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Home » Mexican » Homemade Chalupa (Taco Bell Copycat)

Homemade Chalupa (Taco Bell Copycat)

Published: July 17, 2020. Modified: July 7, 2021 By Dhwani Mehta. This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads.

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Do you love Taco Bell’s Chalupa? Then you surely going to love this recipe.

The pillow-y, soft from the center, lightly crisp and golden exterior of taco shaped Indian fry bread, generously topped with beans, cheese, sauce, lettuce, and sour cream, this homemade Chalupa recipe is the perfect combination of taste and texture!

Each bite is heavenly good and feels like a party in your mouth. You are going to love this, I guarantee it!!

Chalupa supreme is one of the best dishes on Taco Bell’s menu! Now you can have them on your dinner menu.

4 chalupa served with hot sauce in a bowl
Jump to:
  • What is Chalupa?
  • How to make Mexican Chalupa Supreme? Step by step process –
  • Notes, pro-tips, and quick FAQs.
  • More Tex-Mex recipes –
  • Homemade Chalupa
  • Video

What is Chalupa?

A chalupa is a specialty dish of south-central Mexico. Traditional chalupas are small, thick, boat-shaped fried dough topped only with Salsa, cheese, and shredded lettuce.

It is made out of flour dough and a thicker kind of shell that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

It is almost like Indian fried bread which is topped with different toppings.

My son is a huge fan of Taco Bell! He can eat Taco bell any day.

I don’t eat there frequently but I love some of their recipe ideas like this Crunchwrap and chalupas to name a few.

With all meals at home these days, everyone especially my son was craving for taco bell.

We are avoiding outside food because of the current situation and I try to make everything at home.

Since my son was craving Chalupa, I decided to make them at home.

Guess what: I nailed it!

Chalupa bread on black tile

I know, my shells are not as perfectly shaped as Taco Bell’s version.

But hey, the tastes matters the most.

My family LOVED it so much and thoroughly enjoyed it. What else we need? Right!

Now we can skip the drive-through, and whip out these at home.

My son asks for them regularly, and I love being able to say yes since they’re so easy and convenient.

I know, Taco Bell makes great chalupas but in my opinion, this homemade version is far better.

The best part is, you know exactly what goes into it!

To make chalupas you need a handful of ingredients that you most likely have in your fridge and pantry.

Chalupas served with hot sauce in a bowl

There are 2 components of this recipe –

  1. Chalupa Bread

What I loved the most about Chalupas is the bread itself. I mean, it’s just taste like donuts without the glaze.

Making the chalupa bread is super easy and only takes a few basic ingredients.

All you need is

(This is an overview of the ingredients in the recipe (very handy to use as a visual grocery list at the store). Quantities are mentioned in the recipe card.

Pre measured ingredients for chalupa bread

You can make them flat and round like tostada or fold and fry them like a taco that is totally up to you.

They taste so much better when you make them yourself.

  1. Toppings –

Best of all you can fill the chalupas with whatever you like.

It is easy to customize and allows you to be as versatile as you want.

If you like loads of cheese, just add.

Hate cheese? No problem, just leave it out.

You can do that with any of the ingredients.

Just try and experiment and find your favorite toppings.

Fill your chalupa with  –

Black beans, queso sauce, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

Chalupa toppings

You can serve them as described but you can make the chalupas even better by adding one of these toppings:

  • Salsa (Classic salsa, Strawberry salsa, mango salsa or pineapple salsa)
  • Chili beans
  • Guacamole
  • Refried bean
  • Olives

These are perfect for a

  • get together
  • Mexican fiesta
  • or even a Cinco de Mayo party!!!

If you are hosting a party, you can fry the chalupa bread ahead of time and at the time of the party, set out different toppings and let everyone serve themselves. So much fun!

How to make Mexican Chalupa Supreme? Step by step process –

In a bowl, take flour, baking powder, salt, and ghee. Mix them well. (Photo 1)

Now add milk and bring everything together and knead a soft dough. (Photo 2 to 4)

Cover it and keep it aside for 15 to 20 minutes.

