Air Fryer Flautas: Frozen To Crunchy In Minutes

Flautas are a Mexican dish traditionally consisting of a rolled tortilla that is deep-fried and typically filled with chicken or beef. Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying as it uses less oil and produces less grease. Here is a simple recipe to make frozen flautas in an air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your flautas cook evenly and helps to achieve that desirable golden, crispy texture. Depending on the recipe you are following, you should preheat your air fryer to somewhere between 380°F and 400°F.

For example, if you are making flautas with a chicken filling, you should preheat your air fryer to 380°F. This is also the case if you are using frozen flautas from Costco. However, if you are making frozen flautas, you should preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This is the same temperature you should preheat your air fryer to if you are cooking frozen taquitos.

Once preheated, you can then place your flautas inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to do this in several batches.

Prepare the flautas

To prepare the flautas, start by mixing the filling. In a large bowl, add salsa, sour cream, jalapenos, lime juice, and taco seasoning, and stir to combine. You can also add in cooked shredded chicken and cheese, and stir well until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

Next, prepare your tortillas. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap the tortillas loosely in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-40 seconds until they are soft and pliable. You can also use a large frying pan over medium heat to heat up the tortillas.

Now it's time to assemble the flautas. Lay a warm tortilla on a flat surface. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the filling mixture horizontally across the bottom third of the tortilla. Tightly roll up the tortilla and place it on a plate, seam-side down. Repeat this process until you have rolled all your flautas.

If your flautas are not staying tightly rolled, you can try using a toothpick to secure them or applying a small amount of water to the end of the tortilla to create a better seal.

Place the flautas in the air fryer basket

When placing the flautas in the air fryer basket, it's important to ensure they are placed in a single layer and not overcrowded. This will allow the hot air to circulate properly and cook the flautas evenly on all sides. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the flautas in batches.

When placing the flautas in the basket, it's also important to make sure they are sealed properly. You can do this by placing the flautas seam-side down or by using a toothpick to secure them. Another tip to ensure a good seal is to dip your finger in water and run it along the edge of the tortilla before rolling.

Before placing the flautas in the air fryer basket, you may want to spray them with cooking spray, which will help them achieve a crispy texture. You can also spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Once the flautas are in the basket, be sure to set the air fryer to the proper temperature and time for the best results. For frozen flautas, this is typically around 390 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. For homemade flautas, the temperature is usually set lower, around 360 to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cooking time is a bit longer, around 8 to 15 minutes.

Air fry for 7-10 minutes

Now that you've prepared your flautas, it's time to cook them! Place the flautas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they aren't overcrowded. If you're cooking a large batch, you may need to do this step in several batches.

Spray the tops of the flautas with cooking spray. This will ensure they come out extra crispy. If you want to be sure your flautas don't stick to the air fryer basket, you can lightly spray them with cooking spray before placing them in the basket.

Now, it's time to air fry! Place the basket in the air fryer and set the temperature to between 360 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for 7-10 minutes, or until the flautas are golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through.

Once they're cooked, remove the flautas from the air fryer using tongs and serve with your favourite toppings, such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or cheese. Enjoy!

Serve with toppings/dips

Once your flautas are cooked to perfection, it's time to think about toppings and dips. The beauty of flautas is that they can be served with a variety of toppings and dips to enhance their flavor. Here are some ideas to get you started:

For toppings, keep things simple with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. The brightness of the cilantro and the acidity of the lime will cut through the richness of the fried flauta. You could also add some diced red onion for a sharp, crunchy bite, or some sliced jalapeños for an extra kick of heat.

If you want to get a little more creative, make a quick crema by mixing sour cream or Greek yogurt with a minced garlic clove, a squeeze of lime, and some chopped fresh cilantro. This crema will add a tangy, creamy dimension to your flautas. You could also provide a variety of sauces and salsas for your guests to choose from, such as a fresh tomato salsa, a spicy green chili salsa, or a creamy avocado sauce.

For dips, you can't go wrong with the classic combination of refried beans and cheese. Heat up some refried beans and mix in some shredded cheese, then serve this alongside the flautas for a hearty, satisfying dip. You could also offer a creamy dip, such as a blend of sour cream, ranch dressing, and taco seasoning, or a spicy dip made from blended chili peppers and cheese.

Don't be afraid to experiment and offer a variety of options to your guests. You could even set up a "flauta bar" with all the toppings and dips, allowing everyone to customize their own perfect bite!

Frequently asked questions