Name: Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; ½ cup yellow onion, minced; 2 cups cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken; 4 ounce can diced green chilies; 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro; 2 tablespoons taco seasoning; 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese; 12 six-inch flour tortillas (fajita size); Nonstick cooking spray for air fryer

If you love snacks that are crunchy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor, you’re going to adore this Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe. These little rolled tortillas pack a punch of savory goodness and come together quickly — making them perfect for any occasion!

There are six rolled, golden-brown taquitos stacked on a white plate, topped with small pieces of red cherry tomatoes, green chopped cilantro, crumbled white cheese, and light orange drizzle sauce. In the upper right part of the plate, there are two small brown bowls, one filled with green guacamole and the other with light orange sauce. A half lime with a bright green peel and light green inside sits next to the bowls. The plate is on a white marbled surface with a white and orange towel partially visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made countless taquitos over the years, but cooking them in the air fryer completely changed the game — quick, easy, and incredibly crispy every single time!

Speedy prep: Ready in just 23 minutes, so you can satisfy cravings fast.
Crispy perfection: The air fryer creates that golden crunch without oily mess.
Flavor-packed filling: Juicy rotisserie chicken mingles with melty pepper jack and zesty chilies.
Versatile dish: Great as an appetizer, snack, or a main course with a fun Mexican flair.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a starring role. When shopping, look for fresh produce and quality shredded chicken to really make these taquitos shine. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need and why I love each one.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of finely minced yellow onion, a pile of fresh shredded rotisserie chicken, a small white ceramic bowl filled with diced green chilies, a few sprigs of bright green fresh cilantro, a small white ceramic bowl with reddish-brown taco seasoning powder, a mound of shredded pepper jack cheese with orange and white marbling, and a neat stack of twelve soft six-inch flour tortillas, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps soften the onions for building flavor.
Yellow onion: Provides a mild sweetness and texture when sautéed gently.
Shredded rotisserie chicken: A time-saver with tons of juicy flavor ready to go.
Diced green chilies: Bring just the right mild heat and tanginess to the filling.
Fresh chopped cilantro: Brightens flavors with its fresh, herbal notes.
Taco seasoning: Gives that classic Mexican spice blend that ties everything together.
Shredded pepper jack cheese: Melts up beautifully, adding creamy spice and gooey texture.
Flour tortillas (fajita size): Perfect for rolling and getting crispy in the air fryer without cracking.
Nonstick cooking spray: Essential for that perfect golden crunch without sticking.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe is how easy it is to customize to your tastes and dietary needs. Feel free to mix and match ingredients or tweak the spice level to make these irresistible taquitos uniquely yours!

Variation: For a spicier kick, I love adding minced jalapeño sautéed with the onions or swapping the diced green chilies for hot green chilies. It gives the taquitos a lively heat without overpowering the cheesy chicken filling.
Dietary Swap: To keep things gluten-free, I substitute the flour tortillas with corn tortillas or gluten-free tortillas, and they still roll up perfectly and crisp beautifully in the air fryer.
Protein Options: If you’re not in the mood for chicken, try swapping in ground beef, soyrizo, or a bean-and-cheese mixture. The air frying method stays the same and yields wonderfully crispy results.
Make Ahead: Prep the taquitos and store uncooked in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months—perfect for having homemade snacks ready at any time.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe

The dish shows five rolled tortillas filled with melted cheese and brown cooked filling, stacked side by side on a white plate. The tortillas have a golden-brown crispy texture on the outside with cheese slightly melting and oozing from the ends. On top of the tortillas, there are bright red chopped cherry tomatoes, green guacamole, and a light sprinkle of white cheese crumbs and chopped cilantro. Behind the rolled tortillas, there are small bowls with green guacamole and orange creamy sauce, along with a lime slice. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté the Onion to Start Aromatics

Begin by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ½ cup of minced yellow onion and cook for about 4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. You’ll notice a sweet aroma filling your kitchen—that’s the magic building.

Step 2: Combine the Flavorful Filling

Next, stir in 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken, a 4-ounce can of diced green chilies, 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped cilantro, and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning. Let everything cook together for 3 minutes so the flavors mingle nicely. Then, take the skillet off the heat and fold in 2 cups of shredded pepper jack cheese until it’s evenly distributed and just melty.

Step 3: Soften Your Tortillas for Easy Rolling

Stack the 12 six-inch flour tortillas and wrap them in damp paper towels. Microwave for 60 seconds to warm and soften them—this step is key to rolling tight taquitos without cracking the tortillas.

