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

Delimex taquitos are a tasty, quick, and easy snack that can be made in an air fryer. They are a great option for a hungry crowd or Taco Tuesday, and can be served plain or with toppings such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, green onions, or cilantro. The air fryer is a fantastic way to make taquitos, as it crisps up frozen foods and cooks them much faster than an oven. To make Delimex taquitos in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F, place the frozen taquitos in a single layer in the basket, and cook for 6-10 minutes until golden brown.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making Delimex taquitos, as it ensures that your taquitos will cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer:

Firstly, check if your air fryer has a built-in preheat functionality. Some air fryers, such as the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, have a preheat function that automatically preheats the appliance before cooking. If your air fryer has this feature, simply select the preheat option and wait for the indicated amount of time.

If your air fryer does not have a built-in preheat function, you will need to manually preheat it. Start by setting the temperature to the desired level, which is typically between 375-400°F for Delimex taquitos. Then, allow the air fryer to heat up for approximately 3-5 minutes, or until it reaches the set temperature. This timing may vary depending on your air fryer's model and wattage, so it is important to refer to your appliance's instructions.

Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can proceed to the next step of placing the frozen taquitos into the basket. It is important to note that you should not overcrowd the basket and ensure the taquitos are in a single layer. This allows for even cooking and the best crispiness.

By preheating your air fryer, you create the optimal environment for cooking Delimex taquitos. This step ensures that your taquitos will cook evenly, achieving the desired crispiness on the outside while remaining tender on the inside.

Cook time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for Delimex taquitos in an air fryer depend on the type of air fryer you have, the number of taquitos you are cooking, and whether they are frozen or homemade.

For frozen Delimex taquitos, preheat your air fryer to between 370 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using a bucket air fryer, you may need to cook the taquitos for a minute or so longer. The Delimex frozen taquitos should then be cooked for 4-6 minutes. The Delimex filling doesn't spill out easily, so you can cook them for up to 6 minutes to get a crispy wrap. However, watch them carefully, as they will burst at the seam if cooked for too long.

For homemade taquitos, preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit and cook them for 3-6 minutes.

If you are cooking a large number of taquitos, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure they are crispy.

Turn halfway through

Turning your Delimex taquitos halfway through the cooking process is an important step in ensuring they cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness. Here's a detailed guide on when and how to turn your taquitos:

Timing of the Turn:

Most air fryer taquito recipes recommend cooking the taquitos for a total of 6 to 10 minutes at a temperature of around 400°F (204°C). The exact cooking time may vary slightly depending on the brand of taquitos, the specific model of your air fryer, and your personal preference for doneness. The ideal time to turn your taquitos is when they are halfway through this cooking process. For example, if you are cooking your taquitos for 8 minutes, you should turn them after approximately 4 minutes.

Technique for Turning:

There are two common techniques for turning taquitos in an air fryer: shaking the basket or using tongs. Some air fryers have a shaking function that allows you to gently agitate the contents of the basket without opening the air fryer. If your air fryer has this feature, simply activate it at the halfway point of the cooking process to turn the taquitos. If your air fryer does not have a shaking function, you can use tongs to carefully turn each taquito over. It is important to use tongs designed for air fryer use, as they need to be heat-resistant and have a non-stick coating to prevent damage to your air fryer basket.

Benefits of Turning:

Turning your taquitos halfway through cooking helps ensure even cooking and browning on all sides of the taquitos. This results in a more consistent texture and colour, so you don't end up with soggy spots or unevenly browned areas. Additionally, turning the taquitos helps prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket, making it easier to remove them once they are cooked.

Tips for Optimal Results:

To achieve the best results when cooking Delimex taquitos in your air fryer, follow these additional tips:

• Preheat your air fryer: Preheating your air fryer ensures that the cooking temperature is consistent and helps the taquitos cook evenly. Most air fryers have a preheat function, so be sure to use it before adding your taquitos.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket: Space the taquitos in a single layer with some distance between them. This allows hot air to circulate around each taquito, promoting even cooking and crispiness. If you need to cook a larger batch, consider cooking in multiple batches.
• Monitor the taquitos during cooking: Keep an eye on the taquitos, especially if it's your first time cooking them in your specific air fryer model. Check on them a few minutes before the recommended cooking time to ensure they don't overcook or burn. Adjust the cooking time as needed for future batches.
• Use a kitchen thermometer: To ensure food safety, it is recommended to use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature of the taquitos. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking stuffed foods like taquitos to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Toppings and sides

There are many toppings and sides that can be served with Delimex taquitos. These can be as simple as salsa and sour cream, or you can add guacamole, chipotle sauce, or hot sauce. For dessert taquitos, you could even add whipped cream!

If you want to add more substance to your meal, you could serve your taquitos with sides such as refried beans, black beans, or Spanish rice.

For a more elaborate dish, you could add toppings such as shredded lettuce, green chilies, salsa verde, sliced jalapenos, or shredded Mexican blend cheddar cheese. You could also add fresh toppings such as chopped tomatoes and cilantro.

If you're serving a crowd, you could make a larger quantity of taquitos and serve them with sides such as Ground Beef Air Fryer Nachos or Air Fryer Queso.

Reheating

• Keep the taquitos frozen until you are ready to reheat them. This helps maintain their texture and ensures they don't become soggy.
• Preheat your air fryer to the appropriate temperature. Different air fryer brands and models may have varying preheat settings and temperatures. For Delimex taquitos, preheat to between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the frozen taquitos in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid stacking or overcrowding the taquitos to ensure even heating and crispness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to reheat them in batches.
• Reheat the taquitos for 1-2 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit if they are already cooked and just need to be warmed through. If they are frozen, follow the cooking instructions for your specific brand of taquitos. For Delimex taquitos, air fry for about 6-8 minutes at 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Check on the taquitos regularly to ensure they don't overcook or burn. The cooking time may vary depending on the brand of taquitos and the model of your air fryer.
• Once heated through and crispy, remove the taquitos from the air fryer and serve immediately.

It is important to note that reheating times may vary depending on the brand of taquitos and the model of your air fryer. Always refer to the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer or brand for the best results. Additionally, ensure that your taquitos are thoroughly cooked before consuming them.

Frequently asked questions