Description

These homemade Taco Bell chalupas are better than the fast food version! With a crispy, homemade fried dough shell filled with seasoned taco meat, cheese, lettuce, and sour cream, these chalupas are a family favorite that can be easily made at home.

Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon table salt

1 cup whole milk, warmed

1 tablespoon melted butter

Canola oil for frying

Taco meat (your favorite recipe)

Shredded cheese

Chopped lettuce

Sour cream

Taco sauce

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Instructions

Heat about 2 inches of canola oil in a large pot over medium heat.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Stir in the warm milk and melted butter until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about a minute until smooth but slightly tacky.
Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
Use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a circle about 6 inches wide and 1/8 inch thick.
Gently shake off any excess flour.
Carefully place the rolled dough into the heated oil, frying one shell at a time.
Let the dough cook for about 5 seconds on each side.
Once partially cooked, use tongs to gently fold the dough into a ‘boat’ shape, holding it for about 1-2 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the cooked chalupa shells from the oil and let the excess oil drain off.
To shape the shell, hang it over a wooden spoon placed in the center of a medium bowl to help it hold its shape as you cook the next shell.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and continue frying the remaining shells.
Once all shells are cooked, fill each chalupa with taco meat, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, and taco sauce.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

For a vegetarian option, replace the taco meat with a plant-based protein or beans.

Add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy twist.

Customize with your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, olives, or shredded lettuce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chalupa shell
Calories: Varies based on ingredients
Sugar: Varies based on ingredients
Sodium: Varies based on ingredients
Fat: Varies based on ingredients
Saturated Fat: Varies based on ingredients
Unsaturated Fat: Varies based on ingredients
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: Varies based on ingredients
Fiber: Varies based on ingredients
Protein: Varies based on ingredients
Cholesterol: Varies based on ingredients