Crispy taquitos are so easy to make, filled with savory meat, and have the most satisfying crispy exterior. Choose your preferred cooking method with oven, deep frying, and air fryer instructions!
Did anyone else grow up with a large chest freezer in the garage, filled to the brim with frozen goods? Aside from Hot Pockets, Eggo Waffles, and tubs of cheap vanilla ice cream, we have vivid memories of giant boxes full of beef and chicken taquitos. As kids, we thought they were the best things ever! They were perfect for after school snacks and late night munching. Today, we feel all of the nostalgia making our own taquitos from scratch, without needing to take over an entire freezer with sub-par taquitos. Fresh ingredients make such a difference, and we absolutely love how quick and easy they are to make, not to mention they are both adult and kid approved!
Meat Options for Perfectly Crispy Baked or Fried Taquitos:
You can use your favorite shredded meat, or even ground meat in taquitos. We love to use leftover shredded rotisserie chicken for quick prep. For a plant-based option, you can use meatless crumbles.
If you are using pre-seasoned meat, there is no need to add additional seasonings called for in the recipe.
Cheese Options :
We keep it classic with cheddar cheese, but you can use your favorite shredded cheese. Pepper jack adds a nice warmth to the taquitos, or even a Mexican cheese blend.
Corn Tortilla Tip:
Make sure not to skip microwaving your corn tortillas in a clean towel or paper towel. Corn tortillas tend to crack, but they are much easier to roll without cracking if you heat them up first.
Tortilla Options:
You technically can use a flour tortilla, but that would not be a taquito, it would be a flouta. As always, you do you!
Do I have to use toothpicks?
Trust us, toothpicks just make this whole experience a lot easier. After losing that important filling once, you won’t want to do it again. We had to learn the hard way!
Warning: make sure to remove those toothpicks before eating.
Oil:
Use any neutral favorite oil to spritz or baste. You can keep it simple with a standard spray canola oil, or baste with your favorite avocado or grapeseed oil. It’s up to you.
Serving suggestions:
Taquitos are delicious all by themselves, but please make sure to try them dunked in cilantro lime ranch, guacamole and/or sour cream.
Air Fryer Instructions:
To make your taquitos in the air fryer, the instructions are largely the same. You just need to preheat air fryer at 375-380 degrees Fahrenheit before you prep your taquitos, and when ready to air fry, lightly spritz or baste with oil and air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-8 minutes.
Freezer Instructions:
Taquitos are always best eaten fresh, but let’s be honest, the kids never complain about leftovers. Make sure your cooked taquitos (whichever method you choose) have cooled completely and are not touching. Freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat either in the microwave or in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through.
Storage and Reheating Instructions:
Taquitos are best eaten fresh. If you have leftovers, save them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious Mexican inspired recipes:
- Ultimate Nacho Recipe
- Tasty Taco Casserole
- Slow Cooker Chili Lime Mexican Shredded Beef
- Killer Crockpot Carnitas
Watch the video below where Caytlin will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
Baked or Fried Taquitos
- 2 cups shredded chicken, beef or pork
- 1/4 cup onion finely chopped
- 1 (5 ounce) can diced green chiles finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 20 Corn tortillas
- Oil for frying
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl combine cooked meat, green chiles, diced onion, cheddar cheese, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder together. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Warm the corn tortillas by wrapping them in a towel and placing them in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
- Spoon about 1 1/2-2 tablespoons of the mixture into a line on the tortilla and tightly roll it up. Place fold side down onto a baking sheet, or use a toothpick to ensure it won't unroll.
- Lightly spritz or baste with cooking oil and bake for 15-20 minutes. Let cool for 1-2 minutes and enjoy!
Deep Fry Method:
- Pour about 3 inches of oil into a skillet and heat over medium heat.
- In a large bowl combine cooked meat, green chiles, diced onion, cheddar cheese, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder together. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Warm the corn tortillas by wrapping them in a towel and placing them in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
- Spoon about 1 1/2-2 tablespoons of the mixture into a line on the tortilla and tightly roll it up. Place fold side down onto a baking sheet, or use a toothpick to ensure it won't unroll.
- Deep fry in oil that is 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 minutes or until the exterior is more golden in color.
- Remove and set on paper towel lined plate to drain off excess oil. Let cool 1-2 minutes and enjoy!
Air Fryer Instructions:
To make your taquitos in the air fryer, the instructions are largely the same. You just need to preheat air fryer at 375-380 degrees Fahrenheit before you prep your taquitos, and when ready to air fry, lightly spritz or baste with oil and air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-8 minutes.Nutrition
