Do you like savory snacks with a crisp, crackling crunch? Then you are going to love these vegan taquitos with jackfruit carnitas.
They can be made in the air fryer or oven. Perfect for dipping into guacamole, salsa, or cashew queso.
When vegan taquitos are on the menu, they are one of my favorite things to order at a Mexican restaurant.
They feel wonderfully indulgent & special.
They are so satisfying to eat, because you get the crunch of the exterior. Then you bite through to the tasty deliciousness underneath.
They are usually fried. The outside is delightfully crispy, while the inside is filled with a savory filling.
Plus, they are a great vehicle for dipping into guacamole or creamy vegan queso.
But taquitos aren’t for restaurants alone!
They’re easy to make at home with very little mess by cooking in the oven or air fryer.
One of the best ways to make taquitos is by filling them with jackfruit carnitas and shredded non-dairy cheddar cheese.
(It’s a terrific way to repurpose leftovers from jackfruit carnitas tacos!)
Jackfruit carnitas have the full-bodied, rounded flavors of ancho chili powder, cumin, red wine, and other spices.
Then add a sprinkling of vegan cheddar. (Or omit it if you prefer.)
What are taquitos?
Taquitos are rolled up corn tortillas that contain a filling.
They are also called rolled tacos or tacos dorados.
Taquitos are typically fried.
But I like to cook them in the air fryer or oven to get that crispy exterior.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about the tortillas unraveling in a vat of hot oil, and spilling your filling.
Step by step instructions
Here’s how to make this recipe at a glance. For complete ingredient amounts & instructions, keep scrolling to the recipe card below.
Warm corn tortillas in a skillet one by one for a couple of minutes on each side.
Then move each tortilla to a plate or cutting board.
(If you’re really in a hurry, I give microwave instructions for heating the corn tortillas in this post.)
1. About a quarter of the way into the corn tortilla, make a line of jackfruit carnitas and shredded non-dairy cheese.
2. Pick up the end closest to the filling, and pull it over the jackfruit mixture. Give it a little tuck underneath. Keep rolling as tight as you can until your taquito is shaped like a cigar.
3. Once it is rolled, place the taquito seam side down, so that it doesn’t unravel.
To air fry: Put taquitos seam side down in the air fryer basket. Give the taquitos a spritz of oil spray. Air fry at 400 degrees for 9 minutes. Don’t flip them.
To bake: Put taquitos seam side down on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Give the taquitos a spritz of oil spray. Bake them at 420 degrees for 15 minutes. Don’t flip them.
Make them your own
You can make these vegan taquitos your own by varying the ingredients.
- Instead of corn tortillas, use flour tortillas
- Instead of making your own jackfruit carnitas, buy pre-seasoned jackfruit (I especially like Herbivorous Butcher shredded chicken-style jackfruit!)
- Change up the filling completely by using sweet potatoes & black beans
- Omit the cheese if you prefer (It’s not necessary for holding the taquitos together)
How to store and reheat
Taquitos are a handy make-ahead meal, because it’s easy to store them in a freezer bag in the refrigerator or freezer.
Simply take a couple of cooked taquitos out of the bag whenever you need a meal in a hurry.
To reheat refrigerated taquitos, air fry at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
To reheat frozen taquitos, air fry at 400 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes, stopping once to flip half-way through.
Serving ideas
Here are some tasty serving ideas for dipping and topping. Plus, some ideas on what goes well with taquitos.
Dipping and topping options
Serve with these mains & side dishes
📖 Recipe
Vegan taquitos with jackfruit – in the air fryer or oven!
Ingredients
- 14 soft corn tortillas
- 1 batch jackfruit carnitas divided
- ½ cup + 4 teaspoons shredded non-dairy cheese divided
- Spritz of oil spray I use organic canola oil spray.
Instructions
- If you plan on baking the taquitos, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pre-heat the oven to 420 degrees. If you are air frying, skip this step.
- Bring a non-stick skillet to a medium heat. Put one corn tortilla onto the skillet. Warm one side for a minute or so. Then flip the corn tortilla and warm that side as well.
- Once the corn tortilla is warm and pliable, move it to a plate. Put another corn tortilla onto the skillet.
- While the second tortilla warms, fill the first one. Put 2 Tablespoons of jackfruit carnitas in a single row across the tortilla. The row should be closer to one edge, off from center. Then put 2 teaspoons of shredded non-dairy cheese next to the jackfruit carnitas in a row.
- Grab the end of the tortilla, and fold it over the row of jackfruit carnitas & non-dairy cheese. Tuck it underneath the jackfruit, so that it’s firmly holding onto it, like a hug. Then continue to roll the tortilla, until it’s shaped like a cigar.
- If you’re using an air fryer, put the taquito seam side down into the air fryer basket. If you’re using the oven, put the taquito seam side down onto a parchment paper covered baking sheet.
- Continue heating the tortillas, filling, and rolling them until all of the taquitos are made.
- FOR THE AIR FRYER: You won’t be able to fit all 14 taquitos into the air fryer basket at once. So you’ll need to air fry in batches. Line the taquitos in an even layer in the air fryer basket next to each other, allowing some room for air flow. Don’t stack taquitos on top of each other. They won’t brown that way. Give the taquitos a quick spray of oil. Air fry the taquitos at 400 degrees for 9 minutes. I don’t recommend flipping them, because they may not be fully sealed yet.
- FOR THE OVEN: If you’re baking the taquitos, give them space between each taquito for proper browning. Give the taquitos a quick spray of oil. Bake the taquitos at 420 degrees for 15 minutes. I don’t recommend flipping them, because they may not be fully sealed yet.
- You’ll know the taquitos are ready when the edges are turning brown, and the center of each taquito feels firm to the touch. Carefully remove them from the oven or air fryer. They will be hot.
- Serve with guacamole, salsa, and/or vegan sour cream.
Sheila Mahan
Tried these for the first time very tasty. I never thought about making taquitos out of the Jackfruit.
Cadry
I’m glad to hear they were a success. Thanks for letting me know, Sheila!
Kathy
Did you use fresh jackfruit, or the pre-seasoned one in the refrigerated section?
Cadry
I use canned jackfruit, packed in brine. Then I cook & season it myself. You can see the recipe for the jackfruit carnitas filling, as well as the specific canned jackfruit I buy, in this post: https://cadryskitchen.com/vegan-jackfruit-carnitas-tacos/
Ann
This recipe is so delicious! I’ve been wanting to learn how to make jackfruit that tastes good. Thank you so much for sharing this. My family was shocked this when they tasted the taquitos and I told them the filling is not meat. I am the vegetarian in the house.
Cadry
That’s so nice to hear, Ann! I’m so glad that you and your family enjoyed the taquitos!
Chris
Vegan taquitos? YES please. It’s easy to follow, easy to prepare, and even easier to devour. I’d definitely make over and over again.
Cadry
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Chris!
Linda from Veganosity
I finally bought an air-fryer and I love it, but my husband loves it more. LOL! These sound amazing and will probably get made this weekend for game day.
Cadry
Yes, I saw your air fryer in your IG Stories! I was so excited for you. Ours has a permanent place on the counter. I can see why your husband is so smitten! I hope you love the taquitos and that your team wins.
Becky Striepe
Ooh these look amazing! I think my family is going to really love them. Adding jackfruit to our shopping list now!
Cadry
Excellent! Be sure to let me know how they go over. Everyone loves something they can dip, right?
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes
Well these look dangerously addicting! I could eat a whole plateful by myself and then some! Pinning right away!
Cadry
I wouldn’t blame you a bit. Thanks, Vanessa!