Air Fryer Taquitos: The Perfect Jose Ole Treat

Frozen taquitos are a quick and easy snack, lunch, dinner, or appetizer that can be made in an air fryer in less than 10 minutes. They are also a perfect party or game-day food. You can use any brand of frozen taquitos, such as José Olé, and cook them in an air fryer for a crispy texture.

To make José Olé taquitos in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 375-400℉. Then, place the frozen taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Spray them with oil and air fry for 7-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Finally, remove the taquitos from the air fryer using tongs and serve with your favourite toppings or dips.

Preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Not all air fryers have a built-in preheat functionality, so it's essential to check your model and follow the manufacturer's instructions. If your air fryer requires preheating, set the temperature to between 375°F and 400°F. This temperature range is ideal for cooking Jose Ole taquitos and achieving the desired crispiness.

During the preheating process, the air fryer heats up to the desired temperature, ensuring that your taquitos will cook evenly and efficiently. This step usually takes around 5 minutes, but the time may vary depending on your air fryer model. While preheating, you can prepare the frozen taquitos and gather any toppings or dips you plan to serve with them.

Once the air fryer reaches the set temperature, you can proceed to the next step of placing the frozen taquitos into the air fryer basket. It's important to arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they have space between each taquito. This arrangement allows the hot air to circulate effectively, resulting in evenly cooked and crispy taquitos.

By preheating your air fryer to the recommended temperature range, you create the ideal environment for cooking Jose Ole taquitos. This step sets the foundation for the rest of the cooking process, ensuring that your taquitos turn out perfectly crispy and delicious.

Place frozen taquitos in the basket

When placing frozen taquitos in the air fryer basket, it is important to ensure that they are not stacked on top of each other. Instead, arrange them in a single layer at the bottom of the basket to allow for even cooking and crispiness. The number of taquitos that can be placed in the basket will depend on the size and model of your air fryer, but it is generally recommended to leave some space between each taquito for optimal results.

It is also worth noting that there is no need to thaw or defrost the taquitos before placing them in the air fryer. They can go directly from the freezer into the air fryer, which is part of what makes them such a convenient and quick snack or meal.

Additionally, while it is not necessary to use oil or cooking spray when preparing frozen taquitos in the air fryer, some recipes suggest spraying the taquitos with oil before or during cooking for extra crispness and colour. This is especially recommended if you are using an air fryer model that tends to leave food dry or if you prefer your taquitos with a crispier texture.

When placing frozen taquitos in the air fryer basket, it is also a good idea to refer to the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of your air fryer, as well as the cooking guidelines on the package of the taquitos you are using. This will help ensure that you are using the correct temperature and timing for your particular air fryer model and the type of taquitos you have chosen.

Air fry for 6-10 minutes

Once you've preheated your air fryer to 375-400°F, it's time to cook your taquitos. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer—don't stack them—and spray them with oil if you want them extra crispy and golden brown.

Air fry your taquitos for 6-10 minutes, or until they're fully cooked and golden brown. If you're cooking a large batch, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure even cooking. You can keep the first batch warm by reheating them for 1-2 minutes at 350°F.

If you're using a Cosori Air Fryer, 8-10 minutes at 380°F should be sufficient. If you're using a different brand or style of air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and timing accordingly. For example, in a PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer, the taquitos will likely be ready in 9 minutes.

For extra crispy taquitos, flip them halfway through the cooking process and respray them with oil. You can also spray them with cooking oil at the beginning of the cooking process.

The internal temperature of the taquitos should reach 165°F when they're fully cooked. Once they're done, remove them from the air fryer using tongs and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy your crispy, golden brown taquitos!

Add toppings like salsa, sour cream, cheese, etc

Once your taquitos are cooked, it's time to add your toppings. You can go for a simple option like sour cream, salsa, or cheese. Or, you can get more creative and add toppings like shredded lettuce, green chilies, salsa verde, sliced jalapenos, or guacamole. If you're feeling extra indulgent, you could even add multiple toppings to create a loaded taquito.

If you're serving these taquitos as a main dish, consider pairing them with Spanish rice and seasoned Mexican black beans. For an appetizer or side dish, serve them with slow cooker birria stew, chilaquiles rojos, or Instant Pot shredded Mexican beef.

And don't forget, you can also dip your taquitos! Try dipping them in sour cream mixed with hot sauce or salsa, Old El Paso queso sauce, or even spicy ranch.

Store leftovers for up to 5 days

Taquitos are a great snack to make for a crowd, and they're so easy to cook in an air fryer! But what do you do if you have leftovers?

You can store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat them, simply pop them back in the air fryer for 2-6 minutes at 350-400°F, or until they're heated through and crispy. You can spritz them with a little oil to help them crisp up, but this is optional.

If you're not planning to eat your leftovers within 5 days, you can also freeze them for 3-6 months. Then, when you're ready to eat them, reheat from frozen in the air fryer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Frequently asked questions