Make-ahead taquitos
Bake them straight from frozen and the shells crisp up like you just made them.
The kids want something hot and crunchy and you have no patience for a real cook.
You rolled these ahead and froze them, so the oven or air fryer turns them crisp from frozen.
Ingredients
For this batch of freezer chicken taquitos, makes 16 taquitos is the planning size and about 30 minutes to assemble, then freeze is the work window.
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheese
- 1/2 cup salsa and 1 teaspoon cumin
- 16 small (6-inch) corn or flour tortillas
- Cooking spray or a little oil
How to Make It
Use the pan time for freezer chicken taquitos wisely, then move the meal into bowls, boxes, or storage.
- Mix the chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, salsa, and cumin.
- Warm the tortillas so they roll without cracking.
- Spread about 2 tablespoons of filling on each and roll up tightly.
- Place seam-side down on a tray, mist with oil, and freeze (do not bake yet).
Freeze It
Freeze them rolled but unbaked, lined up on a tray first so they hold their shape, then bag them. You bake or air-fry from frozen for a crisp shell.
- Freeze on a tray until solid, then move to a labeled bag (best within 2 months)
- Keep them seam-side down so they do not unroll
- Mist with oil before freezing for crispier results
Thaw and Reheat on Practice Night
Bake or air-fry straight from frozen; the oven and air fryer give a far crispier taquito than the microwave.
- Oven from frozen: 425F for 18 to 20 minutes, until crisp and hot inside
- Air fryer from frozen: 400F for 8 to 10 minutes
- Microwave only in a pinch: 1 to 2 minutes (soft, not crisp)
- Serve with: guacamole, salsa, sour cream, rice and beans
Parent Tip
Corn tortillas crisp up better; flour tortillas roll easier. Use what your kids prefer.
Make It Fit Tonight
Small Tweaks That Help This Dinner Land
Make a few cheese-and-bean only
Skip the chicken in some for vegetarian or picky eaters.
Swap chicken for shredded beef or pork
Any leftover shredded meat rolls the same way.
Add black beans to the filling
Stretches the chicken and adds fiber.
Spice the filling with chipotle
A smoky heat for the adults' batch.
Roll them in flour tortillas for easy rolling
Flour cracks less if corn keeps splitting on you.
Plan The Next Step
Roll a batch
Use the planner to roll and freeze a tray of taquitos for fast crispy dinners.