Description
Cheesy Taco Sticks are a delicious and fun twist on traditional tacos, combining seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and soft pizza dough baked into crispy, gooey, hand-held sticks. Perfect for parties, snacks, or quick dinners, these Tex-Mex-inspired treats are full of bold flavors and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ cup salsa
Dough & Cheese
- 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
Toppings & Finishes
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Optional for Serving
- Sour cream or guacamole for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the taco sticks.
- Cook beef filling: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, then drain excess grease. Stir in taco seasoning and salsa, cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Let it cool before assembling.
- Prepare dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle. Cut the dough into 6 to 8 equal pieces depending on the preferred size.
- Assemble taco sticks: Spoon a portion of the cooled taco meat onto the center of each dough piece, then top with shredded cheese.
- Seal the sticks: Fold the sides of the dough over the filling and pinch to seal, forming a log or stick shape. Place each seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Apply egg wash: Brush each taco stick with the beaten egg to ensure they turn golden brown during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Season with butter: While baking, mix melted butter with garlic powder and oregano. Once the taco sticks are out of the oven, brush them immediately with this seasoned butter for extra flavor.
- Serve: Allow the taco sticks to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with sour cream or guacamole for dipping if desired.
Notes
- Customize the filling by adding black beans, jalapeños, or pepper jack cheese for extra spice and variety.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- These taco sticks freeze well, making them ideal for make-ahead meals or lunchbox snacks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Keywords: Cheesy Taco Sticks, taco sticks recipe, Tex-Mex appetizers, ground beef snacks, baked taco sticks, easy party appetizers
