These air fryer chimichangas are one of our favorite ways to get a crispy, golden chimichanga without deep frying a pan of oil. For us that easier, lighter take on a restaurant favorite is exactly what real food for real life means. It is the kind of dinner that delivers all the crunch of a deep fried favorite without a pot of hot oil, which makes it both lighter and far less of a mess to make at home.
Flour tortillas are filled with seasoned shredded chicken and refried beans, then air fried until deeply golden and crunchy. These air fryer chimichangas deliver all the crisp, savory comfort of the classic, ready to top with salsa, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. They are also a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken, turning it into a fresh, crispy meal with very little extra effort.
Filled with seasoned chicken and beans, these air fryer chimichangas crisp to a deep golden brown in the basket, giving you that crunchy shell without deep frying.
Why You Will Love These Air Fryer Chimichangas
- Crispy without deep frying. The air fryer gives the tortillas a deep golden crunch with just a quick spray of oil.
- Hearty and satisfying. Seasoned chicken and refried beans make a filling, comforting center.
- Make ahead friendly. Assemble them in advance and air fry when you are ready to eat.
- Family favorite. Crispy, cheesy, and easy to top, they are a hit at the table.
- Less mess. No pot of hot oil to manage means easier cooking and cleanup.
What Makes These Air Fryer Chimichangas So Good
Great air fryer chimichangas start with a well seasoned, not too wet filling. Cooking the chicken with cumin, garlic, and salsa builds deep flavor, and shredding it with the cooking juices keeps it moist, while the refried beans help bind everything so the rolls hold together. Shredding the chicken with its cooking juices keeps it moist, while the refried beans help bind everything so the rolls hold together neatly.
Wrapping each tortilla into a tight, secure package is what keeps the filling inside during cooking. Placing them folded side down in the basket helps seal the seam so they do not open up as they crisp.
A quick spray of oil over the top is what gives these air fryer chimichangas their deep golden, crackly shell. The hot air crisps the tortilla on every side, delivering the crunch of a deep fried chimichanga with a fraction of the oil. A light spray of oil over the top is what turns the tortilla deeply golden and crackly, giving you the shatter of a deep fried chimichanga with just a fraction of the oil.
Optional Pro Tip: Seal the Seam Down
Always place the chimichangas in the basket folded side down. This presses the seam closed so the rolls stay sealed and do not pop open as they cook. For the best air fryer chimichangas, also avoid overfilling, since a tightly wrapped, well sealed roll crisps far more evenly. Placing each chimichanga folded side down in the basket presses the seam closed, which is the simple trick that keeps them from popping open as they crisp.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chimichangas
Keep the filling thick rather than runny so the air fryer chimichangas stay crisp, and wrap each tortilla snug and tight so it holds its shape. Letting the filling cool a little before rolling makes the chimichangas easier to wrap tight and helps them hold their shape.
Spray the tops lightly with oil and cook in batches, folded side down, so each one gets direct heat and turns evenly golden. Working in batches so the basket is not crowded gives each one direct heat for an even, golden crisp.
Variations and Add Ins
- Beef. Swap the chicken for seasoned ground beef or shredded beef.
- Extra cheesy. Add more shredded cheese to the filling for a gooey center.
- Spicy. Mix in diced jalapenos or a spicier salsa.
- Veggie. Use beans, rice, and sauteed peppers for a meatless version.
- Breakfast style. Fill with scrambled eggs, cheese, and turkey sausage.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store cooked air fryer chimichangas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The shell softens as it sits but crisps back up on reheating. Stored well, they make a handy meal to keep on hand, ready to crisp back up whenever you need a quick bite.
Reheat in the air fryer at 360 F for a few minutes until hot and crisp. You can also assemble and freeze them, then air fry from frozen, adding several extra minutes.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Chimichangas
Serve these topped with salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro, alongside rice, beans, or a crisp green salad. Guacamole on the side makes them feel like a restaurant meal. Topped with salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro, with guacamole on the side, they taste like a restaurant plate made right in your own kitchen.
A chimichanga is essentially a deep fried burrito popular in Tex Mex cooking, as described in this overview of the chimichanga. These air fryer chimichangas give you that same crispy, savory experience with much less oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make chimichangas without deep frying?
