The Best Taco Sticks Recipe: Quick, Crispy & Family-Favorite

Taco sticks revolutionize traditional Mexican-inspired cuisine with their portable, mouthwatering appeal.

Crisp exteriors encase savory fillings that burst with zesty seasonings and melted cheese.

These compact delights revamp classic flavor combinations into an exciting handheld experience.

Each golden-brown morsel promises a delightful blend of textures and spices that dance across your palate.

Crafted to satisfy serious comfort food cravings, these sticks elevate casual dining with their innovative design.

Packed with hearty ingredients and a playful presentation, they invite you to reimagine mealtime excitement.

Cheesy Taco Sticks: Snack Time Just Got Better

• Savor Speedy Flavor Explosion: These cheesy taco sticks deliver maximum taste with minimal effort, transforming ordinary pizza dough into a mouthwatering handheld meal that's ready in just 20 minutes.
• Customize Your Dipping Delight: The recipe invites creativity by allowing you to pair the sticks with various taco toppings like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole, making each bite a personalized flavor adventure.
• Tackle Weeknight Hunger Quickly: Perfect for busy families and snack lovers, this recipe requires simple ingredients and minimal cooking skills, turning ground beef and cheese into a protein-packed comfort food that satisfies hunger in a flash.
• Pack a Protein-Rich Punch: With 20 grams of protein per serving, these taco sticks provide substantial nutrition, making them an excellent option for post-workout meals or keeping you full between activities.

Essential Ingredients for Cheesy Taco Sticks

• Ground Beef: Lean meat that provides the classic taco flavor and protein for the recipe.
• Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: Creamy cheese that melts beautifully and adds rich, stretchy texture to the sticks.

• Pizza Dough: Convenient base that creates a crispy, golden exterior for the taco sticks.
• Taco Seasoning: Signature spice blend that delivers authentic Mexican-inspired flavor to the meat.

• Butter: Adds a rich, golden sheen and helps create a crispy exterior when brushed on the dough.
• Garlic Powder: Provides a subtle, aromatic flavor that complements the taco meat.
• Dried Parsley: Offers a mild herbal touch and visual appeal to the finished taco sticks.
• Cooking Spray: Ensures the taco sticks do not stick to the baking sheet during cooking.

How to Make Cheesy Taco Sticks from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet

Preheat the oven to 425°F and lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook the Taco Meat

Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until completely crumbled. Drain excess fat and mix in taco seasoning without adding water.

Step 3: Prepare the Dough

• 10 small rectangles lengthwise

Step 4: Assemble the Taco Sticks

• Add of taco meat
• Place half a cheese stick
• Roll up tightly
• Pinch seams to seal completely

Step 5: Add Flavor Coating

• Melted butter
• Garlic powder
• Dried parsley

Brush the mixture over the rolled taco sticks.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden brown.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the taco sticks with your favorite dipping sauces or taco toppings like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Tips for Ensuring Your Taco Sticks Are Perfectly Crispy

• Seal Edges Tightly: Press and crimp dough edges completely to prevent cheese and meat from leaking during baking.
• Choose Quality Cheese: Use mozzarella or cheddar sticks that melt smoothly and provide rich, creamy texture inside the sticks.
• Control Meat Moisture: Let cooked ground beef cool slightly before filling to prevent dough from becoming soggy.
• Brush Generously: Apply butter and herb mixture liberally for golden, flavorful exterior that adds extra taste dimension.
• Experiment with Fillings: Swap ground beef for shredded chicken or use vegetarian alternatives like black beans for diverse flavor profiles.

How to Keep Leftover Taco Sticks Fresh

• Refrigerate leftover Cheesy Taco Sticks in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
• Reheat in the oven at 350°F for best results, placing the sticks on a baking sheet and warming for 8-10 minutes until heated through and crispy. Avoid using the microwave, which can make the dough soggy and cheese rubbery.
• Freeze extra taco sticks by wrapping individually in plastic wrap, then storing in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve their delicious flavor and crispy exterior.

Pair Your Taco Sticks with These Dips and Salsas

• Zesty Salsa Dunk: Pair these cheesy taco sticks with a fresh, tangy homemade salsa that cuts through the richness of the meat and cheese, adding a bright, vibrant flavor explosion.
• Cool Creamy Sidekick: Whip up a quick sour cream and cilantro dip that provides a smooth, refreshing contrast to the warm, crispy taco sticks, balancing out the spicy taco seasoning.
• Mexican Beer Companion: Crack open a cold Corona or Modelo Especial, whose light, crisp profile perfectly complements the hearty, cheesy texture of these delightful taco sticks.
• Avocado Ranch Drizzle: Create a creamy avocado ranch sauce that brings a cool, herbaceous element to the dish, enhancing the overall taste with its smooth, zesty character.

Creative Twists on Classic Cheesy Taco Sticks

• Spicy Chicken Fiesta: Replace ground beef with shredded chicken mixed with chipotle peppers for a zesty kick.
• Vegetarian Southwest Roll-Ups: Swap meat with black beans, corn, and diced bell peppers for a plant-based alternative.
• Breakfast Taco Sticks: Fill with scrambled eggs, chorizo, and pepper jack cheese for a morning meal option.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Use ground lamb, feta cheese, and add za'atar seasoning for a Middle Eastern-inspired version.

Taco Sticks Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Cheesy Taco Sticks bring Mexican-inspired comfort straight to your kitchen with zesty ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy tortilla wraps. Delicious handheld snacks pack bold flavors that satisfy hunger and spark culinary excitement for family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) ground beef

Cheese:

• 5 colby jack and cheddar cheese sticks, halved

Dough and Seasonings:

• 1 tube pillsbury pizza dough
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or homemade taco seasoning)
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lightly spraying it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until it’s thoroughly browned and completely crumbled, breaking down any large chunks with a wooden spatula.
3. Drain excess fat from the cooked beef and mix in the taco seasoning, ensuring the meat is evenly coated with the spices without adding additional water.
4. Carefully unroll the pizza dough on a clean work surface and slice it lengthwise, then cut into 10 uniform rectangular sections of equal size.
5. Distribute a generous tablespoon of seasoned taco meat onto each rectangular dough section, positioning it near one edge of the rectangle.
6. Slice the mozzarella cheese sticks in half and place one half on top of the meat in each dough rectangle.
7. Carefully roll up each rectangle, tucking in the sides and pinching the seams firmly to seal the filling completely and prevent leakage during baking.
8. Melt butter in a small bowl and mix in garlic powder and dried parsley, creating a flavorful herb-infused coating.
9. Gently brush the surface of each rolled taco stick with the seasoned melted butter mixture, ensuring even coverage.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the dough turns a rich golden brown and appears crispy and appetizing.
11. Remove from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving with preferred taco toppings or dipping sauces.

Notes

• Grab a snack that combines the zesty kick of tacos with the gooey comfort of cheese sticks.
• Customize your taco sticks by experimenting with different cheese types like pepper jack or cheddar for extra flavor.
• Prep these appetizers ahead of time and store in the refrigerator, then bake when unexpected guests arrive.
• Leftover taco meat works perfectly for this recipe, making it a smart way to reduce food waste.
• Kids and adults alike will devour these handheld treats that bring the excitement of taco night into a portable, crispy format.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 460 kcal
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 80mg