Description
Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos combine seasoned ground beef and melted cheese rolled in small flour tortillas, then fried to golden perfection. This easy recipe results in crunchy, cheesy, and flavorful bite-sized taquitos, perfect as a snack or appetizer served with dips like sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
Tortillas and Frying
- 10-12 small flour tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Salsa
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef until it is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat from the pan to keep the filling less greasy.
- Season the Beef: Add 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin, along with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all the spices evenly and cook for another 2-3 minutes to let the flavors infuse.
- Add Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese until it melts and is evenly mixed into the beef filling.
- Prepare the Tortillas: Warm each of the 10-12 small flour tortillas briefly in a microwave or on a skillet until pliable, which makes rolling easier without cracking.
- Fill and Roll: Place a few tablespoons of the beef and cheese mixture onto each tortilla. Roll them up tightly, ensuring the filling is secured inside to prevent spilling during frying.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil into a large frying pan and heat it over medium-high until it reaches frying temperature.
- Fry the Taquitos: Carefully place the rolled taquitos seam side down into the hot oil. Fry them for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until the exterior becomes crispy and golden brown.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the taquitos from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any extra oil.
- Repeat: Continue frying the remaining taquitos until all are cooked to crispy perfection.
- Serve Hot: Serve the crispy cheesy beef taquitos immediately, paired with optional toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for dipping.
Notes
- Be sure to keep the tortillas warm to prevent them from cracking while rolling.
- Use a splatter guard or be cautious when frying as hot oil can splatter.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Double the cheese for extra gooeyness if desired.
- Leftover taquitos can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
