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Taco Sticks Recipe – Easy Cheesy Appetizer for Parties

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These taco sticks are a fun, cheesy appetizer that combines seasoned taco meat, gooey cheese, and golden pizza dough into irresistible finger food. Perfect for parties, game nights, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • 1 packet (about 1 oz) taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought, low-sodium preferred)
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
  • 1 tube (about 13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough (classic, thin, or crescent roll dough)
  • Flour, for dusting
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
  • Salsa (for dipping, optional)
  • Sour cream (for dipping, optional)
  • Guacamole (for dipping, optional)
  • Ranch dressing (for dipping, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef (or turkey) and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  3. Add taco seasoning and water to the skillet. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened. If using black beans, stir them in now. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes.
  4. Lightly flour your work surface. Unroll the pizza dough and roll it into a rectangle about 14×9 inches.
  5. Sprinkle the dough evenly with cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
  6. Spoon the cooled taco meat mixture in a line down the long side of the rectangle, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
  7. Fold the dough over the filling to form a log, pinching the edges to seal. Cut the log into 8-10 sticks, each about 1.5 inches wide.
  8. Place sticks seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
  9. Mix melted butter with garlic powder and brush over the tops of the sticks.
  10. Bake for 14-16 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
  11. Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley, if using. Cool for 3-5 minutes before serving.
  12. Serve with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or ranch for dipping.

Notes

Let the taco meat cool before assembling to prevent soggy dough. Don’t overfill the sticks to avoid leaks. For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and double the beans and cheese. You can assemble ahead and bake just before serving. For crispier bottoms, bake directly on the pan for the last 2 minutes.

Nutrition

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