Air Fryer Tacos
These Air Fryer Tacos are a fun and flavorful twist on a classic favorite! Whether you’re gearing up for a festive gathering, seeking a quick family main dish meal, or simply craving a light and tasty snack, these tacos will surely delight! We use shredded rotisserie chicken, but you can use any protein you like!
Utilizing convenient store-bought rotisserie chicken and zesty homemade taco seasoning, each bite of these packs a punch of deliciousness, all wrapped in a perfectly crunchy corn tortilla. While the rotisserie chicken is our option for a quick dinner, you can substitute any meat, as we will discuss below.
Ready in just 35 minutes, these mini tacos are easy to make and a healthier option thanks to the air frying method which requires minimal oil. What’s not to love?
Table of Contents
What readers are saying…
“Lynn, the air fryer tacos were on the menu tonight and man, I just did not want to do this because I had a root canal just a few hours ago but decided to carry on. I’m glad I did!!! Followed your instructions step by step and took my time doing it. Easy-peasy, I let my family handle the sides, everyone was crazy for these, thanks for the recipe.”
Jan
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy Peasy! Using store-bought rotisserie chicken and ready-made tortillas significantly simplifies the cooking process. These rotisserie chicken tacos are perfect for quick weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Customizable: The recipe is highly adaptable to personal tastes. You can easily modify the spice mix to suit your preferred flavor profile or adjust the fillings to cater to different dietary preferences, such as vegetarian or gluten-free, by substituting appropriately. Not feeling chicken tonight? You can substitute your favorite protein; we’ve shared some ideas below.
- Fun for Gatherings and Parties: The mini size makes these tiny tacos perfect for parties, family gatherings, or appetizers during game nights or other events. They’re easy to handle and make for a delightful finger food option that is both delicious and relatively neat.
- Kid-Friendly: Their small size and familiar flavors make these tiny tacos appealing to children, making them a great option for families. As they are so easy to make, children might also enjoy helping to assemble the tacos, adding a fun activity to meal preparation.
- Budget-Friendly: This shredded chicken taco recipe uses economical ingredients like rotisserie chicken and corn tortillas, often available inexpensively. The breakdown of the cost per taco shows it’s a budget-conscious choice without compromising on taste!
- Air Fryer Cooking: Utilizing the air fryer for part of the cooking process adds a modern twist and can be healthier than traditional frying. It reduces the oil needed while still achieving a crispy finish.
- Delicious and Flavorful: The combination of homemade taco seasoning, the juiciness of rotisserie chicken, and gooey melted cheese creates a mouth-watering dish full of flavor. Smoked paprika, cumin, and other spices ensure that each bite is packed with a delightful taste.
- Quick Cooking Time: The entire meal can be prepared in about 35 minutes, which is pretty fast, considering you’re making 24 mini tacos. This quick turnaround is a major plus for anyone with a busy lifestyle.
- Healthy Options: You can make this air-fried taco recipe healthier without losing its essence by controlling the ingredients, especially the type of oil and amount of cheese. Air-frying is a healthier alternative to deep-frying.
Ingredients in this Shredded Chicken Tacos Recipe
- Rotisserie Chicken:
- Store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds a rich flavor. Use both white and dark meats as they provide a nice texture and moisture balance.
- Chicken Taco Seasoning:
- The homemade spice mix is a cost-effective way to add customized flavor. The spices include onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and ground pepper.
- Corn Tortillas:
- Opting for street taco-sized tortillas is perfect for party snacks. Make sure they are fresh; stale tortillas tend to break when folded. You could substitute flour tortillas, which will change the taste and texture. Corn tortillas will get crisper than flour tortillas.
- Colby Jack Cheese:
- Colby Jack is a good choice for melting and flavor. For a bit more flavor complexity, you might consider a blend of cheeses, like adding some sharp cheddar.
- Oil:
- Brush the tortillas with a neutral oil, such as avocado or vegetable oil.
Protein Substitutions for Air Fryer Tacos
You can easily substitute just about any meat/protein for the rotisserie chicken in these mini tacos. Here are some ideas:
- Ground Beef: Seasoned with the same taco spices, ground beef is a classic choice for tacos. It’s flavorful and cooks quickly. Use lean ground beef for a low-fat, healthier option.
- Pulled Pork: Slow-cooked and shredded pork shoulder makes a rich, flavorful filling. It pairs beautifully with the smoky elements of the taco seasoning. If your pork is already seasoned, you might consider eliminating the salt.
- Shredded Turkey: Like chicken, turkey is a lean option that absorbs flavors well. Use leftover roasted turkey or cook specifically for the tacos.
