Crispy Baked Basket Burritos: Delicious and Customizable Tortilla Bowls
Are you tired of the same old burrito routine? Do you crave a fun, delicious, and slightly more refined way to enjoy your favorite burrito fillings? Look no further than crispy baked basket burritos! These delightful creations take the familiar flavors of a classic burrito and transform them into edible bowls made of perfectly crispy tortillas. Not only are they visually appealing, but they also offer a delightful textural contrast between the crunchy shell and the warm, savory filling.
This recipe guides you through creating these fantastic burrito bowls from scratch, offering plenty of customization options to suit your taste. Whether you’re a meat-lover, a vegetarian, or a vegan, you can easily adapt this recipe to create a personalized masterpiece. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right tortillas to baking them perfectly and filling them with your favorite burrito ingredients.
**Why You’ll Love These Crispy Baked Basket Burritos:**
* **Fun and Unique:** They’re a refreshing twist on traditional burritos, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
* **Customizable:** The fillings are entirely up to you! Use your favorite burrito ingredients or try something new.
* **Easy to Make:** Despite their impressive appearance, they’re surprisingly simple to prepare.
* **Perfectly Portioned:** Each basket is a single serving, making portion control a breeze.
* **Kid-Friendly:** Kids love eating out of edible bowls, making these burritos a great way to get them excited about dinner.
**Ingredients You’ll Need:**
* **Tortillas:** Use large (10-12 inch) flour tortillas for the best results. Corn tortillas can also be used, but they tend to be more brittle and may crack more easily. Look for tortillas that are pliable and don’t have any tears.
* **Cooking Spray:** This helps the tortillas crisp up nicely in the oven and prevents them from sticking to the baking dish.
* **Burrito Fillings:** This is where you can get creative! Here are some suggestions:
* **Protein:** Ground beef, shredded chicken, carnitas (pulled pork), black beans, pinto beans, seasoned tofu, or soy chorizo.
* **Rice:** Cooked Mexican rice, cilantro-lime rice, or plain white rice.
* **Beans:** Refried beans, black beans, or pinto beans.
* **Vegetables:** Diced onions, bell peppers, corn, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, or guacamole.
* **Cheese:** Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or queso fresco.
* **Salsa:** Your favorite salsa, from mild to hot.
* **Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt:** For a creamy topping.
* **Guacamole or Avocado Slices:** For healthy fats and flavor.
* **Other Toppings:** Pickled onions, jalapenos, cilantro, or hot sauce.
**Equipment You’ll Need:**
* **Muffin Tin:** A standard 12-cup muffin tin is ideal for shaping the tortilla baskets.
* **Baking Sheet (Optional):** Use a baking sheet to catch any drips from the muffin tin.
* **Oven:** For baking the tortillas to golden perfection.
* **Mixing Bowls:** For preparing and mixing the burrito fillings.
* **Spoon or Ladle:** For filling the tortilla baskets.
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
**1. Prepare the Tortilla Baskets:**
* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Alternatively, you can line the muffin tin with parchment paper circles for easier removal.
* Gently warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to make them more pliable and less likely to crack. This step is crucial for easy handling.
* Press each tortilla into a muffin cup, gently shaping it to fit the mold. The edges of the tortilla should extend slightly above the rim of the muffin tin. If the tortilla is too large, you can trim the edges with kitchen shears or a sharp knife.
* Spray the inside of each tortilla basket lightly with cooking spray. This will help them crisp up nicely in the oven.
* If desired, you can use a second muffin tin to press down on the tortillas to help them keep their shape while baking. Place the second muffin tin on top of the first, effectively nesting the tortillas. If you don’t have a second muffin tin, you can skip this step, but the baskets may puff up a bit more.
**2. Bake the Tortilla Baskets:**
* Place the muffin tin (or both muffin tins nested together) on a baking sheet (optional, but recommended for catching drips). Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy. The exact baking time will depend on your oven and the thickness of the tortillas.
* Keep a close eye on the tortillas while they’re baking to prevent them from burning. If they start to brown too quickly, you can tent them loosely with foil.
**3. Prepare the Burrito Fillings:**
* While the tortilla baskets are baking, prepare your desired burrito fillings. This is a great opportunity to get creative and use up any leftovers you have in the refrigerator.
