Bean and Cheese Taquitos
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Ingredients
Cooking Process
Recipe Note
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Steps
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onions. Cook the onions for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are softened and translucent.
Add the pinto beans and their cooking liquid, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cumin to the skillet. Stir the mixture well to combine all the ingredients. Cook for an additional 3 - 4 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Using a hand masher, mash the bean mixture until it is smooth with some chunks remaining. If the beans seem too liquidy, continue cooking them in the skillet until the excess liquid reduces. This is important because if the beans are too runny, they may ooze out of the taquitos.
Warm the corn tortillas. You can do this in a nonstick skillet, a microwave, or a comal. As you warm the tortillas, store them in a tortilla warmer to keep them soft and pliable while you assemble the taquitos.
Take a warm corn tortilla and pour 1 heaping tablespoon of the bean mixture onto it. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese on top of the bean mixture. Then, roll the tortilla tightly and secure the seams with a toothpick.
Choose your cooking method: - To fry: Pour enough oil into the bottom of a deep skillet or frying pan so that the oil reaches ¼ of the way up the taquitos. Heat the oil over medium - high heat until it reaches 350°F. Working in batches, add 3 - 4 taquitos to the hot oil. Fry them for about 1 - 2 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown. Transfer the fried taquitos to a large plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels to soak up any excess oil. - To bake: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the taquitos on a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Generously brush or spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking oil. Bake the taquitos for 15 - 17 minutes on the bottom rack of the oven, or until they are crispy and golden brown. - To air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, seam side down. Spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking spray. Air fry the taquitos for 5 minutes, then flip them over, spray them again, and air fry for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer the air - fried taquitos to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining taquitos.
Once the taquitos are cooked, remove and discard the toothpicks. Serve the taquitos on a plate with your desired toppings.
Nutrition
Per serving (2 servings)
33
Calories
1g
Protein
5g
Carbs
1g
Fat
28mg
Sodium
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FAQ
Recipe Questions
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FAQ
Recipe Questions
How long does it take to prepare and cook bean and cheese taquitos?
The total time is 30 minutes, with 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking. This includes cooking the bean mixture, warming tortillas, and cooking the taquitos.
How many servings does this bean and cheese taquito recipe make?
The recipe makes 6 servings. The number of taquitos per serving isn't specified.
What are the allergens in bean and cheese taquitos?
The taquitos contain dairy, and there's a possible wheat/gluten allergen from the tortillas.
Can I substitute the pinto beans in this taquito recipe?
Yes, you can use either homemade or canned pinto beans. Other bean types aren't mentioned as substitutes.
What's the temperature and time for frying the taquitos?
Heat the oil to 350°F and fry for about 1 - 2 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
How do I bake the bean and cheese taquitos?
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Bake for 15 - 17 minutes on the bottom rack until crispy and golden brown.
Can the bean and cheese taquitos be made ahead of time?
The data doesn't mention prep - ahead instructions. You can prepare the bean mixture, but storing assembled taquitos isn't covered.
Substitutions
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Substitutions
olive oil
vegetable oil, canola oil
Vegetable and canola oils have a neutral flavor, which may slightly change the overall taste compared to the more distinct flavor of olive oil. They also have a higher smoke point, which can be beneficial when frying.
white onion
yellow onion, red onion
Yellow onions are a common substitute and have a similar flavor to white onions. Red onions have a slightly sweeter and more pungent flavor, which can add a different dimension to the dish.
pinto beans
black beans, kidney beans
Black beans and kidney beans have a similar texture to pinto beans. However, black beans have a slightly earthy flavor, while kidney beans are a bit heartier. The color of the bean mixture will also change depending on the substitute used.
chipotle peppers in adobo
canned jalapenos in brine (with a bit of chili powder for smokiness)
Jalapenos are less smoky than chipotle peppers. Adding a bit of chili powder can help mimic the smoky flavor, but the overall taste will be different. Jalapenos are also spicier, so adjust the quantity according to your spice preference.
shredded pepper jack cheese
shredded cheddar cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Cheddar cheese has a sharper flavor compared to pepper jack, while Monterey Jack is milder. Both will melt well, but the flavor profile of the taquitos will be altered.
corn tortillas
flour tortillas
Flour tortillas have a softer texture and a different flavor compared to corn tortillas. They are also more likely to have gluten, which may be a concern for those with gluten sensitivities.
pico de gallo
salsa fresca
Salsa fresca is very similar to pico de gallo, with a fresh and chunky texture. The flavor may vary slightly depending on the ingredients used, but it can be a good substitute.
sour cream
Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt has a similar creamy texture to sour cream. It is also a bit tangy, but has less fat and more protein. The flavor is slightly different, but it can work well as a substitute.
Storage & Reheating
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Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store cooked taquitos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freeze cooked taquitos in a freezer - safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
Storage Tips
- • Ensure the taquitos are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation and spoilage.
- • Separate the taquitos with parchment paper when freezing to prevent them from sticking together.
Reheating Tips
- • Oven: Preheat to 350°F. Place taquitos on a baking sheet and bake for 10 - 15 minutes, or until heated through. Cover with foil to avoid drying out.
- • Air fryer: Preheat to 375°F. Air fry for 3 - 5 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
- • Microwave: Place taquitos on a microwave - safe plate and heat in 30 - second intervals, stirring or flipping, until warm. It may not be as crispy.
Safety Notes
- • Always reheat taquitos to an internal temperature that ensures food safety. When thawing from the freezer, do so in the refrigerator overnight.
Troubleshooting
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Troubleshooting
Onions are not softened and translucent after 5 minutes
Likely cause: The heat was set too low, or the onions were cut too large
Increase the heat to medium - high and continue cooking the onions, stirring frequently. If the onions are very large, remove them from the pan, cut them into smaller pieces, and then return them to the pan.
Bean mixture is too runny and oozes out of the taquitos
Likely cause: The excess liquid in the beans was not reduced enough during cooking, or too much cooking liquid was added with the beans
Put the bean mixture back in the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the excess liquid evaporates. You can also drain some of the cooking liquid from the beans before adding them to the skillet.
Corn tortillas are too brittle to roll
Likely cause: The tortillas were not warmed properly or lost their heat while being stored
Warm the tortillas again using your preferred method (skillet, microwave, or comal). Make sure to keep them covered in a tortilla warmer or a damp cloth to maintain their softness.
Taquitos are not golden brown and crispy when cooked
Likely cause: The cooking temperature was too low, or the cooking time was too short
If frying, increase the heat to reach 350°F and continue frying the taquitos for a bit longer, flipping them as needed. If baking, check the oven temperature to ensure it is at 450°F and bake for a few more minutes. If air - frying, increase the temperature to 400°F and air - fry for an additional 1 - 2 minutes per side.
Taquitos are burned
Likely cause: The cooking temperature was too high, or the cooking time was too long
Immediately remove the burned taquitos from the cooking device. Lower the heat for the remaining taquitos. If frying, reduce the heat to medium. If baking, lower the oven temperature by 25°F. If air - frying, reduce the temperature by 25°F and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Bean mixture lacks flavor
Likely cause: The seasonings were not well - combined, or not enough seasonings were added
Add a little more salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, or cumin to the bean mixture and stir well. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasonings as needed.