Cheesy Taco Sticks are a fun, handheld twist on taco night, featuring seasoned ground beef and gooey melted cheese wrapped in soft pizza dough. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or quick dinner, these taco sticks are kid-friendly, easy to customize, and ideal for dipping in salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
ground beeftaco seasoningwaterpizza dough (store-bought or homemade)shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheeseeggbuttergarlic powderparsley flakesoptional dips: salsa, sour cream, guacamole
directions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, then drain excess fat.
Add taco seasoning and water according to packet instructions, simmer until thickened, then let cool slightly.
Roll out pizza dough and cut into rectangles.
Spoon a small amount of taco meat and shredded cheese onto each rectangle.
Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal, forming stick shapes.
Place taco sticks seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Brush each stick with beaten egg for a golden finish.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Melt butter and stir in garlic powder and parsley flakes. Brush over the baked sticks.
Serve warm with your favorite dips.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields about 8-10 taco sticks.Preparation time: 15 minutesCooking time: 15 minutesTotal time: 30 minutes
Variations
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Add diced jalapeños or green chilies for extra heat.
Use crescent roll dough instead of pizza dough for a flakier texture.
Try different cheeses like pepper jack for a spicy kick.
Serve with queso dip for an extra cheesy experience.
storage/reheating
Store leftover taco sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through.They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; reheat from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes.
FAQs
Can I make Cheesy Taco Sticks ahead of time?
Yes, assemble them ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Can I use pre-cooked taco meat?
Absolutely, this saves time and works great.
Can I make them vegetarian?
Use refried beans or cooked lentils instead of ground meat.
Can I air-fry them?
Yes, air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes, checking halfway.
What dipping sauces go well with these?
Salsa, queso, ranch, or guacamole are all delicious options.
Do they get soggy when stored?
They may soften slightly but crisp up again when reheated in the oven.
Conclusion
Cheesy Taco Sticks are a delicious, crowd-pleasing snack that combines the flavors of a classic taco with the convenience of a grab-and-go finger food. Easy to customize and perfect for parties, game day, or family dinners, these taco sticks will quickly become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.
Print
Cheesy Taco Sticks
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 taco sticks
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Halal
Description
Cheesy Taco Sticks are a quick, handheld twist on taco night! Seasoned ground beef and melty cheese are wrapped in pizza dough, baked until golden, and brushed with garlic butter. Perfect for dipping in salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 can pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
- Optional: salsa, sour cream, guacamole for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned; drain excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning and water; simmer until thickened. Let cool slightly.
- Roll out pizza dough and cut into rectangles.
- Add taco meat and cheese to each rectangle.
- Fold dough over filling, pinch edges to seal, and shape into sticks.
- Place sticks seam-side down on baking sheet and brush with beaten egg.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Mix melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley; brush over baked sticks.
- Serve warm with dips of choice.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Add diced jalapeños or green chilies for extra spice.
- Use crescent roll dough for a flakier texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in oven.
- Freeze up to 2 months; reheat from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes.