Description
Crispy, golden Taco Bell Chalupas bring Mexican street food magic right to home kitchens. Hearty and delicious, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor that fills your plate with zesty satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt, creating a uniform dry mixture.
- Incorporate shortening into the dry ingredients, using a cutting motion until the texture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs.
- Gradually introduce milk, gently stirring until a cohesive dough forms with a smooth, pliable consistency.
- Divide the dough into 8 uniform portions on a lightly dusted work surface.
- Roll each portion into thin, circular rounds, ensuring an even thickness for consistent frying.
- Heat oil to 375F in a deep skillet or fryer, maintaining a steady temperature for optimal cooking.
- Carefully lower dough rounds into hot oil, frying each side for 1-2 minutes until they puff and develop a golden-brown hue.
- Transfer fried shells to paper towels, allowing excess oil to drain and shells to crisp slightly.
- In a separate skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into small, uniform crumbles.
- Drain any accumulated grease from the meat to prevent excess oiliness.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef, adding water and stirring to distribute flavors evenly.
- Simmer the beef mixture for 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and seasonings to penetrate the meat.
- Layer each crispy chalupa shell with the seasoned beef filling, creating a generous base.
- Crown the beef with crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a drizzle of tangy taco sauce.
- Serve immediately to preserve the shells’ crispness and maintain optimal texture.
Notes
- Experiment with alternative flours like whole wheat or gluten-free blends to create healthier shell variations that cater to different dietary needs.
- Control oil temperature precisely using a digital thermometer to ensure crispy, evenly golden chalupa shells without excessive greasiness.
- Consider preparing shells ahead of time and storing them in an airtight container to save cooking time during meal preparation.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based alternatives like seasoned lentils or crumbled tofu for vegetarian-friendly chalupas that deliver similar flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 283
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 182 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg