How to Make Chimichangas in an Air Fryer (2024)

I’m bringing that crispy deep-fried restaurant style meal straight to your kitchen by teaching you How to Make Chimichangas in an Air Fryer! Best of all, they’re just as satisfying as the restaurant version, but with way less oil!

So, my chimichangas are air fried instead of deep fried…

Question: If they’re air fried instead of deep fried, are they still, technically, chimichangas? I honestly have no idea, but I’m sure you won’t care about all the technicalities after you’re busy eating one of these bad boys.

Once you start air frying things and realizing they taste nearly or sometimes even exactly the same as their deep fried counterparts, you will be so impressed and excited, you won’t be able to contain it.

Just try listening to me explain the TJ’s hashbrowns that come out of the air fryer!! Lucky for you, that’s for another post.

Watch how to Make Chimichangas in an Air Fryer (2 min 13 sec):

What are the ingredients in these Air Fryer Chimichangas?

While the filling mixture is a lot more versatile ingredients-wise, I would definitely stick with burrito size tortillas so you have enough space for the filling. Here’s what I used for the chimichangas pictured in this recipe:

• boneless skinlesschicken thighs – For more tender and juicy chicken in my chimichangas, I prefer to use chicken thighs, but chicken breasts would work too! You can also use a rotisserie chicken instead, or your favorite filling combo if you like something else better.
• groundcumin, garlic powder & salt – This is the seasoning for the chicken thighs, plus cooking them in salsa for a super juicy baked chicken base.
• salsa – Use your favorite salsa to cook the chicken thighs in and use as the chimichanga filling.
• refried beans – For refried bean and chicken chimichangas, I grab a can of refried beans out of the pantry and mix it up with the cooked salsa chicken.
• burrito size flour tortillas – I highly recommend using larger burrito sized tortillas so you can safely wrap up your chimichangas and they’ll stay closed.
• shredded Mexican blend cheese – Make it cheesy!!
• avocado oil spray – This is necessary for making the outside of the chimi crispy!
• serve with: greens, salsa, sour cream, cheese, cilantro, etc. make it however you want 🙂

What kind of filling can I put in my chimichangas?

Chimichangas usually have a filling of meat, cheese, vegetables and spices.

The version shown in the photos and described in the recipe below is a very simplified one, meant for you to personalize and make your own.

I prefer shredded salsa chicken in my burritos (and chimichangas), so that’s what I’ve done here. I’ve also included one can of refried beans which I mixed with the salsa chicken for a super easy meat and bean filling.

Other filling ideas you can try in your chimichangas:

• Use ground turkey or ground beef instead of the salsa chicken.
• Use only 1 pound of meat and add some sauteed veggies like peppers and onions.
• Remove all the meat and sub for taco seasoned roasted vegetables.
• Do only beans and cheese with no meat.
• Use black beans instead of refried beans.
• Use enchilada sauce instead of salsa.
• Add some green chilis or other peppers.
• Add some sour cream to the filling to make it creamy.

What kind of tortillas should I use to make air fryer chimichangas?

There are two things to consider when it comes to tortillas for air fryer chimichangas:

• Size: You should definitely go with “burrito” size tortillas, as this will give you the most room to fill your chimichanga and wrap it well without splitting. If you get a smaller size tortilla, this can still work but you will have much smaller chimichangas. Two chimichangas wrapped with burrito sized tortillas fit into my air fryer at one time.
• Softness: I don’t care what brand or variety of tortillas you use, as long as they are soft and resistant to splitting. Letting your tortillas come to room temperature before wrapping up the chimichangas can help. Though not the healthiest option, white flour tortillas tend to be the softest and have never ripped for me while making chimichangas.

How do I wrap the chimichangas?

Wrapping burritos and chimichangas perfectly takes a small amount of practice, but what’s harder is not putting too much filling on to the tortilla in the first place.

Overfilling the chimichanga can lead to the tortilla splitting or ripping, and the filling leaking out. Go with less filling rather than trying to make them huge.

Since a photo is worth one thousand words, here are four step-by-step photos of how to wrap the chimichangas so no filling will leak out and they can be air fried to perfection. Each photo is explained below.

Step 1: Pull the sides of the tortilla over each end of filling until tight.
Step 2: Using your thumbs, pull the bottom of the tortilla up and over the filling, covering the sides you folded over in Step 1.
Step 3: Tuck the bottom of the tortilla you folded in Step 2 into the burrito, also tucking the sides from the top and bottom of the tortilla.
Step 4: Fold the burrito over the remaining open tortilla so it covers the tucked sides and bottom.

It will look like this on the bottom, sort of like an envelope? but a delicious burrito/future chimichanga envelope:

What kind of air fryer do you use?

UPDATE 2021: I have upgraded my air fryer to the Cosori XL 5.8 qt Air Fryer (affiliate link!) which I love even more than the smaller Philips. I like the non-stick basket a lot better than the metal grate style.

Another bonus about air frying rather than deep frying is there is little to no mess to clean up! If your chimichangas are tightly wrapped, no filling will leak out, so your air fryer will remain pretty clean after you cook up a batch of these chimichangas.

Can these air fryer chimichangas be made ahead?

Yes! There are two main ways to make these chimichangas ahead of time. The method you prefer will depend on how you like your burritos the most!

