Air Fryer Taquitos are simple to prepare, require just a few ingredients, and make a great meal, snack, or appetizer. These Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos feature crisp corn tortillas enveloping a creamy shredded chicken filling seasoned with savory spices and a touch of heat.
Homemade taquitos are easy to make in the air fryer and taste fresher than frozen varieties. You can pack the tortillas generously with chicken for hearty, satisfying taquitos. Serve with a simple dipping sauce—homemade nacho cheese or salsa pairs perfectly.
What to put in Air Fryer Taquitos
This recipe uses common pantry items and cooked chicken. You’ll need:
- Shredded Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken, leftovers, or canned chicken in a pinch.
- Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne for heat (omit if you prefer mild).
- Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles: Use the original or a spicier variety if you want more heat. If you don’t want tomatoes, use 3–4 tablespoons of diced green chiles instead.
- Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature for easy mixing. Low-fat Neufchâtel works as a substitute.
- Corn Tortillas: White or yellow corn tortillas both work well.
Steps to Make Chicken Taquitos
- Preheat your air fryer to 375ºF.
- In a large bowl, combine 2 cups shredded chicken with 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp cumin, and 1/8 tsp cayenne (optional). Toss to coat evenly.
- Fold in 1/4 cup drained Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, then stir in 4 ounces softened cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Warm the corn tortillas to make rolling easier—wrap in a paper towel and microwave up to 30 seconds, toast briefly over a flame, or heat in a skillet.
- Place 2–3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture in the center of each warmed tortilla, roll tightly, and arrange seam-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Lightly spray the taquitos with cooking spray. Cook at 375ºF for 5–6 minutes, then flip, spray again, and cook 5–6 more minutes until golden and crisp.
What to serve with Taquitos
These taquitos pair well with simple sides and dips. Try:
- Roasted tomato salsa or a fresh pico de gallo
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Refried beans or simple black beans
- Sour cream or a tangy crema
Air Fryer Chicken Taquito Recipe
This version yields about 4 servings and cooks quickly—perfect for weeknights, game day, or entertaining. The filling is creamy and flavorful while the tortillas crisp up nicely in the air fryer for a satisfying crunch.
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
5 mins
10 mins
15 mins
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/8 tsp cayenne (optional)
- 1/4 cup Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, drained
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 white or yellow corn tortillas
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF.
- In a bowl, combine shredded chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne. Toss to coat.
- Add drained Rotel tomatoes and green chiles and mix until combined.
- Stir in softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Warm tortillas (microwave wrapped in a paper towel for up to 30 seconds). Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling in the center of each tortilla and roll tightly.
- Arrange seam-side down in the air fryer basket, spray with cooking spray, and cook 5–6 minutes. Flip, spray again, and cook another 5–6 minutes until golden and crisp.
Nutrition
These Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos deliver a crunchy exterior and a flavorful, creamy chicken interior—an easy recipe that works well for families, parties, or a quick weeknight dinner.
Other Air Fryer Recipes we love:
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breasts
- Air Fried Ravioli
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings