Air Fryer Flautas Mexicanas

Name: Air Fryer Flautas Mexicanas
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h 30 min
Total time: 4 h 45 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 10-12 corn tortillas; 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans; 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded; Queso fresco cheese (for topping); 2 limes, cut into wedges; 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded (you may not need the entire head of lettuce); 2 avocados; A few tablespoons of pico de gallo; 3 tomatoes, quartered; 3 garlic cloves, minced; Juice of 2 limes; ½ white onion, halved; ½ bunch fresh cilantro; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ cup honey; ½ jalapeño, finely chopped; 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 2 (7 ounce) cans chipotle peppers in adobo; 2 jalapeños, deseeded; 2 tablespoons crushed pineapple; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 teaspoons salt; ¼ cup chicken broth

Jump straight to the recipe here (but you'll miss a lot of good info)!

These Air Fryer Flautas Mexicanas are crispy and so flavorful! Traditionally fried in oil, flautas are rolled tortillas stuffed with chicken, beans, and cheese, then cooked until they're perfectly crunchy.

This version uses the air fryer to get them crispy with less oil, making them just as delicious but even easier to prepare. Serve them hot with fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, shredded lettuce, and crumbled cheese for a fantastic weeknight meal!

a metal basket lined with parchment paper that's filled with air fryer flautas mexicanas and topped with pico de gallo, guacamole, and Cacique cheese. there are bowls of guacamole and fresh pico de gallo in the background.

Flautas mexicanas are a street food and dish that are made throughout Mexico. The name "flauta," meaning flute, comes from their long, thin shape (my love for them must come from my nine years of playing the flute as a child)! They're similar to taquitos, but typically larger and are made with flour or corn tortillas depending on the region.

We make air fryer flautas mexicanas a few times a month, usually for our Taco Tuesday night (it's tied with walking taco casserole). They're never served without sweet corn cake and some nachos loaded with veggies).

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Ingredients
Equipment Needed
Shopping List
Step-by-Step Instructions
Tips
Storage & Make-Ahead
Frequently Asked Questions
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Pairings
Air Fryer Flautas Mexicanas

Ingredients

These are all of the ingredients you'll need to make each component for Air Fryer Flautas Mexicanas. Scroll a bit further down for a shopping list that's organized by type of ingredient.

Chicken Filling

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 (7 ounce) cans chipotle peppers in adobo
2 jalapeños, deseeded
2 tablespoons crushed pineapple
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons salt
¼ cup chicken broth

Glaze

½ cup honey
½ jalapeño, finely chopped

Pico de Gallo

3 tomatoes, quartered
3 garlic cloves, minced
Juice of 2 limes
½ white onion, halved
½ bunch fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt

Guacamole

2 avocados
A few tablespoons of pico de gallo

For Serving

10-12 corn tortillas
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Queso fresco cheese (for topping)
2 limes, cut into wedges
1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded (you may not need the entire head of lettuce)

a white bowl filled with fresh pico de gallo

Equipment Needed

It's important to prep all of your ingredients before starting any recipe, and having your equipment ready to go is really helpful, too. Here's everything you'll need:

Slow cooker
Parchment paper
Baking sheet
Two forks for shredding the chicken
Oven/broiler
Microwave
Paper towels
Air fryer
Food processor (you can also finely chop the ingredients)
Mixing bowls
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Pastry brush or spray bottle
Tongs

Shopping List

Here's the same list as above but we've organized it into different categories to make shopping for ingredients as easy as possible:

Produce

2 jalapeños
5 garlic cloves
3 tomatoes
½ white onion
½ bunch fresh cilantro
2 avocados
1 head iceberg lettuce
4 limes

Pantry

2 (7 ounce) cans chipotle peppers in adobo
2 tablespoons crushed pineapple
¼ cup chicken broth
½ cup honey
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
10-12 corn tortillas

Meat

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Dairy

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Queso fresco cheese (for topping)

