These crispy bean and cheese burritos deliver the perfect combination of convenience and satisfaction in just 15 minutes. Golden-brown tortillas wrap around a savory filling of beans and melted cheese, creating an irresistible crunch with every bite.
With only 178 calories per serving and 8 grams of protein, they’re an ideal choice for quick lunches or easy dinners. Plus, the 4 grams of fiber per serving keeps you feeling satisfied longer.
Ingredients
- Refried Beans: 16 oz can, either pinto or black beans for rich protein base
- Seasoning Mix: Blend of chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin for authentic flavor
- Cheese: 1/2 cup Mexican blend or cheddar, freshly shredded for best melting
- Tortillas: 6 medium flour tortillas, room temperature for easy rolling
- Salsa: 1 tablespoon for mixing, plus extra for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare Bean Mixture: Combine refried beans with salsa and seasonings until smooth and well-blended
- Assembly: Spread 3 tablespoons of bean mixture on each tortilla, top with cheese, and roll tightly
- Heat Pan: Add 1-2 tablespoons oil in a large pan over medium-high heat
- Crisp Burritos: Place burritos seam-side down, rotating every 30 seconds until golden brown on all sides
- Serve: Enjoy these crispy delights warm with extra salsa and guacamole for dipping
Cooking Techniques
Getting that perfect crispy exterior is super easy! The key is keeping your pan at medium-high heat and rotating the burritos often. You’ll know you’re doing it right when you hear a gentle sizzle. Don’t rush the process – those 30-second turns help create an evenly golden, crunchy shell that makes these burritos extra special.
Make It Your Own
These burritos are so flexible! Try black beans instead of pinto for a different flavor, or swap the Mexican cheese blend for pepper jack to add some heat.
If you’re watching sodium, use low-salt beans and add fresh minced garlic instead of powder. Want them spicier? Double the chili powder or add a few drops of hot sauce to your bean mixture.
Serving Suggestions
Make taco night extra fun by setting up a dipping station! Besides the suggested salsa and guacamole, try sour cream, hot sauce, or lime-seasoned Mexican crema. A side of Mexican rice or a simple green salad makes this a complete meal.
If you’re feeding a crowd, keep the finished burritos warm in a low-heat oven (200°F) while you make the rest.
Storage Tips
These burritos taste best fresh off the pan when they’re super crispy. If you have leftovers, wrap them in foil and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes – this helps bring back some of that crunch! Skip the microwave, as it’ll make them soggy.
Crispy Bean and Cheese Burritos
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
Burrito Filling
- 16 ounce refried beans pinto or black
- 1 tablespoon salsa
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar cheese
- 6 medium flour tortillas
Instructions
- Add the refried beans, salsa, chili powder, garlic powder and cumin to a mixing bowl and stir until smooth.
- Spoon about three tablespoons of the bean mixture onto the center of a flour tortilla and smooth into a thin layer. Sprinkle with a small handful of shredded cheese. Roll tightly. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Place a few burritos, seam side down, into the pan.
- Turn them every 30 seconds or so as they cook until they are golden and crispy on all sides.
- Serve warm, with homemade five-minute salsa and guacamole, for dipping.