Step 4: Roll ‘Em Up Tight

Spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons of the cheesy chicken filling onto the center of each tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly to seal the filling inside—this ensures they won’t unravel during air frying. Repeat this with all 12 tortillas, lining them up for the next step.

Step 5: Preheat and Arrange in Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the taquitos seam side down in the basket, making sure to leave a little space between each for the hot air to circulate and crisp up the exterior perfectly.

Step 6: First Cook and Spray

Spray the tops of the taquitos with nonstick cooking spray to promote beautiful browning. Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes until they start to get golden and crispy on the bottom.

Step 7: Flip, Spray Again, and Finish Cooking

Using tongs, carefully flip each taquito over to the other side. Spray the tops again with cooking spray. Cook for an additional 5 minutes at 400°F. The taquitos should be evenly golden brown and wonderfully crispy all around.

Step 8: Cook in Batches if Needed

If your air fryer basket isn’t large enough to fit all 12 taquitos at once, cook them in two batches of 6. Repeat the spraying and cooking process for the second batch. This step is perfect for preserving that signature crispiness.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve your hot, crispy taquitos with your favorite Mexican-inspired dips—be it salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or chipotle sauce. They’re incredible as a snack, appetizer, or even a main dish that’s full of flavor and texture.

Top Tip

These tips come from the heart of many kitchen experiments and are designed to make your Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe turn out perfectly every time. A little know-how can turn good taquitos into unforgettable ones!

Roll Them Tightly: From experience, tightly rolling the taquitos prevents them from unraveling in the air fryer, keeping all that melty cheese and flavorful chicken snug inside.
Don’t Skip the Spray: Spraying the taquitos with a light coat of nonstick cooking spray before each side cooks is the secret to that irresistible, golden crispness.
Space Out the Taquitos: Giving enough room between each taquito lets the hot air circulate perfectly, leading to even crisping—crowding the basket causes sogginess and steaming instead.
Warm Your Tortillas: I learned the microwave step warms tortillas just enough to make rolling easier and helps prevent cracking during air frying, guaranteeing neat, intact taquitos.

How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe

The image shows a black frying pan filled with a cooked mix of shredded light brown chicken, small diced green vegetables, and finely chopped onions. On top of this mixture is a large pile of finely shredded white cheese, centered in the pan, covering part of the chicken and vegetables below. The dish has a mix of soft and slightly crispy textures visible, with the chicken having thin, stringy pieces and the vegetables appearing tender but intact. The background surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh garnishes add an explosion of color and flavor. Try diced ripe avocado, a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, or a dollop of cool sour cream or creamy guacamole. For a spicy kick, drizzle chipotle sauce or your favorite hot salsa over the top.

Side Dishes

Complement your crispy taquitos with classic Mexican sides like Spanish rice, refried beans, or a bright corn salad. A simple side of fresh tortilla chips and salsa also works wonderfully—making this meal perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main course.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooked, store your taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This keeps them fresh and ready for a quick snack or meal later in the week without losing their delicious crispy texture.

Freezing

You can freeze uncooked, rolled taquitos for up to 3 months. Store them in a freezer-safe container and when you're ready to enjoy, cook straight from frozen by adding 2 extra minutes per side in your air fryer at 400°F for a perfectly crisp finish.

Reheating

Reheat leftover cooked taquitos in your air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes per side to bring back their signature crunch without drying out the filling. This method is much better than the microwave, which can often result in soggy taquitos.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour for this recipe?

Yes! You can substitute six-inch corn tortillas or gluten-free tortillas to make this Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe gluten-free. Just warm them gently as you would the flour tortillas to avoid cracking when rolling.

What if my taquitos aren’t crispy enough after cooking?

Try cooking the taquitos for an additional 1-2 minutes per side and be sure you spray them with nonstick cooking spray before air frying. This helps achieve a golden, crispy exterior.

Can I prepare the taquitos ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can roll and store uncooked taquitos in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Cook them fresh from the fridge or freezer for best results.

How many taquitos does this recipe make?

This recipe yields 12 taquitos. If you’re feeding a crowd, you can easily double all the ingredients to make 24 taquitos.

Final Thoughts

Making crispy, cheesy, and flavorful chicken taquitos in your air fryer is a delicious way to bring a little Mexican flair to your table in no time at all. I hope these tips and serving ideas inspire you to make this recipe your own and enjoy it as much as I do. Whether it's for a casual snack or a fun appetizer, these taquitos are always a hit!