Description
These Air Fryer Chimichangas are a crispy, delicious twist on the classic Mexican favorite. Filled with seasoned shredded meat, refried beans, onions, green chiles, and cheddar cheese, they are quickly cooked in the air fryer to achieve a perfectly golden and crunchy exterior without the mess of deep frying. Ideal for a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, beef, or pork
- 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion or yellow onion
- 1 (5 ounce) can diced green chiles
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Assembly
- 8 large flour tortillas, burrito size
- Oil for frying (light spray or brushing with cooking oil)
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked meat, diced green chiles, finely chopped onion, ground cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, mixing thoroughly to distribute all spices evenly.
- Warm the Tortillas: Wrap the flour tortillas in a clean towel and microwave for 30-45 seconds to make them more pliable for rolling and prevent cracking.
- Assemble the Chimichangas: On each warmed tortilla, spoon about 1/2 cup of the meat mixture, add 2 tablespoons of refried beans, and sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese. Roll the tortilla tightly with the filling enclosed, folding in the sides as you go. Place each chimichanga seam-side down on a baking sheet. Secure with a toothpick if needed to keep them from unrolling during cooking.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and allow it to preheat fully before cooking.
- Air Fry the Chimichangas: Lightly spray or brush the surface of each chimichanga with cooking oil to help achieve a crispy exterior. Arrange them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and crispiness.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the chimichangas from the air fryer and let them rest for 1-2 minutes to slightly cool and set before serving. Enjoy warm as a main dish with your favorite salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with sautéed vegetables or additional beans.
- Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference, adding more chili powder or cumin for extra spice.
- If you prefer a softer tortilla, reduce the air frying time slightly, but for the classic crispy texture, 8 minutes works best.
- Using cooking spray or brushing oil lightly helps the chimichangas get crisp without deep frying.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer so the chimichangas cook evenly and stay crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chimichanga
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
