How To Reheat Taquitos?

If you’re a fan of taquitos, you know that they’re a delicious and convenient snack or meal option. However, if you’ve ever had leftover taquitos, you may have wondered about the best way to reheat them. After all, you don’t want them to end up soggy or overcooked. In this guide, we’ll explore how to reheat taquitos to perfection, so you can enjoy them just as much as when they were freshly made.

What are Taquitos

Taquitos are a popular Mexican dish that consists of small tortillas rolled around a filling, typically made with shredded meat, cheese, and sometimes vegetables. The filled tortillas are then usually fried until crispy, creating a satisfying crunch that makes them a favorite among many people. 

Taquitos are often served as a snack or appetizer, but they can also be a main course, depending on the size and quantity of the taquitos. They can be enjoyed with a variety of sauces and dips, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

How to make Taquitos

Here is how to make taquitos:

Ingredients:

• Corn tortillas
• Shredded chicken, beef, or pork
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Garlic
• Onion
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Guacamole, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Cook the meat by simmering shredded chicken, beef, or pork with chili powder, cumin, garlic, and diced onion until the meat is tender and flavors have blended about 10-15 minutes. Shred or dice the meat.

Heat several inches of vegetable or canola oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to 350-375 F.

Soften the corn tortillas by steaming them or heating them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Do not overheat or they will become brittle.

Place a spoonful of the seasoned meat down the center of each tortilla. Roll up the tortilla tightly around the filling and seal the edge with a small amount of beaten egg or water.

Carefully add a few taquitos to the hot oil. Do not crowd the pot. Fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

Repeat step 5 with the remaining taquitos. You can also bake the taquitos in the oven at 400 F for 15-20 minutes until the tortillas are crisp, turning once if you prefer to avoid frying.

Serve the taquitos warm with your choice of guacamole, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, and cilantro for garnish. Lime wedges also pair well with squeezing fresh juice over the top.

How to Reheat Taquitos – The best ways

When it comes to reheating taquitos, it’s important to use the right method to ensure they stay crispy and tasty. Here are some of the best ways to reheat taquitos:

How to Reheat Taquitos in an Oven?

Reheating taquitos in the oven is one of the best ways to keep them crispy. Here’s how to do it:

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Arrange the taquitos in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Do not overlap the taquitos.

 Spray or brush the taquitos lightly with oil, melted butter, enchilada sauce, or chili sauce. This will help keep the taquitos from drying out as they reheat and add more flavor.

Tent the taquitos loosely with foil to help hold in moisture. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, until the taquitos are warmed through.

Carefully remove the foil tent and continue baking the taquitos until they reach an internal temperature of 165 F for beef, chicken, or pork taquitos. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes total baking time. 

Flip the taquitos over halfway through baking for even heating. Be very careful, as the baking sheet will be extremely hot.

Check the taquitos with an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure they have reached a safe internal temperature. Beef, chicken, and pork taquitos must reach 165 F. Bake longer if needed.

Allow the baked taquitos to rest for 2 minutes before serving. This allows for carry-over cooking and allows the temperature to distribute evenly. Be cautious, as the baking sheet will remain scorching hot.

Serve the reheated taquitos immediately with your favorite toppings like guacamole, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, etc. Enjoy your taquitos!

Some tips for reheating taquitos in the oven:

Foil-lining the baking sheet makes for easy cleanup. The foil will get very hot, so avoid tearing it and be careful handling it. 

Brushing or spraying taquitos with oil, sauce, or butter before reheating adds moisture and extra flavor without making them soggy like a microwave can.

Checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer is the only way to ensure taquitos are heated safely and avoid the risk of foodborne illness.

Start with a foil tent but remove for the last few minutes of baking to allow taquitos to get crispy. Be extremely cautious, as steam will release.

How to Reheat Taquitos in a Microwave?

Reheating taquitos in a microwave is a quick and easy way to get them ready to eat. Here’s how to do it:

Arrange the taquitos in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Do not overlap the taquitos.

Spray or brush the taquitos lightly with oil, melted butter, enchilada sauce, or chili sauce. This will add moisture to help prevent the taquitos from drying out in the microwave.