Seasonings

3 teaspoons salt (2 teaspoons for the chicken, 1 teaspoon for the pico de gallo)

a bowl of fresh guacamole on a black towel

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts, chipotle peppers, jalapeños, crushed pineapple, garlic, salt, and chicken broth in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the broth and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Shred the chicken with two forks. Toss the shredded chicken with the honey and chopped jalapeño. Broil on low for 5-6 minutes, just until the honey glaze thickens and the chicken turns golden.
Assemble the flautas mexicanas: Warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30 seconds. Keep them covered as you assemble them so they stay soft. Working one at a time, spread a thin layer of refried beans down the center of each tortilla. Add about 2 tablespoons of chicken and 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese. Roll them tightly into cylinders ("flutes"), placing them seam-side down.
Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Lightly brush or spray the flautas with olive oil. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy. (Cook in batches if needed.)
Make the pico de gallo: Add the tomatoes, garlic, onion, lime juice, cilantro, and salt to a food processor. Pulse 6-8 times just until it's chunky (do not over-process).
Make the guacamole: Mash the avocados in a bowl. Stir in a few spoonfuls of pico de gallo, plus a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime.
Serve: Top the crispy air fryer flautas with lettuce, queso fresco, and a squeeze of lime. Serve with pico de gallo and guacamole on the side.

a metal basket lined with parchment paper that's filled with air fryer flautas mexicanas and topped with fresh sliced jalapenos. there are bowls of halved avocados and fresh pico de gallo in the background.

Tips

Warm tortillas first: Corn tortillas are more likely to crack and split when they're cold. Always warm them in a damp paper towel in the microwave or place them briefly in a hot, dry skillet before rolling. Keep them wrapped in a clean towel as you work to prevent them from drying out.
Don't overfill: Use just a few tablespoons of filling per tortilla. Too much chicken or beans will cause the flautas to split open in the air fryer.
Roll them tightly: Roll the tortillas into snug cylinders and place them seam-side down so they hold their shape while cooking.
Don't skip the oil: A light coating of olive oil or spray is what makes the air fryer flautas taste just like they were fried.
Work in batches: Avoid crowding the air fryer basket (this is true for most air fryer recipes). Space them just far enough apart so air can circulate around each one.
Serve immediately: Flautas Mexicanas taste best fresh out of the air fryer while they're hot and crispy.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Flautas are perfect for making ahead of time then cooking only how many you'll need. They're perfect for parties since all the prep (even assembly) can be done up to a day in advance!

Refrigerator: Store leftover flautas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To get them crispy again, reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes.
Freezing: Flautas Mexicanas freeze beautifully! You can freeze them either before or after air frying. Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until they're solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container (freezing them on a sheet pan first will prevent them from sticking together). They'll keep for up to 2 months.
Reheating from frozen: No need to thaw! Place the frozen flautas straight into the air fryer (brushed with oil) at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until they're heated through and crispy.
Make-ahead: You can assemble the flautas up to one day before air frying. Store them seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Air fry them just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are flautas and taquitos the same thing?

They're very similar! Flautas are typically made with larger tortillas (often flour or corn) and rolled into longer, flute-like shapes, while taquitos are usually smaller and are always made with corn tortillas.

Can I make these flautas with flour tortillas instead of corn?

Corn tortillas are more traditional, but flour tortillas work well and are easier to roll without splitting.

Do I need to use a toothpick to keep them from unrolling?

Not if you warm your tortillas first and roll them tightly seam-side down. You can use toothpicks, but don't forget to remove them before serving.

Can I bake these instead of air frying?

We often bake them if we already have something in the oven! Just place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray or brush them lightly with oil, and bake at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're golden and crispy.

How do I keep my corn tortillas from cracking when rolling?

Warm them in the microwave between damp paper towels for 30 seconds, or heat them briefly in a dry, hot skillet. Begin assembling them immediately, keeping the tortillas you're not using covered with a clean towel.

What toppings go best with flautas Mexicanas?

Shredded lettuce, crumbled queso fresco or cotija, salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, and Mexican crema or sour cream are all classic (and delicious!) choices.

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Looking for more Mexican recipes? Try these:

Pairings

These are the dishes we like to serve with these air fryer flautas Mexicanas:

Yield: 10-12 flautas

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes

This air fryer chicken flautas recipe has a bit of heat from the jalapeño but the honey glaze balances the heat nicely. If you're short on time, rostisserie chicken makes a great substitute.