When craving a snack that's bursting with flavor and crunch, this Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe is my go-to! They’re golden, cheesy, and packed with tender rotisserie chicken—all ready in just about 23 minutes. Let’s dive in!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I swear by this recipe whenever I want that perfect crunchy snack without the mess of deep-frying. It’s easy, quick, and delicious—every bite is a little celebration of bold Mexican flavors.
- Super crispy exterior: Thanks to the air fryer and a light spray of cooking oil, these taquitos get perfectly crunchy without deep frying.
- Melty cheesy filling: Pepper jack cheese adds just the right kick of spice and gooey goodness inside.
- Rotisserie chicken convenience: Using cooked, shredded chicken cuts down your prep time and boosts flavor effortlessly.
- Versatile and fun: Ideal as appetizers, snacks, or even a tasty main dish with your favorite dips.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Getting the right ingredients makes all the difference! I usually pick fresh yellow onions and high-quality rotisserie chicken to keep the flavor authentic and easy. Don’t skip that pepper jack cheese—it’s magic melted inside each taquito.

- Olive oil: A little oil softens the onions and adds depth without overpowering.
- Yellow onion: Minced finely for sweetness and body in the filling.
- Cooked, shredded chicken: Rotisserie or Instant Pot chicken works perfectly for tender, flavorful meat.
- Diced green chilies: Brings subtle heat and authentic Mexican flair.
- Fresh chopped cilantro: Adds fresh herbaceous brightness to balance the richness.
- Taco seasoning: Creates that classic Mexican spice blend in the filling.
- Shredded pepper jack cheese: Melts beautifully and adds just a hint of spice.
- Six-inch flour tortillas: Flexible and perfect for rolling tight taquitos.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Helps achieve that golden, crispy finish in the air fryer.
Make It Your Way
The great thing about this Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe is how flexible it is — you can easily customize it to fit your taste buds, dietary needs, or whatever you have on hand in the kitchen. Let’s explore some tasty variations to make the recipe truly your own!
- Spice it up: I love adding minced jalapeño or serrano chiles when cooking the onions for that extra kick. Alternatively, swap the mild green chilies for hot ones or stir in some hot sauce to the filling for a spicy twist.
- Go gluten-free: Substituting flour tortillas with corn or certified gluten-free tortillas means anyone following a gluten-free diet can also enjoy these crispy taquitos without missing out on flavor or texture.
- Different proteins: While shredded rotisserie chicken works wonderfully, I’ve also enjoyed making beef or soyrizo variations using the same method — just swap the chicken for your protein of choice and season accordingly!
- Vegetarian delight: Bean and cheese taquitos are a fantastic meatless option. Using black beans or refried beans with plenty of cheese creates a delicious vegetarian alternative that’s just as satisfying.
- Cheese swaps: Your favorite shredded cheese works great here. Pepper jack gives a nice spicy melty filling, but try cheddar, Monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for a different flavor profile.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the onions until soft and fragrant
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced yellow onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes. You’ll notice the aroma deepen and the onions turn soft and slightly translucent — that’s when you know they’re ready to perfectly complement that chicken filling.
Step 2: Combine chicken and spices for rich flavor
To the softened onions, add 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken, the entire 4-ounce can of diced green chilies, 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped cilantro, and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning. Stir everything well and cook for another 3 minutes. This lets all the flavors blend beautifully and the chicken heats through, making each bite flavorful.
Step 3: Mix in the cheesy goodness
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded pepper jack cheese. The cheese melts gently into the warm filling, creating a creamy texture that holds everything together once rolled inside the tortillas.
Step 4: Soften tortillas to make rolling easy
Stack your 12 flour tortillas and wrap them in damp paper towels. Pop them into the microwave for 60 seconds. This simple step makes them pliable and much easier to roll tightly around the filling without cracking or breaking.
Step 5: Roll the taquitos tightly for maximum crispiness
Place 3 to 4 tablespoons of the filling in the center of each softened tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, making sure the seam is on the bottom — this helps keep them closed during air frying and ensures a perfectly crisp exterior.
Step 6: Preheat and prepare your air fryer
Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and allow it to preheat fully. This high temperature is key for achieving that irresistible golden crunch on the outside while keeping the cheesy filling hot and melty inside.
Step 7: Air fry with love — crisp each side to perfection
Arrange 6 taquitos seam-side down in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each to ensure good airflow. Lightly spray the tops with nonstick cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes, then flip the taquitos, spray the other side, and air fry for another 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them — they should come out beautifully golden brown and super crispy.
Step 8: Repeat for the remaining taquitos and serve warm
If your air fryer only fits 6 taquitos at once like mine, repeat the air frying process with the leftover 6. Once all are cooked, serve these crispy delights hot with your favorite dipping sauces — think salsa, sour cream, chipotle mayo, or guacamole. Prepare for happy taste buds!
Top Tip
Mastering the Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe is all about a few key details that make these taquitos perfectly crunchy and flavorful every time.
