Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, turkey, or chicken
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 sheet refrigerated pizza dough or crescent roll dough
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1–2 tsp melted butter
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional, for brushing)
- Optional add-ins: diced jalapeños, onions, black beans, corn, olives
Instructions
- Brown ground meat in a skillet over medium heat and drain excess fat.
- Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water; cook until meat is fully coated and slightly saucy, then let cool slightly.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet or pizza stone with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough and cut into rectangles or strips.
- Place about 1 tablespoon of cooled seasoned meat onto each dough piece; sprinkle with mozzarella, cheddar (if using), and any optional mix-ins.
- Fold dough over filling and pinch or crimp edges tightly (using a fork) to seal.
- Place sticks seam-side down on prepared baking sheet, keeping sizes consistent.
- Brush tops with melted butter mixed with garlic powder (or use an egg wash for shiny finish).
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until dough puffs and turns golden brown.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Let cooked meat cool before filling to prevent sogginess., Use moderate filling amounts (~1 tablespoon) to avoid leaks., Pinch and crimp edges tightly; bake seam-side down to keep sealed., Brush tops with butter mixture or egg wash for flavor and color., Bake a test stick first to check seasoning and size., Drain excess fat from meat and avoid watery fillings inside sticks., Freeze unbaked sticks on a tray before bagging to prevent sticking., Refrigerate unbaked sticks up to 24 hours before baking., Bake frozen sticks adding 3–5 minutes to baking time., Store baked sticks in airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in oven or air fryer to retain crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2–3 sticks
- Calories: Approx. 250-300 calories per serving (estimate)
- Fat: Approx. 12-15 g per serving (estimate)
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 20-25 g per serving (estimate)
- Protein: Approx. 15-20 g per serving (estimate)