Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Ready in 20 Minutes

You know those nights when you just need something crispy, cheesy, and ridiculously easy? That’s exactly when my Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos come to the rescue. I stumbled upon this recipe during one of those chaotic weeknights when my kids were begging for something fun to eat, and now it’s our go-to. The air fryer works its magic, turning simple tortillas into golden, crunchy perfection—way better than store-bought! Plus, they’re ready in just 20 minutes. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. Let’s get rolling!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

These taquitos are an absolute game-changer, and here’s why:

• Crazy quick: From prep to plate in just 20 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute snacks.
• Perfectly crispy: The air fryer gives that golden crunch without the greasy mess of deep frying.
• Totally versatile: Swap fillings or dips to match whatever’s in your fridge (leftover chicken? Yes, please!).
• Kid-approved: My picky eaters devour these—especially when they get to dunk them in salsa or sour cream.

Seriously, they disappear faster than I can make them.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Gather these simple ingredients—each one plays a key role in creating those crispy, flavorful taquitos we love. I’ve learned through trial and error that precise measurements matter here (no eyeballing the cheese, trust me!). Here’s exactly what you’ll need:

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works beautifully here—it’s juicy and saves so much time)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I prefer sharp cheddar for that extra tang, but any melty cheese works)
• 1/4 cup salsa (use your favorite—mine’s a chunky medium heat for texture)
• 1 tsp taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought, but don’t skip this flavor booster!)
• 8 small flour tortillas (6-inch size—they’re the perfect taquito wrapping size)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (just enough to give them that golden crisp without greasiness)

Pro tip: Let your tortillas sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling—it prevents cracking! Now let’s get mixing.

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How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Okay, let’s get cooking! I’ve made these taquitos more times than I can count, and I’ve learned a few tricks to get them perfect every time. Follow these steps, and you’ll have crispy, golden taquitos that’ll make your kitchen smell like your favorite Mexican restaurant.

Step 1: Mix the Filling

Grab a medium bowl and toss in your shredded chicken, cheese, salsa, and taco seasoning. Here’s my secret: use your hands to mix it! The warmth from your fingers helps the cheese start to melt just a tiny bit, which makes everything stick together beautifully. You want every bite to have that perfect balance of chicken, cheese, and spice.

Step 2: Warm Your Tortillas

Don’t skip this step! Microwave your tortillas for about 15 seconds between damp paper towels – it makes them pliable so they won’t crack when you roll them. I learned this the hard way after a frustrating taquito-rolling session with brittle tortillas (not fun!).

Step 3: Roll the Taquitos

Now for the fun part! Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of filling onto each tortilla, spreading it in a line slightly below center. Roll them up tightly – I mean really tight – and place them seam-side down. If you don’t roll tightly enough, they’ll pop open in the air fryer, and we definitely don’t want that cheesy explosion!

Step 4: Brush With Oil

Lightly brush each taquito with olive oil. I like to use a pastry brush for this, but if you don’t have one, just drizzle a tiny bit and rub it around with your fingers. This is what gives them that gorgeous golden color and extra crunch.

Step 5: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Here’s where the magic happens! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (yes, preheating matters!). Arrange the taquitos in a single layer – don’t overcrowd them! Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown and making that irresistible crispy sound when you tap them.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

Taquitos are best fresh out of the air fryer when they’re at their crispiest. Serve them right away with your favorite dips – we’ll talk more about serving ideas later! Pro tip: let them cool for just a minute or two first – that filling can be lava-hot when they first come out!

Want another air fryer chicken dish that’s just as satisfying? Try our Chicken Breast Air Fryer Caprese Recipe with melty mozzarella and juicy tomatoes.

Pro Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

After making these taquitos more times than I can count (seriously, my kids request them weekly!), I’ve picked up some game-changing tricks that take them from good to can’t-stop-eating-them amazing:

• Spritz, don’t drown: Instead of brushing oil, use a spray bottle to lightly mist the tortillas—it gives even coverage for maximum crispiness without making them greasy. My olive oil sprayer is my secret weapon!
• The Goldilocks filling rule: About 2-3 tablespoons of filling per taquito is perfect—enough to be satisfying but not so much that they burst open (learned that one the messy way!).
• Preheat for the win: Always preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes at 375°F before adding taquitos. That instant heat gives them that perfect initial crisp instead of steaming.
• Flip with care: When you flip them halfway, use tongs gently—too rough and the filling might escape! I like to wait until they’re slightly firm before flipping.

Bonus tip from my hungry teenager: sprinkle a little extra cheese on top before air frying for melty, crispy-cheesy edges that’ll disappear first!

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

One of my favorite things about these taquitos is how easily you can mix things up! If you’re out of cheddar, try Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a little kick (my spice-loving husband’s favorite swap). Corn tortillas work great for gluten-free—just warm them extra well so they don’t crack. No salsa? A dollop of enchilada sauce or even hot sauce mixed with a splash of lime juice does the trick. Vegetarian? Swap the chicken for black beans and roasted sweet potatoes—it’s delicious! The possibilities are endless.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Now for the best part—dunking those crispy taquitos into all the delicious things! My family goes wild for these serving options:

• Creamy dream team: Cool sour cream and chunky guacamole are absolute musts—the creamy contrast to the crispy shells is magic.
• Crunchy companions: Pile on shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and pickled red onions for fresh texture.
• Heat lovers’ pick: A drizzle of spicy chipotle sauce or my homemade jalapeño crema takes these to the next level.

Pro tip: Set up a “taquito bar” with small bowls of toppings—kids (and adults!) love customizing their own perfect bites!

Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Okay, let’s talk leftovers—because let’s be honest, sometimes (rarely!) these taquitos don’t get devoured in one sitting. Here’s exactly how to keep them tasting as good as fresh:

Storing: Pop any cooled leftovers in an airtight container—I like to separate layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They’ll stay crispy for about 2 days in the fridge. Want to freeze them? Wrap each taquito individually in foil, then stash in a freezer bag for up to a month (perfect for future snack emergencies!).

Reheating magic: Skip the microwave unless you love soggy taquitos (no judgment!). Instead, fire up your air fryer to 350°F and give them 3 minutes—they’ll come out nearly as crisp as when they were first made. From frozen? Add an extra minute or two. Pro tip: spritz them lightly with oil before reheating for that just-fried crunch!

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Nutritional Information

Okay, let’s talk numbers! I know some folks like to keep an eye on what they’re eating (or just want to know how many extra taquitos they can justify). Remember, these values are estimates—your exact numbers might vary depending on your tortilla brand or how generous you are with the cheese (no shame in my cheesy game!). Here’s the breakdown per serving (that’s 2 taquitos, though I won’t judge if you eat more):

• Calories: 280 – Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent!
• Fat: 12g (4g saturated) – Thank you, olive oil and cheese for all that flavor
• Carbs: 24g – Mostly from those delicious tortillas
• Fiber: 2g – Pro tip: Use whole wheat tortillas to bump this up
• Protein: 18g – That chicken really pulls its weight
• Sodium: 420mg – Easy to reduce by using low-sodium salsa or seasoning

Fun fact: These actually have less fat than traditional fried taquitos—one of the reasons I love my air fryer so much! But let’s be real, we’re here for that perfect crunch-to-filling ratio, right?

Get inspired with even more crunchy, flavor-packed recipes by checking out our Pinterest boards filled with air fryer favorites.

FAQs About Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about these taquitos from friends and family (and okay, from myself during some kitchen experiments!). Here are the answers to the ones that come up most often: