Whether you think of these as flautas or entree-size taquitos, they're impossibly delicious! These easy vegan taquitos are filled with the meatiest homemade vegan taco meat, refried beans, spinach, and vegan cheese, then baked until crisp. Serve with guacamole or vegan sour cream, salsa, and lime, and watch them disappear! Oil-free option.
What Makes These Great?
As if I needed another reason to make this Vegan Taco Meat, these taquitos are seriously SO perfect with it! The combination of soy curls and walnuts is unbelievably meaty, and the spices are spot on. The fact that it's a meat substitute made with healthy whole-food ingredients is also a win!
Whether you use flour or corn tortillas to make these vegan taquitos, you'll love how flavorful and filling they are.
And though taquitos are usually fried, I've never been one to worry too much about tradition. Heck, they are also usually filled with beef or chicken and dairy cheese, so while we're making them vegan we might as well ditch the fry oil, too!
Though I don't have an air fryer, I feel certain you can even air fry these taquitos if you'd like.
What are taquitos?
Opinions vary on whether taquitos (Spanish for "little taco") are made with corn tortillas, and flautas (Spanish for "flute") with flour tortillas, or vice versa. It probably depends on where you are and who you ask.
Either way, taquitos are essentially a rolled taco, filled with meat and cheese, and fried. In other words, not exactly healthy. But our baked vegan version improves that pretty dramatically.
Ingredients and Substitutions
I decided to go with larger, burrito-size tortillas for my taquitos because:
a) larger tortillas means you can fit more inside, and...
b) fewer taquitos to roll!
This recipe is all about more food and flavor with less work. Here's what you'll need:
- Tortillas
I chose a flour-corn combination instead of pure corn because I love the toasted flavor and crispiness flour takes on in the oven, even without brushing any oil on the outside. But if you'd rather use 100% whole-grain corn tortillas or basic flour tortillas, that works, too. Be sure to check out the tips in the recipe for working with corn tortillas - you'll need to soften them first so they are pliable, and bake time will be reduced. - Vegan Taco Meat
I highly, highly recommend this soy curl based taco meat. Honestly, it's one of my favorite recipes on the blog. It's super easy to prepare in advance. Then just pull it from the fridge when you're ready to make taquitos. In a pinch you can sub store-bought vegan meat crumbles, chopped up seitan, or even this Tofu Chorizo. Keep in mind store-bought crumbles or seitan will need to be seasoned first. Sauté it in a pan with some onion and taco seasoning, and you're ready to roll. - Refried beans
I used the Whole Foods 365 brand refried black beans for the taquitos in the photos, but regular pinto refried beans are perfect, too. Or skip the beans altogether. - Vegan Cheese
The cheese you see in the photos below was grated from a block of Violife's Epic Mature Cheddar. If you have access to that particular one, it's fantastic, like lightyears above most vegan cheeses. Feel free to use any other store-bought shreds you enjoy. For a homemade, oil-free option, try this crumbled Vegan Queso Fresco, basic Meltable Mozz, or a drizzle of this No-Bake Cheese Sauce. So many options! - Spinach
I included spinach just for fun and to add something green, but it's 100% optional. - Toppings
The only other things you'll need for enjoying these epic vegan taquitos are your favorite toppings and dips! You can't go wrong with guacamole, salsa, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and chopped lettuce. Vegan sour cream or this Creamy Lime Dressing are also perfect.
How To Fill and Roll Taquitos (or Flautas)
1. If using refried beans, spread a thin layer across the middle of the tortilla.
2. Add a few tablespoons of taco meat, and lightly pack it down.
3. Arrange a thin layer of spinach, if using.
4. Sprinkle with cheese.
5. Then roll the tortilla as tightly as you can, careful not to lose too much delicious filling on the ends.
6. Arrange the taquitos seam side-down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you happen to have an oven-safe baking rack, place the rack on a baking sheet and the taquitos on top.
7. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until crisp. Serve hot from the oven with your favorite dips and toppings!
Can I make them in advance?
If you're looking to save time, I recommend making the taco meat in advance and cooking the taquitos just before serving. They're best when fresh and crisp right out of the oven.
And since prep is so quick and easy, there's really no need to make them ahead of time.
But if you end up with leftovers you can store the taquitos in the refrigerator for up to a few days. Let them cool completely, then place inside a storage container.
Reheat the taquitos in the oven or toaster oven until hot and crisp.
I hope you love these vegan taquitos as much as we do. If you try the recipe be sure to leave a rating and comment below to let us know!
More Mexican-inspired recipes:
Smoky White Bean Tacos
Chorizo-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls With Queso
Refried Black Bean and Tempeh Tacos
Almond Queso Fresco
Easy Tofu Chorizo
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Easy Baked Vegan Taquitos
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 batch Vegan Taco Meat; See Notes for subs You'll need about 2 ½ cups or 10 ounces.
- 6 medium burrito-size tortillas, flour or flour-corn combo recommended Can sub whole-wheat or 100% corn for an oil-free option; see Notes
- 1 ½ cups shredded vegan cheese (about 2 ounces); See Notes for oil-free options For store-bought I recommend Violife Mature Cheddar block, shredded with a box grater.
- ¾ cup refried pinto or black beans
- 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach, optional
For serving:
- salsa
- guacamole or vegan sour cream
- cilantro
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 C), and line a baking pan with parchment. If you have an oven-proof metal rack, place that on top.
- If the taco meat was made in advance and is cold from the refrigerator, warm it briefly in the microwave or in a small pot on the stove. It doesn't need to be piping hot, just warm.
- Lay a tortilla out flat, and spread about 2 tablespoons of refried beans horizontally across the middle. Spoon about ⅓ to ½ cup taco meat on top of the beans, and gently pack it down. Lay a few pieces of spinach on top of the meat, then sprinkle with cheese.
- Roll up tightly, and place seam side-down on the baking rack (or directly on the parchment if not using a rack). Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until hot and crisp. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings. See Notes for storage and re-heating.
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