Crispy Crab And Shrimp Queso Taquitos
Crispy Crab And Shrimp Queso Taquitos are a delightful seafood appetizer combining succulent crab and shrimp with creamy melted cheese, all wrapped in perfectly fried golden corn tortillas. This recipe delivers a wonderful blend of rich flavors, mild heat, fresh herbs, and crispy texture, perfect for gatherings or a tasty snack at home.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 taquitos 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Seafood
- 1 cup lump or backfin crab meat, fresh or canned
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, small and chopped
Cheese and Dairy
- 1 cup shredded queso fresco or Monterey Jack cheese
Produce & Flavorings
- 2 tablespoons diced green chilies
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
Other
- 12 fresh corn tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 cups or enough for shallow frying)
- Prepare the Seafood Filling: Finely chop the cooked shrimp and combine with lump crab meat in a mixing bowl. Add the diced green chilies, chopped cilantro, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and shredded queso fresco or Monterey Jack cheese. Mix gently until the ingredients are well combined but still slightly chunky to retain texture.
- Warm and Soften the Tortillas: Heat the corn tortillas briefly on a skillet over medium heat or microwave them wrapped in a damp paper towel. This softens them to prevent cracking and helps in rolling the taquitos tightly without breaking.
- Assemble the Taquitos: Place about 2 tablespoons of the seafood queso filling on one edge of each tortilla. Roll tightly around the filling and secure with a toothpick if needed to maintain shape during frying.
- Fry the Taquitos: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Fry taquitos in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Serve Immediately: Remove toothpicks, plate the taquitos, and serve with your choice of garnishes such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or lime wedges for a burst of freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh seafood for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overfill the tortillas to prevent bursting during frying.
- Warm tortillas well to ensure easy rolling and even crisping.
- Maintain the oil temperature to avoid soggy or greasy taquitos.
- Drain fried taquitos thoroughly on paper towels to keep them crispy.
- Enjoy taquitos fresh out of the fryer for the best crunch and taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 taquitos
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Crab taquitos, shrimp taquitos, seafood appetizers, crispy taquitos, queso taquitos, Mexican seafood snacks, gluten free appetizers