Has anyone else grown up with a big freezer in the garage full of frozen treats? Along with Hot Pockets, Eggo Waffles, and tubs of cheap vanilla ice cream, we have vivid memories of huge boxes filled with beef and chicken burritos. As kids, we thought they were the best thing ever! They’re great for after school snacks and late night munchies. Today, we feel all the nostalgia for making our own taquitos from scratch without taking over the entire fridge with sub-par taquitos. Fresh ingredients make such a difference, and we love how quick and easy they are to make, not to mention they’re 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 like to use leftover shredded grilled chicken for a quick prep. For a plant-based option, you can use meatless scraps.
If you’re using pre-seasoned meat, you don’t need to add the extra seasoning called for in the recipe.
Cheese Options:
We’re keeping it classic with cheddar, but you can use your favorite shredded cheese. Pepper jack adds a warm note to taquitos or even Mexican cheese mixes.
Tortilla Tips:
Make sure not to skip microwave tortillas with a clean towel or paper towel. Tortillas are prone to cracking, but if you warm them up first, they are easier to roll without cracking.
Tortilla Options:
You could technically use flour tortillas, but that’s not taquito, it’s flouta. As always, you do you!
Do I have to use a toothpick?
Trust us, toothpicks just make the whole experience easier. Once you lose a major fill, you won’t want to do it again. We have to learn the hard way!
Warning: Make sure to remove those toothpicks before eating.
Oil:
Spray or smear with any neutral favorite oil. You can keep it simple with your standard spray canola oil, or use your favorite avocado or grapeseed oil for a smudge. up to you.
Service suggestion:
Taquitos are delicious on their own, but be sure to try them dipped in cilantro lime ranch, guacamole, and/or sour cream.
Air Fryer Instructions:
To make tacos in the air fryer, the instructions are more or less the same. Before preparing tacos, you simply preheat the air fryer to 375-380 degrees F, when ready to air fry, lightly spray or coat with oil and air fry at 380 degrees F for 6-8 minutes .
Freezing 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 in microwave or oven preheated to 350°F until heated through.