- Ground Turkey or Chicken: Lighter than beef but still hearty, ground turkey or chicken can be seasoned heavily with the recipe’s seasoning mix for a healthy, tasty option.
- Fish or Shrimp: For a seafood twist, lightly season and cook fish fillets or shrimp before shredding or chopping them for taco filling. Cod, tilapia, or shrimp are excellent choices.
- Lamb: Ground or shredded lamb offers a richer, more distinct flavor that pairs well with a robust spice blend.
- Chorizo: This spicy sausage adds a punch of flavor and is especially good for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their tacos. Given that chorizo is already spiced, I would make it without the seasoning or cut it back.
- Tofu or Tempeh: For a vegetarian option, crumble and fry tofu or tempeh until crispy, then season with the taco spices. These provide a texture and protein content similar to ground meats.
How to Make Mini Air Fryer Tacos
First Step: Shred the rotisserie chicken or other meat with your fingers or two forks and place in a medium-sized bowl.
Second Step: Mix the chicken taco seasoning spices in a separate small bowl.
Third Step: Sprinkle taco seasoning over the shredded chicken and gently toss until it is evenly coated. Set aside.
Fourth Step: Heat a large skillet on medium heat.
Fifth Step: Working in batches, brush the corn tortillas with oil on both sides. Place one side down into the heated skillet for 2-3 minutes to crisp one side (the other side will be crisped in the air fryer). Place the crisped side-up tortillas on a large cookie sheet or work surface in preparation for the filling. You want to barely brown the tortillas, or they will be too hard to fold.
Sixth Step: Drizzle a little oil in the same large skillet. Add the shredded chicken and half a cup of water. Stir the chicken frequently until evenly heated through and the water has evaporated, approximately 3-4 min. Return the heated chicken to a bowl.
Seventh Step: Preheat the air fryer to 400° F (204° C) for about 5 minutes.
Eighth Step: Set up the mini taco assembly. First, the tray of tortillas (crispy side up), then the bowl of chicken with spices, a bowl of 1 ½ cups cheese, plus a tablespoon for scooping. Add one heaping tablespoon of shredded chicken to the middle of each tortilla and one scant tablespoon of shredded cheese on top of that. Fold the tortilla in half with the filling inside.
Ninth Step: Place the tacos in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer in batches, with just the folds of one holding down the opening of another. If you only cook a few, reduce the time to 4-5 minutes to prevent burning. When the tacos are not layered tightly together, they cook quicker and brown faster.
Tenth Step: Carefully remove the tacos and place them on a plate. Serve them with toppings of your choice, such as lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, diced onions, and/or cilantro.
Tips for Delicious and Crispy Air Fryer Tacos
- Choose the Right Tortillas: Opt for high-quality, fresh corn tortillas. Since they are prone to breaking if they’re dry or stale, ensure they are pliable before using. Warm them slightly in the microwave or skillet to make them easier to handle.
- Shred the Chicken Finely and Uniformly: To ensure the chicken mixes well with the spices and fits neatly into the mini tacos, shred it as finely as possible. This also helps the chicken absorb the seasoning better, enhancing the flavor.
- Evenly Distribute Spices: When mixing your taco seasoning, thoroughly combine before adding to the chicken. Well-mixed spices will ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Don’t Overfill the Tacos: It can be tempting to pack the tacos with filling, but overfilling can cause them to burst open during cooking or make it difficult to eat. Use just enough filling to allow the tortilla to close comfortably.
- Properly Heat the Tortillas: Lightly brush the tortillas with oil and crisp them slightly on a skillet before assembling. This step adds flavor and makes the tortillas more pliable and less likely to break when folded.
- Use the Air Fryer Effectively: For this recipe, we are crowding our tacos a bit. You want them to barely overlap, which helps to keep them closed as they cook. If necessary, cook the tiny tacos in batches to ensure they cook evenly and get a nice crispy texture.
- Keep an Eye on Cooking Times: Air fryers can vary in how they heat, so checking on your tacos partway through cooking is important. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
- Serve Your Mini Tacos Pronto! For the best texture and taste, serve the tacos right after they come out of the air fryer. If you’re preparing them for a party, you can keep the fillings warm and assemble and cook the tacos just before serving to keep them crispy.
- Accompany with Toppings and Sides: Offer a variety of your favorite taco toppings, such as fresh cilantro, shredded or crumbled cheese, diced onions, sour cream, and salsa. Sides like Mexican rice or Pinto Beans can complement the meal.