• Completely cook the entire batch of air fryer chimichangas, then reheat individually as needed. With this method, you cook all the chimichangas, eat what you want, then store the rest in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat these chimichangas in the microwave for about two minutes. The air fryer also works for reheating, but it’s probably easier to store the uncooked chimichanga until you want to air fry it instead of air frying it twice.
• Prepare the chimichangas but do not air fry, store until ready to be eaten, then air fry. You can store un-fried chimichangas in the fridge or freezer until ready to be prepared. Add two minutes to air fry time for completely chilled chimichangas. For frozen chimichangas, wrap in foil and air fry for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The foil will keep the outside from getting too crispy before the inside is heated through. (Another version of this method is to simply prep the filling ahead of time, then assemble and air fry the chimichangas when eating).

How to store air fryer chimichangas:

Uncooked chimichangas: Prepare the chimichangas but do not air fry, store until ready to be eaten, then air fry. You can store un-fried chimichangas in the fridge (up to 4 days) or freezer (up to 2 months) until ready to be prepared.

Add two minutes to air fry time for completely refrigerated chimichangas.

How to freeze chimichangas:

Freeze uncooked but assembled chimichangas on a sheet pan in a single layer for at least 4 hours, then transfer to an airtight freezer safe container such as a large Stasher bag.

How to reheat a prepared air fryer chimichanga:

From the fridge: If you don’t mind losing some of the crisp, toss your already air fried chimichanga into the microwave for 2 minutes. It will still be delicious (think those burritos you get in a 12 pack in the freezer section), but will not be as crispy as straight from the air fryer.

You can also air fry the chimichanga again for 6-8 minutes, or reheat in a cast iron skillet to retain crispness.

From the freezer: Wrap in foil and air fry at 360F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The foil will keep the outside from getting too crispy before the inside is heated through.

Did you make this? I want to see how it turned out! Tag me in your social media post @projectmealplan and use #projectmealplan when you share!

Recipe

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How to Make Chimichangas in an Air Fryer

Yield: 6 chimichangas 1x

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Prep: 15 minutesCook: 33 minutesTotal: 55 minutes

I’m bringing that crispy deep-fried restaurant style meal straight to your kitchen by teaching you How to Make Chimichangas in an Air Fryer! These chimichangas work great for meal prep and are freezer friendly!

Scale:

Ingredients

Filling mixture:

• 2 pounds boneless skinlesschicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon avocado or oliveoil
• 1 + 1/2 teaspoons groundcumin
• 1 teaspoongarlic powder
• 1 teaspoonsalt
• 1 cupsalsa
• 1 16-ounce can refried beans

Chimichangas:

• 6 burrito size flour tortillas
• 1 + 1/3 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• avocado oil spray
• serve with: greens, salsa, sour cream, cheese, cilantro, etc.

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Make the filling:

1. Preheat the oven to 425F. Place chicken thighs in a 9×13 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.
2. Bake the chicken for25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F.
3. Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest and cool for a few minutes, then shred the chicken using two forks.
4. Add the chicken (and cooking liquid/salsa) to a large bowl. Add the refried beans and mix well.

Make the chimichangas:

1. Preheat your air fryer at 360F for 3 minutes.
2. 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.
3. Wrap tortillas and filling into a tight and secure burrito/chimichanga that holds all the filling inside (see pictures above to help). Step 1: Pull the sides of the tortilla over each end of filling until tight. Step 2: Using your thumbs, pull the bottom of the tortilla up and over the filling, covering the sides you folded over in Step 1. Step 3: Tuck the bottom of the tortilla you folded in Step 2 into the burrito, also tucking the sides from the top and bottom of the tortilla. Step 4: Fold the burrito over the remaining open tortilla so it covers the tucked sides and bottom.
4. 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 (no need to flip).
5. Cook chimichangas in the air fryer on 360F for 6-10 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.
6. To heat frozen but assembled chimichangas, wrap in foil and air fry for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The foil will keep the outside from getting too crispy before the inside is heated through. See more make-ahead instructions below.

Equipment

Cosori XL 5.8 qt Air Fryer

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OXO 9-Inch Silicone Head Tongs

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(affiliate link!)

Notes

MAKE-AHEAD OPTIONS: Completely cook the entire batch of air fryer chimichangas, then reheat individually as needed. With this method, you cook all the chimichangas, eat what you want, then store the rest in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat these chimichangas in the microwave for about two minutes. The air fryer also works for reheating, but if you want to air fry them, it’s easier to store the uncooked assembled chimichangas until you want to air fry them instead of air frying twice.
OR
Prepare the chimichangas but do not air fry, store until ready to be eaten, then air fry. You can store un-fried chimichangas in the fridge (up to 4 days) or freezer (up to 2 months) until ready to be prepared. Add two minutes to air fry time for completely refrigerated chimichangas. For frozen chimichangas, wrap in foil and air fry for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The foil will keep the outside from getting too crispy before the inside is heated through. (Another version of this method is to simply prep the filling ahead of time, then assemble and air fry the chimichangas when you want to eat them).

Feel free to use a different kind of meat instead of my baked salsa chicken mixture. Mix your meat with the salsa and beans.

Please keep in mind temperatures and cook times will vary slightly based on the make and model of your air fryer. The base of this recipe is my Based Salsa Chicken Thighs. Nutrition information estimated with My Fitness Pal. Video added 3/5/19.

Nutrition Information

• Serving Size: 1 burrito
• Calories: 497
• Fat: 17g
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 42g

© Author: Danielle

Cuisine:InspiredMethod:Air Fryer

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