Description
These crispy and flavorful Beef Taquitos are a perfect snack or meal, featuring seasoned ground beef wrapped in corn tortillas and cooked until golden brown. You can bake, fry, or air fry these delightful rolled tacos for a deliciously crunchy exterior, served with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
Ingredients
Beef Filling
- 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 1/4 medium onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 batch homemade taco seasoning (use entire recipe)
- 1/4 cup water
Taquitos
- 20 corn tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar cheese
- Oil for frying (if frying method chosen)
Toppings (Optional)
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Cook Onion and Beef: In a large skillet, heat the avocado or olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and brown it for about 5 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the entire batch of homemade taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Simmer the mixture until it thickens, approximately 3 minutes. Remove from heat and drain off any excess liquid. Set aside.
- Prepare Tortillas: Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1 minute, flipping halfway, to make them pliable. Keep them covered until ready to use.
- Assemble Taquitos: Lay one tortilla flat and place a heaping tablespoon of the seasoned beef mixture in the center. Top with about a tablespoon of shredded cheese, then roll the tortilla tightly. Secure with toothpicks if needed. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Bake (Optional): Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the taquitos seam side down in a single layer without touching. Spray or brush the tops with oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Fry (Optional): Pour oil about 2 inches deep into a deep skillet and heat to 350°F, shimmering hot. Fry 3-4 taquitos seam side down at a time for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until crispy and golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Air Fry (Optional): Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place taquitos in a single layer seam side down in the basket (cook in batches). Spray with cooking spray, air fry for 5 minutes, flip, spray again, then air fry for another 2 minutes until crispy. Repeat with remaining taquitos.
- Drain and Serve: Transfer cooked taquitos to a paper towel-lined tray to drain excess oil (if fried). Remove toothpicks before serving.
- Serve: Serve the taquitos hot with your choice of toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
Notes
- You can choose to bake, fry, or air fry the taquitos according to your preference for healthier or crispier results.
- Microwaving the tortillas before rolling helps prevent cracking and makes rolling easier.
- Use parchment paper when baking to avoid sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- For frying, maintain the oil temperature at 350°F for optimal crispiness and to avoid greasy taquitos.
- Remove toothpicks before eating to prevent injury.
- Leftover taquitos can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or air fryer for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