- Experiment with Fillings: Feel free to experiment with different proteins or vegetarian options, as discussed earlier, adjusting the seasoning as needed to match the filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but you really need to do it BEFORE you air fry them. Just prepare them up until the point you would bake them. After they are assembled, freeze the tacos in a zip-lock or airtight container in a single layer. Place frozen tacos in a single layer in the air fryer at 390 for 6-8 min, flipping once halfway through.
An air fryer can cook food faster than an oven, and your tacos will be crispier than if done in an oven. Plus, you get the deep-fried taste and texture without all the oil you would use for deep-frying.
While taco seasoning and chicken taco seasoning are generally made with the same spices, this chicken taco seasoning has different proportions that are usually milder to complement the chicken’s lighter flavor relative to beef.
You can substitute a store-bought packet of chicken taco seasoning, but remember that store-bought sometimes has extra ingredients like sugar, dairy, cornstarch, and preservatives.
Air Fryer Tacos
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer - I use my Breville Smart Oven
- 1 Tongs
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded can sub other chicken or meat (note 1)
- 1 tbsp chicken taco seasoning recipe below
- 24 corn tortillas street taco size, 4.5 inches
- 1 ½ cups Colby Jack cheese shredded
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup neutral oil like canola or avocado
Chicken Taco Seasoining
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp salt
- pinch ground pepper
Instructions
- Start by shredding your rotisserie chicken meat with your fingers or forks and place the shredded chicken into a medium size bowl. *Note: Half a rotisseriechicken white and dark meat comes out to 3 cups. You can use both the white and dark meat.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the chicken taco seasoning spices,1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, ¼ heaping teaspoon salt, a pinch of ground pepper and mix until combined.
- Next, onto the shredded chicken, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of your taco seasoning and gently toss into the chicken until it is evenly coated. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet on medium heat.
- Working in batches, brush the corn tortillas with oil on both sides. Place one side down into the heated skillet for 2-3 minutes to crisp one side (the other side will be crisped in the air fryer). On a large cookie sheet or work surface, place the tortillas, crisped side up, in preparation for the filling. *Note: The tortilla when crisped will have some light browning. Do not over cook them or they will be too hard to fold into the taco shape.
- Using the same large skillet, add a drizzle of oil. Add the shredded chicken and 1/2 cup of water. Stir the chicken frequently until evenly heated through and the water has evaporated, approximately 3-4 min. Return the heated chicken back into a bowl.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ (204℃) for about 5 minutes.
- Set up the taco assembly. First, the tray of tortillas (crispy side up), then the bowl of chicken with spices, a bowl of cheese and a tablespoon for scooping. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of shredded chicken to the middle of each tortilla and 1 scant tablespoon of shredded cheese on top of that. Fold tortilla in half with the filling inside. *Note:You may want a second tray for the filled tacos
- Working in batches, place the tacos into the air fryer in a single layer, you should be able to fit twelve at a time, six on the left and six on the right. Note: It helps to tuck the top of the taco under the bottom of another to help keep them closed in the air fryer.. After 1 min of cooking you can open the airfryer and check to see if any have opened up, if so the cheese should be melted enough to be able to press and stick the taco closed with the melted cheese.
- Cook the tacos for 6-8 minutes, flipping once halfway through. The tortilla should be slightly browned in places. *Note: If you are only cooking a few, reduce the time to 4-5 minutes to prevent burning. When the tacos are not layered tightly together, they have the tendency to cook quicker and brown faster.
- Carefully take out the tacos and place them on a plate. Serve them with toppings of your choice such as lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sourcream, guacamole, diced onions and/or cilantro.
Nutrition
Suggested Pairings for these Mini Air Fryer Tacos
Start your meal with my dad’s famous classic Margaritas or these spicy Jalapeño Margaritas and Mango Habanero Salsa. Then, make these Crock Pot Pinto Beans to accompany your Rotisserie Chicken Tacos.
And don’t forget to put out bowls of guacamole, sour cream, cheese, cilantro, scallions, and any of your other favorite taco condiments!
Bookmark this page or pin the following image to refer back to this Air Fryer Tacos recipe in the future.
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Lynn, the air fryer tacos were on the menu tonight and man, I just did not want to do this because I had a root canal just a few hours ago but decided to carry on. I’m glad I did!!! Followed your instructions step by step and took my time doing it. Easy-peasy, I let my family handle the sides, everyone was crazy for these, thanks for the recipe.
Oh Jan,
Poor you! I hope you are feeling better today! Yikes! And aren’t you a brave soul…or you just really love your tacos! 🥰 I am especially happy that the yumminess payoff was worth the risk!
Thank you so very much for taking the time to share you comment. It really means a great deal to a little blog like ours.
I hope your family continues to pamper you over the weekend!
Hugs, Lynn