20-Minute Air Fryer Crispy Turkey Breakfast Taquitos – Unforgettable Crunch

Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer turkey taquitos for breakfast! I stumbled upon this recipe one groggy morning when I desperately needed something fast, filling, and crispy. Twenty minutes later, I was crunching into golden taquitos with melty cheese and perfectly seasoned turkey – total game changer! Now it’s my go-to for using up holiday leftovers or when I want an easy morning treat. The air fryer gives that irresistible crunch without deep frying, and trust me, once you taste that first bite, you’ll be hooked just like I was!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Crispy Turkey Breakfast Taquitos

Let me tell you why these taquitos are about to become your new breakfast obsession:

• Crazy quick: From fridge to plate in 20 minutes flat – perfect for those rushed mornings!
• Leftover magic: Turns that boring leftover turkey into something spectacular (no more sad sandwiches).
• That perfect crunch: The air fryer gives them an irresistible crispy shell without all the oil.
• Customizable: Swap veggies or cheese based on what’s in your fridge – I’ve tried it all!
• Kid-approved: My picky eaters gobble these up every single time (pun totally intended).

Ingredients for Air Fryer Crispy Turkey Breakfast Taquitos

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these addictive little crispy bundles of joy. I’ve made this so many times I could probably recite the ingredients in my sleep!

• 8 small flour tortillas (the 6-inch size works perfectly)
• 1 cup cooked turkey, shredded (leftover Thanksgiving turkey is ideal!)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or try pepper jack for a kick)
• 1/4 cup diced onions (yellow or red both work great)
• 1/4 cup diced bell peppers (I use whatever color I have on hand)
• 1 tsp taco seasoning (my homemade blend is best – recipe coming soon!)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for that perfect golden crisp)
• Salt to taste (I always do a little taste test)

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these taquitos! Here’s what I always grab from my kitchen:

• Your trusty air fryer (mine’s a basic 6-quart model)
• A medium mixing bowl for the filling
• Pastry brush (or just use your fingers to rub on the oil)
• Tongs for easy flipping (careful – they’re hot!)

That’s it! Now let’s get cooking.

How to Make Air Fryer Crispy Turkey Breakfast Taquitos

Okay, let’s get to the fun part! I promise this is so easy you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making taquitos every morning. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have crispy perfection in no time.

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

First, grab that mixing bowl and dump in your shredded turkey, cheese, diced onions and bell peppers. Now sprinkle in that taco seasoning – I usually add a little extra because why not? Mix it all together until every bit of turkey is coated and the cheese is evenly distributed. The key here is making sure every future bite has all the good stuff!

Step 2: Roll the Taquitos

Lay out your tortillas and spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling onto each one. Now here’s my trick – roll them up tight like little burritos, tucking in the sides as you go. If they’re too loose, they’ll unravel in the air fryer (learned that the hard way!). Brush each taquito with olive oil – this is what gives them that gorgeous golden crunch.

Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Pop those beauties into your preheated air fryer at 375°F, making sure they’re not touching (they need their personal space!). Cook for about 5 minutes, then flip them over – you should already see them getting golden. Give them another 3-5 minutes until they’re perfectly crispy all over. That sizzling sound? That’s the sound of breakfast victory!

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Crispy Turkey Breakfast Taquitos

After making these taquitos more times than I can count, here are my foolproof secrets for absolute perfection:

• Leftover turkey is gold – it’s already flavorful and moist (day-old rotisserie chicken works great too!)
• Don’t crowd the basket – give those taquitos breathing room or they’ll steam instead of crisp
• Warm tortillas first – 10 seconds in the microwave makes them way easier to roll without cracking
• Oil is non-negotiable – skip it and you’ll get sad, pale taquitos (ask me how I know!)
• Flip halfway – that golden-brown crunch should be on all sides, not just one

Serving Suggestions

Oh, the possibilities! My favorite way to serve these crispy taquitos is with a big dollop of cool sour cream and some spicy salsa – the contrast is heavenly. Sometimes I’ll add sliced avocado or a quick pico de gallo when I’m feeling fancy. For breakfast, a side of scrambled eggs makes it a complete meal!

Storage and Reheating

Here’s the best part – these taquitos keep beautifully! Just pop any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for round two, toss them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. They’ll come out just as crispy as the first time – no sad, soggy taquitos here!

Air Fryer Crispy Turkey Breakfast Taquitos FAQ

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the most common things people ask me about these addictive taquitos:

• “Can I use chicken instead of turkey?” Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully. The recipe’s just as delicious either way.
• “Why are my taquitos soggy?” You probably overcrowded the air fryer basket or skipped the oil. They need space and that golden oil coating to get properly crisp.
• “Can I make these ahead?” Yes! Assemble them (without cooking), wrap tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Just add a couple extra minutes when air frying.
• “What if my tortillas crack?” Warm them for 10 seconds first – makes them much more pliable. A tiny bit of water on your fingers helps seal them too.
• “Can I freeze these?” You bet! Freeze before cooking, then air fry straight from frozen (add 2-3 extra minutes). Perfect for meal prep!

Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re biting into, here’s the scoop on these taquitos (but remember, estimates vary based on your exact ingredients – I’m looking at you, extra cheese lovers!):

• Per serving (2 taquitos):
• 280 calories
• 12g fat (4g saturated)
• 22g carbs
• 18g protein

Not too shabby for something that tastes this indulgent, right? Now go make them already and tell me how yours turned out!

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