Make these Air Fryer Chimichangas for a delicious and healthier version of your favorite Mexican dish. Use your favorite filling and condiments to have a fast and easy weeknight meal everyone will love!
One of my guilty pleasures is ordering a huge fried chimichanga at a Mexican restaurant. The flaky, greasy outside and deliciously filled inside is a combo that's hard to resist like my Doritos Locos Tacos Copycat Recipe. But, it comes with a hefty calorie price that I would rather avoid if possible.
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Why I Love This Recipe
I love these air-fried chimichangas because you still get a crispy outside and a delicious filling inside, but fewer calories and guilt. These come together pretty quickly if you are using meat that has already been cooked like my Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Recipe.
This is a great recipe for leftover meat in the fridge or a quick and easy meal for any weeknight just like my Air Fryer Taquitos. This recipe makes 2 large chimichangas but can easily be doubled.
Ingredients Needed to Make Air Fryer Chimichangas
Flour Tortillas: For chimichangas, you get that unique texture from flour tortillas. Make sure you use burrito-size tortillas so you can stuff them with lots of filling.
Cooked Meat or Vegetable: This recipe assumes that you have cooked protein or veggies already. This is a great recipe for leftovers!
Black Beans or Pinto Beans: I think black beans and pinto beans are interchangeable and I love both However, you can use any bean you like, including refried.
Canned Diced Green Peppers: Canned green chiles add the best flavor to Mexican dishes, especially the ones you want to make quickly. You get the benefit of roasted chiles without all of the work.
How to Make Chimichangas in the Air Fryer
In a saucepan over medium heat, warm up the meat, beans, and green peppers together.
Warm up your tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds so they are warm and pliable. Place half of the filling mixture into the middle of the tortilla. Wrap the tortilla as tightly as you can just like a burrito.
Spray the air fryer basket and then place both rolled-up tortillas inside. Spray the top of the chimichangas with non-stick spray and air Fry them at 350° for 8 minutes.
Flip, spray, and heat for another 4 minutes on the other side. Add your favorite toppings and condiments and enjoy!
Filling and Topping Suggestions
For this recipe, I used my Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Beef. You could also use Instant Pot Crispy Pork Carnitas, rotisserie chicken, or ground beef cooked in taco seasoning. If you are not a meat eater, you can stuff these chimichangas with roasted veggies or just beans and rice!
Toppings and condiments are super important in my house and can take an "ok" meal to an AMAZING meal. Here are some ideas for what to put on top of your chimichangas (or inside):
- salsa
- sour cream
- shredded cheese
- sliced avocados or guacamole
- shredded lettuce
- black olives
- tomatoes
- onions
- fresh cilantro
Which Air Fryer to Use For This Recipe
There are so many different types of air fryers out there now, and each one is slightly different. There are countertop air fryers, air fryer ovens, and air fryer attachments to name a few. They even make full-size ovens that act as air fryers now!!
I use a COSORI Air Fryer (shown below) and I love it. It does take up some counter space so make sure you have room for it. If you want a smaller option, check out the COSORI Small Air Fryer.
What If I Don't Have An Air Fryer?
No Air Fryer? No problem! You can make baked chimichangas in the oven and get a similar result! Brush the top of the chimichangas with butter or olive oil to get a nice brown and crispy outside. Bake at 400º for about 25 minutes.
If you get a chance to make these Air Fryer Chimichangas, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.
Air Fryer Chimichangas
Equipment
- foil
Ingredients
- 2 flour tortillas, burrito size
- 1 cup filling of choice: meat or veggies
- ½ can black beans, rinsed (or pinto beans)
- 1 small can of diced green peppers (4 oz. can)
Toppings and Condiments
- salsa
- sour cream
- shredded cheese
- avocado or guacamole
- diced tomatoes and onions
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix the meat, beans, and green peppers together, stirring occasionally.
- Warm-up your tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds so they are warm and pliable. This makes it easier to roll the filling inside. Place half of the filling mixture into the middle of the tortilla, draining as much liquid as you can before you put it on. Wrap the tortilla, nice and tight, just like a burrito.
- Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick and then place the chimichangas inside. Spray the top of them with non-stick spray and cook them at 350°F for 8 minutes. Flip, spray again, and cook for another 4 minutes on the other side. At this point, your chimichangas should be done but if you want them a little more brown, you can cook on the first side for a few more minutes.
- Add your favorite toppings and condiments and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is assuming you are using meat that has already been cooked. If you need to cook the meat first, this will add a little time to the total.
- You can also brush the top of the chimichangas with butter before cooking if desired.
- Always read the instruction manual that came with your Air Fryer and follow all safety guidelines.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
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Gabriela says
Yes, Yes, Yes, this looks so good. I had never thought about making them in the Air Fryer.
Emily says
Gabriela, you are going to love it!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
Chimichangas are one of my go to choices when we go out for Mexican food. I am tempted to marchee them at home now!
Emily says
I hope you do! They are close to the real thing but you will definitely feel better after...LOL!
Elizabeth says
Great recipe! So delicious!
Emily says
Thank you!!
Giangi says
Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe. I was on the fence about getting the air fryer, but not anymore.
Your recipe sounds amazing and cannot wait to try ti,
Emily says
You are so welcome and I promise you will not regret getting an air fryer!
Karissa says
I just got an air fryer! I can't wait to try this recipe!
Emily says
Oh good, it's a perfect beginner air fryer recipe!
Raquel says
So delicious and healthy too! <3
Emily says
Isn't it great when that happens?
Kalu says
I just got an air fryer so this recipe is perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Emily says
Of course, this is a great recipe to try out your new air fryer!
Julie Menghini says
These air fryer chimichangas are fabulous! Perfectly crispy on the outside and beautiful filling on the inside. Making these ASAP!
Emily says
Thanks, Julie, you are going to LOVE them!
Laura says
Great recipe. I love using my air fryer and it's a great way to make these.
Emily says
Thank you, Laura! I love my air fryer as well...LOL!
Sisley White says
This is such a clever idea. I can't wait to try it and see how it works. I love chimichangas and I will take any opportunity to make them.
Emily says
Thanks, Sisley. You are going to love how easy these are to make!
rika says
I love chimichangas and I've been using my air fryer lately! Yum!
Emily says
This is the perfect recipe for you, enjoy!
Dannii says
This is such a great way to use an air fryer. I bet they get so crispy.
Emily says
They do get pretty crispy...gotta love the air fryer!
Megan says
The air fryer gets them nice and crispy! Love!
Emily says
I'm so glad to hear it, Megan!