Yes. The air fryer crisps the tortilla to a deep golden brown with just a light spray of oil, so there is no need for a pot of hot oil. The air fryer crisps the tortilla to a deep golden brown with just a light spray of oil, so there is no need for a pot of hot oil at all.
What temperature is best for air fryer chimichangas?
Around 360 F works well. It crisps the tortilla evenly while heating the filling through. A moderate temperature crisps the tortilla evenly while heating the filling through, giving you a crunchy shell and a hot, savory center.
How do I keep them from unrolling?
Wrap each one tightly and place it in the basket folded side down so the seam seals as it cooks. Wrapping each one tightly and placing it folded side down so the seam seals as it cooks is the key to chimichangas that stay rolled and crisp.
How long do chimichangas take in the air fryer?
Most take about six to ten minutes at 360 F, until the tortilla is browned and crisp to your liking. Most take well under ten minutes, so check them toward the end and pull them once the tortilla is browned and crisp to your liking.
Can I freeze chimichangas?
Yes. Assemble them, freeze, and air fry straight from frozen, adding several extra minutes to heat them through. They freeze beautifully, so assemble a batch, freeze them, and air fry straight from frozen, adding several extra minutes to heat them all the way through.
What filling works best?
A thick, well seasoned filling like shredded chicken with refried beans works best, since runny fillings make the shell soggy. A thick, well seasoned filling like shredded chicken with refried beans works best, since runny fillings make the shell soggy and harder to seal.
Should I spray them with oil?
Yes. A light spray over the top helps the tortilla turn deeply golden and crisp. A light spray of oil over the top is what helps the tortilla turn deeply golden and crisp, so it is worth the quick step.
Can I use beef instead of chicken?
Yes. Seasoned ground beef or shredded beef both make a great filling in place of the chicken. Seasoned ground beef or shredded beef both make a great filling in place of the chicken, so use whichever you prefer for a hearty result.
What toppings go with chimichangas?
Salsa, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro are all popular, with rice and beans on the side. Salsa, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro are all popular, with rice and beans on the side to round out the plate.
How do I reheat leftovers?
Reheat in the air fryer at 360 F for a few minutes to bring back the crisp, rather than the microwave, which softens the shell. Reheating in the air fryer for a few minutes brings back the crisp, which is far better than the microwave, which softens the shell.
Crispy Chimichangas Made Easy
These air fryer chimichangas bring the crispy, golden comfort of a restaurant favorite to your kitchen without the deep fryer. A seasoned chicken and bean filling wrapped in a crunchy tortilla is hard to beat. Crisp, golden, and endlessly customizable, they bring a restaurant favorite within easy reach of any weeknight kitchen.
Top them however you like and serve with rice, beans, or a salad for a satisfying meal. Make a batch ahead for busy nights, since they reheat and crisp back up beautifully.
If you love hearty, Mexican inspired meals like this, you will also enjoy our sweet potato enchiladas, another favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Air Fryer Chimichangas
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 425 F.
- Place chicken thighs in a 9 by 13 casserole dish and drizzle with oil.
- Add cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Use tongs to coat all the chicken in oil and seasonings and then arrange the chicken thighs in one flat layer.
- Spoon salsa over the chicken and spread the salsa to cover all the chicken completely.
- Bake the chicken for 25 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest and cool for a few minutes, then shred the chicken using two forks.
- Add the chicken and cooking liquid salsa to a large bowl. Add the refried beans and mix well.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360 F for 3 minutes.
- Assemble the chimichangas by laying out your tortilla and spooning about 1 1/3 cups filling into the center of the tortilla, then sprinkling with about 1/4 cup cheese.
- Wrap tortillas and filling into a tight and secure burrito chimichanga that holds all the filling inside.
- Carefully place two chimichangas into the warmed air fryer, folded side down.
- Spray very quickly in one swipe on top of each one with oil spray.
- Cook chimichangas in the air fryer on 360 F for 6 to 10 minutes or until browned and crispy to your liking.
- Continue with two more batches making 6 chimichangas total.
- Enjoy now or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 2 minutes.
- To heat frozen but assembled chimichangas wrap in foil and air fry for 18 to 20 minutes flipping halfway through.
Nutrition
Notes
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