Description
These Crispy Crab and Shrimp Queso Taquitos are a delightful seafood appetizer featuring a creamy, flavorful filling of shrimp, crab meat, and cheese, rolled in flour tortillas and fried to golden perfection. Perfectly seasoned with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and fresh cilantro, they offer a crunchy exterior with a rich, cheesy seafood center.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, finely chopped
- 1/2 lb cooked crab meat, shredded
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup queso dip (mild or spicy)
- 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 medium bowl, combine the finely chopped cooked shrimp, shredded crab meat, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, softened cream cheese, queso dip, chopped fresh cilantro, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated into a creamy seafood filling.
- Assemble the taquitos: Lay out each small flour tortilla on a clean surface. Spoon an even amount of the seafood filling onto the lower third of each tortilla. Carefully roll the tortilla tightly around the filling to form a compact taquito, sealing the edge by pressing lightly to prevent it from unrolling during frying.
- Heat the frying fat: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter or oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. The fat should be enough to shallow fry the taquitos, giving them a crispy, golden exterior.
- Fry the taquitos: Place the rolled taquitos seam side down in the hot skillet. Fry them for about 2-3 minutes on each side, turning carefully to achieve an even golden crispiness all around. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure consistent frying.
- Drain and serve: Once golden and crispy, remove the taquitos from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve immediately while warm and crispy, optionally with extra queso dip or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- You can use either mild or spicy queso dip depending on your heat preference.
- Ensure not to overfill the tortillas to prevent the filling from spilling out during frying.
- For a healthier version, consider baking the taquitos at 400°F (204°C) for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
- Fresh cilantro enhances the flavor but can be omitted if not preferred.
- Use gloves or a gentle touch when handling the taquitos in the skillet to keep them intact.
