Breakfast Burrito Bliss: Cheeses To Elevate Your Morning

Breakfast burritos are a versatile meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. While there are endless combinations of ingredients that can be used to make a breakfast burrito, one of the most important ingredients is cheese. The type of cheese you use can make or break your breakfast burrito, adding flavour, texture, and creaminess to your meal.

Some popular cheese options for breakfast burritos include cheddar, gouda, pepper jack, colby jack, and monterey jack. For a spicier kick, you can use pepper jack cheese, while a milder option would be monterey jack or mozzarella. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even mix and match different cheeses to create your own unique blend.

When choosing a cheese for your breakfast burrito, consider the flavour profile you want to achieve, the melting ability of the cheese, and how well it pairs with the other ingredients. Remember, the right cheese can take your breakfast burrito to the next level!

Cheddar, gouda, pepper jack, colby jack, and more

When it comes to breakfast burritos, the type of cheese you use is entirely up to you. Here are some popular options to consider:

Cheddar

A classic option that is widely available. Cheddar has a strong flavour and melts well, making it a good choice for a breakfast burrito. It is also a versatile option as it can be used as a topping or mixed into the eggs.

Gouda

A Dutch cheese with a unique flavour, gouda is another cheese that melts well. It has a tangy, nutty taste that can add depth to your breakfast burrito.

Pepper Jack

If you like a little spice, pepper jack is a good option. It has a strong chilli flavour and melts well, making it an interesting alternative to the more commonly used cheeses.

Colby Jack

A mix of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses, Colby Jack is a good option if you want a milder flavour. It has a creamy texture and a subtle taste, so it won't overpower the other ingredients in your breakfast burrito.

Other Options

There are many other types of cheese that you could use in a breakfast burrito. Some other popular options include Swiss, Monterey Jack, Mexican blends, mozzarella, feta, and cotija. You could also try a combination of different cheeses to create your own unique flavour.

Cheese should be shredded by hand

When making breakfast burritos, it is important to consider the type of cheese you will be using. While pre-shredded cheese may be convenient, shredding your own cheese by hand has several benefits.

Firstly, pre-shredded cheese is coated with an anti-caking agent, usually cellulose, to prevent the cheese from clumping together. This agent removes moisture from the cheese, affecting its melting properties and resulting in a less gooey texture. By shredding your own cheese, you eliminate the need for these preservatives, resulting in a higher-quality dish with better-melting cheese.

Secondly, shredding your own cheese can be more cost-effective. When you buy pre-shredded cheese, you are paying for the convenience, and it is generally more expensive by weight. By purchasing a block of cheese and shredding it yourself, you get more cheese for your money.

Additionally, shredding your own cheese allows you to control the texture and flavour of the cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often has a powdery feeling and can have a waxy appearance. Freshly shredded cheese has more flavour and a better texture, enhancing the overall taste of your breakfast burrito.

Finally, shredding your own cheese gives you the flexibility to choose the type of cheese you prefer. While classic cheddar is a popular choice for breakfast burritos, you can also experiment with other varieties such as gouda, pepper jack, colby jack, or monterey jack.

In conclusion, while it may require a little extra effort, shredding your own cheese by hand is worth it for the improved flavour, texture, and melting properties it brings to your breakfast burrito.

Cheese as a barrier to wet ingredients

When making breakfast burritos, it's important to avoid soggy tortillas. One way to do this is to layer the ingredients in the right order, with cheese acting as a barrier between the tortilla and wetter ingredients like eggs. Cheese can be sprinkled on the tortilla or melted onto it before adding the other ingredients. This keeps the wet ingredients away from the tortilla and prevents them from becoming soggy.

For extra protection against sogginess, you can also wrap the assembled burritos and flash freeze them for about 30 minutes before storing them in the refrigerator or freezer. This helps to prevent condensation from forming inside the burrito, which can lead to a soggy tortilla.

Additionally, when reheating frozen burritos, it's best to unwrap them and remove all traces of foil before wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving or cooking in the oven or air fryer. This ensures that the burrito is heated evenly and helps prevent the tortilla from becoming hard or cardboard-like.

Overall, by using cheese as a barrier and following proper storage and reheating techniques, you can enjoy delicious, non-soggy breakfast burritos with a variety of fillings.

Cheese melted on the tortilla

Melting cheese onto a tortilla is a great way to prevent your breakfast burrito from getting soggy. This technique creates a barrier between the tortilla and the wetter ingredients, such as eggs, salsa, and guacamole.

To melt cheese onto a tortilla, start by warming the tortilla in the microwave for 10 seconds. This will make it pliable and prevent cracking or breakage when you roll your burrito. Next, sprinkle shredded cheese onto the tortilla. You can use cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Swiss, or white cheddar cheese. Place the tortilla in the microwave for another 20-30 seconds until the cheese is almost melted. You can also melt the cheese in a skillet or griddle on the stovetop.

If you plan to eat your breakfast burrito right away, add hot fillings on top of the melted cheese. If you plan to refrigerate or freeze your burritos, let the fillings cool down before adding them, to prevent sogginess.

When assembling your breakfast burrito, place the cheese-covered tortilla on a clean, flat surface. Add your fillings in a line down the center, leaving a border around the edges. Start with your wettest ingredients, such as eggs, salsa, or guacamole, followed by drier fillings like meat, potatoes, and vegetables. Finally, fold the sides of the tortilla over the filling, and roll it up, burrito-style.

Enjoy your warm, cheesy breakfast burrito!

Cheese with avocado/guacamole

Avocado and cheese is a classic combination, and for good reason! The creamy texture and mild flavour of avocado pairs beautifully with a variety of cheeses, especially those with a strong flavour that can stand up to the avocado. Here are some ideas for cheeses to pair with avocado in a breakfast burrito:

Cheddar

A popular choice for breakfast burritos, cheddar has a sharp, tangy flavour that complements the avocado well. It melts nicely, adding a creamy texture to the burrito. Cheddar is also a versatile cheese that can be used in many different types of dishes, making it a good option if you want to use it in other recipes as well.

Queso fresco

For a more authentic Mexican flavour, try using queso fresco in your breakfast burrito. This cheese has a mild, fresh flavour and a crumbly texture that can add interest to your burrito. It's also a good source of protein and calcium. If you can't find queso fresco, cotija cheese is a good substitute.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a mild, creamy cheese that can add a nice touch of flavour to your breakfast burrito without being overwhelming. It melts well and has a slightly sweet taste that can balance out the savoury ingredients in your burrito.

Gouda

If you're looking for something a little more pungent, gouda is a good option. It has a sharp, distinctive flavour that can stand up to the avocado and add a touch of sophistication to your breakfast burrito.

Goat cheese

Goat cheese has a tangy, distinctive flavour that can add interest to your breakfast burrito. It's also lower in fat and calories than some other cheeses, making it a good option if you're looking for a healthier choice.

When making a breakfast burrito with avocado, simply slice or dice the avocado and add it to your tortilla along with your choice of cheese and other fillings such as scrambled eggs, sausage, salsa, or hash browns. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions