If your family is like mine, these air fryer chicken taquitos are going to become a favorite weeknight meal. With only a few ingredients, they come together in minutes and are the perfect combination of tender chicken, cheese, and crispy tortillas.

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

If you haven't invested in an air fryer yet, now is the time. This handy countertop kitchen appliance has gained a ton of popularity in recent years, for good reason. Not only are they great for "frying" items without all of the fat and oil, they are a wonderful tool for baking and roasting. This recipe is just one you will love!

I recommend the Cosori Air Fryer or the BlitzWolf 6 liter air fryer. Both are easy to use and large enough for a family sized portion of food.

What Type of Tortilla Should I Use?

I used corn tortillas for the most traditional version of these taquitos. In most traditional kitchens, a taquito is made with corn and a flauta is made with flour tortillas.

That said, if your family prefers flour tortillas, I recommend finding the small thin fajita or soft taco sized flour tortillas. The thinner the better for crisping well in the air fryer.

What Should I Serve with Taquitos?

Taquitos are often served as an appetizer or starter for a meal. When making them in the air fryer, I have no guilt about eating several and turning it into a full meal. When serving taquitos, I usually offer a few common items to dip or eat them alongside.

• Sour cream or nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• Shredded lettuce
• Diced onions
• Shredded cheeses
• Sliced jalapeno
• Pico de gallo
• Jalapeno dip
• Homemade queso dip
• Homemade guacamole
• This easy homemade salsa recipe
• Alongside this taco dip recipe

Can I Make Taquitos with Beef Instead?

Of course! While the cooking process for the meat would be a bit different, you can easily add beef in place of the chicken. You will simply need to make sure the beef is drained properly and not overly wet so it doesn't make the tortilla soggy.

With ground beef, cook until browned and use 2 tablespoons of this homemade taco seasoning per 1 pound ground beef.

Another option is to use shredded beef with the same seasoning. I love making a good slow cooker roast beef then using the leftovers the next day for shredded beef taquitos or tacos.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Taco seasoning
• Salsa
• Cheddar cheese
• Corn tortilla
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Olive oil

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Season the chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat adding in the cubed chicken.

Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes or until beginning to brown and no longer pink on the inside.

Add in the taco seasoning and water, stir, and reduce heat to medium-low.

Cook the chicken until the liquid is mostly absorbed and then mix in the salsa and remove from the heat.

Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.

Place a 1-2 tablespoons chicken onto each tortilla.

Then sprinkle with small amount of cheese.

Roll the tortillas leaving the ends open.

Place them seam side down into the air fryer basket.

Repeat until the basket is full with a single layer of taquitos that are around ½" apart. Generously spray the tops with non-stick spray.

Cook for 5 minutes at 400°F.

Remove and repeat until all taquitos are cooked.

Serve with desired toppings.

How Long do You Cook Taquitos in the Air Fryer

For fresh taquitos as shown, 5-6 minutes is perfect. If cooking frozen taquitos, you may need to cook upwards of 10 minutes to make sure they are cooked through and no longer frozen in the center.