Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Flavorful Twist

September 26, 2025 by lisa

Craving a tasty, easy snack? Try my Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Taquitos! These taquitos pack a flavorful punch and are super simple to make. Using just a few ingredients and steps, you can whip up this delicious twist on a classic. Perfect for game day or a quick dinner, these little bites are sure to impress. Let’s dive into the ingredients and get cooking!

Ingredients

List of Ingredients

– 2 cups cooked shredded chicken

– 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (adjust for heat preference)

– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

– 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened

– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

– 8 small flour tortillas

– Olive oil spray

– Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

– Sour cream or ranch dressing (for dipping)

Tips for Selecting Ingredients

Pick tender chicken. Cooked rotisserie chicken works great. Look for a buffalo sauce that matches your heat level. Some sauces are mild, while others pack a punch. Choose creamy and rich cream cheese for the best taste. Fresh cilantro adds a bright touch, so use it when you can.

Optional Ingredients for Extra Flavor

Add crumbled blue cheese for a classic twist. You can also mix in some diced green onions for added crunch. A splash of lime juice gives a fresh zing. For a smoky flavor, consider adding smoked paprika. These options can take your taquitos from good to great!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Buffalo Chicken Mixture

Start by gathering your ingredients. You will need cooked shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder. In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce. Add the cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Then, sprinkle in garlic powder and onion powder. Stir until everything is well combined. This mixture packs a flavorful punch.

Assembling the Taquitos

Next, take a small flour tortilla and lay it flat. Scoop about 2-3 tablespoons of the buffalo chicken mixture onto the lower third of the tortilla. Carefully roll the tortilla tightly around the filling. Tuck in the sides as you roll to keep the filling secure. Repeat this process for the remaining tortillas. Make sure each taquito is filled but not overstuffed.

Cooking in the Air Fryer

Now, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it heats up, lightly spray the taquitos with olive oil spray. This helps them get crispy. Place the taquitos in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid stacking them to ensure even cooking. Cook for 10-12 minutes. Flip them halfway through for a golden finish. After cooking, let them cool slightly. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with sour cream or ranch dressing for dipping.

Tips & Tricks

Achieving the Perfect Crispiness

To get your taquitos crispy, spray them well with olive oil. This helps them brown nicely. Cook them in a single layer in the air fryer. Overcrowding can lead to soggy taquitos. Flip them halfway through cooking for even crisping. Cook them at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them towards the end. You want a golden brown color.

Adjusting Spice Levels

Buffalo sauce varies in heat. Start with 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce. If you want it milder, use less. For more heat, add a bit more sauce. Mixing in some cream cheese can also cool the spice a bit. Taste your mixture before rolling it into tortillas. This way, you can adjust the spice to your liking.

Serving Suggestions

These taquitos are great with dips. Serve them with sour cream or ranch dressing. Both add a creamy touch that balances the spice. Fresh chopped cilantro adds a nice touch too. You can also pair them with a side salad or some veggies. This makes for a fun, colorful plate. Don’t forget to enjoy them warm for the best flavor!

Variations

Alternative Proteins

You can switch the chicken for other meats. Try shredded beef for a rich taste. Pulled pork adds a sweet twist. Ground turkey is a leaner option. Just keep the other ingredients the same. Adjust the buffalo sauce to match the meat’s flavor.

Vegetarian Options

If you want a meat-free meal, use veggies. Combine black beans and corn for a hearty mix. You can add sautéed mushrooms for a meaty texture. Cream cheese and cheese will keep it creamy. Use the same spices to keep the flavor strong.

Creative Dipping Sauces

Dipping sauces can change the game. Sour cream is classic, but ranch is a hit too. Try blue cheese dressing for a bold flavor. A simple avocado dip brings freshness. Mix plain yogurt with herbs for a unique touch. Each sauce adds a new layer of taste.

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

Store your leftover taquitos in an airtight container. Make sure they are cool before sealing. This keeps them fresh longer. You can keep them in the fridge for up to three days.

Reheating Techniques

To reheat, use your air fryer for the best results. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the taquitos in a single layer. Heat them for about 5-7 minutes. This will make them crispy again. You can also use a microwave, but they won’t be as crunchy.

Freezing Instructions

You can freeze taquitos for later. Wrap each taquito in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat them in the air fryer. Enjoy the same great taste!

FAQs

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?

Yes, you can use store-bought rotisserie chicken. It saves time and still tastes great. Just shred the chicken and mix it with the buffalo sauce. This makes it easy for a quick meal. Plus, you get that rich, savory flavor without all the work.

How spicy are these taquitos?

The spice level depends on the buffalo sauce you choose. If you like it hot, use a spicier sauce. For milder taquitos, go with a mild buffalo sauce. You can always mix in more sauce later if you want more kick. It’s all about your taste preference.

