Description
Crisp Bean Burritos are a delectable Mexican-inspired dish made with seasoned refried beans and melted cheddar cheese wrapped in flour tortillas, then fried until golden and crispy. This recipe offers a perfect balance of creamy beans and gooey cheese encased in a crunchy outer shell, ideal for a satisfying snack or meal. For a healthier twist, these burritos can also be baked to achieve a crispy texture without frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Refried Beans Mixture
- 2 cans (16 ounces each) refried beans
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
Burrito Assembly
- 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
For Frying
- 1 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, mix the refried beans with the taco seasoning until fully combined, creating a flavorful bean mixture.
- Assemble Burritos: Spread about 1/3 cup of the seasoned refried beans down the center of each flour tortilla. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese over the beans. Roll each tortilla up, making sure to keep the ends open to allow the filling to cook evenly.
- Freeze Burritos: Place the assembled burritos in two large freezer zip-lock bags and freeze for one hour. This step is essential to prevent the beans from spilling out during frying. Note: If you prefer baking, freezing is not necessary.
- Preheat Cooking Surfaces: While the burritos freeze, heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-low heat. Simultaneously, preheat your oven to 300°F and line a large baking sheet with foil; place this sheet in the oven to keep burritos warm after frying.
- Fry Burritos: Using tongs, carefully place two burritos seam-side down into the hot oil. Fry each side for 40 to 60 seconds until golden brown and crispy. Remove burritos and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Keep Warm and Repeat: Transfer the fried burritos to the preheated baking sheet in the oven to keep warm. Repeat the frying process with remaining burritos, cooking two at a time.
- Serve: Serve the crisp bean burritos warm with your choice of salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or other desired toppings for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Freezing the burritos prior to frying is crucial to keep the filling intact.
- If you prefer to bake rather than fry, skip the freezing step, place burritos on a baking sheet, and bake at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes or until crispy.
- Use medium-low heat when frying to ensure burritos crisp without burning.
- Variations: Add diced jalapeños or chopped onions to the bean mixture for extra flavor.
