Frozen Taquitos In Air Fryer (And Oven)

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Taquitos are among our favorite finger foods, so I try to keep a bag stashed in the freezer at all times. Cooking them from frozen in the air fryer means they come out crispy and crunchy, not soggy and greasy like when you bake them in the oven. 

The great thing about cooking frozen taquitos in the air fryer is that it’s easy for older kids to make on their own after a little training.

And, since they cook fast, they are perfect for a quick meal, after-school snacks, Mexican meals, and all sorts of get-togethers, easy appetizers, side dishes, and as part of your game day spread. 

Homemade meals are great when you have time, but there should be no shame in occasionally taking help from the freezer section. You’ll be surprised how tasty these are. Plus, these Air Fried Taquitos are way healthier than traditional deep-fried taquitos.

Also, you might want to try these Frozen Potato Skins In Air Fryer, these delicious Frozen Pierogies In Air Fryer, and Frozen Jalapeno Poppers In Air Fryer.

Why Make This Recipe

• Fast – Air Fryer frozen taquitos cook faster than in the oven.
• Healthier – Air frying taquitos uses far less oil than deep frying. 
• Finger Food – They’re perfect for snacking on or serving at a party. 
• Kid-Friendly – Kids love these and they are easy enough for big kids to make on their own. 
• Easy Mexican Food – Great for Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, game day, and more, as loved by the whole family.

Ingredient Notes

• Frozen taquitos – This recipe uses grocery store-bought frozen taquitos precooked and not thawed and are being cooked straight from frozen. This method works for chicken taquitos, beef versions, cheese, homemade taquitos, vegetable versions, etc. Just use the best-frozen taquitos that you can.

Ready to learn how to make these air fryer taquitos? Grab those taquitos and I will show you…

How To Cook Frozen Taquitos In An Air Fryer

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.
2. Remove the frozen taquitos from the package.
3. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd them. They can touch each other but don’t overlap. 
4. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, until heated through and fully cooked and turning golden brown.
5. Serve with sour cream and salsa, or your favorite dipping sauce. 

Cook In the Oven

1. Preheat the oven to 400F / 200C.
2. Place the frozen taquitos on baking sheet and place in the warm oven
3. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until done to your liking.
4. Allow them to stand for a minutes or two before serving.

Expert Tips 

• The overall size of taquitos and the amount of filling can vary between brands, so watch closely the first time you make them and adjust the timing as needed. 
• Don’t overlap the taquitos in air fryer basket. You may need to cook them in multiple batches. You’ll fit more in a square basket.
• You may want to turn them over once half the time has passed or give the basket a shake to ensure they cook evenly.
• For a crispier finish, spray with some cooking spray before cooking.
• Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cooking time, checking for doneness, then adding more time as needed.

Delicious Variations

• Look For Different Fillings – Taquitos are available in a variety of fillings. Try different ones to discover a new favorite. 
• Make Air Fryer Flautas – Use frozen flautas (made with flour instead of corn tortilla) and follow this recipe.
• Top Them Off – Top your cooked taquitos with extra cheese, shredded lettuce, salsa or even chili.
• Dip Them – Taquitos and flautas are perfect for dipping. Here are a few of our favorite options:
  • Guacamole
  • Air Fryer Mexican Cheese Dip
  • Salsa
  • Sour Cream 
  • Ranch Dressing
  • Avocado Ranch Dressing
  • Ketchup
  • Sriracha Aioli

Prep And Storage

• Prep Ahead – The beauty of these is that you can go from freezer to table in just a few minutes, so there’s really no need to prep ahead of time.
• Store – Leftovers should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container and eaten within 3 days.
• Reheat – in the air fryer at 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C for 2 – 2 ½ minutes.

FAQs

Similar Recipes

Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of frozen food guides, or start a few of my most popular air fryer chicken recipes:

• Air Fryer Frozen Burritos.
• Air Fryer Frozen Pierogies.
• Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets.

Serving Suggestions

• Spicy Crockpot Pinto Beans – Ladle a generous portion of these flavorful beans onto your plate, creating a delicious and hearty bed for your taquitos.
• Mexican Air Fryer Corn on the Cob – Elevate your taquito experience by serving them alongside perfectly roasted Mexican Air Fryer Corn on the Cob.
• Instant Pot Mexican Rice – Scoop a generous serving of this aromatic and fluffy Instant Pot Mexican Rice onto your plate.

More Air Fryer Frozen Foods Hacks

Want more how to cook frozen food in the Air Fryer hacks? Then check out these helpful posts:

• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast.
• Easy Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables.
• Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp.
• Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs.
• Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings.
• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings.
• Air Fryer Frozen French Fries.
• Air Fryer Frozen Pizza.
• Air Fryer Frozen Corn Dogs.

Recommended Tools

• You need a fantastic Air Fryer.
• An instant read thermometer to make sure your chicken cooks through.
• For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my frozen taquitos air fryer recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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