Crispy Beef Taquitos 

These Crispy Beef Taquitos are bursting with bold Mexican flavors, combining seasoned beef, melty cheese, and the satisfying crunch of corn tortillas. Whether you bake, fry, or air fry them, they’re perfect for parties, game day snacks, or a fun weeknight dinner, especially when dipped in sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Beef Filling

• 1 lb ground beef or shredded cooked beef (e.g., brisket or roast)

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ½ cup tomato sauce or salsa

• ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend) 

For the Taquitos

• 12 small corn tortillas

• Vegetable oil (for frying) or cooking spray (for baking or air frying)

• Toothpicks (optional, to secure taquitos) 

For Garnish/Toppings

• Guacamole

• Sour cream

• Salsa

• Shredded lettuce

• Diced tomatoes

• Chopped cilantro 

Directions

1. Prepare the filling

   • Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onion for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.

   • Add the beef (ground or shredded) and cook until browned and no longer pink.

   • Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Toast spices for 1–2 minutes.

   • Add tomato sauce or salsa, stir, and simmer for 3–5 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese.

2. Roll the taquitos

   • Warm the tortillas (in a skillet or microwave) to make them pliable.

   • Place about 2 tablespoons of the filling along the bottom third of each tortilla. Roll tightly and, if desired, secure with toothpicks.

3. Cook the taquitos

   • Frying: Heat oil to about 350 °F (175 °C). Fry taquitos seam side down, 2–3 minutes per side, until golden. Drain on paper towels.

   • Baking: Preheat oven to 425 °F (220 °C). Place taquitos seam-side down on a baking sheet, spray with oil, and bake for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway.

   • Air-Frying: Preheat air fryer to 400 °F (200 °C). Lightly spray taquitos with oil and air fry for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through.

4. Serve

   • Serve hot with your choice of garnishes guacamole, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Nutrients (Estimated Per Taquito)

• Calories: ~180–220

• Protein: ~10 g

• Carbohydrates: ~12 g

• Fat: ~12 g

• Fiber: ~1 g

• Sodium: Moderate (depending on seasoning and cheese)