Loosely tent the taquitos with microwave-safe paper towels or a paper plate. This will shield them from excess moisture but still allow steam to vent. 

Microwave the taquitos in short 30-second bursts, checking, flipping, and re-tenting them with new paper towels after each interval. Continue microwaving until the taquitos are heated through, usually 2 to 3 minutes total for a plate of taquitos.

Carefully check the internal temperature of beef, chicken, or pork taquitos in a few places with an instant-read meat thermometer. They must reach 165 F to be safe to eat. Microwave in additional 30-second periods if needed. 

Allow the microwaved taquitos to stand for 2 minutes before uncovering and serving. This allows for carry-over cooking and allows the temperature to distribute evenly. Be very cautious removing the plate from the microwave, as it will be extremely hot. 

Discard the paper towels or plates used for tenting. Do not reuse.

Serve the reheated taquitos immediately with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Some tips for reheating taquitos in the microwave: 

Never reheat more taquitos than you plan to eat promptly. Leftover reheated taquitos should be discarded and not reheated/stored again for safety. 

Brushing or spraying taquitos with oil, sauce, or butter before microwaving adds needed moisture. Plain microwaved taquitos can become very dry. 

Flipping and re-tenting taquitos during microwaving allows for even heating and prevents excess moisture buildup. 

Be extremely cautious removing items from the microwave and handling anything the taquitos were on, as they will be scorching hot!

How to Reheat Taquitos on the Stove?

Reheating taquitos on the stove is another great option if you want to keep them crispy. Here’s how to do it:

Place a skillet (cast iron works well) over medium heat and add a teaspoon or two of oil with a high smoke point like canola or vegetable oil.

Arrange the taquitos in a single layer in the skillet. Do not overlap the taquitos.

Brush or spray the tops of the taquitos with oil to prevent drying out. Flip the taquitos and brush the other sides with oil as well. 

Cover and cook the taquitos until they’re warmed through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Check frequently to avoid burning.

Carefully lift one taquito edge to check that the tortilla is pliable and no longer cold in the center, then flip all the taquitos over.

Cover and continue cooking until the taquitos are heated all the way through and the tortillas are soft and pliable, an additional 1 to 2 minutes. 

Use tongs to carefully remove one taquito and check the internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer. Beef, chicken, or pork taquitos must reach 165 F to be safe. Continue cooking if needed.

Remove the cover, turn the heat up to medium-high, and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute more until the taquitos are lightly browned and crisp. Watch very closely to avoid burning.

Remove the skillet from the heat and allow to rest, covered, for 2 minutes. This allows for carry-over cooking and allows the temperature to distribute evenly. Be very cautious, as the skillet handle will be scorching hot! 

Some tips for reheating taquitos on the stove:

Use a heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, to help taquitos get crispy. Nonstick skillets can also work well. 

Brushing taquitos with oil before and during cooking helps add moisture and prevents drying out without making them soggy as a microwave would. 

Be extremely careful when reheating and handling the skillet, as oil splatters can cause burns. Always wear oven mitts. 

Watch taquitos very closely, especially at the end of cooking without the cover on. They can go from browned to burnt very quickly.

How to Reheat Taquitos on a Grill?

Reheating taquitos on a grill can add a smoky flavor to the taquitos and keep them crispy at the same time. Here’s how to do it:

Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium heat. Oil the grates to prevent the taquitos from sticking. 

Arrange the taquitos in a single layer directly on the hot, oiled grates. Do not overlap the taquitos. 

Brush or spray both sides of the taquitos with oil before placing them on the grill to add moisture and prevent drying out. 

Cover and cook the taquitos until they’re heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Check frequently and flip carefully with tongs to avoid breakage. 

Use tongs to lift one edge of a taquito to check that the tortilla is pliable and the center is no longer cold before flipping all taquitos over. 

Continue cooking uncovered, flipping occasionally, until the taquitos are steaming hot all the way through and the tortillas are soft, about 1 to 2 minutes more. 

To check the internal temperature, use tongs to carefully lift one taquito at a time and insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the end. Beef, chicken, and pork taquitos must reach 165 F. Cook longer if needed. 

