Air Fryer Frozen Taquitos
Making frozen taquitos in the air fryer is the only way to get their crunchy, crispy perfection! Despite using no additional oil (or just a little spray for luck!), these have a deep-fried flavor. The recipe includes a recipe for my favorite taqueria-style avocado salsa for dipping, and we make both corn and flour taquitos.
Ingredients
▢ Flour or corn or frozen tacos
▢ For serving, homemade avocado salsa is optional
Directions
To Cook Frozen Taquitos in the Air Fryer
1. Set the air fryer’s temperature to 400°F. After the air fryer has heated up, take out the basket and, if you’d like, lightly mist it with cooking spray.
2. Avoid packing the air fryer basket too full or stacking the frozen tacos; instead, arrange them in an even layer.
3. If preparing several servings, work in batches as necessary. Lightly mist the taquitos’ tops with cooking spray for a crispy finish.
4. Put the frozen taquito basket in the air fryer. Cook the corn taquitos for the first five minutes. Cook the flour taquitos for 8 minutes at first. Once the taquitos have reached the appropriate level of doneness, check them after the initial cooking time and continue cooking them in 2-minute increments. View the Notes section below.
5. Take the taquitos out of the air fryer when they are golden, crispy, and have a light brown on the ends, or when they are done as you like. Continue until the appropriate quantity of taquitos has been air-fried, and if preferred, serve warm with dipping sauce.
To Reheat Frozen Taquitos in the Air Fryer
1. Set the air fryer’s temperature to 350°F. After the air fryer has heated up, take out the basket.
2. After preheating the air fryer basket, add the remaining tacquitos and put the basket inside the air fryer.
3. Cook the taquitos for two to three minutes, or until they are well heated. Continue until all of the taquitos have warmed up, and if you’d like, serve them warm with dipping sauce.
Notes
Any kind, brand, and quantity of frozen taquitos can be prepared using this technique. Work in batches as necessary if you intend to cook multiple taquitos at once to prevent packing the air fryer basket too full. Remember that different frozen taquito brands have different cooking times, so make any necessary adjustments.
Corn Taquitos: After the first five minutes, check the corn tacos again, and then after seven and nine minutes. Although cooking durations can differ from air fryer to air fryer, tacquitos should be done in no more than nine minutes. When the taquitos are cooked to your preferred level, take them out of the air fryer.
Flour Taquitos: After the first eight minutes, check the flour tacos once more, and then again after ten and twelve minutes. Although cooking durations can differ from air fryer to air fryer, tacquitos should be done in no more than 12 minutes. When the taquitos are cooked to your preferred level, take them out of the air fryer.
For the Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
One large, ripe avocado that has been peeled, pitted, and half
1 full fresh jalapeño (if desired, remove the seeds, quarter the pepper, and remove the stem)
One cup of water
One tablespoon of white vinegar
Half a teaspoon of salt, or as much as you like
Two tablespoons of freshly chopped cilantro
Two tablespoons of chopped onions
Directions
1. Put everything in the blender. Until the mixture is entirely smooth, blend on high speed.
2. After blending, taste the salsa and add more jalapeño, salt, cilantro, or onion if necessary to adjust the flavor. Blend the mixture once more until it’s smooth if you’re adding ingredients.
3. Serve the salsa right away if the flavor is what you want, or store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you’re ready to eat it.
Nutrition
Health Information
Because of their easy preparation and crispy texture, air fryer frozen taquitos are a popular and practical snack or lunch alternative. When adding them to your diet, it’s crucial to take their nutritional content and health benefits into account.
1. Nutritional Content:
Typically, a flour or corn tortilla is encased in a filling, such as meat, chicken, or a vegetarian alternative such cheese or beans, in frozen taquitos. The brand and kind of filling might affect the nutritional breakdown, but the following are some typical factors:
Calories: Depending on the filling and brand, a typical serving size (about three to four taquitos) may have 200–300 calories. When using an air fryer instead of a deep fryer, less oil is absorbed while cooking, potentially leading to fewer calories.
