Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos (Air Fryer)
Introduction:
Creamy shredded chicken mixed with rich cream cheese, tangy salsa, and melty cheese—all wrapped in tortillas and crisped to golden perfection in the air fryer. These taquitos are crispy on the outside and irresistibly creamy inside—without deep frying!
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 8–10 minutes per batch
Total time: 20–25 minutes
Ingredients:
Makes 10–12 taquitos
2 cups cooked chicken (shredded; rotisserie works great)
4 oz (½ block) cream cheese, softened
½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
¼ cup salsa (any style—chunky or smooth)
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp chili powder
Salt & pepper to taste
10–12 small flour tortillas (or corn if preferred, warmed)
Olive oil spray or cooking spray
Optional Toppings for Serving:
Guacamole
Sour cream
Salsa
Chopped cilantro
Lime wedges
Instructions:
Preheat Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine:
Shredded chicken
Cream cheese
Shredded cheese
Salsa
Garlic powder, cumin, chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix thoroughly until creamy and well combined.
Roll the Taquitos
Warm tortillas in the microwave (wrap in damp paper towel for 20–30 seconds) to make them pliable.
Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto one end of each tortilla.
Roll tightly and place seam-side down on a plate or tray.
Lightly spray or brush each taquito with oil for a crispy finish.
Air Fry
Place taquitos seam-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd—work in batches if needed.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
Watch closely around minute 7 to prevent overbrowning.
Serve
Remove from air fryer and let cool slightly. Serve warm with your favorite dips like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
Tips:
Use corn tortillas for a more traditional flavor, but warm them well to prevent cracking.
Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, or cooked spinach to the filling for extra flavor.
Freeze unbaked taquitos and cook from frozen—just add 2–3 minutes to cooking time.