These Beef Taquitos are the ultimate crispy and flavorful snack or appetizer. Filled with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and fried or baked to golden perfection, these taquitos are perfect for game days, parties, or a quick dinner. Whether you fry, bake, or air-fry them, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Beef Filling:

• 1 pound ground beef or shredded cooked beef (like brisket or roast)
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce or salsa
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend)

For the Taquitos:

• 12 small corn tortillas
• Vegetable oil for frying or cooking spray for baking
• Toothpicks (optional for holding taquitos together during cooking)

For Garnish:

• Guacamole
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped cilantro
• Diced tomatoes

Directions

1. Saute: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil. Cook the diced onion until softened (3-4 minutes), then add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
2. Cook the beef: Stir in the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink. If using shredded beef, warm it through.
3. Season: Mix in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices.
4. Add sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce or salsa and cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened.
5. Stir in cheese: Remove from heat and mix in the shredded cheese. Let it cool slightly.
6. Warm tortillas: Warm tortillas in a skillet for 10-15 seconds per side or microwave them wrapped in a damp paper towel for 20-30 seconds.
7. Assemble: Place 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture along the bottom third of each tortilla. Roll them tightly and secure with a toothpick.
8. Fry: Heat vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry taquitos in batches, seam-side down, for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden.
9. Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F. Place taquitos seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray or brush with oil and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
10. Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Arrange taquitos in a single layer and air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
11. Serve: Garnish with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and cilantro. Enjoy!

Nutrients (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 220
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Total Fat: 12g
• Sodium: 560mg

A Versatile and Customizable Recipe

Beef taquitos are incredibly versatile and easy to make, offering you the flexibility to adjust the ingredients and cooking method to fit your specific preferences. The filling consists of seasoned ground beef, which is enhanced with classic Tex-Mex spices like chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. You can easily modify the seasoning to suit your personal taste by adjusting the spice levels or adding your favorite seasonings.

For those who prefer a healthier or lighter version, beef taquitos can be baked or air-fried instead of fried, which significantly reduces the amount of oil used in the cooking process. Both options still produce crispy taquitos with the same delicious flavors. The air fryer is a great alternative if you’re looking for a quicker and more convenient method, while baking provides a more hands-off approach for making multiple servings at once. Whether you’re using a deep fryer, an oven, or an air fryer, the results are always satisfying.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Beef taquitos are a versatile dish that can be served for a variety of occasions. Whether you’re hosting a game-day party, a family gathering, or preparing a quick weeknight dinner, these taquitos fit perfectly into the occasion. They are easy to make in large batches, which makes them ideal for serving a crowd. Plus, the customizable fillings and cooking methods allow for a variety of tastes, ensuring that everyone at the table will find something they enjoy.

They are also perfect for serving as an appetizer. The crispy texture and savory filling make them an ideal finger food for any party. Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or a casual get-together, beef taquitos will be a hit with your guests. They are also great for potlucks or gatherings where you want to bring something easy to share.

The Perfect Filling: Beef and Cheese

The beef filling for these taquitos is the star of the dish. The ground beef is seasoned with a blend of spices that give it a rich, savory flavor. Chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano combine to create a flavorful base that complements the beef perfectly. The addition of garlic and onion gives the filling depth, while the tomato sauce or salsa adds a touch of moisture to balance the texture.

The shredded cheese in the filling melts beautifully, adding richness and a gooey, satisfying texture. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend are all great options for the filling. You can also experiment with different types of cheese based on your preferences. The cheese melts into the beef, creating a deliciously creamy filling that pairs perfectly with the crispy tortilla.

The seasoned beef and cheese mixture is the perfect base for the taquitos. Once you add the filling to the tortillas and roll them up, you have the foundation for a delicious, crispy, and satisfying snack or meal.

The Tortilla: The Backbone of the Taquito

The tortilla is an essential component of any taquito. Small corn tortillas work best for this recipe, as they are sturdy enough to hold the filling while also being thin and crispy when cooked. Corn tortillas are more traditional for taquitos, but you can also use flour tortillas if you prefer. The key is to warm the tortillas before rolling them so they become pliable and easy to work with. This helps prevent them from cracking when you roll them up with the filling inside.

Warming the tortillas can be done either in a skillet or by microwaving them for a few seconds with a damp paper towel. Once the tortillas are warm, you can begin assembling the taquitos. It’s important not to overfill the tortillas, as this can make them difficult to roll up tightly.

Frying, Baking, or Air-Frying: Choose Your Method

One of the best things about beef taquitos is the variety of cooking methods available. Whether you prefer the traditional deep-fried version, a healthier baked option, or the convenient air-fried method, you can easily make these taquitos to suit your preferences.

Frying is the traditional method for making taquitos. The tortillas are fried in hot oil, resulting in a crisp, golden exterior that contrasts perfectly with the cheesy, savory filling inside. To fry the taquitos, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350°F. Fry the taquitos in batches, ensuring that the seam side is down to prevent them from unraveling during cooking. The taquitos are typically fried for 2-3 minutes per side, until they are golden and crispy.

Baking is another great option for those who prefer a healthier alternative to frying. Preheat your oven to 425°F and arrange the taquitos seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spraying the taquitos with a bit of cooking spray or brushing them with oil will help achieve a crispy texture in the oven. Bake the taquitos for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden and crisp.

Air frying has become a popular method for making taquitos because it provides a crisp texture with much less oil than frying. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and arrange the taquitos in a single layer. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until the taquitos are crispy and golden. This method is quick and easy, and the taquitos come out perfectly crisp without the added oil.

Garnishes: Adding Flavor and Freshness

No beef taquito is complete without some delicious garnishes. The toppings you choose can elevate the flavor and texture of the taquitos, making them even more irresistible. Guacamole, sour cream, and salsa are classic garnishes that add richness, tang, and freshness to the dish. The creamy guacamole complements the crispy taquitos, while the sour cream adds a cool and refreshing contrast to the spices in the beef filling.

For extra flavor, you can also add shredded lettuce, chopped cilantro, and diced tomatoes. These toppings provide a burst of freshness and color that brighten up the dish. They also balance the richness of the beef and cheese, making the taquitos even more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Beef taquitos are a fantastic dish that’s perfect for any occasion. They are flavorful, crispy, and customizable to suit any taste. Whether you choose to fry, bake, or air-fry them, these taquitos are sure to be a hit with family and friends. The seasoned beef filling, combined with melted cheese and wrapped in a warm tortilla, creates the perfect bite-sized snack. Add your favorite garnishes, and you have a delicious meal that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or enjoying them as a quick dinner, beef taquitos are always a crowd-pleaser. So, gather your ingredients, choose your cooking method, and enjoy these crispy, flavorful taquitos today!