Crispitos Recipe

If you want to take a trip down memory lane, Crispitos are going to help. Crispitos with beef are often served in schools as a crispy and delicious lunch option since it’s a perfect to-go snack.

However, they also work well as an appetizer if you prepare enough of them to feed the crowd. And you will want to make large batches once you try this out-of-this-world recipe.

Besides, Crispitos are extremely easy to make in under 30 minutes and taste heavenly good.

Without giving away too many secrets too soon, let’s show you the best Crispitos recipe.

How to Make Crispitos

Some might refer to Crispitos as the cheap knockoff version of flautas or taquitos. However, the difference is slightly noticeable in the filling. The most common fillings include beef, chicken, fish, and cheese.

But for the original Crispitos, we’re going to cook with beef. The rest of the steps really go down to drying them for a crispy exterior and serving them with sour cream.

If you like, you can always add your personal taste and flavor with a variety of toppings, like salsa or fresh guacamole, to kick up the recipe.

So, let’s see what else you’ll need for an unforgettable Crispitos experience.

Ingredients:

(8 servings)

For the Crispitos:

• 1 ½ lb. ground beef
• 16 flour tortillas
• 3 tbsp cumin
• 4 tbsp paprika
• 1 ½ tsp chili powder
• 3 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup water

For the topping:

• 1 ½ cup shredded cheese
• 4 tbsp sour cream
• 4 tbsp salsa
• 2 sliced avocados

Instructions:

This recipe might seem too simple, taking just about 30 minutes to wrap corn or flour tortillas in beef filling. But there is definitely more to it than meets the eye.

The most important part of Crispitos is getting the right texture and flavor for the “mystery meat”, which in reality is just ground beef. The trick here is to get a paste-like consistency, using the blender or food processor.

The next secret is to use only half of each tortilla for achieving a perfect Crispitos. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a soft-shell burrito.

This way, you’ll even get twice as many Crispitos thick enough to crisp properly. Isn’t that what you’re looking for?

Step 1:

Grind and season the beef. For the best flavor, ground the beef together with the seasoning in the food processor. Try reaching a thin consistency, but don’t leave it there for too long or it might turn into liquid.

Pro tip: marinate your beef before cooking it, as it will allow the meat to effectively soak up the flavor of the seasoning. However, be careful to not leaving it open in the fridge; instead, use a zip-lock bag to safely store your beef while it marinates.

Step 2:

Cook the ground beef. Heat 1 ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil starts to sizzle, add the beef mix with the seasoning to the skillet. Stir continuously so the meat doesn’t stick to the skillet or get burned.

Once all the beef is cooked, take it off the stove and let it cool.

Step 3:

Preheat the oil at a medium-low temperature and fill the Crispitos with the meat. Roll the Crispitos in an oblong shape, fold the sides, and set them aside. They should be rolled pretty tightly, so shape the meat in the right form before you fold them.

Step 4:

Fry the Crispitos. Slowly cook the Crispitos in the hot oil until golden brown and crispy. No need to cook the rolls for too long since both the meat and the tortilla is already cooked.

Place the freshly cooked Crispitos on a plate with a paper towel to soak up the remaining oil.

Step 5:

Prepare the topping for your Crispitos. Mix the shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, and sliced avocados and serve with the Crispitos. You just got a novel, unorthodox way to consume these tasty rolls.

Feel free to adjust the seasoning or spice things up with some onions or jalapenos and enjoy this professional restaurant’s chef dish!

Ingredient Substitution

Crispitos are a very versatile dish, but there is not much room for experimentation with the key ingredients. Or maybe there is? Here’s what you can consider as a substitute for your perfect Crispitos.

Ground chicken

Beef and chicken are usually used interchangeably when it comes to Crispitos. So, ground chicken, with the same texture, can be a superb substitute for ground beef.

Even though poultry is a bit paler than beef, you don’t have to worry about the looks of it since the meat will be rolled into the tortillas and not visible at all. Crispitos will still taste equally delicious.

However, chicken is leaner than beef, so you might miss the fattiness in the dish. Just try adding a bit of extra vegetable oil to offset this mouthfeel.

Curry powder

Curry blends are a great substitute for cumin — they even commonly contain cumin — with the curry bringing other flavors into the mix, including ginger, turmeric, coriander, and cardamon.

Together they all yield a warm and aromatic blend with a deep yellow tone. Just what we need for our Crispitos.

What to Serve with Crispitos

Crispitos are a perfect snack, appetizer, or a full meal. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pair it with some other Mexican side dish for an ultimate experience.

So, other than the topping we’ve made for this Crispitos recipe, consider the following side dishes.

Cilantro lime rice

When it comes to Mexican side dishes, cilantro lime rice is a staple everyone craves. Fresh cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice, and your rice will catapult to an entirely different level, especially when paired with the crispy and tangy Crispitos.

It’s an incredible combination.

Cheese dip

Do you know what works best with crunchy and flavorful tortillas? It’s obviously a versatile cheese dip. It is a beginner-friendly recipe made from simple ingredients you probably already have in your fridge.

Despite being quite simple, it has a rich texture and unique blend of spices, that turn it into an essential companion for your meaty rolls.

Coleslaw

If you’re tired of coleslaw, you probably haven’t tried a Mexican version. Instead of mayo, it focuses on the red onion, cilantro, and crunchy cabbage. Besides, it has both ground cumin and cumin seed for a double hit of flavor. And it doubles as a Crispitos toping!

How to Reheat Crispitos

More important than the generously seasoned meat is the crunchy texture of the Crispitos that takes you up in the sky after the first bite.

You just can’t overlook the crispiness of these spicy rolls. So, you should know how to reheat them properly.

Reheat Crispitos in a Microwave

Using a microwave to reheat your Crispitos is the fastest and easiest way. The heat will spread thoroughly, and you won’t end up with a dry tortilla because of the greasy meat inside.

But there is a downside. Because of the same greasy filling, Crispitos will come out too soft and soggy. So microwaving is not recommended for Crispitos.

Reheat Crispitos in an Oven

The most effective method to reheat Crispitos is using the oven. It maintains the crispiness and makes them taste like day one, even after storing for a few days.

Just place your Crispitos on a baking pan and reheat for about 6 minutes at 375 °F.

How to Store Crispitos

Like most foods, Crispitos are best when served fresh. Considering they taste like nothing you’ve tried before you shouldn’t have any of them left.

Still, if you’ve got some leftovers, it’s best to eat them in the next day or two since the crispiness won’t last long.

Store Crispitos in a Fridge

If you want to store Crispitos in the fridge, put them in an airtight container. They could last up to 3 days.

Store Crispitos in a Freezer

If you want to store them for up to 3 months, place the Crispitos in the zip-lock freezer bag or in an airtight storage container.

Note: in both cases, it’s best to reheat Crispitos in an oven to revive the crispiness of these Mexican bites.