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Crispy and crunchy flavorful flautas are a delicious dinner for everyone! They’re filled with beef and fried to perfection.
This flauta recipe is filled with beef (we like to use leftover Pot Roast for the filling), but we also have a Chicken Flautas recipe we love just as much!
A Crunchy Roll to Love!
Flautas (which translates to “flutes”) is a Mexican dish made from tortillas filled with meat or poultry, cheese, and other fillings. It is then fried for a crispy finish!
My mom and grandma have made these my entire life, and they’ve always been a favorite. Honestly, I could eat 5 of these flautas for dinner if I’m not careful. ๐
Why we love them:
- For any meal. Flautas are perfect to serve as an appetizer, lunch, or dinner dish!
- Alternative fillings. They can be filled with any fillings you prefer but this recipe calls for shredded beef.
- Crunchy and addictive. This recipe hits it out of the park. The crunch from the fried tortilla and the creamy melted cheese mixed in with the beef makes it one of our FAVORITE Mexican dinner ideas.
Ingredients
- vegetable or canola oil for frying
- shredded beef – or use Shredded Chicken or Shredded Pork.
- shredded Mexican blend cheese – or another favorite like pepper jack cheese, cheddar cheese, or Monterey jack cheese
- salsa – store-bought or homemade
- diced chiles – adds a lot of flavor. For added flavor include diced onions or jalapenos.
- garlic salt with parsley flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste – or add red pepper flakes, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, or cumin for added spice.
- tortillas – make using Flour or corn tortillas (we used corn). Sometimes corn tortillas can crack when rolling. Warm them in a pan, on a griddle, or heat them for about 20 seconds in the microwave. If it cracks the tortilla is too cold or it is stale.
Toppings + Sides
- Toppings.
- Guacamole, Salsa, Pico de Gallo, Cafe Rio’s Ranch Dressing, Avocado Cream Sauce, Salsa Verde, or sour cream
- chopped tomatoes, a squeeze of lime juice, or cotija cheese
- Side dishes. Try Mexican Rice, Canned Refried Beans, Homemade Salsa, and Guacamole. Be sure to check out all of our Mexican Side Dishes!
How to Make Flautas
- PREP. Preheat the oven to the warm setting or about 200ยฐF. Fill a large saucepan with about ยพ inch oil. Heat over medium heat to 375ยฐF.
- FILL. In a medium bowl, combine the filling ingredients.
- ROLL. Working with 4 tortillas at a time, spread a heaping spoonful of chicken filling along the middle of each tortilla. Roll the tortillas tightly around the filling and secure each one with a toothpick.
- FRY. Using tongs, hold each flauta in hot oil until firm, then release to continue cooking. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes, then remove to a paper towelโlined plate and immediately season with salt.
- SERVE. Transfer flautas to a foil-lined baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while assembling and cooking the remaining tortillas. Serve warm with toppings.
Air Fryer Directions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ยฐ F.
- Roll the flautas as directed in the recipe.
- Lightly spray the flautas with cooking spray or brush them with a little bit of oil.
- Place the flautas in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, until golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
- Repeat with the other batches.
Storing Info
- Make ahead of time. Flautas are best served warm. Keep them covered with foil until ready to serve and eat.
- STORE. Wrap leftovers in foil and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. Heat them in the microwave, over the stove for a few minutes, or in the oven on low heat.
Serve these with flautas:
Flautas
Equipment
Ingredients
- vegetable or canola oil, for frying
- 3 cups shredded beef, or shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ยฝ cup salsa, store-bought or homemade
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced chiles
- garlic salt with parsley flakes, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas (or flour tortillas)
- salt, to taste
Toppings
- shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, Cilantro Ranch dressing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to the warm setting or about 200 degrees F.
- Fill a large saucepan with about ยพ inch oil. Heat over medium heat to 375 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, combine chicken, cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt, and pepper.
- Working with 4 tortillas at a time, spread a heaping spoonful of chicken filling along the middle of each tortilla. Roll the tortillas tightly around the filling and secure each one with a toothpick.
- Using tongs, hold each flauta in hot oil until firm, then release to continue cooking. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes, then remove to a paper towelโlined plate and immediately season with salt.
- Transfer flautas to a foil-lined baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while assembling and cooking the remaining tortillas. Serve warm with toppings.
Video
Notes
- Make ahead of time.ย We do not suggest making any fried foods ahead of time, but you can make the filling in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
- Baking directions. Place the rolled flautas seam side down in a lightly greased 9-x-13-inch baking dish or on a metal baking sheet. Spray with olive oil cooking spray and bake at 350ยฐF for 20 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
One of my favorite foods. I always Try To have roast beef on hand just so I can make these. Easy and quick you will not be disAppointed!
I made these for my boys and their FRIENDS the other night and it was a HIT!! They were GONE within seconds. YUMMY
Can’t wait to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Glad to share! Hope you like them, as much as we do!
Lol i had no idea a flouta and a taquito were the same thing! I really like that you used shredded beef as Opposed to shredded chicken which is what i normally use.
These are amazing and so easy for dinner. Love the recipe!
I love these!! I prefer them over regular tacos. I keep shredded roast on hand, so that I could make them often. I like to pair it with your Spanish rice!
I LOVE HOW SIMPLE AND EASY THIS IS TO MAKE! THIS WILL SURELY BE A FAMILY FAVORITE!
LOVE your recipes! looks so delicious!
I absolutely love flautas, and these did not disappoint!
I love your Mexican recipes. this looks delicious.