Buffalo Chicken Taquitos are crispy tortillas filled with cheesy, shredded chicken and tangy buffalo sauce. If you enjoy buffalo chicken dip, you’ll love these. Cooking them in the air fryer makes them easy to prepare with minimal mess.
Air Fryer Taquitos
I love Mexican flavors because they’re bright, approachable, and perfect for casual meals or gatherings. Appetizers and finger foods are some of my favorite things to make and eat, and these taquitos fit the bill.
I recently made a homemade buffalo sauce and wanted to use it in more dishes. Buffalo sauce immediately makes me think of wings or buffalo dip, so I combined those bold flavors with one of my favorite Mexican appetizers: taquitos.
These work well as an easy appetizer, game-day snack, or quick weeknight dinner. You can also adapt the filling to include vegetables like roasted cauliflower or extra fresh salsa if you prefer.
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See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and the full method.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut, but cooked, shredded chicken breasts work equally well.
- Tortillas: Small flour tortillas are ideal because they’re slightly thicker and roll without tearing. Corn tortillas have wonderful flavor but can be fragile.
- Cheese: A mix of shredded cheddar and blue cheese crumbles gives the filling a creamy, tangy balance.
- Sauces: Use your favorite ranch and buffalo sauces to control the heat and tang.
Follow the recipe tips for best results and consistent texture.
How to make chicken taquitos in the air fryer
First: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce until smooth.
Add shredded chicken, blue cheese crumbles, and shredded cheddar. Stir until well incorporated.
Second: Assemble the taquitos by laying a tortilla flat. Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture into a line down the center of each tortilla.
Third: Fold one edge over the filling and roll tightly until sealed. Repeat with remaining tortillas. If the tortillas tear or are difficult to roll, warm them briefly under a damp towel.
Fourth: Arrange 4–5 taquitos seam-side down in the air fryer basket and lightly brush or spray with melted butter or cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F for 6–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until the tortillas are crisp and golden. Remove and let cool briefly while you cook the remaining batches.
Refer to the recipe card below for precise measurements and full details.
Can I make these in the oven?
Yes. Prepare and roll the taquitos as described, place them seam-side down on a baking sheet, and bake in a preheated oven. Bake about 10 minutes on one side, flip, then bake another 10 minutes or until they’re golden and crisp.
How long do you cook taquitos in an air fryer?
Fresh or refrigerated taquitos typically take about 6–10 minutes at 400°F. Frozen taquitos will need longer—usually an additional few minutes depending on size and how full they are. Thicker or tightly packed taquitos require extra time to heat through.
How do you keep taquitos crispy?
Keep cooked taquitos warm on a baking sheet in a low oven, and place them on paper towels briefly to absorb any excess oil. Avoid covering them tightly, which traps steam and softens the tortillas.
How do you keep taquitos from falling apart?
If tortillas tear while rolling, warm them for 5–10 seconds covered with a damp paper towel to make them more pliable. If they unroll while cooking, secure edges with a toothpick and remove it before serving.
What’s the difference between taquitos and flautas?
Traditionally, taquitos use corn tortillas and flautas use flour tortillas, but the terms are often used interchangeably. Choose whichever tortilla you prefer—these buffalo taquitos are delicious either way.
What’s good to dip taquitos in?
Simple dips are best: ranch, blue cheese, or extra buffalo sauce complement the filling. The taquitos are flavorful on their own, so dipping is optional.
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- Warm tortillas under a damp paper towel for 10–15 seconds if they tear while rolling.
- Use toothpicks to secure taquitos during cooking if needed, and remove before serving.
- Customize the filling with add-ins like corn, pico de gallo, or pepper jack for extra spice.
- These freeze and reheat well—make a big batch for quick meals later.
Freaky Friday
Freaky Friday is a recipe exchange where food bloggers choose and prepare a recipe from another site to share with readers. It’s a great way to discover new recipes and showcase tried-and-true favorites from fellow cooks.
This edition featured a recipe from a fellow blogger whose straightforward, reliable approach to cooking produces delicious results every time. I enjoy trying her recipes, especially her savory appetizers and easy baking projects.
I also appreciate recipes that help me save time and money, such as homemade breadstick or biscuit recipes that became family favorites. But when it comes to appetizers, these buffalo taquitos are an easy crowd-pleaser.
If you try this recipe and love it, please leave a five-star review in the comments. Thank you!
My family enjoyed these so much I made a double batch and froze extras. They reheat quickly in the air fryer for a fast snack or meal.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
Equipment
- Cheese grater
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 20 small tortillas
- Cooking spray or melted butter
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce until smooth.
- Add the shredded chicken, cheddar, and blue cheese crumbles. Mix thoroughly.
- Lay a tortilla flat and spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture into a line down the center.
- Fold one side over the filling and roll tightly to form a taquito. Repeat with all tortillas.
- If desired, melt a small amount of butter or prepare cooking spray to brush or mist the taquitos.
- Place 4–5 taquitos seam-side down in the air fryer basket and lightly brush or spray with butter or cooking spray.
- Air fry at 400°F for 6–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tortillas are crisp and golden.
- Remove and let cool briefly before serving. Repeat with remaining taquitos.
- Serve warm with additional ranch, blue cheese, or buffalo sauce if desired.
Notes
- Warm tortillas briefly under a damp paper towel if they tear when rolling.
- Use toothpicks to hold taquitos closed while cooking and remove before serving.
- Add-ins like corn, pico de gallo, or pepper jack cheese work well for variation.
- Taquitos freeze and reheat well—make extra for quick meals later.
Nutrition
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