The creamy filling inside these jalapeño cream cheese taquitos delivers the perfect amount of heat for spice-lovers. It’s paired with the spice-neutralizing effect of cream cheese so these delicious taquitos appeal to just about every taste bud.
The corn tortillas are stuffed with jalapeño peppers (or hot and sweet candied jalapeño peppers), spices and cream cheese and crisped to perfection in the oven or on the stovetop to create this copycat 7-Eleven recipe that’s better than the original.
Bake ’em or fry ’em.
Jalapeño cream cheese taquitos can be baked or fried. I prefer baking them because it’s easier. You simply place them on a cookie sheet, pop them in the oven and forget all about them until the timer rings.
Frying taquitos gives us that traditional crispy taquitos consistency. If you’d prefer to fry them, you’ll add about two tablespoons of oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add 2-3 taquitos to the pan at a time and fry each side for 2-3 minutes. Add additional oil as needed.
Turn this jalapeño cream cheese taquitos appetizer into a dinner
It’s easy to turn this game day food into a dinner! I prefer using regular jalapeños in the jar or even fresh jalapeños for this version of the recipe, but candied jalapeños are also delicious. Simply Add 2 cups of shredded chicken. You can boil chicken breasts or thighs and shred them or buy a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
Add some cooked and crumbled bacon for added protein and flavor and there you have it…a filling, delicious dinner. Here is a link to the full recipe.
Make your own candied jalapeños
You can find brands like Mt. Olive sweet heat jalapeño peppers at most grocery stores. Making your own candied spicy jalapeños is super simple, but it does take a little time to let that flavor marinate. I like to make them with slightly less sugar than the store-bought version. Here’s how it’s done.
Candied Jalapeños Ingredients
- 1/2 lb jalapeños Cut into 1/4 inch slices
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Hot and Sweet Jalapeños Instructions
- Combine vinegar, sugar and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Add jalapeño slices and turn heat down and simmer on low for 5 minutes.
- Transfer jalapeno mixture to mason jar and seal. Cool before refrigerating. Allow jalapeños to refrigerate for a minimum of 24 hours before using in recipes.
Looking for more delicious jalapeño recipes?
Jalapeño Cream Cheese Taquitos
Ingredients
- 10-12 corn tortillas
- olive oil
- 8 ounce cream cheese room temperature
- 1 diced fresh jalapeño Remove seeds and/ribs for less heat.
- 2 tablespoon chopped pickled or candied jalapeños Pickled jalapeños for a savory flavor. Candied jalapeños for a sweet-heat flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you prefer to fry the taquitos, I've provided the directions below in the notes section.
- Add all of the ingredients except for the tortillas to a mixing bowl and stir until combined.
- Warm the stack of tortillas in the microwave covered in a damp paper towel, for about one minute or until soft and pliable.
- Rub olive oil on a tortilla and fill it with about 2 tablespoons of filling. Roll it tight and place it on the baking sheet seam side down so it doesn't open while baking. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Bake for 8 minutes, flip the taquitos and bake on the other side for another 8 minutes or until slightly golden brown and crispy.
Leave a Reply