Kneading dough for bread

Once the dough is rested, divide it into 15 equal balls. (Photo 5)

Take one dough ball, roll it out to a 5-inch circle. (Photo 6 and 7)

Prick the rolled dough a few times with a fork. (Photo 8)

Rolling dough and pricking it with fork

Heat oil in a pan for frying the chalupa on medium heat.

Gently slide the dough into the hot oil. It should immediately float and puff. (Photo 9)

Let the dough fry for 30 seconds on side one. Use tongs to flip the dough over and gently fold the dough in half (like a taco shell). (Photo 10 and 11))

Hold the dough in that shape as it fries for 30 seconds. Roll the shell over to cook evenly. It should be done after about 2 minutes of frying. (Photo 12 and 13)

Remove the shell and let it drain on a paper towel. When it’s fried, it should hold it’s shell shape. Repeat with all the shells. (Photo 14)

Frying chalupa bread in oil

Once the shell has drained, fill them with black beans, sour cream, queso sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and grated cheese.

Serve with your favorite hot sauce.

Taking chalupa with hands

Notes, pro-tips, and quick FAQs.

  • If you have self-rising flour in your kitchen cabinet you need even fewer ingredients and can then omit the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Fry the bread on medium heat.
  • If you are not able to fold them in taco shape, just roll them into a circle, fry them and pile the toppings.
  • You can add roasted cumin seeds powder while kneading the dough to make it more flavorful.
  • Baking powder is essential in this recipe. You cannot skip or substitute for anything.
  • If you don’t have time to make the chalupa bread from scratch, you may use pita bread too. Take the pita bread, apply some oil or butter and fry it from one side, flip it, fold it like a taco shell, and cook it from both sides until golden in color.
  • The leftover chalupa bread stays fresh for a week in the refrigerator. Whenever you are ready to eat, take out from the fridge and reheat in the oven at 200 degrees F. for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
  • You can also refrigerate the dough for up to a week and use it later.
  • This tastes best when the bread is hot.
  • I have used pepper jack cheese, but you may use your choice of cheese.

Can we use Whole wheat flour?

Yes, you may use 100% whole wheat flour or use 50% whole wheat and 50% all-purpose flour for a good result.

Difference between a chalupa and Navajo taco

If you aren’t familiar with chalupas, you may have heard of them by another name: Navajo tacos or Indian fry bread.

All are similar. The only teensy difference being that we don’t try to shape the dough into a ‘taco’ in a Navajo taco. Just roll them into a circle and fry them. Then pile them high with your favorite toppings and Navajo tacos are ready.

Holding chalupa with hand

Have fun trying this chalupa recipe!

More Tex-Mex recipes –

Taco pasta

Enchilada pasta

Enchilada Sliders

★ Have you tried this recipe? We’ll love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate and leave your feedback in the comment box below.

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Chalupas served with hot sauce in a bowl
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4.68 from 55 votes

Homemade Chalupa

Do you love Taco Bell's Chalupa? Then you surely going to love this recipe!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword Chalupa, Chalupa supreme
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 15 Chalupa bread
Calories 237kcal
Author Dhwani
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

Chalupa Bread

  • 3 cups – All-purpose flour Maida
  • 1.5 tablespoon – baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon – salt or to taste
  • 2 tablespoon – melted butter
  • 1 ¼ cup – milk preferably full fat
  • Oil for frying

Toppings

  • 2 cups – black beans
  • 2 cups – lettuce Chopped
  • 1 cup – tomatoes chopped
  • ¾ cup – sour cream
  • ¾ cup – queso sauce
  • ¾ cup – cheese (I have used pepper jack cheese, you may use any)

Instructions

Chalupa Bread

  • In a bowl, take flour, baking powder, salt, and butter. Mix them well. Now add milk and bring everything together and knead a soft dough. Cover it and keep it aside for 15 to 20 minutes.
    Kneading dough for bread
  • Once the dough is rested, divide it into 15 equal balls. Take one dough ball, roll it out to a 5-inch circle. Prick the rolled dough a few times with a fork.
    Rolling dough and pricking it with fork
  • Heat oil in a pan on a medium heat. Gently slide the dough into the hot oil. It should immediately float and puff. Let the dough fry for 30 seconds on side one.
    Use tongs to flip the dough over and gently fold the dough in half (like a taco shell).
    Hold the dough in that shape as it fries for 30 seconds. Roll the shell over to cook evenly. It should be done after about 2 minutes of frying.
    Remove the shell and let it drain on a paper towel. When it’s fried, it should hold it’s shell shape. Repeat with all the shells.
    Frying chalupa bread in oil

