Crispy Black Bean Tacos (so easy + vegan!) Recipe
These Crispy Black Bean Tacos are a simple, flavorful, and vegan-friendly meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual get-together. Made with a savory black bean filling seasoned with chipotle and garlic, then seared and baked until crispy, these tacos can be customized with a variety of fresh toppings and dairy-free options for an easy, satisfying bite.
- Author: Sana
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegan
Black Bean Filling
- 19 ounce can black beans (2–3 cups), drained and rinsed
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (or sriracha/chipotle Tabasco sauce)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (more to taste)
- ½ – 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- cilantro or parsley, chopped (a handful)
- green onions, sliced (2-3, optional)
Optional Taco Toppings
- dairy-free cheese
- diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
- avocado slices or guacamole
- non-dairy sour cream
- pickled red onions
- creamy cole slaw
- romaine lettuce ribbons
- dipping sauces (see recipe notes for ideas)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450ºF if you plan to use the oven baked method for cooking the tacos.
- Prepare Beans: Drain and rinse the black beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium and liquid, ensuring your filling has the right texture.
- Make Bean Filling: In a food processor, blend the black beans, salsa, taco seasoning, one chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, garlic powder, and salt. Leave the mixture slightly chunky if you prefer some texture. Stir in fresh chopped cilantro or parsley for a fresh herbal note.
- Sear the Bean Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add sliced green onions and a pinch of salt, cooking until fragrant to infuse flavor. Add the bean mixture and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing it to form a lightly seared crust by leaving it undisturbed for a couple of minutes before flipping chunks. Add extra salsa or a splash of water if the filling seems too thick.
- Fill Tacos: Spoon a few tablespoons of the bean filling onto one side of a flour tortilla. Add vegan cheese if desired, then fold the tortilla over. Repeat until all filling is used, making 6 to 8 tacos.
- Oven Bake Tacos: Lightly brush or rub oil on the outside of each taco. Place the tacos on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Carefully flip with a spatula and bake for another 6 to 8 minutes until the tortillas are golden and crispy. Alternatively, you can pan-fry or air-fry using similar times for a crispy finish.
- Prepare Toppings and Sauces: While the tacos bake, prepare your choice of optional toppings and any dipping sauces you like.
- Assemble and Serve: Serve the crispy black bean tacos immediately topped with your favorite toppings and accompanied by sauces for dipping. Enjoy your delicious vegan meal!
Notes
- For pan-fried tacos, heat a skillet with oil and fry each filled taco for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy and golden.
- To air fry, place tacos in the basket and cook at 400ºF for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crisping.
- Adjust chipotle pepper to taste if you prefer a milder or spicier filling.
- Use corn tortillas to make this recipe gluten-free while keeping it vegan.
- Leftover filling can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated before assembling tacos.
- Customize toppings with your favorite veggies or vegan cheeses for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: crispy black bean tacos, vegan tacos, easy vegan recipe, black bean tacos, plant-based tacos, quick dinner, Mexican tacos, healthy vegan tacos