Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos

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These sheet-pan crispy black bean tacos are the best way to spice up your dinner with bold flavors and satisfying crunch. Baked to crispy perfection on your trusty sheet pan, these tacos are packed with seasoned black beans and melty cheese and served with a creamy chipotle crema, making them a fuss-free meal the whole family will love!

an image of the Sheet-Pan Crispy Black Bean Tacos
Credit:

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4
  • Corn tortillas keep these tacos gluten-free while offering a higher fiber content than flour tortillas.
  • Fiber-rich black beans and pepper Jack cheese support heart and bone health.
  • Pulsing the beans makes a creamy filling that holds together perfectly in the tortillas.

Our Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos might become your new favorite way to make tacos. Fiber-rich black beans quickly become a creamy filling, thanks to a few flavorful and time-saving ingredients: taco seasoning, canned chipotle peppers and salsa. Wrapped in a warm corn tortilla, the filling is mixed with calcium-packed pepper Jack cheese, which forms a crispy lacy cheese skirt. The smoky chipotle crema pulls double duty, in the filling and as the tacos’ creamy sauce. This easy and delicious dinner is perfect for a weeknight or as crowd-pleasing party food. Keep reading for our expert tips on how to prep your filling, smart ingredient substitutions and more!

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Feel free to use any type of corn tortillas, or flour tortillas if you prefer, warming them before adding the filling to help prevent them from cracking.
  • Pulsing the bean filling creates a mixture that is more malleable and holds together better than using whole beans. Adding crema to the bean mixture helps keep it moist. 
  • If you prefer a spicier filling, finely chop more chipotles and sprinkle them over the bean mixture when assembling the tacos.
  • For a healthier crema option, you can substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream. You can also use any kind of beans—pinto beans would work just as well as black beans.

Nutrition Notes

  • Black beans pack most of the plant-based protein in these tacos. They are also the heavy-hitter for helping you reach your fiber goals. The recipe calls for no-salt-added canned beans. But if you can’t find those, choose the lower-sodium variety and give them a good rinse to help reduce the sodium further—important to keep your heart healthy. 
  • Corn tortillas are a gluten-free way to enjoy tortillas for individuals who have celiac disease, gluten intolerance or those who simply choose to reduce gluten in their diet. Ounce for ounce, corn tortillas are lower in total carbs and slightly higher in fiber than flour tortillas.
  • Pepper Jack cheese is Monterey Jack cheese studded with pepper flakes, which maintains its creamy texture, but with a kick of heat. Pepper Jack is a good source of calcium—great for bone health and muscle contraction, and you’ll get additional protein to ensure you stay satisfied from this vegetarian meal.
an image of the ingredients to make the Sheet-Pan Crispy Black Bean Tacos

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

Chipotle Crema

  • ¾ cup reduced-fat sour cream

  • tablespoons lime juice, plus wedges for serving

  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from canned chipotles)

  • 2 medium cloves garlic, grated (about ¾ teaspoon)

  • teaspoon salt

Crispy Black Bean Tacos

  • 2 (15-ounce) cans no-salt-added black beans, rinsed

  • ¼ cup mild salsa

  • 2 whole canned chipotles in adobo

  • tablespoons reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix

  • teaspoon salt

  • 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas

  • 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese

Directions

  1. Prepare Chipotle Crema: Whisk ¾ cup sour cream, 1½ tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, the grated garlic and ⅛ teaspoon salt together in a small bowl until combined. Set aside ¼ cup of the crema in a small bowl; refrigerate the remaining ½ cup, uncovered, until ready to use.

    an image of the chipotle crema being whisked together

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

  2. Prepare Crispy Black Bean Tacos: Preheat oven to 450°F with racks in top third and lower third positions. Generously coat 2 large rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray. Combine rinsed beans, ¼ cup salsa, 2 chipotles, 1½ tablespoons taco seasoning, ⅛ teaspoon salt and the reserved ¼ cup crema in a food processor; pulse until a thick, chunky paste forms, about 7 pulses.

    an image of the black beans, seasonings, and salsa being blended together with a food processor

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

  3. Wrap 8 tortillas in damp paper towels; microwave on High until warm and pliable, about 30 seconds. Arrange 4 tortillas on each baking sheet in a single layer. Spread bean mixture evenly over 1 half of each tortilla (about a scant ⅓ cup each); top evenly with cheese (about 2 tablespoons each). Fold the tortillas in half, covering the bean mixture, and gently press to ensure they stay folded.

    an image of the tacos assembled on a baking sheet

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

  4. Bake until the tortillas are golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes, flipping the tacos and rotating the baking sheets between the top and bottom racks halfway through. Serve with the remaining ½ cup crema.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How should I store and reheat the tacos?

    Freshly made tacos are far superior in flavor and texture. If you anticipate having leftovers, it is best to keep all the ingredients in separate containers. However, if you need to store already assembled tacos, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will last for up to 3 days. To reheat them, using an air fryer is one of the easiest and most effective methods to achieve a crispy texture. You can also heat them in the microwave for about a minute or in a 350°F oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

  • What else can I do with chipotles and adobo sauce?

    For this recipe, you will use only 2 chipotles and 1 tablespoon of the adobo sauce. This means you’ll have plenty left in the jar for some of our favorite recipes like 3-Ingredient Maple Chipotle Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Copycat Chipotle Chicken, Chipotle Ranch Dressing and Honey-Chipotle Tofu Bites.

  • What should I serve with Sheet-Pan Crispy Black Bean Tacos?

    There are so many delicious side dishes that pair well with tacos. Serve them with some delicious sides like Mexican Cauliflower Rice, Cilantro-Lime Green Cabbage Slaw or Esquites (Mexican Corn).

EatingWell.com, April 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

535 Calories
18g Fat
70g Carbs
27g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 2 tacos & 2 Tbsp. crema
Calories 535
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 70g 25%
Dietary Fiber 18g 64%
Total Sugars 2g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 27g 55%
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 42mg 14%
Vitamin A 126µg
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 14%
Folate 155µg
Vitamin K 11µg
Sodium 630mg 27%
Calcium 438mg 34%
Iron 6mg 33%
Magnesium 138mg 33%
Potassium 1021mg 22%
Zinc 3mg 28%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.