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Air Fryer Chimichanga – a burrito loaded with your favorite filling and then “air fried” until crispy golden perfection. Such a great dinner any night of the week.
If you know me, you know that I love Mexican food. It can be just about anything, but if their is a bowl of Restaurant Style Salsa and chips around, I will not stop until it is gone.
When I was a kid my favorite thing to order at a Mexican restaurant was a chimichanga. I haven’t ordered one in years, but now I can make them at home in the air fryer, so they aren’t quite as bad for you!
What Is A Chimichanga
It is basically just a deep fried burrito. It is a tortilla that is often filled with rice, beans, cheese, and whatever type of meat you like. Then it is rolled up tightly and deep fried.
Here we are skipping the actual deep frying and just getting the outside crispy in the air fryer. You get the same taste and texture, but without the added oil. Which is better for you and so much faster and easier to make!
Chimichanga Ingredients
- Tortillas – you want the large burrito sized flour tortillas for this
- Cheddar Cheese
- Refried Beans
- Chicken Breasts
- Salsa
- Taco Seasoning
The filling is really versatile and up to you. I made these with our favorite Salsa Chicken, but you can use taco meat, leftover rotisserie chicken you toss with a little bit of taco seasoning. Or really anything you like! This Cafe Rio Pork that is sweet would be delicious!
I didn’t add rice, because I prefer to eat rice on the side, but you can use Mexican Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice for your filling or on the side.
How To Make Air Fryer Chimichangas
- The first thing you need to do is prepare your meat/protein. The instructions in the recipe card below are for a chicken version, but you can use regular beef taco meat or whatever you like. Just get it ready and then you can start rolling.
- Arrange tortillas on the counter in front of you. Spread a layer of beans and then top with chicken and cheese. If you are using rice, you would add it here as well.
- Fold in the sides and roll the burrito up tightly.
- Brush the outside of the tortillas with a little bit of oil or spray. Lay them seam side down in the air fryer basket, making sure to do them in batches if necessary and not over crowd the basket.
- Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping half way. Once they are golden and crispy they are ready to serve.
- Remove and top with sour cream, guacamole or whatever toppings you like.
What Goes With Chimichangas
You really can serve these with whatever your favorite Mexican sides are.
And if you want a sauce to go over the top, this Green Chili Sauce is amazing and really easy to make.
You can also bake these or even pan fry them if you don’t have an air fryer. Bake them at 400º F for about 18-20 minutes until they are nice and crispy. Or add a little oil to a large skillet and cook for a few minutes on each side to brown them.
Absolutely! Any meat you like would be great. You could use pork like these Carnitas, they would make a great filling. Or just use ground beef and Homemade Taco Seasoning for your normal taco meat. Lots of different options.
They are great topped with just sour cream and guacamole. Or you can use Enchilada Sauce or even your favorite salsa as well.
To make this recipe I used a Cosori 5.8 Qt Air Fryer. It is big enough that you can fit plenty of food in, and the basket comes out so you can easily shake, stir, or flip whatever you are making.
More Tasty Mexican Recipes
- Chicken Taquitos
- Crunchwrap Supreme
- Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Chili Relleno Casserole
- Roasted Corn Salsa
- Potato Tacos
- Wet Burritos
Air Fryer Chimichanga
Ingredients
Chicken Filling
- 1 pound chicken breasts
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup water
Chimichangas
- 1 15 oz can refried beans
- 5 burrito sized flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Add water to the base of the Instant Pot. Add chicken breasts, sprinkle over the taco seasoning and pour over the salsa. Close and lock the lid. Cook under high pressure for 14 minutes. Quick release to unlock and then shred the chicken.
- Arrange tortillas on the counter in front of you. Spread a layer of beans and then top with chicken and cheese.
- Fold in the sides and roll the burrito up tightly.
- Preheat air fryer to 400º F.
- Spray the outsides of the burritos with a little bit of oil. Arrange them seam side down in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.
- Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping half way. Once they are golden and crispy they are ready to serve.
- Remove and top with sour cream, guacamole or whatever toppings you like.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Making these in the air fryer was a genius move. You can’t get a crispier outside than air frying.
Oh my goodness, this air fryer chimichanga is everything! A must make!!
That is such a fabulous meal! I love that I can make it in my air fryer!!
Chimichangas have always been my favorite! Thanks for this new recipe I can make in my air fryer!
It was a huge hit at my house! Love that I can make it in the air fryer!
I would like this for lunch! It seems to be even healthier!
I don’t have an Air Fryer can I do it in an oven.
Yes, read the FAQ portion of the post with the question – What if I don’t have an air fryer?
Can I freeze these and then air fry?
Yes, I would just reduce the temperature to 360F and cook for maybe 12 minutes. Then you can increase the heat for a couple minutes to get the outside crispy.
Deep fry takes like 2 1/2 minutes… not sure what crazy world you think air fry is faster. Better for you…maybe. Just take the faster portion out.
Last time I deep fried something it took over 10 minutes to get the oil to the right temperature, and then letting it cool down to deal with it after, and cleaning what it was in took significantly longer than cleaning the air fryer basket. So all in, I stand by the air fryer still being faster.
@Erin S, I totally agree with you. Plus the smell of oil in your house and the cost of the oil plus the extra calories. Air fryer is definitely the way to go