* **Protein:** Cook your protein of choice. If using ground beef, brown it in a skillet over medium heat, draining off any excess grease. Season with taco seasoning or your favorite spices. If using shredded chicken, you can cook it in the oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot. Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices.
* **Rice:** Cook your rice according to package directions. For extra flavor, try adding cilantro and lime juice to the rice after it’s cooked.
* **Beans:** Heat up your beans in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave. If using refried beans, you can add a little water or broth to thin them out if desired.
* **Vegetables:** Chop your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. You can sauté them in a skillet with a little oil or leave them raw.
* **Cheese:** Shred your cheese. You can use a box grater or buy pre-shredded cheese.
* **Salsa:** Choose your favorite salsa. You can use store-bought salsa or make your own.
**4. Assemble the Crispy Baked Basket Burritos:**
* Once the tortilla baskets are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly in the muffin tin. This will help them firm up and prevent them from breaking when you remove them.
* Carefully remove the tortilla baskets from the muffin tin. If they are sticking, you can use a knife to gently loosen the edges.
* Place the tortilla baskets on a serving plate.
* Fill each tortilla basket with your desired burrito fillings. Start with a layer of rice and beans, followed by your protein, vegetables, cheese, and salsa.
* Top with sour cream, guacamole, and any other desired toppings.
**5. Serve and Enjoy!**
* Serve the crispy baked basket burritos immediately. They are best enjoyed warm, while the tortilla baskets are still crispy.
**Tips and Tricks for Perfect Crispy Baked Basket Burritos:**
* **Choose the right tortillas:** Look for large (10-12 inch) flour tortillas that are pliable and don’t have any tears. Corn tortillas can be used, but they tend to be more brittle.
* **Warm the tortillas:** Warming the tortillas in the microwave for a few seconds before shaping them will make them more pliable and less likely to crack.
* **Grease the muffin tin:** Lightly grease the muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent the tortillas from sticking.
* **Don’t overfill the baskets:** Overfilling the baskets can make them difficult to eat and cause them to break.
* **Bake until golden brown and crispy:** Bake the tortillas until they are golden brown and crispy, but be careful not to burn them.
* **Let the baskets cool slightly before removing them from the muffin tin:** This will help them firm up and prevent them from breaking.
* **Get creative with the fillings:** The fillings are entirely up to you! Use your favorite burrito ingredients or try something new.
* **Add a variety of textures and flavors:** The best burritos have a variety of textures and flavors. Try adding some crunchy vegetables, creamy sour cream, and spicy salsa.
* **Serve immediately:** The tortilla baskets are best enjoyed warm, while they are still crispy.
**Variations and Customization Options:**
* **Vegetarian/Vegan:** Use black beans, pinto beans, seasoned tofu, or soy chorizo as your protein source. Fill with plenty of vegetables and use vegan cheese and sour cream alternatives.
* **Spicy:** Add diced jalapenos, hot sauce, or a spicy salsa to your filling.
* **Sweet and Savory:** Add grilled pineapple or mango to your filling for a sweet and savory twist.
* **Breakfast Burrito Baskets:** Fill the baskets with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, cheese, and salsa.
* **Dessert Burrito Baskets:** Fill the baskets with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham crackers. Bake until the chocolate is melted and the marshmallows are toasted.
* **Mini Burrito Baskets:** Use smaller tortillas and a mini muffin tin to make bite-sized burrito baskets. These are perfect for appetizers or parties.
**Make-Ahead Tips:**
* You can prepare the tortilla baskets up to a day in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Reheat them in the oven for a few minutes before filling.
* You can also prepare the burrito fillings in advance and store them in separate containers in the refrigerator. Reheat the fillings before assembling the burritos.
**Serving Suggestions:**
* Serve these crispy baked basket burritos as a main course for lunch or dinner.
* They are also great for parties or potlucks.
* Serve with a side of Mexican rice, beans, or salad.
* Offer a variety of toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and hot sauce, so that your guests can customize their burritos.
**Nutritional Information (approximate, will vary based on fillings):**
* Calories: 400-600
* Protein: 20-30g
* Fat: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 40-60g
This nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients you use. It is always best to calculate the nutritional information based on your own recipe.
**Conclusion:**
Crispy baked basket burritos are a fun, delicious, and customizable way to enjoy your favorite burrito fillings. They’re easy to make, perfect for portion control, and sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create a memorable meal! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings and toppings to create your own signature burrito basket recipe. Happy cooking!