What Are Chalupas
Chalupas are Mexican street-food snacks with a crispy boat-shaped shell made from masa harina dough. They can be topped simply with salsa, lettuce, and cheese or hold heartier toppings like beans or meat. Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Minstry of Curry
The Best Twist on Chalupa Shells
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you’ll know that I love using Kawan frozen parathas for wraps in place of pitas, tortillas, or other Indian flatbreads. They are buttery, flakey, and puff up beautifully in the pan, golden and crispy with a soft chewy center. The best part is that they cook straight from the freezer in minutes. A quick turn in the pan and flash in the Air Fryer creates the most delicious homemade chalupa shells! This is a taco game-changer and we are hooked!
My Favorite Freezer Hack and a Few Pantry Staples
All you need to make these amazing chalupas are our favorite Kawan frozen parathas, some pantry staples, and a few basic fresh ingredients. At a moment’s notice, you can be ready to make a quick dinner, fun after-school snack, or game night party food for friends.
Make It Your Own
We love easy vegetarian dinner ideas with filling plant-based protein like these Black Bean Chalupas. But you can also make this fun take on Taco Bell Chalupas your own. Use leftover grilled chicken or roasted veggies and make a completely new meal out of leftovers. Love fish tacos? Stuff chalupa shells with grilled, pan-fried, or breaded white fish with fresh slaw and Baja sauce for an unforgettable meal!
That Sauce!
This addictingly creamy and spicy sauce is similar to the Taco Bell Baja Sauce that was discontinued. If you’ve been missing it, now you can make it at home! I skipped diced jalapenos, but add them if you like more spice! This sauce is so good you’ll want leftovers. Use it as a dip for Air Fryer Potato Wedges, Air Fryer Zucchini Chips, or drizzle over nachos to take them to the next level.
Step by Step Instructions
Baja sauce - Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Black Bean Filling - Heat oil in a medium pan, add onion, red pepper, green pepper, jalapeno, and saute until the veggies start to soften about 5 minutes. Add beans, taco seasoning, salt, and mix well. Add water and mix. Lightly mash with a potato masher, Garnish with cilantro. Reserve the filling
Shells - Add Kawan paratha on a preheated skillet and book about 80%. Repeat with the second paratha. Fold both in the middle to form a semi-circle and place in a preheated air fryer. Cook at 350 F for 5 minutes. Carefully take out the crispy air-fried paratha shells with a silicone spatula.
Assemble - Take one of the folded parathas and evenly spread about ¼ cup of bean filling in the middle. Spread lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cheese on top. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of sauce on top and serve.
Storing
Black bean chalupas is a perfect make-ahead recipe. The filling and the Baja sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days. I always double the filling in this recipe as it makes for a perfect protein packaged vegetarian quesadilla filling and is an easy meal prep idea! Here are some more easy dinner recipes using frozen parathas:
Chicken Shawarma Paneer Kathi Rolls Chicken Kathi Rolls Corn and Cheese Samosas
Hungry For More Tacos?? Try These!!
Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower Tacos Blackened Fish Tacos with Pineapple Salsa Instant Pot Chicken Tinga Tacos
Recipe
