Air fryer flautas with slow cooked chicken are a delicious and fun way to serve chicken. Always a restaurant favorite Mexican food item, these flautas start out in the crockpot then are rolled up and cheese is sprinkled over the chicken mixture and air fried to crispy, crunchy perfection.
I love flautas almost as much as I love shredded chicken taquitos. After all, they’re almost the same thing. These rolled-up bites of delicious Mexican flavors make great appetizers, lunches, additions to any Taco Tuesday, or a fun, Tex-Mex addition to potlucks. I’ve been making flautas for years. I always ordered them when we went to Mexican restaurants, and as much as I hate to admit it, I even pick them up from the warming area at our local gas station. Don’t judge me… BUT I’ve found that the tastiest version of flautas are always the ones I make at home. They don’t get any fresher, and I can control exactly what goes into them. I know you’ll love these when you give them a try, too.
Air Fryer Flautas
These flautas are made with tender, juicy chicken that’s been cooked in a slow cooker and then shredded. Then, I add classic Mexican seasonings with a little Cajun twist. Finally, I roll them up and cook them in the air fryer until they’re nice and crispy. What I end up with are delicious, golden brown, and crispy flautas that are easier to make and far less messy than traditional deep-fried versions.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Flautas
- The chicken is made in a slow cooker and the flautas are air fried, so it’s easy and fast.
- They’re crispy on the outside, and so flavorful on the inside with deliciously seasoned chicken.
- They’re a delicious dinner, appetizer, or snack that everyone loves.
Air Fryer Flautas Tips and Variations
This is an incredibly easy recipe to make but I do have a couple of tips to make these flautas even better. I also have some variations that I think you’ll love.
Tips
- Shred the chicken while it’s still hot so it comes apart easily.
- If your flautas won’t stay rolled up tightly, stick a toothpick through them.
- Always preheat your air fryer for proper cooking. It’s a myth that they don’t require preheating.
Variations
- This recipe works well with shredded beef, pork, even shredded rotisserie chicken, as well.
- Add sharp cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack to the chicken mixture for a cheesy variation.
- Serve these with fun dips like taco sauce, salsa, Picante sauce, sour cream, or guac.
Ari Fryer Flautas FAQ
If you have questions about these air fryer flautas, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about flautas.
What are flautas?
Flautas are a traditional dish made with a filling of shredded meat or a mixture of shredded meat, cheeses, and onions and rolled up in a corn tortilla.
What is the difference between flautas and taquitos?
They are essentially the same. The only difference is that flautas are made with flour tortillas and taquitos are made with corn tortillas. The names are frequently used interchangeably.
What temperature do you cook flautas in the air fryer?
It varies based on the recipe, but in general, flautas are cooked in the air fryer between 360 and 375 degrees.
How long do flautas last in the fridge?
They’ll keep for up to 3 days in an air-tight container.
Can you freeze homemade flautas?
Absolutely. Place them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Why do people call flautas taquitos?
Flautas and taquitos are basically the same dishes made with a different tortilla. Over time, people began to use the names interchangeably.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Flautas
These delicious chicken flautas pair perfectly with any Mexican dish that you can think of. Some great ideas include:
- Guacamole
- Black beans
- Refried beans
- Mexican rice
- Spanish rice
- Elote
- Mexican corn casserole
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Air Fryer Flautas
Store these in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag.
To reheat these flautas, place them in the air fryer for about a minute at 400 degrees.
Air Fryer Flautas Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make these flautas. You’ll find everything you need easily at your local grocery store.
- Chicken breasts, boneless skinless
- Onion, diced
- Jalapenos, stem and seeds removed, diced (or can use diced green chilies)
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Slap Ya Mama® Cajun seasoning
- Red enchilada sauce
- Flour tortillas
How to Make Air Fryer Flautas
Making these delicious flautas is as easy as gathering up your ingredients. It only takes a few easy steps.
Step 1: Prep
Line the slow cooker or spray it with nonstick cooking spray, like avocado oil spray. Dice the vegetables.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Add the diced onions, jalapenos, and chicken to the slow cooker. Then, sprinkle it with seasonings and pour in the red enchilada sauce and stir. Cook on high for 4 hours or 6 to 7 hours on low.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken
When the chicken is tender, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks or two shredding claws.
Step 4: Construct the Flautas
Heat the tortillas in a large frying pan over medium heat. Then, using a slotting spoon add a couple of heaping tablespoons of chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll up the tortillas tightly, placing a toothpick through them if necessary.
Step 5: Air Fry
Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees and spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Then, add 4 to 5 flautas, seam side down, to the basket and air fry for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking. Serve and enjoy!
Try These Air Fryer Flautas with Chicken Today
These delicious air fryer flautas are loaded with tender chicken and air fried to golden perfection. They make a great lunch, dinner, snack, or appetizer. Give these a try, and I know you’ll enjoy them as much as I do. You can’t go wrong with this delicious, easy recipe.
More Delicious Air Fryer Recipe You’ll Enjoy
Air Fryer Cheese Pigs in a Blanket – These air fryer pigs in a blanket are loaded with cheese and full of flavor.
Curly Fries in Air Fryer Recipe – Arby’s curly fries made in the air fryer are quick, easy, crispy, and perfect to pair with your favorite main meal.
Frozen Steak Fingers in the Air Fryer – These steak fingers make a delicious and quick dinner or appetizer recipe, and can be made in a matter of minutes.
And, Chili Cheese Tater Tots from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. These chili cheese tater tots are quick and easy and perfect for any day of the week.
Chicken Flautas Air Fryer Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless skinless
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 jalapenos, stem and seeds removed, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Slap Ya Mama® Cajun seasoning
- 15 ounce can red enchilada sauce
- 12 flour tortillas
Instructions
- Line or spray the crock pot with a non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Add diced onions, jalapenos, and chicken into the crock pot.
- Sprinkle with seasonings, pour the red enchilada sauce into the slow cooker and stir.
- Turn to high and cook for 4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.
- When chicken is tender remove chicken and shred. Add back to the slow cooker until ready to make the flautas.
- In a large frying pan, over medium heat, cook the tortillas. Remove from pan.
- Using a slotted spoon, add a couple heaping tablespoons of chicken mixture down the center of each flour tortilla.
- Roll up tightly, lightly spray the airfryer basket with a cooking oil, like olive oil, and place each flauta in the basket, seam side down.
- Place 4-5 taquitos into the basket at a time and cook at 360° for 15 minutes, flipping over halfway through.
- Continue cooking the remaining flautas and serve with beans and rice and your favorite dipping sauce.
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