Can I make these taquitos ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare these taquitos in advance. Assemble them and store them in the fridge. Just make sure to cover them well. When you’re ready to cook, take them out and air fry them. This way, you enjoy fresh, hot taquitos right when you want them.

This article covered the tasty aspects of making buffalo chicken taquitos. We explored the best ingredients, how to prepare the mixture, and assemble everything. Tips helped us achieve perfect crispiness, adjust spice, and serve well. Plus, we looked at tasty variations and storage tips.

Now you can whip up these flavorful taquitos anytime. Enjoy the fun and flavor they bring to your meals!

$- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken - 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (adjust for heat preference) - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder - 8 small flour tortillas - Olive oil spray - Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish) - Sour cream or ranch dressing (for dipping) Pick tender chicken. Cooked rotisserie chicken works great. Look for a buffalo sauce that matches your heat level. Some sauces are mild, while others pack a punch. Choose creamy and rich cream cheese for the best taste. Fresh cilantro adds a bright touch, so use it when you can. Add crumbled blue cheese for a classic twist. You can also mix in some diced green onions for added crunch. A splash of lime juice gives a fresh zing. For a smoky flavor, consider adding smoked paprika. These options can take your taquitos from good to great! Start by gathering your ingredients. You will need cooked shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder. In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce. Add the cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Then, sprinkle in garlic powder and onion powder. Stir until everything is well combined. This mixture packs a flavorful punch. Next, take a small flour tortilla and lay it flat. Scoop about 2-3 tablespoons of the buffalo chicken mixture onto the lower third of the tortilla. Carefully roll the tortilla tightly around the filling. Tuck in the sides as you roll to keep the filling secure. Repeat this process for the remaining tortillas. Make sure each taquito is filled but not overstuffed. Now, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it heats up, lightly spray the taquitos with olive oil spray. This helps them get crispy. Place the taquitos in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid stacking them to ensure even cooking. Cook for 10-12 minutes. Flip them halfway through for a golden finish. After cooking, let them cool slightly. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with sour cream or ranch dressing for dipping. To get your taquitos crispy, spray them well with olive oil. This helps them brown nicely. Cook them in a single layer in the air fryer. Overcrowding can lead to soggy taquitos. Flip them halfway through cooking for even crisping. Cook them at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them towards the end. You want a golden brown color. Buffalo sauce varies in heat. Start with 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce. If you want it milder, use less. For more heat, add a bit more sauce. Mixing in some cream cheese can also cool the spice a bit. Taste your mixture before rolling it into tortillas. This way, you can adjust the spice to your liking. These taquitos are great with dips. Serve them with sour cream or ranch dressing. Both add a creamy touch that balances the spice. Fresh chopped cilantro adds a nice touch too. You can also pair them with a side salad or some veggies. This makes for a fun, colorful plate. Don’t forget to enjoy them warm for the best flavor! {{image_2}} You can switch the chicken for other meats. Try shredded beef for a rich taste. Pulled pork adds a sweet twist. Ground turkey is a leaner option. Just keep the other ingredients the same. Adjust the buffalo sauce to match the meat’s flavor. If you want a meat-free meal, use veggies. Combine black beans and corn for a hearty mix. You can add sautéed mushrooms for a meaty texture. Cream cheese and cheese will keep it creamy. Use the same spices to keep the flavor strong. Dipping sauces can change the game. Sour cream is classic, but ranch is a hit too. Try blue cheese dressing for a bold flavor. A simple avocado dip brings freshness. Mix plain yogurt with herbs for a unique touch. Each sauce adds a new layer of taste. Store your leftover taquitos in an airtight container. Make sure they are cool before sealing. This keeps them fresh longer. You can keep them in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, use your air fryer for the best results. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the taquitos in a single layer. Heat them for about 5-7 minutes. This will make them crispy again. You can also use a microwave, but they won't be as crunchy. You can freeze taquitos for later. Wrap each taquito in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat them in the air fryer. Enjoy the same great taste! Yes, you can use store-bought rotisserie chicken. It saves time and still tastes great. Just shred the chicken and mix it with the buffalo sauce. This makes it easy for a quick meal. Plus, you get that rich, savory flavor without all the work. The spice level depends on the buffalo sauce you choose. If you like it hot, use a spicier sauce. For milder taquitos, go with a mild buffalo sauce. You can always mix in more sauce later if you want more kick. It’s all about your taste preference. Yes, you can prepare these taquitos in advance. Assemble them and store them in the fridge. Just make sure to cover them well. When you’re ready to cook, take them out and air fry them. This way, you enjoy fresh, hot taquitos right when you want them. This article covered the tasty aspects of making buffalo chicken taquitos. We explored the best ingredients, how to prepare the mixture, and assemble everything. Tips helped us achieve perfect crispiness, adjust spice, and serve well. Plus, we looked at tasty variations and storage tips. Now you can whip up these flavorful taquitos anytime. Enjoy the fun and flavor they bring to your meals!$