Allow the reheated taquitos to rest on a platter for 2 minutes before serving. Be very cautious, as the grates will be scorching hot! The resting period allows for carry-over cooking and temperature to distribute evenly. 

Serve the taquitos immediately with your favorite toppings like guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese, cilantro, etc. 

Some tips for reheating taquitos on the grill:

Brushing taquitos with oil before grilling helps add essential moisture in the dry, open-air environment. Check taquitos frequently and brush again during cooking if needed. 

Be extremely careful when handling hot grates and tongs. Oil residue and drippings can cause splatters and flare-ups. 

Watch taquitos closely while reheating uncovered to avoid burning. Taquitos can go from browned to burnt very quickly over open flames and high heat. 

Allowing taquitos to rest after grilling allows for carry-over cooking during the 2 minutes. Double-check the internal temperature before serving.

How to Reheat Taquitos in a Toaster Oven?

Reheating taquitos in a toaster oven is another great option if you want to keep them crispy. Here’s how to do it:

Preheat the toaster oven to 350 F. Line a tray or baking sheet that fits in your toaster oven with foil and arrange the taquitos in a single layer on the tray. Do not overlap the taquitos.

Spray or brush the taquitos lightly with oil, melted butter, enchilada sauce, or chili sauce. This will help keep the taquitos from drying out and add more flavor. 

If desired, loosely tent the taquitos with foil. This will help hold in moisture. Tenting is optional, but be very careful removing any foil as steam will release.

Place the tray of taquitos in the preheated toaster oven. Reheat until the taquitos are warmed all the way through, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Carefully flip the taquitos over about halfway through the reheating time. Use tongs to flip to avoid breaking the taquitos. Be cautious, as the tray will be extremely hot. 

To check the internal temperature, use tongs to carefully lift one taquito at a time and insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the end. Check-in a few places. Beef, chicken, and pork taquitos must reach 165 F. Cook longer if needed.

Allow the reheated taquitos to rest for 2 minutes before serving. This allows for carry-over cooking and allows the temperature to distribute evenly. Be very careful removing the tray from the toaster oven. 

Serve the taquitos immediately with your favorite toppings. Enjoy! 

Some tips for reheating taquitos in a toaster oven:

Line the toaster oven tray with foil for easy cleanup. Be cautious, as the foil and tray will get scorching hot. 

Brushing or spraying taquitos with oil, sauce, or butter before reheating adds moisture without making them soggy.

Tenting taquitos with foil during reheating helps hold in moisture. Remove foil for the last few minutes of cooking to allow taquitos to get crispy. Use extreme caution. 

Double-check the internal temperature of beef, chicken, or pork taquitos in a few places with a meat thermometer to ensure safe reheating. 

Never reheat more taquitos than you plan to eat promptly. Leftover reheated taquitos should be discarded.

How to Reheat Taquitos in an Air Fryer?

Reheating taquitos in an air fryer is a great option if you want to keep them crispy. Here’s how to do it:

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or lightly brush with oil. This will prevent the taquitos from sticking as they reheat.

Arrange the taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overlap the taquitos. 

Spray or brush the tops of the taquitos with oil, melted butter, enchilada sauce, or chili sauce. This will add moisture and help prevent drying out in the air fryer.

Place the basket in the air fryer and reheat at 400 F for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking, until the taquitos are heated through. 

Carefully lift the basket out of the air fryer and use tongs to lift one taquito edge to check that the tortilla is pliable and the center is hot. Check the internal temperature of beef, chicken, or pork taquitos with a meat thermometer – they must reach 165 F.

Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking if needed. Check frequently to avoid overcooking. Taquitos can dry out quickly in an air fryer.

Allow the reheated taquitos to rest in the basket for 2 minutes before serving. Be very cautious when handling the basket, as it will be scorching hot! The resting period allows for carry-over cooking and temperature distribution.  

Serve the taquitos immediately with your favorite toppings. Enjoy! 

Some tips for reheating taquitos in an air fryer:

Spraying or brushing taquitos with oil, melted butter, or sauce before and during cooking helps add essential moisture to the hot, dry air fryer environment. 

