Crispy Air Fryer Taquitos (Printable)

Crispy taquitos filled with chicken and cheese, cooked golden and savory using an air fryer method.

# What You'll Need:

→ Filling

01 - 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
02 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
04 - 1/2 cup salsa (mild or medium)
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Assembly

10 - 12 small corn or flour tortillas (6-inch)
11 - Olive oil spray

→ Optional Serving

12 - Sour cream
13 - Guacamole
14 - Chopped cilantro
15 - Lime wedges
16 - Salsa

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, thoroughly combine shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, salsa, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
02 - Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and heat in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until pliable.
03 - Place about 2 tablespoons of filling along the center of each tortilla, roll tightly, and position seam-side down.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
05 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil and arrange taquitos in a single layer with space between each, seam-side down.
06 - Spray olive oil lightly over the tops of the taquitos to enhance crispiness.
07 - Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until the taquitos are crispy and golden brown.
08 - Serve immediately with optional toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're ready faster than delivery would arrive, and infinitely crispier than anything fried in oil.
  • One bowl, minimal cleanup, and somehow they taste like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • The air fryer does all the work while you set the table or pour a drink.
02 -
  • The halfway flip isn't optional; it's the difference between golden and burnt, so set a timer or you'll forget.
  • Don't overstuff the tortillas thinking more filling equals better—it'll squeeze out and burn in the basket, and your taquitos will fall apart.
  • Warming the tortillas before filling is non-negotiable; cold tortillas tear and leak, and you'll spend the whole cooking time frustrated.
03 -
  • Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is your time-saving secret—it comes seasoned and shredded, cutting your prep work in half.
  • If your tortillas keep cracking, you haven't warmed them enough; err on the side of a few extra seconds in the microwave rather than fighting a stiff one.
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