Why These Copycat Taco Bell Chalupas are So Good

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Ground turkey reduces fat content while canned beans offer a vegetarian option.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories, while processed cheese is often cheaper.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: plain yogurt

Greek yogurt provides creaminess with fewer calories.

hot sauce

🥗Healthier: salsa

💰Cheaper: homemade hot sauce

Salsa can be fresher and lower in sodium.

Whisk together the dry ingredients: 2 cups of flour, baking powder, and salt.

Mix the oil into the flour mixture.

Gradually stir in 1 cup of milk. Mix in the other ½ cup flour. Knead this soft dough with your hands. If the mixture is too dry, add milk a little at a time. If the dough is too wet, add flour a little at a time. Do not over knead the dough as this will make it tough.

Flour hands and shape dough into a long cylinder. Cut it into 8 equal parts. On a floured surface, shape each of the 8 pieces into a round circle, about 6 inches across. (I found it easiest to use a rolling pin to achieve this. Use a fork to poke a few holes in each of the disks.

Place oil (enough to be 1-2 inches deep) in a large skillet. Heat to medium heat.

Gently place one disk at a time into the hot oil. As you deep fry, the disk will start to puff up and rise to the top, use tongs to flip it over. Once you've flipped it, use the tongs to pull one side of the disk up over the other side. We are folding it into a shell shape.

Allow this to cook until the bottom is lightly golden, then flip and allow the other side to become golden brown as well.

As each shell is cooked, remove to a plate lined with paper towel to remove excess oil.

Now it's time to build chalupas! Fill the shells with the meat mixture and desired taco fixings.

Serve and ENJOY!

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level:

Allergens