Taquitos
Savour a crispy, cheesy treat with our homemade taquitos with cheese and beef. Baked until crunchy, each bite delights with savoury flavours from the spiced minced beef and melted cheddar, wrapped in homemade pancake-style tortillas. Serve with fresh tomato salsa, guacamole, and a splash of lime and enjoy a taste of Mexican cuisine.
Ingredients
Pancakes
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4
Eggs
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150 g
Plain flour
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50 g
Wholemeal flour
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1 tsp
Salt
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Freshly ground black pepper
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Butter for frying
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Filling
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1
Small onion
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2
Garlic cloves
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400 g
Minced beef
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1 tbsp
Tomato purée
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1 tsp
Ground cumin
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1 tsp
Ground paprika
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½ tsp
Ground coriander
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½ tsp
Chilli flakes
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½ tsp
Salt
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Freshly ground black pepper
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100 g
Cheddar cheese, grated
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Oil for brushing
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To serve
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Tomato salsa
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Guacamole
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Limes
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Fresh coriander
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Jalapeño peppers
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Instructions
Pancakes
Filling
Assembly
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
To get the best pancake "tortillas," ensure your batter is smooth and pourable, so it spreads easily into thin, delicate pancakes. Let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes to improve elasticity. Cook over medium heat in a non-stick pan, using just under 100 ml of batter per pancake. Keep the cooked pancakes covered so they stay warm and pliable, which makes them much easier to roll. Roll them while they are still slightly warm and avoid overfilling to prevent tearing.
You can prepare the pancakes in advance, so they are ready for assembling the taquitos. Let the cooked pancakes cool completely on a wire rack to avoid sogginess, then stack them with parchment paper between each one to prevent sticking. Wrap the stack tightly in cling film or place it in an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 48 hours. To make them easier to roll, quickly warm the pancakes in a pan or microwave. If you need longer storage, freeze them and thaw before using to keep them fresh and ready for assembly.
FAQ: Questions about taquitos
Make the best homemade taquitos with our easy recipe. You will also find answers to common questions to help you get started.
What is a taquito?
A taquito is a classic Mexican dish; it is a small tortilla rolled around a savoury filling like beef, chicken, or cheese, fried or baked until crispy, and served with the best Mexican toppings. Taquitos are typically made with corn tortillas, but in this recipe, we use savoury, crepe-like pancakes instead. Filled with beef and cheese and baked in the oven, they offer a slightly different but equally delicious take on the classic.
What is the difference between taquitos and flautas?
Taquitos are usually made with corn tortillas, are about 10 to 15 cm long, and have a cylindrical shape. Flautas typically use flour tortillas, are longer (about 20 to 25+ cm), and have a thinner, flute-like shape. They are both popular Mexican dishes that differ mainly in size and type of tortillas, but both are tightly rolled around fillings such as meat and cheese, then fried.
How do I get the taquitos extra crispy?
To get an extra crispy result, bake the taquitos at 220 °C instead of 200 °C. Make sure to brush or spray them generously with oil, covering all surfaces, especially the seams and edges. Place them on a wire rack over a baking tray to let hot air circulate evenly and flip them halfway through the baking time for even crisping. Avoid overcrowding them in the oven to prevent the steam from ruining the crispiness. You can also use an air fryer instead of an oven. Brush or spray the taquitos with oil and air fry at 190 °C for 15 minutes or, for an even crispier finish, at 200 °C for 8–10 minutes. Flip them halfway through.
How do I keep the taquitos from unrolling during baking?
You can prevent the taquitos from unrolling during baking by rolling each one tightly, starting from the edge with the filling. Place them seam-side down and close together in the baking dish, so they help keep each other closed. If they still tend to unroll, try using a paste of flour and water along the edge before you finish rolling.
Why are my taquitos soggy?
If your taquitos turn soggy, it is likely because the filling is not cooked down enough, meaning it releases extra water. Another reason could be rolling the pancakes with hot filling and placing them too close together in the baking dish; this can trap steam, which stops the sides from crisping up. So, to avoid soggy taquitos, make sure the filling is cooked down enough to thicken well and cooled before you start. Serve them right away to keep them crispy and avoid putting wet toppings on before serving.
Nutritional values per serving
Energy:
229 Kcal
| Energy distribution % | Nutritional values per serving | |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | - | 1.3 g |
| Protein | 26.6 % | 15 g |
| Fat | 50.9 % | 13.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22.5 % | 12.7 g |
Enjoy our homemade beef taquitos
If you are in the mood for some crunchy Mexican treats, these beef and cheese taquitos are just what you need. Each bite has spiced minced beef and melted cheddar enveloped in a crispy, golden pancake. Cumin, coriander, paprika, and a hint of chilli flakes give them a warm, aromatic flavour to complement the creamy, melted cheddar cheese in the filling.
Delicious filling with cheese
Cheddar cheese is perfect for the filling. It melts so smoothly that it blends easily with the beef and filling, and its deeply tangy, sharp flavour stands up well to the bold spices like cumin and paprika. As the cheese melts, it creates a luscious, creamy texture that envelops the beef and softened onion.
Dreaming of other cheesy delights? Indulge in our cheesy garlic bread and broccoli cheese bake. And the best thing is that both are ideal sides to the taquitos.
Serve with tomato salsa and guacamole
Taquitos are very versatile in terms of toppings, but tomato salsa and guacamole are essential and true classics. The salsa's acidity balances the cheesy, spiced filling, intensifying the flavours and, together with the creamy, mild guacamole, introducing a cooling, fresh contrast to the crispy exterior and soft, indulgent filling.
You can also serve with sides like Mexican rice or coriander lime rice, crispy corn fritters, or a fresh salad or slaw to play around with textures from crunchy to creamy.
Bring a taste of Mexican-inspired delight to your table
Transport your taste buds to the vibrant world of Mexican-inspired cuisine with classic, bold Tex-Mex flavours like chilli, cheddar, and cumin. Taquitos have their roots in Mexican cuisine and are traditionally made by rolling tortillas around savoury fillings and cooking them until crisp.
It is easy to up the spiciness or turn it down so everyone can have a bite, and no matter how spicy or bold the flavours, our taquito recipe has the real, authentic taste of Tex-Mex cuisine. Set the table with coriander, lime, jalapeños, tomato salsa, and guacamole so everyone can make their own perfect plate.
Experiment with the taquito recipe
This recipe is easy to adapt, so feel free to play around. For a more traditional take, swap the savoury crepes for classic corn tortillas and deep-fry the taquitos until crisp and golden, using the same filling as in the recipe.
You can also vary the filling by using shredded chicken or tofu with the same spices and cheese, or go all-in on vegetables instead. Courgette, aubergine, mushrooms, and peppers all work beautifully. Simply chop or shred them and follow the recipe as usual. Finish with sour cream, sriracha sauce, diced green chillies, or any other favourite toppings to make this recipe your own.