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Taquitos need space for air circulation to reheat evenly and get crispy.

Shake the basket during reheating to allow for even heating and flipping of taquitos. Be very careful when handling the basket. 

Double-check the internal temperature of beef, chicken, and pork taquitos with a meat thermometer in multiple places. 165 F is the safe reheating temperature.

Never reheat more taquitos than you plan to eat promptly. Reheated leftovers should be discarded for quality and safety.

How to Reheat Taquitos Without Overcooking?

Reheating taquitos without overcooking can be tricky, but there are a few things you can do to help keep them from becoming too dry or tough:

Use a lower temperature – Reheat taquitos at 300-350 F instead of higher temperatures. This gentle heat will slowly warm the taquitos without scorching the outside. Check frequently and do not rely on recipe times.

Use the defrost setting – For microwave reheating, use the defrost setting (30% power) instead of the full power setting. This provides a gentler heat that won’t overcook the taquitos. Check every 30 seconds and flip taquitos.

Brush with oil or sauce – Brushing taquitos with oil, melted butter, enchilada sauce, or chili sauce before reheating adds needed moisture to prevent drying out, especially in the microwave or air fryer. The moisture acts as a barrier against harsh, direct heat. 

Tent with foil – Loosely tenting taquitos with foil traps heat and moisture to gently warm the taquitos. Remove foil for the last part of cooking to allow for browning. Be extremely cautious when removing the foil, as steam will release.

Don’t overcrowd – Do not overlap or crowd taquitos, especially when reheating in the microwave, skillet, air fryer, or oven. Taquitos need space for even heating and circulation. Crowding causes uneven heating and moister spots that lead to overcooking. 

Shake and flip – Shake taquitos during reheating in the air fryer basket or flip taquitos when reheating in the skillet, oven, or grill. This allows for even exposure to the heat source, prevents overcooking on one side, and ensures the center is heated through. 

Check the internal temperature – The only way to ensure taquitos are reheated safely without overcooking is to check their internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer. Beef, chicken, and pork must reach 165 F.

Allow to rest – Let taquitos rest for 2 minutes after reheating before serving. This allows for carry-over cooking and for temperature to distribute evenly. Taquitos will not continue cooking to an overcooked state during the short rest period. 

Watch closely – Watch taquitos very closely during the final minutes of reheating, especially in methods with direct exposure to high, dry heat like the oven, grill, broiler, or air fryer. Taquitos can go from warm through to overcooked in a matter of seconds. Check early and often.

How Long to Reheat Taquitos?

The amount of time it takes to reheat taquitos can vary depending on the method you use and how many taquitos you are reheating. Here are some general guidelines:

Oven: 10-15 minutes at 350 F. Check taquitos at 10 minutes. Loosely tent with foil for moisture and unwrap for the last few minutes of cooking to allow browning.

Toaster Oven: 10-15 minutes at 350 F. Check frequently, as toaster ovens heat up quickly. Tent with foil if needed and unwrap for the last few minutes to brown. 

Skillet: 2-3 minutes per side over medium heat. Start with the taquitos folded side down. Cover, check frequently, and flip carefully. Remove the cover for the last minute of cooking to crisp. 

Microwave: Start with 30 seconds, then 10-15 second bursts, flipping each time, until heated through, usually 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes total. Microwaving can make taquitos soggy, so watch closely. Let stand 2 minutes before serving.

Air Fryer: 5 to 7 minutes at 400 F, shaking basket once during cooking. Check at 5 minutes. Taquitos can dry out quickly in an air fryer, so spritz with oil and watch closely. 

Grill: 2-3 minutes per side over medium-high heat. Flip taquitos only once. Brush with oil and cover. Check frequently and uncover just before done to avoid overcooking.  

Never rely on recipe times – the only way to ensure taquitos are reheated properly without overcooking is to check their internal temperature. Insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the end of one taquito. Beef, chicken, and pork taquitos must reach 165 F.

Always err on the side of under-heating – you can continue reheating in short periods, but you can’t undo overcooking. Check taquitos early, tent with foil, and use a lower heat setting. It’s easy to keep heating in small bursts, but impossible to un-overcook taquitos.

