These crispy Bean and Cheese Burritos are filled with refried beans and cheese and pan fried until the tortilla is crispy. Serve with salsa and guacamole and you’ve got one of our favorite easy weeknight meals!
Looking for more quick meal ideas? Try Taco Salad, Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, or Cheese Enchiladas!
Why I love this recipe:
- FAST! I can whip these up in less than 20 minutes. Here’s a list of my other favorite meals you can make in under 30-Minutes.
- Few Ingredients: I always have these basic pantry ingredients on hand! If you want to go the extra mile use these Homemade Refried Beans!
- Picky-Eater Approved: Crispy and full of flavor, this is a meal that every member of my family is excited about. We love serving them with salsa, guacamole and sour cream.
Ingredients Needed:
- Tortillas
- Refried Beans
- Salsa
- Cheese
- Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Cumin
How to make Crispy Bean and Cheese Burritos:
Season Beans: Add refried beans, salsa, chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin to a mixing bowl and stir until smooth.
Spread Beans: Spoon about three tablespoons of the bean mixture onto the center of a flour tortilla and smooth into a thin layer.
Add Cheese and Roll: Sprinkle with a large pinch of shredded cheese. Roll tightly. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Fry Burritos: 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 Easy Homemade Salsa and guacamole, for dipping.
Air Fryer Instructions:
Preheat air fryer to 370 degrees. Spray the burritos with oil and add a few at a time to the air fryer. Cook for 6 minutes, rotate and cook for a few more minutes until crispy on all sides.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: The refried bean mixture can be made beforehand and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You could also assemble and roll the burritos and store them in the fridge until dinner, when you’re ready to fry them. Leftovers also reheat wonderfully, reheated in a hot pan until the tortilla gets crispy again.
To Freeze: Make the burritos through step 3 (stop before pan frying them). Keep them wrapped in plastic in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze them in a zip lock bag. When ready to cook, let them thaw completely before pan frying.
Serve With:
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Recipe
Crispy Bean and Cheese Burritos
Ingredients
- 16 ounce can 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
- salsa , for dipping
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.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe March 2018. Updated March 2023.
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I’ve made a similar version for years and my family also likes this easy meal. One variation to consider that we have used is to brush the rolled up burrito with oil and then bake it in the oven until crispy and brown. It saves the mess and effort of pan-frying, but both methods are good. The end result is kind of like a chimichanga, a filled and deep-fried version that is so good.
We made these burritos this week & loved them! The added spices made all the difference. Thanks!!
Sounds yummy and easy! Do you recommend a certain kind of oil?
I use canola or vegetable oil 🙂
Very average. Liked the crispy outside, but needed more flavor. Also, use more cheese than beans.
You saved me tonight! I was able to quickly make these while the baby played. Thank You!
Thanks friend! She is adorable–I’m so happy for you!
Just made this recipe. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed making and eating. So simple, yet so delicious and satisfying. My new favorite go to!
I make these on Sunday and take a couple to work with me every day for lunch. So easy and delicious!
They are great for lunches! I’m so happy you like them!
I wanted to make a little bean burrito for my family and this was just the ticket! SOO good everyone devoured them!
I made these with whole wheat tortillas. I didn’t have hot sauce so added Sriracha sauce instead and used sharp cheddar cheese. Bumped up the measurements of spices a bit also. YUMMY~!!
how many burritos would that recipe make?
Six burritos.