Crispy on the outside and flavorful on the inside.
Easy to customize with different fillings.
Perfect for family meals, parties, or game-day snacks.
Uses simple ingredients that are easy to find.
Great way to use leftover chicken or beef.
Can be served with a variety of fresh toppings and sauces.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
corn tortillas
cooked shredded chicken or beef
shredded cheese (optional)
onion, finely chopped
garlic, minced
cumin
chili powder
salt
black pepper
vegetable oil for frying
shredded lettuce for serving
sour cream
salsa
guacamole
Directions
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped onion and garlic until softened and fragrant.
Add the shredded chicken or beef to the skillet along with cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and cook for a few minutes until heated through.
Warm the tortillas briefly so they become soft and flexible.
Place a small amount of the filling along one side of each tortilla and sprinkle with cheese if using.
Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling to form a long, thin roll.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat.
Place the rolled tortillas seam-side down in the hot oil.
Fry them for about 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the flautas and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Serve hot with shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole on top or on the side.
Servings and timing
Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: about 25 minutes
Variations
Cheese flautas: Fill the tortillas with melted cheese for a vegetarian option.
Bean version: Use refried beans or black beans as the filling.
Spicy flautas: Add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
Baked version: Bake the rolled tortillas in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15–18 minutes instead of frying.
Air fryer version: Cook the flautas in an air fryer at 390°F (200°C) for about 8–10 minutes until crispy.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover flautas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore their crispiness. They can also be reheated in an air fryer for about 5–6 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make them soft instead of crispy.
Flautas can also be frozen before frying. Freeze the rolled tortillas on a tray until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Fry or bake directly from frozen when ready to cook.
FAQs
What is the difference between flautas and taquitos?
Flautas are typically made with flour tortillas and are longer, while taquitos are usually made with corn tortillas and are slightly smaller.
Can I make flautas ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the rolled tortillas ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to fry.
What fillings can I use for flautas?
Common fillings include shredded chicken, beef, cheese, beans, or even vegetables.
How do I keep the tortillas from breaking?
Warm the tortillas before rolling so they become soft and flexible.
Can I bake flautas instead of frying them?
Yes, baking them at a high temperature with a light brush of oil can make them crispy without frying.
What toppings are usually served with flautas?
Shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, cheese, and diced tomatoes are popular toppings.
Are flautas spicy?
They are not necessarily spicy, but you can add spice with hot sauce or chili peppers.
Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?
Yes, flour tortillas work well and create slightly softer flautas.
How do I keep flautas crispy after cooking?
Place them on a wire rack instead of stacking them so air can circulate around them.
Can I freeze cooked flautas?
Yes, cooked flautas can be frozen and reheated in the oven or air fryer until crispy.
Conclusion
Flautas are a delicious and crispy Mexican favorite that’s easy to prepare and incredibly versatile. With their crunchy texture and flavorful fillings, they make a great appetizer, snack, or main dish. Whether fried, baked, or air-fried, flautas are sure to become a crowd-pleasing recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
These Flautas are crispy, golden Mexican rolled tortillas filled with savory shredded chicken or beef and fried to perfection. Crunchy on the outside and flavorful inside, homemade flautas are perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main dish served with lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
Ingredients
12 corn tortillas
2 cups cooked shredded chicken or beef
½ cup shredded cheese (optional)
¼ cup onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying
For Serving:
Shredded lettuce
Sour cream
Salsa
Guacamole
Instructions
Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chopped onion and garlic until softened and fragrant.
Add the shredded chicken or beef along with cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
Warm the tortillas briefly so they become soft and flexible.
Place a small amount of filling along one side of each tortilla and sprinkle with cheese if using.
Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling to form a long, thin roll.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat.
Place the rolled tortillas seam-side down in the hot oil.
Fry for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the flautas and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Serve hot with shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
Notes
Warm tortillas before rolling to prevent cracking.Do not overcrowd the pan when frying so the flautas cook evenly and stay crispy.For a lighter version, bake or air fry the rolled tortillas with a light brush of oil.Leftover shredded chicken or beef works perfectly for this recipe.
