These healthy & crispy Taquitos are easy to prep ahead, making them great for a weekday meal! They are filling and delicious!

A tray with rolled taquitos and garnished with veggies.
Taquitos In Air Fryer are better than deep fried!

Is there anything better than tacos? How about these Crispy Taquitos! I’m so excited to share this recipe because it is basically everything I want to eat for dinner any night of the week.

They are easy to make, air-fried or baked thus healthy, and loaded with layers of flavor. They’re very similar to my Tacos Dorados which I love too. And as long as they’re not deep fried in oil, these taquitos are actually good for you!

Why this recipe works

  • Air-frying or baking food is a healthier way of cooking.
  • You can have an delicious dinner in less than 35 minutes.
  • They are seriously delicious! They taste deep fried but are so much healthier!
Close up image of crispy taquitos.
These taquitos are plant-based but easily prepared with your preferred protein fillings.

Ingredients

For the filling you can use anything you like but for this recipe we’ll use mashed potatoes. Note: If you want to add some protein, you can mix in some shredded chicken or shredded beef with the potatoes.

  • The potatoes – I like to use russet potatoes but any kind will work. Keep the skin on since it has lots of vitamins plus it gives extra texture to the filling. Washed well and scrub to remove any dirt.
  • The seasoning – We only need kosher salt, fresh black pepper, onion powder and garlic powder
  • The Tortillas – Use thin corn tortillas as the thick kind break easily when rolled.
  • Oil spray

Toppings

The toppings make a huge difference in enjoying this dish! Tacos & taquitos are all about layers of flavor! Don’t be shy and add them for maximum flavor.

Toppings ingredients on a wood board.
A branch graphic for posts.

How To Make Taquitos

Making this recipe is easy and there is not much fuss about it. I suggest you prep your toppings ahead of time as the process of making the taquitos goes rather quickly.

Potatoes cut in large squares cooked in water.
  1. First, cook the potatoes until soft. Drain and place in a large bowl. Season with the salt, pepper, garlic & onion powder.
Smashed potatoes in a bowl.
  1. Mash them with a potato masher or with the back of a fork. If you’re adding shredded chicken to your taquitos, mix them with the potatoes at this point.
Corn tortillas placed inside a large ziploc bag.
  1. Next, stack the tortillas and place inside a kitchen towel or large ziploc bag. Microwave for about 15 seconds or until the tortillas are warm and pliable.
A stack of tortillas with a little bit of potato mix on one tortilla.
  1. Add about 1/4 cup potato filling and roll the tortilla tightly.
Taquitos inside an air-fryer.
  1. Next, place seam side down on an air fryer or a baking tray. Repeat process for the rest of the taquitos. Lightly spray each one with cooking spray.
  2. Last, air fry or baked them according to the instructions below.

Air Fryer Method

  • Air fry the taquitos for 7 to 9 minutes at 400 F degrees (200 C)
  • Place the rolled taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each one. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.

I used this Air Fryer for this recipe but any kind will do the same job.

Oven Method

If you don’t have an air fryer, no worries! You can also make baked taquitos in the oven. The process is the same.

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. (200 C)
  • Bake for 15 minutes or until the tortillas are crispy.
Potatoes inside tortillas after being air fried.

How To Serve

Serve warm and garnish with your favorite toppings. Don’t be afraid to add all of them. In this case, more is better! For a complete meal, a side of fideo soup will go wonderful as well as some Mexican style mushrooms. Or just check out for more of my side dishes.

Crispy Taquitos on a white tray.

Chef’s Tips and Notes

  • Brush or spray the tortilla with olive oil. A little oil goes a long way and it helps the tortillas brown as they cook. It also makes them taste more rich and flavorful. You’ll still use much less oil than you would if you were deep fry the taquitos.
  • Don’t crowd the air fryer. An air fryer works by constantly circulating hot air around whatever you’re cooking. In order for them to become crispy, the air needs to be able to contact them on all sides. Make sure to place the rolled taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each one. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Resist the temptation to crowd the air fryer.  
  • Eat them right away. These taquitos are best when they’re freshly cooked – crispy on the outside and still hot from the air fryer. They start to soften if they sit around too long.

How To Store and Freeze Taquitos

Any leftovers can easily be frozen to serve later on. Once they cool off, place them in a frozen ziploc freezer bag in single layers. They can be frozen up to 3 months.

Defrost in refrigerator or place straight into the air fryer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes at 375 F. degrees.

Close up image of crispy taquitos.
Mexican Taquitos

More Tacos Recipes

Portrait of Ana Frias in a circle.

Thank you for stopping by!

I hope you like this recipe! Do you have any questions I can help you with? Or if you made it, I would love it if you leave a comment or rating below.
Gracias!!!! xx, Ana

comment or rate recipe

Print Recipe:

Close up image of taquitos.

Crispy Taquitos

Servings 20 taquitos
Ana Frias
5 from 14 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
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These healthy & crispy Taquitos are easy to prep ahead, making them great for a weekday meal! They are filling and delicious!
20 taquitos

Ingredients  

  • 2 large russet potatoes cut into large cubes Skin on. Washed & scrubbed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon each: onion powder and garlic powder
  • 20 thin corn tortillas see note below
  • Oil spray
Toppings

Instructions 

  • In a medium saucepan, add the potatoes with enough water to cover them. Cook on medium-high for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Pierce with a fork to check the tenderness.
  • Drain potatoes and place in a large bowl. Season with the salt, pepper, garlic & onion powder.
  • Mash potatoes with a potato masher or with the back of a fork.
  • Stack the tortillas and place inside a kitchen towel or large ziploc bag. Microwave for about 15 seconds or until the tortillas are warm and pliable.
  • To assemble the tacos, take one tortilla out of the time to keep the rest warm. Add about 1/4 cup potato filling and roll the tortilla tightly. Place seam side down on an air fryer or a baking tray. Repeat process for the rest of the taquitos.
  • Lightly spray each one with cooking spray.

Air Fry

  • Air fry the taquitos for 7 to 9 minutes at 400 F degrees (200 C)
  • Place the rolled taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each one. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.

Bake

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. (200 C)
  • Bake for 15 minutes or until the tortillas are crispy.

Serve

  • Serve warm and garnish with your favorite toppings.

Muy Delish Notes:

Buy thin tortillas as they won’t break when the tortilla is rolled. Thick corn tortillas dry out faster and break easily. 

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Nutrition

Serving: 1taquito | Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 2mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.

**This post was originally published on Aug 2021. It has been updated to be more helpful.

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Recipe Rating




26 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Your taquitos recipe took me on a flavorful journey through each bite. The crunchy exterior combined with the savory filling created a delightful contrast of textures. The seasoning was perfectly balanced, elevating the dish to a new level of deliciousness. Overall, a satisfying experience that left me craving more.

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    I really loved these taquitos! We normally make them from the freezer, so it was really nice to have fresh ingredients. Thank you for this yummy meal my whole family loved.

    Reply

  5. 5 stars
    I can’t wait to try these potato filled taquitos. They look and sound fantastic. Just what family will love on a busy weeknight.

    Reply

  7. 5 stars
    Yummm these are the best taquitos and they are so good and crispy in the air fryer. We will always use this recipe to make taquitos now, thank you!

    Reply

  9. 5 stars
    This was my first shot at making taquitos in an air fryer, which came out deliciously! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  10. 5 stars
    I’m never going back to other methods of cooking my taquitos! The air fryer does such a good job and it’s much healthier! Great tips!

    Reply