Crispy Vegan Taquitos – Better Than Takeout

Crispy Vegan Taquitos – The best plant-based appetizer you’ll ever make. After making these many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy taquitos every time. The crispy, golden exterior gives way to a fresh, cozy filling that’s perfect for game nights or a quick dinner. Try them with my Sweet and Savory Pineapple Chicken and Rice One-Pan Wonder. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Sweet and Savory Pineapple Chicken and Rice One-Pan Wonder and Garlic Parmesan Roasted Zucchini – Crispy Healthy Side in 25 Mins.

Why This Crispy Vegan Taquitos – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy exterior with a cozy, fresh filling
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout, healthier, and cheaper
- Easy to customize with your favorite fillings
What You'll Need for Crispy Vegan Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup vegan cheese, shredded (optional)
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup vegan cheese, shredded (optional)
- Optional: Avocado slices
- Optional: Salsa
- Optional: Guacamole
- Optional: Vegan sour cream
- Optional: Chopped fresh cilantro

📝 Ingredient Notes
- Black beans: You can also use canned pinto beans or refried beans.
- Vegan cheese: This is optional and can be omitted or substituted with nutritional yeast for a cheese-free version.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect crispiness. → See on Amazon
- Food processor — Quickly and easily chop ingredients for the filling. → See on Amazon

How to Make Crispy Vegan Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the filling: In a food processor, combine black beans, corn, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Pulse until combined but still chunky. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the vegan cheese (if using).
- Warm the tortillas: Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds to make them pliable.
- Assemble the taquitos: Spoon a small amount of the filling onto each tortilla, roll it up tightly, and place it seam-side down in a large skillet. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Cook the taquitos: Heat a thin layer of oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the taquitos and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the taquitos hot with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Vegan Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason this recipe fails is using cold tortillas. Always warm them first to make them pliable and prevent breaking.
- Pro tip: For extra crispiness, you can also air-fry the taquitos at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, assemble the taquitos but don't cook them. Store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Cook as directed when ready to serve.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Vegan Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the taquitos up to 24 hours in advance. Cook as directed when ready to serve.
Freezing Crispy Vegan Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
Freezing is not recommended for this dish.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. This may make the taquitos soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños to the filling or serve with your favorite hot sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the black beans with canned pinto beans or refried beans.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the taquitos up to 24 hours in advance. Cook as directed when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your taquitos are breaking, try using smaller tortillas or warming them more gently.
Want to level up this recipe?
Tortilla press — Makes it easy to press and seal the taquitos for a perfect shape. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Vegan Taquitos – Better Than Takeout

Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup vegan cheese, shredded (optional)
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup vegan cheese, shredded (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Avocado slices
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Vegan sour cream
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a food processor, combine black beans, corn, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Pulse until combined but still chunky. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the vegan cheese (if using).
- Warm the tortillas: Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds to make them pliable.
- Assemble the taquitos: Spoon a small amount of the filling onto each tortilla, roll it up tightly, and place it seam-side down in a large skillet. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Cook the taquitos: Heat a thin layer of oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the taquitos and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the taquitos hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños to the filling or serve with your favorite hot sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the black beans with canned pinto beans or refried beans.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the taquitos up to 24 hours in advance. Cook as directed when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your taquitos are breaking, try using smaller tortillas or warming them more gently.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for this dish.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. This may make the taquitos soggy.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the taquitos up to 24 hours in advance. Cook as directed when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 9g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Vegan Taquitos – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the taquitos up to 24 hours in advance. Cook as directed when ready to serve.
This is likely due to overcrowding the pan or not cooking them long enough. Make sure to cook them in batches and until golden brown and crispy.
Yes, you can air-fry the taquitos at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
You can substitute the black beans with canned pinto beans or refried beans.
Freezing is not recommended for this dish as it can make the taquitos soggy and lose their crispiness.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Vegan Taquitos – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!






