Taquitos, those delightful rolled tortillas filled with savory goodness, are undoubtedly a beloved snack choice for many. However, achieving that perfect crispy texture can be a bit of a challenge, especially when using an air fryer. You may wonder how long to cook taquitos in air fryers then? Don’t worry. In this blog, we’ll introduce the detailed steps of how to cook taquitos in air fryers. From the advantages of air fryers to some pro tips to help you make the best air fryer frozen taquitos, we’ve got you covered. Dive in now!
Why Choose an Air Fryer for Your Taquitos
Before we tell how to cook frozen taquitos in air fryers, it is essential to understand why we chose an air fryer for our cooking task in the first place.
The truth is, air fryers not only deliver outstanding results, but they are also fast and efficient, making them an ideal choice for busy home cooks. Here are some of their key benefits:
- Healthier Cooking: Air fryers require minimal to no oil to achieve crispy results, significantly reducing the amount of fat and calories in your taquitos compared to traditional frying methods. This makes them a healthier option without compromising on flavor or texture.
- Quick and Convenient: Air fryers preheat rapidly and cook food faster than conventional ovens, making them perfect for whipping up a batch of taquitos in a hurry. Their intuitive controls and easy-to-clean design add to their convenience, saving you time in the kitchen.
- Even Cooking: With their circulating hot air technology, air fryers ensure that taquitos cook evenly on all sides, resulting in perfectly crispy exteriors and moist, flavorful interiors. Say goodbye to unevenly cooked taquitos or the hassle of constantly flipping them in a pan.
Crucial Ingredients
Alright, it's time to gather the essential ingredients for your mouthwatering taquitos. These flavorful delights rely on a few key components to achieve that perfect balance of taste and texture:
- Frozen Taquitos: While homemade taquitos in air fryers are undoubtedly delicious, frozen taquitos offer convenience without sacrificing flavor. Look for your favorite brand or variety at your local grocery store.
- Cooking Spray or Oil: While air fryers require minimal oil, a light coating of cooking spray or oil helps achieve that crispy exterior.
- Optional Toppings: Customize your taquitos with an array of delicious toppings. Some popular choices include shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and shredded cheese.
Steps to Cook Taquitos in Air Fryer
With the essential ingredients at hand, let’s embark on our culinary journey. Follow this air fryer taquitos recipe to achieve fantastic air fryer taquitos every time:
Preheat
To kick off your taquito-cooking adventure, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (about 204°C). After preheating, lightly spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Arrange the Taquitos
Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to arrange the star of the show - the taquitos. Place the frozen taquitos in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer. Make sure they are not overcrowded to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
Air Fry
Now comes the exciting part - air frying. How long do you put taquitos in the air fryer? Cook the taquitos at 400°F (about 204°C) for 7 to 9 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and the desired level of crispiness. If your taquitos are slightly crowded in the basket, you can opt to flip them halfway through the cooking process for even browning.
Remove and Serve
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the taquitos from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Be cautious as they will be hot. Finally, serve your perfectly crispy taquitos hot and fresh, alongside your chosen toppings!
Pro Tips & Suggestions to Make Your Air Fryer Taquitos Stand Out
Cooking taquitos in the air fryer may seem straightforward, but achieving culinary mastery requires attention to detail. The following tips and suggestions can help you elevate your air frying game:
Preheat for Crispiness
Preheating your air fryer is essential for achieving crispy taquitos. Allow the air fryer to preheat fully before adding your taquitos to ensure they cook evenly and develop a golden-brown exterior.
Avoid Overcrowding
Arrange your taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not touching or overlapping. Overcrowding can hinder air circulation, resulting in uneven cooking and less crispy taquitos.
Monitor Cooking Time
Keep an eye on your taquitos as they cook to prevent them from overcooking or burning. Adjust the taquito air fryer time as needed based on your air fryer's temperature and the size of your taquitos.
Conclusion
Now you know how to cook frozen taquitos in an air fryer and how long to cook taquitos in air fryers. As you’ve witnessed, the process of cooking frozen taquitos in an air fryer is quite straightforward, and you can whip up delectable, mouthwatering air fryer taquitos in as short as 7-8 minutes. The thing is, air fryers are impressive in not only their cooking speed but also the savory perfection they can deliver. So next time you crave snacks, fire up your air fryer and let it make a difference!