Allow for 2 minutes of resting time – after the taquitos have reached the proper internal temperature, let them rest for 2 minutes before serving. This allows for carry-over cooking to continue heating the centers without the risk of overcooking edges and outsides.

What Temperature is Needed to Reheat Taquitos?

The temperature needed to reheat taquitos can vary depending on the method you use. Here are the recommended temperatures for each method:

Beef, pork, or chicken taquitos – Reheat to an internal temperature of 165 F or 165.6 C for safety. At this temperature, any harmful bacteria that may have grown during cooling are destroyed.  

Bean and cheese or vegetable taquitos – Reheat to an internal temperature of at least 135 F or 57 C. While there is little risk of foodborne illness from these fillings, this ensures the taquitos are heated all the way through for the best quality. 

As for the reheating method temperatures:

Oven – Reheat at 300 F to 350 F. A moderate temperature will gently warm the taquitos without scorching. Start at 300 F and increase in 25 F increments if needed. 

Toaster Oven – Use the bake setting and start at 300 F, increasing to 350 F. Toaster ovens heat quickly, so watch taquitos closely. 

Skillet – Reheat over medium or medium-low heat. Medium heat is 300 F to 350 F. Flip taquitos carefully to avoid breakage. 

Microwave – Use the defrost setting (30% power) to start. In a standard microwave, this is 180 to 210 F. Use in short 10 or 15-second bursts, flipping taquitos each time. Increase power slowly and stop frequently to avoid overcooking.  

Air Fryer – Reheat at 350 F to 375 F. Shake basket once during cooking. Air fryers can quickly overcook taquitos, so start at a lower heat and check early. Increase in 25 F increments if necessary. 

Grill – Heat grill to medium (300 F to 350 F) before adding taquitos. A lower, controlled temperature is needed to gently reheat taquitos on the grill without burning the outside before the center is warmed through. Watch closely and cover, uncovering just before done.

Always check reheated beef, pork, or chicken taquitos with an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure they reach at least 165 F internally. The only way to know if they have reheated to a safe temperature is to check – visual cues can be deceiving.

How to store Taquitos

Here are some tips for properly storing taquitos:

Cool taquitos completely before storing – Taquitos should be cooled to room temperature within 2 hours of cooking before storing. Warm taquitos going into an airtight bag or container will not last as long due to the increased chance of bacterial growth.

Use moisture-proof wrap, bags, or containers – To prevent any freezer burn and drying out, wrap cooled taquitos individually in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or plastic bags before storing them in an airtight container or Ziploc bags. Press out as much air as possible when sealing. 

Refrigerate or freeze within 2 hours – For safety, cooked taquitos should be properly stored within 2 hours of cooking. Either refrigerate immediately or freeze.  

Refrigerate taquitos within 4 days – Store refrigerated taquitos in the fridge and enjoy within 4 days. While safe for up to 1 week, quality starts to decline quickly. Reheat refrigerated taquitos completely before eating.  

Freeze taquitos for up to 3 months – Taquitos can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat thoroughly before eating. Never thaw on the counter.

Separate taquitos – When storing, separate taquitos to maximize surface area. Do not stack on top of one another. This allows for better air circulation and prevents excess moisture buildup. Space taquitos at least 1/2 inch apart on the baking sheet before wrapping and storing. 

Label and date containers – Write the taquito filling type (beef, chicken, bean, and cheese, etc.) and the storage or freeze date on the airtight bags or containers. Properly wrapped and labeled taquitos will stay freshest when you can easily keep track of what’s inside and how long they have been stored. 

Thaw taquitos in the refrigerator overnight – The refrigerator is the only safe way to thaw frozen taquitos. Thawing on the counter, even in the packaging, risks bacterial growth and foodborne illness. Plan and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and enjoying. 

Reheating taquitos – Be sure to reheat taquitos completely to an internal temperature of at least 165 F for beef, chicken, or pork taquitos before eating. Microwaving in short bursts, the oven or stovetop grill is best for reheating without drying the taquitos out. Never reheat leftovers more than once.

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