These Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tacos are super cheesy and finished with a homemade jalapeño ranch sauce. You can use leftover or rotisserie chicken to keep this recipe quick & easy.
If you love easy taco recipes, try my Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos or Fish Tacos with Fresh Mango Salsa.
Looking for more crispy corn tortilla recipes? These Crispy Corn Tortilla Quesadillas are for you.
If you need to use up even more shredded chicken, Mexican Chicken Stuffed Peppers or Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Dip.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy – The oil coated corn tortillas get nice and crunchy as they air fry.
- Air fried – It is easier compared to traditional frying & faster than baking.
- Easy – This recipe can be made in less than 30 minutes.
- Cheesy – These tacos are heavy on the cheese.
- Flavorful – The buffalo sauce and spices add tons of flavor to the chicken.
- Jalapeño ranch – This sauce is my favorite part of these tacos. It is inspired by Chuy’s creamy jalapeño sauce.
- Gluten-free – Always check food packaging to ensure the ingredients are gluten-free.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken: You can use leftover or rotisserie chicken. You can also season (with salt & pepper), sear, and steam about 2 boneless chicken breasts and then shred them.
- Buffalo Sauce: I use medium buffalo sauce by 365. You can use any brand, like Sweet Baby Rays or Frank Red Hot, or make it homemade. Just be sure to use buffalo sauce and not hot sauce or it will be too spicy.
- Cheese: I used a blend of monterey jack, pepper jack, and sharp cheddar. Use your favorite cheese or a blend.
- Sour Cream: Substitute for Greek Yogurt.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Quick Overview
- Make the chicken and cheese mixture.
- Assemble the tacos.
- Air fry until crispy.
- Serve with homemade jalapeño ranch.
Step by Step Instructions
Be sure everything is well combined.
Step 1: In the bowl of a food processor, add all of the ingredients for the jalapeño ranch. Pulse until combined. Chill in the fridge.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken, cheese, buffalo sauce, chili powder, cumin, and garlic.
Step 3: Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds so they are pliable. Brush the outside of each with oil.
Step 4: Fill each tortilla with about 1/8 of the chicken mixture. Fold in half and seal by pressing tightly.
Step 5: Place about 4 tacos in the air fryer basket (or as many that can fit in in a single layer).
Step 6: Air fry at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
Check the tacos halfway through.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Besides some ranch or blue cheese dressing, these buffalo tacos pair well with tortilla chips, rice, beans, salad, and more. Here are some of my recommendations:
- A side of Easy Mexican Potatoes
- Serve Roasted Chili Corn Salsa as salad instead of a topping
- A bowl of Mozzarella Queso (made without Velveeta) served with chips
- Learn How To Boil Corn on the Cob topped with chile lime butter
Expert Tips & Variations
- Do not use pre-shredded cheese. Buy blocks of cheese and grate them at home. Bagged pre-shredded cheese is coated in anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting well. I also think that freshly shredded cheese has a better flavor.
- Warm tortillas. Corn tortillas break easily. If the tortillas are dry and difficult to fold, warm them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. You can also spray the tortillas with some water to make them more pliable.
- Use oil. The oil helps the tortillas crisp up and prevents them from drying out.
- Check halfway through. Check the amount of browning to see if the time or temperature needs to be adjusted. Every air fryer cooks differently.
- Keep warm. Serve these tacos as they are ready or keep them warm in the oven at 300 degrees as the other batches cook.
- Make homemade ranch. I know it is tempting to use store-bought ranch, but I promise this homemade sauce is so much better.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, it is a great way to crisp up tacos. The convection heating circulates air all around the food and through the basket which browns food quickly.
Yes. You can warm up tortillas in it or you can air fry the whole taco, like in this recipe.
Yes. You can air fry both flour and corn. For this recipe, I have only tested it with corn tortillas.
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Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken Tacos
- 2 cups shredded chicken*
- 1/2 cup store-bought buffalo sauce*
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic
- 8 ounces cheese shredded*
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 8 corn tortillas*
Jalapeño Ranch Sauce
- 1 cup sour cream*
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup pickled jalapenos
- 1/2 cup packed cilantro leaves & stems
- 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped chives
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, add all of the ingredients for the jalapeño ranch. Pulse until combined. Chill in the fridge.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken, cheese, buffalo sauce, chili powder, cumin, and garlic.
- Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds so they are pliable. Brush the outside of each with oil.
- Fill each tortilla with about 1/8 of the chicken mixture. Fold in half and seal by pressing tightly.
- Place about 4 tacos in the air fryer basket (or as many that can fit in in a single layer).
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
Notes
- Chicken: You can use leftover or rotisserie chicken. You can also season (with salt & pepper), sear, and steam about 2 boneless chicken breasts and then shred them.
- Buffalo Sauce: I use medium buffalo sauce by 365. You can use any brand, like Sweet Baby Rays or Frank Red Hot, or make it homemade. Just be sure to use buffalo sauce and not hot sauce or it will be too spicy.
- Cheese: I used a blend of monterey jack, pepper jack, and sharp cheddar. Use your favorite cheese or a blend.
- Sour Cream: Substitute for Greek Yogurt.
- Warm tortillas. Corn tortillas break easily. If the tortillas are dry and difficult to fold, warm them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. You can also spray the tortillas with some water to make them more pliable.
- Keep warm. Serve these tacos as they are ready or keep them warm in the oven at 300 degrees as the other batches cook.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These were so good in the air fryer. And the sauce…divine. Now a family favorite.
Awesome!
I made these just like you direct….but with chickpeas instead of the chicken and the flavors were delish!! Thank you.
I made these tacos for dinner last night and my whole family loved them!
These look so beautiful and savoury! Iโm curious, do you think itโs possible to make these meat-free subbing another ingredient for the chicken?
Just in time for game day. These will be a hit for sure.