Easy Vegetarian Taquitos

These five-ingredient vegetarian taquitos are the perfect quick and easy dinner! They’re easy to assemble and you can add your favorite toppings to customize this dinner for the whole family!

I love these vegetarian taquitos because I can get them in the oven in less about 10 minutes. The taco seasoning gives this recipe plenty of flavor and the beans are so satisfying. If you don’t have any taco seasoning in your pantry, you can easily make your own! I originally wrote this taco seasoning recipe for my cookbook but I loved it so much I decided to share it on the blog!

This recipe makes between 6-8 taquitos depending on how full you want them to be. Typically, taquitos are pretty thin and wrapped tightly. But I prefer a little more filling so I usually make 6, but feel free to make more if you like!

Taquitos vs. Flautas

Taquitos are basically a rolled-up taco. While many versions are filled with chicken or beef, these taquitos are vegetarian, using beans and cheese as the main filling. Taquitos are traditionally made with corn tortillas, but I used flour tortillas for this recipe because they’re a little easier to work with. Technically, since these are made with flour tortillas, they’re called flautas, but many people use the term interchangeably. These are certainly not traditional taquitos by any means, but you can read more about the history of taquitos here.

How to Make Vegan Taquitos

If you prefer to keep these vegan, you can replace the cheese with black beans. They’ll still have tons of flavor and it’s a great way to add more protein and fiber!

How to Make Taquitos in the Oven

To make these in the oven, prepare the the taquitos and place them seam side down in a small casserole dish. Brush with olive oil and bake for 20-25 minutes until they begin to brown on the edges.

How to Make Taquitos in an Air Fryer

If you prefer, you can make these taquitos in an air fryer. I originally bought the Chefman air fryer and it’s a great option for the price. Now I use the Ninja Foodi which is a grill, dehydrator, and air fryer all in one. But if you don’t have an air fryer, you can still make delicious buffalo cauliflower tacos in the oven!

• Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees.
• Place the taquitos seam side down in the fryer basket.
• Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.

Ingredients

Taco Seasoning– You can make your own with this taco seasoning recipe or you can pick some up at the store! Just keep an eye on the sodium as some storebought brands are very salty.
Refried Beans- Be sure to get vegetarian or fat-free refried beans, as traditional refried beans are often made with lard.
Tortillas– I recommend using flour tortillas rather than corn tortillas since they’re sturdier and can handle being tightly rolled. But as I mentioned, taquitos are typically made with corn tortillas, whereas when they’re made with flour tortillas, they’re called flautas.
Sweet Corn– Frozen or canned sweet corn works great in this recipe!
Shredded Cheese– I like to use sharp cheddar or a Mexican blend of cheeses like Monterey jack and cheddar.
Black Beans– If you want to add more protein, feel free to add black beans! You can use canned beans or try these Mexican black beans for even more flavor. You could also substitute cooked, shredded chicken or another protein.
Topping Ideas– I love serving these taquitos with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and hot sauce. But feel free to add whatever toppings you like!

The Best Tortillas for Taquitos or Flautas

To keep this recipe more authentic, you’ll want to use corn tortillas. But I find corn tortillas a bit difficult to work with as they have a tendency to crack when rolled. I prefer flour tortillas, which means this dish would be called flautas. You can also use a corn and flour blended tortilla like this one, which offers the flavor of corn but the pliability of a flour tortilla.

Substitution Ideas

• Gluten-free version: To keep these taquitos gluten-free, use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
• Vegan version: Skip the cheese and add black beans.
• Note: Refried beans are traditionally made with animal fat, so be sure to look for a fat-free or vegetarian version.

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Taquito Side Dish Ideas

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Easy Black Bean and Corn Salad

What would you put inside these taquitos?