- Roll Them Tightly: I've found that rolling each taquito snugly and making sure the seam is firmly pressed down prevents them from unfurling while air frying, keeping that crispy shape intact.
- Don’t Skip Spraying: Spraying both sides of the taquitos with nonstick cooking spray before cooking is my secret to achieving that golden, irresistible crunch without drying them out.
- Airflow Matters: Spacing the taquitos just right in the air fryer basket ensures hot air circulates evenly — this means every side crisps up beautifully without steaming.
- Adjust Cook Times Wisely: If your first batch isn’t crispy enough, adding an extra 1-2 minutes per side can work wonders. Patience pays off for perfect crunchiness!
How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Garnishes
Top off your taquitos with fresh garnishes like chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese. Dollops of sour cream or creamy guacamole add a cool balance to the spicy, cheesy filling. For a little extra kick, serve with chipotle sauce or your favorite salsa on the side—perfect for dipping!
Side Dishes
Pair these taquitos with simple and vibrant side dishes like Mexican street corn (elote), a crisp cabbage slaw, or a light black bean salad. For a heartier meal, serve alongside Spanish rice or a bowl of seasoned refried beans to keep the flavors authentically Mexican and satisfying.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover cooked taquitos, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They’re great for quick snacks or to reheat for an easy meal during the week.
Freezing
You can freeze uncooked, rolled taquitos in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Just pop them straight from the freezer into the air fryer when you’re ready to cook — no need to thaw.
Reheating
To reheat leftover or frozen taquitos, air fry at 400°F for about 2-3 minutes per side if refrigerated, or 5-6 minutes per side if frozen. This method restores the crispiness better than a microwave every time!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can substitute six-inch corn tortillas or certified gluten-free tortillas if you prefer a gluten-free option. Just warm them well to prevent cracking when rolling.
Try increasing the air frying time by 1-2 minutes per side and make sure you spray them generously with nonstick cooking spray before cooking to enhance crispiness.
Absolutely! You can prepare and roll them up ahead, then refrigerate uncooked taquitos for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months before air frying.
To amp up the heat, use hot green chilies in the filling, add 2-3 teaspoons of hot sauce, or sauté minced jalapeño or serrano peppers with the onions for a spicy kick.
Final Thoughts
These Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe really bring joy to my kitchen — they're quick to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for feeding a crowd or just myself when I want a cozy, crunchy treat. I hope they become a staple in your home, too. Happy cooking and enjoy every crispy, cheesy bite!
Print
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 12 taquitos
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
These Air Fryer Taquitos are crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and packed with flavorful rotisserie chicken. They come together quickly, making for a perfect appetizer, snack, or main course with authentic Mexican flavors and a delightful crunch.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup yellow onion, minced
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or Instant Pot)
- 4 ounce can diced green chilies
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
Tortillas
- 12 six-inch flour tortillas (fajita size)
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Cook the onion: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes until softened.
- Prepare the filling: Add shredded chicken, diced green chilies, chopped cilantro, and taco seasoning to the skillet with onions. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 3 minutes to heat through and blend flavors.
- Add the cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded pepper jack cheese until evenly mixed.
- Soften the tortillas: Stack tortillas and wrap them in damp paper towels. Microwave for 60 seconds to make them pliable for rolling.
- Roll the taquitos: Place 3-4 tablespoons of the filling mixture in the center of each tortilla. Roll tightly and secure seam-side down. Repeat for all 12 tortillas.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and allow it to preheat thoroughly.
- Arrange taquitos in the air fryer basket: Place 6 taquitos seam-side down in the basket, leaving space around each for airflow. Spray them lightly with nonstick cooking spray to help crisp the exterior.
- Cook the first side: Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes to crisp the taquitos on one side.
- Flip and cook the other side: Use tongs to flip the taquitos, spray the other side with cooking spray, and air fry for another 5 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Cook remaining taquitos: Repeat steps 7 through 9 for the remaining 6 taquitos if your air fryer holds only 6 at a time.
- Serve: Enjoy warm taquitos with your choice of salsa, sour cream, chipotle sauce, or guacamole for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure taquitos are rolled tightly to prevent them from opening during air frying.
- If taquitos are not crispy enough, extend cooking time by 1-2 minutes per side and don’t skip spraying with cooking spray.
- Oven alternative: Bake at 425°F on a foil-lined baking sheet (convection preferred) for 6-7 minutes per side, spraying taquitos with cooking spray between flips.
- For gluten-free taquitos, substitute flour tortillas with corn or certified gluten-free tortillas.
- Increase spice by using hot green chilies, adding hot sauce, or cooking minced jalapeno or serrano chilies with the onions.
- You can make variations with beef, soyrizo, or bean and cheese using the same method.
- Uncooked taquitos can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and frozen up to 3 months in airtight containers.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes per side.
- When cooking frozen taquitos, add 2 extra minutes per side (5-6 minutes each side) in the air fryer at 400°F.
- This recipe yields 12 taquitos and can easily be doubled.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taquito
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg



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