Crispy Crab and Shrimp Queso Taquitos Recipe
These Crispy Crab and Shrimp Queso Taquitos combine succulent seafood with creamy cheese filling wrapped in golden, crispy flour tortillas. Perfect as an appetizer or a flavorful snack, they offer a delightful blend of Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and queso dip mixed with fresh herbs and spices, then fried to a satisfying crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 taquitos 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood Filling
- 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, finely chopped
- 1/2 lb cooked crab meat, shredded
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup queso dip (mild or spicy)
Seasonings & Herbs
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Taquitos
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 2 tbsp butter or oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the finely chopped cooked shrimp and shredded cooked crab meat. Add the shredded Monterey Jack cheese, softened cream cheese, queso dip, chopped cilantro, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is creamy and cohesive.
- Assemble the Taquitos: Lay out each small flour tortilla on a flat surface. Spoon an even amount of the seafood cheese mixture along one edge of the tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling to form a taquito, ensuring the seam is sealed to prevent filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Heat the Butter or Oil: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter or heat the oil. Ensure the surface is hot enough for frying but not smoking to achieve a perfect crispy texture without burning.
- Fry the Taquitos: Place the rolled taquitos seam side down in the hot skillet. Fry each side for about 2-3 minutes or until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to gently turn the taquitos to cook all sides evenly. Remove from the skillet once crispy and golden.
- Drain and Serve: Transfer the cooked taquitos to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Serve warm, optionally with extra queso dip or your favorite dipping sauce on the side for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, use a spicy queso dip or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling.
- You can substitute flour tortillas with corn tortillas, but they are more delicate and require careful rolling and frying.
- Cook the taquitos in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can reduce crispiness.
- For a healthier version, consider baking the taquitos at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy, flipping halfway through.
- Ensure seafood is fully cooked before assembling to prevent food safety issues.
Keywords: crab taquitos, shrimp taquitos, seafood appetizer, crispy taquitos, queso taquitos, Mexican seafood snack