Easy 3 Ingredient Bean and Cheese Flautas

Welcome to my West Virginia Kitchen!  I don't know about you, but for me, one of the hardest things I deal with in the kitchen is coming up with something for that "last little bit" of an ingredient.  You know what I mean.  For example, the other day I made my Crispy Mexican Pizza Recipe which called for half a can of refried beans.  Now I'm stuck with a half can of beans in my fridge and no idea what do with them.  So I put on my thinking cap, got creative, and came up with these DELICIOUS Easy 3 Ingredient Bean and Cheese Flautas.  

Whether you're in a rush to get dinner on the table, or looking to save a little money at the store this week, these hassel-free Easy 3 Ingredient Bean and Cheese Flautas are sure to hit the spot.  With minimal effort and maximum flavor, these crispy delights will become a kitchen staple so 

Let's get cooking! 

WHAT IS A FLAUTA?

Sometimes known as taquitos, a flauta is a Mexican dish that involves rolling some sort of filling such as beef, chicken, or in our case beans in a flour or corn tortilla and then gently fried.  

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FLAUTA AND TAQUITO?

The answer to this will always depend on who you talk to.  A lot of people consider taquitos to be mini-tacos, but the technical answer is that flautas are larger than taquitos.  

WHY FLAUTAS?

Simple ingredients, that's why.  With just three basic ingredients beans, cheese, and tortillas, this recipes epitomizes convenience without sacrificing taste.  Whether you're a busy parent, student on a budget, or just looking for a quick bite to eat, these Easy 3 Ingredient Bean and Cheese Flautas are the perfect solution.  

The best thing about these flautas is the price!  At the time I am writing this post you can make around 10 of these delectable morsels for around $6.00 at your local Wal-Mart (not sponsored).  That's an amazing deal.

• Tortillas- $3
• Refried Beans - $1
• Cheese - $2

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 10 Fajita-size Flour or Corn Tortillas
• 1 (16 oz) Can of Refried Beans
• 8 oz of Shredded Cheese
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

And if you have a few extra bucks you can splurge on the following toppings.

• salsa
• guacamole
• sour cream
• lettuce
• green onions
• cilantro

HERE'S HOW TO MAKE THEM:

The effortless preparation of these Easy 3 Ingredient Bean and Cheese Flautas is one of the things that appealed to me most.  You don't need any fancy kitchen gadgets or culinary skill.  Literally anyone can do this.  Here's how it's done.

1. Place a frying pan over medium/high heat and cover the bottom with a light oil such as vegetable oil.  Allow the oil to get hot.
2. While the oil is heating wrap your tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1 minutes.  This will make the tortillas more pliable and easier to rool.  
3. Season the refried beans with salt and pepper, and place a couple dollops along the center of the tortillas.  Top with the shredded cheese and roll into a cigar shape. 
4. Place seam-side down in the hot oil and cool for 2-3 minutes on each side until the Bean and Cheese Flautas and warmed through and golden brown.  Remove from pan and place on paper towel.
5. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

CAN I MAKE THESE IN THE OVEN:

YES!  Simply preheat your oven to 425/F 200/C.  Follow the instructions above up to the frying.  Lay the Flautas in a single layer, seam side down, spray with a little cooking oil, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.  

CAN I MAKE THESE IN THE AIR FRYER?

YES! Preheat the air fryer to 400/F 200/F for 5 minutes.  Follow the instructions above to the point of frying.  Place the flautas in a single layer, spray with a little cooking oil, and cook for 8-10 minutes.

As I said earlier, while this recipe is pretty basic, you can feel free to customize it any way you want.  Add your favorite spices, veggies, proteins, THE WORKS!  These Easy 3 Ingredient Bean and Cheese Flautas are also perfect for when you have people with dietary preferences.  Set up a flauta buffet and everyone can make their own!  How fun is that?

CAN THESE BE FROZEN?

YES! These are a great item to make in big batches and then freeze.  Cool the flautas to room temperature, then freeze them in a sealed container. To reheat, bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until warmed through.

 

So whether it's a quick weeknight meal or a casual gathering with friends, these flavorful Easy 3 Ingredient Bean and Cheese Flauta delights are guaranteed to impress so them tonight and savor the simplicity!  

And as always...

Happy Eatin' Y'all!

~The Kitchen Wife~

HERE'S THE PRINTABLE RECIPE: