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Air Fryer Taquitos

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Crispy homemade chicken taquitos made in the air fryer with seasoned shredded chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, and cream cheese rolled in corn tortillas. Golden and crunchy in just 10 minutes of cook time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 small corn tortillas (6-inch)
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons salsa or diced green chiles
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30–45 seconds until pliable, or warm each in a dry skillet for 15 seconds per side. Do not skip this step — cold corn tortillas will crack when rolled.
  2. Season the shredded chicken with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. Mix in the softened cream cheese and salsa until combined, then fold in the shredded cheese.
  3. Place 2 tablespoons of filling across one side of each warmed tortilla, about a third from the edge. Roll as tightly as possible without tearing, then place seam-side down on a plate.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.
  5. Arrange taquitos seam-side down in a single layer without crowding. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.
  6. Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping at the 5-minute mark, until the exterior is golden and crispy with no pale or soft sections. Cook in batches if needed.

Notes

Place taquitos seam-side down immediately after rolling — the tortilla will seal against the hot basket as it crisps. If they still unroll, secure each with a toothpick before placing in the basket and remove before serving.

For frozen taquitos: cook at 380°F (193°C) for 9–10 minutes, flipping halfway. Mini bite-size frozen taquitos need only 7–8 minutes.

Do not stack taquitos — cook in a single layer for maximum crispiness. The second batch will cook slightly faster since the air fryer is already hot.

Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for the filling. Leftover ground beef with taco seasoning or refried beans with cheese are easy substitutions.

Find it online: https://airfrycentral.com/air-fryer-taquitos/