Crispy, cheesy, and downright addictive — these Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are everything you want in a fun handheld dinner. They’re packed with creamy shredded chicken, seasoned just right, and air fried until perfectly golden and crunchy. Whether you serve them as a weeknight dinner, party snack, or freezer-friendly meal prep option, these taquitos always hit the spot.
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Taquitos
- Quick and easy: Only 7–8 minutes in the air fryer!
- Healthier than fried: No messy oil needed, just a quick spray.
- Great use for leftover or rotisserie chicken
- Freezer-friendly: Make a batch and freeze for future taco nights.
- Kid-approved: These are a hit with even picky eaters.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Shredded Chicken – Great use for rotisserie chicken or leftovers. You can also make fresh using Instant Pot or Crockpot shredded chicken.
- Cream Cheese – Softened to mix smoothly into the filling.
- Salsa – Adds flavor and moisture; use your favorite heat level.
- Shredded Cheese – Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or cheddar work well.
- Spices – Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Small Tortillas – Corn or flour tortillas both work. Corn gives a classic taquito texture; flour is softer and easier to roll.
- Oil Spray – Olive oil or avocado oil spray for crisping in the air fryer.
How to Make Chicken Taquitos in the Air Fryer
Make the Filling
In a large bowl, mix softened cream cheese with salsa, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Stir in the shredded cheese and shredded chicken until fully combined.
Warm the Tortillas
Stack the tortillas between two damp paper towels and microwave for 20–30 seconds until soft and pliable. This prevents tearing when rolling.
Roll the Taquitos
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the filling across the bottom third of each tortilla. Roll tightly and set seam side down.
Air Fry
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray each taquito with oil, then place in a single layer in the basket.
Air fry for 5 minutes, flip, and cook another 2–3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overfill – Too much filling can cause the taquitos to burst open while cooking.
- Work in batches – Avoid crowding the air fryer. Cook in a single layer for even crisping.
- Use warm tortillas – Cold tortillas crack easily. Warming them is key, especially with corn.
- Let them cool slightly – They’ll crisp up more as they cool for a few minutes after cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these taquitos with classic Mexican sides or just some simple dips:
- Salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for dipping
- Mexican rice and black or pinto beans for a full meal
- Pico de gallo or shredded lettuce and tomato for a taco platter feel
- Chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime on top for brightness
Make Ahead & Storage Tips
- To prep ahead: Roll and refrigerate uncooked taquitos for up to 24 hours.
- To freeze: Place uncooked taquitos on a tray to freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Air fry straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes of cook time.
- To store leftovers: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Pop back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes until hot and crispy again.
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are a go-to in my kitchen for good reason — they’re fast, flavorful, and everyone loves them. They’re perfect for Taco Tuesday, game day, or just when you need dinner on the table without a fuss. Make a big batch, and you’ll always have a crowd-pleaser ready to go.
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Crispy, cheesy, and downright addictive — these Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are everything you want in a fun handheld dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ⅓ cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces shredded Mexican cheese blend, or Monterey jack or cheddar, about 1 cup
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 12 corn tortillas, or small flour tortillas
- olive oil or avocado oil spray
- For serving: salsa, guacamole, sour cream, etc.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the cream cheese, salsa, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and salt. Add the shredded cheese and shredded cooked chicken and stir until well combined.
- Preheat air fryer to 400° F.
- Working with 4-6 tortillas at a time, place the tortillas between two paper towels and warm them in the microwave to make them soft and pliable (so that they will roll up without tearing).
- Working with one tortilla at a time, place 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture in a line across the lower third of the tortilla. Roll up as tightly as you can and place seam side down on a sheet of parchment paper. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling. Lightly spray taquitos with olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray.
- Place taquitos seam side down in the air fryer basket, leaving a little room in between each one. Cook in batches.
- Air fry at 400° F for 5 minutes. Then flip the taquitos over and air fry for 2-3 more minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve with salsa, guacamole and/or sour cream for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 230Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 45mgSodium 271mgCarbohydrates 15gFiber 2gSugar 1gProtein 11g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.