Crispy Air Fryer Keto Chicken Chimichangas (Low-Carb & Flavorful!)
Enjoy the irresistible crunch and savory flavors of a chimichanga, made keto-friendly and crispy in your air fryer! These Air Fryer Keto Chicken Chimichangas are stuffed with a creamy, cheesy, and seasoned chicken filling, wrapped in a low-carb tortilla, and air-fried to golden perfection. A delicious and satisfying meal without the deep-fried guilt!
Yields: 6 chimichangas Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 8-10 minutes per batch
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast (leftover rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, drained (mild or hot, to your preference)
- ¼ cup salsa (choose a low-carb, no-sugar-added variety)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (freshly shredded recommended)
- 6 gluten-free, low-carb, keto almond flour tortillas (ensure they are pliable and can be rolled without cracking)
- Avocado oil (or other high-heat cooking oil, for brushing/spraying)
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Air fryer
- Pastry brush or oil mister
- Toothpicks (optional, for securing seams)
Instructions:
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C) for 3 minutes.
- Prepare Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked, shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, drained green chiles, salsa, cumin, garlic powder, garlic salt, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the cream cheese is fully incorporated, ensuring there are no clumps.
- Assemble Chimichangas:
- Lay one keto almond flour tortilla flat on a clean surface.
- Spoon about ½ cup of the chicken filling into the center of the tortilla, shaping it into a log.
- To fold: First, fold the two short ends of the tortilla in towards the center, over the filling. Then, tightly roll one of the long edges over the filling and continue rolling until the chimichanga is sealed. Press firmly to secure the seam.
- Air Fry:
- Lightly brush or spray all sides of the assembled chimichanga with avocado oil.
- Carefully place the chimichanga seam-side down in the preheated air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if necessary (usually 1-2 per batch, depending on air fryer size).
- Cook for 4 minutes. Then, carefully flip the chimichanga. If the seam is trying to open, gently press it down or use a toothpick to secure it. You can also cook it for an additional minute seam-side down before flipping.
- Continue cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the chimichanga is golden brown and crispy to your liking.
- Serve & Enjoy! Remove from the air fryer. Allow to cool for a minute or two before serving.
Tips for Success:
- Tortilla Flexibility: Keto almond flour tortillas can sometimes be prone to cracking. You might find it helpful to slightly warm the tortillas in the microwave for 10-15 seconds (wrapped in a damp paper towel) before filling and rolling. This makes them more pliable.
- Don’t Overfill: Overfilling the tortillas can make them difficult to roll and prone to breaking.
- Secure the Seam: Placing the chimichanga seam-side down initially is key. If it still tries to open, a toothpick can be a temporary solution.
- Cooking in Batches: Avoid stacking or overlapping chimichangas in the air fryer to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with your favorite keto-friendly toppings like extra salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or hot sauce.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the chimichangas ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Air fry just before serving for best results.
Storage: Store any leftover cooked chimichangas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for crispness.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification
- High Protein: Yes, this recipe is very high in protein from the chicken and cheeses.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb. The use of specific keto almond flour tortillas and low-carb filling ingredients ensures this.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly. All listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
- Keto Almond Flour Tortillas: This is the most critical ingredient. Emphasize using high-quality, pliable, and explicitly keto-friendly tortillas.
- Salsa: Crucial to use a low-carb, no-sugar-added salsa. Many commercial salsas contain added sugar.
- Avocado Oil: An excellent keto-friendly cooking oil.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, provided the almond flour tortillas and salsa are certified gluten-free.