Fat: Because frozen taquitos are frequently fried before freezing, they may have a moderate fat content (10–20 grams per serving). However, compared to conventional frying, the air fryer uses a lot less oil, which lowers the fat level.
Protein: Taquitos can be a decent source of protein depending on the filling, particularly if it’s beef, chicken, or beans. Generally speaking, each dish contains 10–15 grams of protein.
Carbohydrates: The tortilla in the majority of frozen tacquitos contributes 20–30 grams of carbohydrates per serving. If you are keeping an eye on your carbohydrate intake, this is something you should think about.
Sodium: A normal serving may include 400–600 mg of sodium, which is a substantial amount, particularly if you are on a low-sodium diet or are controlling your blood pressure. This can be lessened by cooking your own taquitos at home or selecting a brand with less sodium.
Fiber: Frozen taquitos may offer 1-4 grams of dietary fiber, which can support digestive health, depending on the filling and tortilla used.
2. Healthier Preparation in the Air Fryer:
Since air frying uses a lot less oil than deep frying, it is a much healthier method that lowers fat and calorie content. When cooking frozen taquitos, using an air fryer can help preserve the crunchy quality without using too much oil. Additionally, this cooking technique reduces the production of harmful trans fats that might happen while deep-frying.
3. Particular Points to Remember:
Dietary Preferences/Restrictions: It’s crucial to choose taquitos made with the right components for people who have dietary preferences or restrictions (such as vegetarian or gluten-free diets). Plant-based and gluten-free alternatives are now accessible.
Portion Control: Taquitos can still be heavy in calories and sodium even though air-frying lowers the need for oil. To balance the meal, it’s better to eat in moderation and serve them with more nutritious side dishes like a salad or a bowl of fresh vegetables.
Cooking Tips
1. Warm Your Air Fryer: Before adding the taquitos, warm your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for three to five minutes to guarantee even frying and crispiness.
2. Distribute Equally: Don’t pack the air fryer basket too full. Leave room between each taquito as you arrange them in a single layer. This guarantees consistent cooking and perfect crisping of the taquitos by allowing hot air to circulate around them.
3. Light Oil Spray: Although air fryers use very little oil, you can improve the crispness of your taquitos by lightly spraying them with cooking oil. For a marginally healthier substitute for conventional vegetable oils, try using coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil.
4. Cooking Time and Temperature: In an air fryer set to 375°F, frozen taquitos typically take 8 to 12 minutes to cook. To guarantee that all sides are equally crisped, check them halfway through cooking and, if you’d like, flip them. The size and brand of the taquitos can affect how long they need to cook.
5. Don’t Overcook: Taquitos that are overcooked may burn or become overly dry. Check them after about 8 minutes and take them out when they are crispy and golden brown.
6. Serve Right Away: Air fryer frozen tacos are best eaten right away because they lose their crunch if you wait too long. Serve them hot with your preferred dipping sauces, including sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.
7. Including Side Dishes or Toppers: You can add fresh items, such as cheese, sliced tomatoes, or shredded lettuce, to your tacos to make them more well-balanced. To increase the fiber and nutrient value, serve them with a nutritious side dish like steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.
Conclusion
Compared to traditional deep-fried taquitos, air fryer frozen taquitos are often lower in fat and calories and provide a quick and convenient lunch or snack choice. When prepared correctly, they can be a nutritious option, but if you are on a particular diet, you should be aware of their sodium, fat, and carbohydrate content.
You can enjoy crispy taquitos with a lot less oil when you use an air fryer, which makes them a better option than deep-fried ones. Pair them with nutrient-dense sides and think about portion control to get the most health advantages. Air fryer frozen taquitos can be a tasty and filling component of a balanced diet if prepared properly and consumed in moderation.
