By Becky Hardin
Updated Aug 25, 2025
My homemade Air Fryer Taquitos feature a creamy, spiced chicken filling rolled up into corn tortillas and cooked to crispy, crunchy perfection. When I serve them with sour cream, salsa, queso, or guacamole, they are a guaranteed hit!
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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Homemade chicken taquitos are a texture lover’s dream! I love how crunchy they are on the outside and creamy on the inside. Made in less than 30 minutes with simple ingredients, these taquitos are always a winner on those busy weeknights when I don’t have loads of time to prepare dinner. I’ll often mix up Taco Tuesday and prepare a batch of these taquitos instead of traditional tacos.
What I love about taquitos is that they are rolled tacos filled with meat, cheese, and other ingredients, and then deep-fried to crispy perfection. The frying adds that layer of crunch I’ve come to love, but in this recipe, I decided to cook them in an air fryer to lighten them up a bit. I still get all the crunch, but with less of the grease. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can prepare these chicken taquitos instead.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3 cups shredded cooked chicken rotisserie chicken also works
- ▢ 8 oz. cream cheese room temperature
- ▢ 1 tbsp chipotle sauce or 2 chipotles in adobo sauce
- ▢ 1 tsp cumin
- ▢ 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ▢ ½ tsp garlic powder
- ▢ ½ tsp kosher salt
- ▢ 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- ▢ 15 corn tortillas 6" work best
- ▢ queso fresco, salsa, and crema for serving
Video
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- While the air fryer preheats, make the filling. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cream cheese, chipotle, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt together using a hand mixer or mixing spoon. 3 cups shredded cooked chicken, 8 oz. cream cheese, 1 tbsp chipotle sauce, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp kosher salt
- Add the shredded cheese and mix well. 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Warm the tortillas. Cover the tortillas with a paper towel (or place them on a plate and flip a bowl upside down to cover them) and microwave for 30 seconds. If the tortillas aren’t warm and pliable, heat again in 10-second intervals. 15 corn tortillas
- Working with one tortilla at a time, scoop 2 tbsp of filling along one edge of the tortilla and roll it up right. To prevent the taquitos from falling apart, use a bit of water to seal them before placing them seam-side down in the air fryer. Try not to let the taquitos touch, so they get crispy on all sides. Once the air fryer is full, spray the tops of the taquitos with nonstick spray.
- Cook for 5 minutes and flip. Spray with nonstick spray and cook for another 2 minutes. Check after 2 minutes and if they aren’t crispy enough, cook for 1-2 additional minutes.
- Remove and repeat with the remaining taquitos. Serve and enjoy with queso, salsa, and crema. queso fresco, salsa, and crema
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Step by Step
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Gather your ingredients.
Make the filling: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups shredded cooked chicken, 8 oz. cream cheese, 1 tbsp chipotle sauce, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp kosher salt together using a hand mixer or mixing spoon. Add 2 cups Mexican cheese and mix well.
Prepare the tortillas: Cover the tortillas with a paper towel (or place them on a plate and flip a bowl upside down to cover them) and microwave for 30 seconds. If the tortillas aren’t warm and pliable, heat again in 10-second intervals.
Working with one tortilla at a time, scoop 2 tbsp of filling along one edge of the tortilla and roll it up right. To prevent the taquitos from falling apart, use a bit of water to seal them before placing them seam-side down in the air fryer. Try not to let the taquitos touch, so they get crispy on all sides. Once the air fryer is full, spray the tops of the taquitos with nonstick spray.
Cook taquitos: Cook for 5 minutes and flip. Spray with nonstick spray and cook for another 2 minutes. Check after 2 minutes and if they aren’t crispy enough, cook for 1-2 additional minutes.
Remove and repeat with the remaining taquitos.
Serve : Serve and enjoy with queso, salsa, and crema.
Variations
- For a vegetarian taquito , omit the chicken and replace it with 2 cups of black beans or pinto beans.
- Use ground beef for beef taquitos .
- Make seafood taquitos and use cooked shrimp or leftover cooked fish—any type works.
- Change up the cheese and use what you’ve got on hand, or a mix of your favorite cheese.
- Stir in diced jalapenos or add a sprinkle of red chili flakes for spicier taquitos.
How to Store
If you want to get a head start, you can prepare the filling up to a day in advance, but assemble and cook just before serving. Leftovers tend to become very soggy.
If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer to crisp up again.
Serving Suggestions
Taquitos and dip are a match made in heaven! I love pairing chicken taquitos with creamy guacamole or white queso , but tangy dips like homemade salsa are also an option. To make these taquitos a complete meal, I’ll prepare refried beans and rice as well.
more taco recipes we love
Baked Steak and Eggs Tacos (Breakfast Tacos Recipe)
Cod Fish Tacos Recipe (Margarita Fish Tacos)
Easy Buffalo Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Turkey Tacos
Air Fryer Taquitos Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken rotisserie chicken also works
- 8 oz. cream cheese room temperature
- 1 tbsp chipotle sauce or 2 chipotles in adobo sauce
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 15 corn tortillas 6" work best
- queso fresco, salsa, and crema for serving
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- While the air fryer preheats, make the filling. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cream cheese, chipotle, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt together using a hand mixer or mixing spoon. 3 cups shredded cooked chicken, 8 oz. cream cheese, 1 tbsp chipotle sauce, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp kosher salt
- Add the shredded cheese and mix well. 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Warm the tortillas. Cover the tortillas with a paper towel (or place them on a plate and flip a bowl upside down to cover them) and microwave for 30 seconds. If the tortillas aren’t warm and pliable, heat again in 10-second intervals. 15 corn tortillas
- Working with one tortilla at a time, scoop 2 tbsp of filling along one edge of the tortilla and roll it up right. To prevent the taquitos from falling apart, use a bit of water to seal them before placing them seam-side down in the air fryer. Try not to let the taquitos touch, so they get crispy on all sides. Once the air fryer is full, spray the tops of the taquitos with nonstick spray.
- Cook for 5 minutes and flip. Spray with nonstick spray and cook for another 2 minutes. Check after 2 minutes and if they aren’t crispy enough, cook for 1-2 additional minutes.
- Remove and repeat with the remaining taquitos. Serve and enjoy with queso, salsa, and crema. queso fresco, salsa, and crema
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
