Print

Cheesy Taco Sticks

cheesy taco sticks - featured image
Print Recipe

Cheesy Taco Sticks are a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring seasoned taco meat and gooey cheese wrapped in golden pizza dough. Perfect for parties, game nights, or family snacks, these handheld treats are easy to make and totally irresistible.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred, or ground turkey)
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup finely diced onion (optional)
  • 1 can (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1–2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño slices, chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley or cilantro
  • Salsa or pico de gallo (for dipping, optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for dipping, optional)
  • Guacamole (for dipping, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Stir in taco seasoning, water, and diced onion (if using). Cook for another 2-3 minutes until mixture thickens and onions are soft. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
  4. Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently stretch or roll it into a rectangle about 9×13 inches. Cut the dough into 8-12 rectangles, depending on desired stick size.
  5. Place a heaping tablespoon of taco meat onto one side of each rectangle. Sprinkle with cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Add chopped jalapeño if desired.
  6. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal tightly. Gently roll each stick to smooth out the seams and place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
  7. In a small bowl, melt butter and stir in garlic powder and dried parsley or cilantro. Brush the tops of each taco stick with the butter mixture.
  8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
  9. Let the taco sticks rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for dipping.

Notes

Don’t overfill the sticks to prevent leaks. Seal the edges well and place seam-side down for best results. Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded. You can prep the filling or assemble the sticks ahead of time and bake when ready. For a vegetarian version, use black beans and corn or plant-based meat. Gluten-free pizza dough can be substituted.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy taco sticks, taco appetizer, party food, kid friendly, easy appetizer, finger food, game day snack, Tex-Mex, pizza dough, ground beef, cheese sticks

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/cheesy-taco-sticks-recipe-easy-appetizer-for-parties-kids-love/