredded cheese, such as a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella and cheddar cheese sticks. If you're using cheese sticks, slice them down the middle and fill them with toppings like fire-roasted green chilis. You can also add shredded chicken, beef, or beans for extra protein.

For the toppings, you can add fresh cilantro, jalapenos, green onions, or sour cream. If you want to add some spice, season your chicken or beef with taco seasoning, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin.

After filling your tortillas, roll them up tightly and secure them with a toothpick. Then, they're ready to be placed in the air fryer!

Roll tortillas

To roll tortillas for air fryer taquitos, start by heating them in a skillet or on a gas stove until they are soft and pliable. You can also wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway through. This will prevent them from tearing when you roll them.

Once the tortillas are soft, place 3 tablespoons of your chosen filling down the centre of each tortilla. You can fill your taquitos with chicken, cheese, beef, beans, or any combination of these ingredients.

Next, fold over and roll the tortilla into a taquito shape. You can secure the taquito with a toothpick on the seam. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of taquitos.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making taquitos, as it ensures that your taquitos cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a detailed guide on how to preheat your air fryer for making taquitos:

• Set the Temperature: Adjust your air fryer's temperature to 400°F (200°C). This is the ideal temperature for cooking taquitos, ensuring they become crispy and golden brown.
• Preheat for 5 Minutes: Allow your air fryer to preheat for at least 5 minutes. This duration ensures that the appliance reaches the desired temperature and maintains a consistent heat level for cooking.
• Prepare the Basket: While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the air fryer basket. Line the basket with parchment paper, if desired, or simply ensure that it is clean and ready for placing the taquitos.
• Single Layer: When placing the taquitos into the air fryer, arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they are not stacked or overlapping. This allows hot air to circulate around each taquito evenly, promoting even cooking and browning.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the taquitos in multiple batches. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
• Spray with Oil: Before placing the taquitos in the air fryer, lightly spray them with cooking oil, such as avocado oil or olive oil. This helps the taquitos achieve a crispy texture and a golden colour.

By following these steps, you will create the ideal environment for cooking taquitos in your air fryer. Preheating ensures that your taquitos cook properly, resulting in a delicious, crispy snack or meal.

Cook the taquitos

Now it's time to cook your delicious taquitos! First, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This is a common temperature across many recipes, but you may need to adjust depending on your air fryer model.

While the air fryer is preheating, brush or spray your assembled taquitos with oil. This will help them achieve that golden-brown crispiness we all love. Place the taquitos in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked and have some space between them for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Cooking time can vary, but generally, it takes around 6-10 minutes for the taquitos to turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as you don't want them to burn! Once they've reached the desired colour, flip them over and mist or brush with oil again. Air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes or until crispy.

Your taquitos are now ready to serve! Enjoy the crispy, golden deliciousness with your favourite toppings and dips.

Frequently asked questions