Bean and Cheese Taquitos are corn or flour tortillas filled with seasoned refried beans and melted cheddar cheese, rolled tightly and cooked until crispy. Make them in the air fryer or the oven. Serve with guacamole, salsa, or your favorite toppings.
Bean and Cheese Taquitos (Air Fryer or Oven)
I like this recipe because it works for just about any occasion. A quick weeknight dinner, a game day spread, a party appetizer. The filling takes about five minutes to put together, can be made vegetarian or vegan, and the taquitos freeze well, so a batch in the freezer is always a good idea.
Ingredients for Bean and Cheese Taquitos
Here’s what you will need. Exact amounts are listed in the recipe card below.
- Refried Beans – Canned refried beans are the base of the filling.
- Look for canned refried beans labeled vegan, or check the label on beans labeled vegetarian. Frequently, vegetarian refried beans are “accidentally vegan”. Refried black beans are a good alternative with a slightly earthier flavor.
- Ground Cumin and Chili Powder – The seasoning base for the filling. An equal amount of store-bought taco seasoning can be substituted for both.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic adds the best flavor here. A third of a teaspoon of garlic powder can be substituted.
- Cheddar Cheese – Shredded and stirred directly into the bean mixture so it melts into the filling as the taquitos cook. Mexican blend, pepper jack, and mozzarella all work well here too.
- Tortillas – Both corn and flour tortillas work well. Corn tortillas give a more traditional taquito with a crispier result. Flour tortillas are more pliable and easier to roll without cracking.
- Avocado Oil Cooking Spray – A high-smoke-point oil is important here for a crispy exterior without burning. Grapeseed oil spray is a good alternative.
Make it Vegan: Use dairy-free cheddar and check the label on your refried beans to confirm they are lard-free.
Toppings
- Game Day Guacamole
- Fresh pico de gallo or salsa
- Green Chile Cheese Sauce
- Shredded lettuce
- Sour Cream Sauce
- Pickled jalapeño peppers
- Fresh cilantro
How to Make Bean and Cheese Taquitos
Prep: 10 min | Servings: 10 taquitos
STEP ONE: Make the filling. In a medium bowl, stir together the refried beans, ground cumin, chili powder, and garlic until combined. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
STEP TWO: Assemble the taquitos. Spoon 3 tablespoons of filling down the center of each tortilla. Roll tightly around the filling to form a cylinder. Seal the edge with a small dab of water or press firmly to hold.
Air Fryer Method:
STEP THREE: Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Spray the basket with avocado oil cooking spray. Place the taquitos, seam-side down, in the basket without touching. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Cook in batches as needed.
Oven Method:
STEP THREE: Bake. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Warm the tortillas in a damp paper towel in the microwave until pliable before filling. Place the assembled taquitos, seam-side down, on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Lightly spray the tops with avocado oil cooking spray. Bake for 20 minutes until crispy and lightly golden.
Freezing Instructions
These taquitos freeze well before or after cooking. To freeze before cooking, assemble the taquitos and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Cook directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time. To freeze after cooking, cool completely before freezing. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until warmed through and crispy.
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Bean and Cheese Taquitos Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 ounce can refried beans
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 10 fresh corn tortillas or 6-inch flour tortillas
- Avocado oil cooking spray
Instructions
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes. This will help ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the refried beans with the ground cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Stir in the cheddar cheese, making sure it's evenly distributed throughout the bean mixture.
- Spoon 3 tablespoons of the bean and cheese filling in a line down the center of the tortilla. Carefully roll the tortilla around the filling, creating a tightly packed cylinder. Seal the edges with a dab of water or gently press them together and set aside.
- Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the taquitos in the basket, seam side down, making sure they are not touching each other to allow for even air circulation. You may need to cook the taquitos in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the taquitos in the preheated air fryer for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Halfway through cooking, carefully turn the taquitos over to ensure even browning on all sides.
- Once the taquitos are perfectly cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute before serving. Garnish with your favorite toppings and serve warm.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and warm them in the mcrowave to make them soft and pliable.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the refried beans with the ground cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Stir in the cheddar cheese, making sure it's evenly distributed throughout the bean mixture.
- Spoon 3 tablespoons of the bean and cheese filling in a line down the center of the tortilla. Carefully roll the tortilla around the filling, creating a tightly packed cylinder. Seal the edges with a dab of water or gently press them together and set aside.
- Place the rolled taquitos seam side down onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave a little space between each taquito to ensure even baking. Lightly spray the tops of the taquitos with a small amount of avocado oil to help them achieve a nice golden color and crispy texture.
- Bake the taquitos in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until they are crispy and lightly browned. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
- Once the taquitos are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with your favorite toppings
Nutrition
This post was updated April 23, 2026.
Greta
I used thin corn tortillas to make these n they cracked n curled during oven baking. The filling is really good tho so we ate them anyway. Thank you for the recipe.
thiswifecooks
I’m glad you liked the flavor!😊 I wonder if maybe your tortillas were not warm enough? Try wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving to warm them up next time. Corn tortillas can be so finicky!
Erin
These bean and cheese taquitos are so delicious and fun to make with friends. A perfect appetizer for summer!
Katie
These taquitos are next level! The beans are just wonderful and I love the vegan cheese. I will be making these again soon!
Karen Becker
I made these for dinner tonight and they tasted great. However, the filling started coming out of the ends as I was baking them so I had to scrape it off of the baking sheet and try to push it back in using a small spoon before we ate them.