Homemade taquitos in the air fryer are quick and easy and taste amazing. Made with corn tortillas, cream cheese, adobo seasoning, and leftover chicken. Perfect for meals, entertaining, or as an after-school snack.
Learn how to make air fryer taquitos in a few simple steps then serve with sour cream, guacamole, Pico de Gallo or your favorite toppings!
These homemade taquitos are a fantastic way to turn Taco Tuesday leftovers into a delicious meal. This chicken taquitos recipe is great with either shredded or rotisserie chicken.
Serve as is or pair with Gluten Free Spanish Rice and Canned Corn Salad for a complete and satisfying dinner.
The whole family is sure to request this recipe again and again, which is why keeping a batch in the freezer is a great idea. We share step-by-step instructions below on how to freeze taquitos.
For more recipes featuring tortillas, check out our Homemade Gluten-Free Tortillas, Gluten Free Chicken Tortilla Soup and Chicken Tortilla Chip Casserole.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken ✅
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened ✅
- 1/4 cup Mexican cheese blend ✅
- 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning ✅
- 10 corn tortillas
- pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro optional
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make
In a mixing bowl combine the cream cheese and the adobo seasoning. Add the chicken and cheese and mix well.
Run a little water over the paper toweling and squeeze out the extra.
Carefully unfold then place the corn tortillas inside. Microwave for 25 seconds. Carefully remove.
Place about 1 tablespoon of chicken mixture onto a warmed tortilla shell. Carefully wrap and place onto the air fryer tray.
Repeat until the tortillas and chicken is gone. Spray the tortillas with nonstick cooking spray.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook for 5 minutes then carefully turn the taquitos. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Cook an additional 5 minutes.
Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Taquitos Topping Suggestions
- Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Black olives
- Cilantro
- Hot sauce
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Shredded cheese
- Charred corn
- Salsa
- Jalapenos
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course! Simply swap the chicken with shredded pork, beef or opt for a meatless option. Refried beans and cheese make a great vegetarian version.
Reheat in the microwave or crisp in a preheated air fryer for 3-4 minutes. If frozen, reheat for 5-6 minutes in the air fryer (no need to thaw).
This recipe is still possible if you don’t own an air fryer. Cook in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on the top. You can then spray the tops with nonstick cooking spray and broil for 2-3 minutes for an extra crispy outside.
Tips and Tricks
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Make your own pico de gallo and guacamole for a truly authentic taste.
- Seasoning Variations: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings for your chicken mixture. You can try taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, or smoked paprika for a unique flavor twist.
- Tortilla Options: While corn tortillas are traditional for taquitos, you can also use flour tortillas for a different texture. Just be aware that cooking times may vary slightly.
- Add Veggies: To make your taquitos more nutritious, consider adding diced bell peppers, onions, or spinach to the chicken mixture.
- Cheese Choices: Mix up the cheese by using a blend of your favorite Mexican cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or queso fresco.
- Serving Suggestions: In addition to pico de gallo, guacamole, and cilantro, consider serving your taquitos with sour cream, salsa, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces like ranch dressing, salsa verde, or chipotle mayo for extra flavor options.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the chicken mixture and assemble the taquitos ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to air fry. This is convenient for parties or busy weeknight dinners.
- Crispiness: If you want your taquitos extra crispy, you can brush them with a small amount of oil before air frying. This will help achieve a nice golden brown color.
- Size Consistency: Try to roll the taquitos as evenly as possible to ensure they cook uniformly. This will help prevent some taquitos from being undercooked or overcooked.
Storage Instructions
These taquitos are best immediately after air fried, but cooled leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To freeze, wrap individual taquitos in plastic wrap or aluminum foil then place all taquitos in a freezer bag or container.
Label and freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat as desired.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Use precooked shredded chicken, pork or beef for this recipe.
- Make vegetarian by stuffing with only cheese or a blend of beans and cheese.
- Warming the tortillas helps to prevent the shells from cracking when folded. Use this method for this recipe along with tacos, burritos and enchiladas.
- Spraying with nonstick cooking spray helps to make the outside extra crispy and crunchy.
More Mexican Favorites
- Oven Baked Chicken Tacos
- Taco Dip with Ground Beef
- Oven Baked Tacos
- Gluten Free Tacos
- Gluten Free Chicken Enchiladas
- Green Chili Chicken Soup
- Loaded Nacho Fries
- Steak Nachos
- Gluten Free Mexican Lasagna Recipe
- Beef Chimichanga Recipe
- Crunch Wrap Supreme Recipe
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Homemade Taquitos in Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken ✅
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened ✅
- 1/4 cup Mexican cheese blend ✅
- 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning ✅
- 10 corn tortillas
- pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro optional
Instructions
- Blend the chicken mixture. In a mixing bowl combine the cream cheese and the adobo seasoning. Add the chicken and cheese and mix well.1 cup cooked shredded chicken, 4 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning, 1/4 cup Mexican cheese blend
- Prep the tortillas. Run a little water over the paper toweling and squeeze out the extra. Carefully unfold then place the corn tortillas inside. Microwave for 25 seconds. Carefully remove.10 corn tortillas
- Roll the taquitos. Place about 1 tablespoon of chicken mixture onto a warmed tortilla shell. Carefully wrap and place onto the air fryer tray. Repeat until the tortillas and chicken is gone. Spray the tortillas with nonstick cooking spray.
- ✅ Air Fry. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook for 5 minutes then carefully turn the taquitos. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Cook an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve. Serve hot with pico di Gallo, guacamole, cilantro or your favorite toppings.pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro
Notes
Taquitos Toppings
- Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Black olives
- Cilantro
- Hot sauce
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Shredded cheese
- Charred corn
- Salsa
- Jalapenos
Nutrition
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