Savory Air Fried Thanksgiving Taquitos for a Festive Feast

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Ever stare at a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers and feel, let’s be honest here, just a little uninspired? Air Fried Thanksgiving Taquitos changed the game for me. Crunchy outside, cozy inside, and honestly, it’s the best way to wrangle together turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing—whatever—into something totally crave-worthy. You get all that holiday flavor, but… finger food–style. Fast, fun, and doesn’t heat up your whole kitchen, I swear by these when I’d rather be napping off the feast. My neighbors agree. I had to fight off three curious teens over my last batch.

What fillings can I put in air fryer taquitos?

Anything. Well, okay, not literally anything—ice cream would be a disaster. But if you love Thanksgiving food, you’ll love it stuffed in a crispy taquito shell. Shredded turkey? Obviously, the classic. I’ve done ham, too, for a smokier flavor, or even mashed sweet potatoes (add cinnamon, nobody’s mad about it). Got leftover roasted veggies? Pile ‘em in! Cheese is a must, in my opinion—that magical melt never gets old.

Not a meat fan? Try refried beans or even leftover stuffing with a dash of hot sauce. Once, I made them with cranberry sauce and brie, which sounds strange but had a real five-star restaurant vibe. The trick is mixing flavors and textures—creamy, crunchy, herby, tangy… everything gets better wrapped in a warm tortilla and crisped in that air fryer.

“We had so many leftovers after Thanksgiving, and these taquitos made it all disappear! Easily the best use of turkey I’ve tried. My kids didn’t even complain about eating vegetables.” – Sandra R.

How to keep your taquitos rolled up while they are frying

You ever roll up a taquito, pop it in the air fryer, and it suddenly unravels like a spaghetti western disaster? Yeah, same. Here’s what I do. First, warm your tortillas, even if just a little. This makes ‘em nice and pliable, which definitely helps prevent cracking.

When you pile on your fillings, don’t overstuff—seriously, hold back. About two tablespoons does the trick. Roll them tight, tuck the ends. Then, place the taquito seam-side down in the basket, so gravity’s on your side. For extra insurance, toothpicks work wonders (just remember to yank them out before serving, unless you love a mid-bite surprise). If you skip this, sometimes the steam inside pops the taquito open—so keep it all snug and low-key and that crispy outer layer will hold everything together.

Why You’ll Love Tofu Taquitos

Tofu gets a pretty bad rap, but stick with me. My non-vegan cousin once mistook my tofu taquitos for chicken. No joke. Air frying tofu gives it this insane crispy shell, and you can flavor it any way you want. Crumble it up, mix in taco seasonings and, okay, a little sprinkle of cheese if you want, and you get a hearty, packed taquito that still feels light.

What I really love is how flexible it is for family or guests with dietary stuff—dairy-free, vegetarian, gluten-free if you use the right tortillas, you name it. Tofu soaks up your leftover spices and gravies, so don’t toss those out yet! Oh, and one more thing: they reheat like a dream. You might even forget about turkey after these.

Want to read more? Check out this Air Fryer Shredded Tofu Flautas (Tofu Taquitos) | Mexican Made … for flavor inspiration.

How to Store and Reheat

Taquitos are a lifesaver when you’re too tired to cook again, but storage is key. First, let your air fried Thanksgiving taquitos cool before you even look at the fridge. I like to pop them in a tight-lidded container or big zip bag. Layer them with parchment paper if you’re feeling extra, especially if you made a mountain of them.

They chill in the fridge for about three days—probably four if your fridge isn’t on its last legs. Freezing? Totally fine. Wrap each taquito in a bit of foil, then bag ‘em, and they keep for up to three months. Just heat straight from frozen (air fryer wins this round again). Reheat at 350°F for five to seven minutes, and they come out crisp and snackable just like the first time. Don’t nuke them in the microwave unless you’re after a soggy situation.

More Easy Dinner Recipes

Pulled together a quick list to jazz up your leftovers or make your weeknight cooking way less painful:

• Sheet pan fajitas. Seriously, just throw everything on a tray and bake.
• One-pot chicken and rice. Comfort food, zero effort.
• Stuffed peppers. You can put almost anything in a pepper, swear.
• Air fryer fish tacos. Way faster (and crispier) than any takeout joint.

Not bragging, but I can turn leftovers into a brand-new adventure—try these on for size the next time you’ve got “nothing to eat.”

Frequently Asked Questions about Savory Air Fried Thanksgiving Taquitos

Q: What’s the best tortilla for taquitos?
A: Corn tortillas have that traditional chew, but honestly, flour tortillas hold up great in the air fryer (and don’t split as much). Warm them up first.

Q: Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of turkey?
A: Oh, 100 percent. Rotisserie chicken works perfect. Shred it up and go wild.

Q: Is there a trick for getting the crispiest taquitos?
A: Yes—spritz them lightly with oil spray before air frying. Also, don’t overcrowd. That air’s gotta circulate.

Q: Can I freeze them after air frying?
A: Yup! Cool them off, wrap them up, and freeze for easy snacks later. Just reheat in the air fryer or oven, not microwave.

Q: What’s a quick dip to serve with them?
A: I vote for sour cream mixed with chipotle sauce. Salsa or ranch work, too.

Give These Taquitos a Whirl

So, there it is. Air fried Thanksgiving taquitos are my not-so-secret weapon for both lazy nights and impressing guests (I mean, who else is reinventing leftovers like this?). You can play with the fillings, try tofu for a change of pace—heck, there’s even Low-Carb Air Fried Thanksgiving Taquitos Using Leftover Turkey … if you wanna sneak in some healthy.

Try them out and let your taste buds decide. Got leftovers? Turn them into something you actually look forward to eating again. Air fryer folks, you’ll never see Thanksgiving the same way after this.