Add Toppings (Of your choice)

  • Once the shell has drained, fill them with black beans, sour cream, queso sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and grated cheese. Serve with your favorite hot sauce.
    Chalupas served with hot sauce in a bowl

Video

Notes

  • If you have self-rising flour in your kitchen cabinet you need even fewer ingredients and can then omit the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Fry the bread on medium heat.
  • If you are not able to fold them in taco shape, just roll them into a circle, fry them and pile the toppings.
  • You can add roasted cumin seeds powder while kneading the dough to make it more flavorful.
  • Baking powder is essential in this recipe. You cannot skip or substitute for anything.
  • If you don’t have time to make the chalupa bread from scratch, you may use pita bread too. Take the pita bread, apply some oil or butter and fry it from one side, flip it, fold it like a taco shell, and cook it from both sides until golden in color.
  • The leftover chalupa bread stays fresh for a week in the refrigerator. Whenever you are ready to eat, take out from the fridge and reheat in the oven at 200 degrees F. for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
  • You can also refrigerate the dough for up to a week and use it later.
  • This tastes best when the bread is hot.
  • I have used Colby-jack cheese, but you may use your choice of cheese.
  • To make this vegan,
    • use oil instead of butter
    • Cashew cream instead of cheese sauce
    • and vegan cheese instead of regular cheese.

Can we use Whole wheat flour?

Yes, you may use 100% whole wheat flour or use 50% whole wheat and 50% all-purpose flour for a good result.

Difference between a chalupa and Navajo taco

If you aren’t familiar with chalupas, you may have heard of them by another name: Navajo tacos or Indian fry bread.
All are similar. The only teensy difference being that we don’t try to shape the dough into a ‘taco’ in a Navajo taco. Just roll them into a circle and fry them. Then pile them high with your favorite toppings and Navajo tacos are ready.

Nutrition

Serving: 1chalupa | Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 339mg | Potassium: 543mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 384IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Share your feedback with pics @cookingcarnival or tag #cookingcarnival on Instagram or Facebook!

Warm regards,

Dhwani.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jyothsna Pabba says

    July 26, 2020 at 10:59 am

    OMG i tried them today and to be honest they are exactly like Tacobell Chalupas and even better. Thanks for a wonderful recipe!

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      July 28, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      Yayyy….. So glad to know this. Thanks for the feedback. 🙂

      Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 31, 2021 at 6:59 pm

      5 stars
      Really great recipe! I mixed 2 cups of all purpose flour with 1 cup of wheat flour instead of only all purpose. Chalupas had a great crunch and technically crunchier than a regular chalupa supreme! Not to mention awesome flavor!

      Reply
      • Dhwani Mehta says

        April 01, 2021 at 12:36 pm

        Awesome. Thanks a lot for the feedback 🙂

        Reply
  2. Ashley Turicik says

    September 30, 2020 at 3:00 pm

    5 stars
    We have made these 3 times now! So good! Tastes just like Taco Bell chalupas. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      October 01, 2020 at 8:47 am

      Hi Ashley!
      I am glad to know that you loved this recipe. Thank you or trying and sharing your feedback. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Tracy says

    October 05, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    Can I use self rising flour?

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      October 08, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      Yes, you can!

      Reply
    • Maria Vincent says

      January 20, 2022 at 12:10 pm

      Hello! I’m making this recipe, today! I know you said we could use self rising flower for fewer ingredients and omit the flour, baking powder, and salt, but what would the measurements be for the self-rising flour?

      Reply
      • Dhwani Mehta says

        January 20, 2022 at 1:02 pm

        Hi, same measurement as all purpose flour.

        Reply
  4. Swathi says

    November 07, 2020 at 10:53 am

    Do the black beans require any preperation ? Apart from soaking them ?

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      November 10, 2020 at 1:53 pm

      Just soaking and cooking, that’s it.

      Reply
  5. Justyna says

    November 11, 2020 at 4:49 am

    Hi! What kind of sauce do you serve them with? I mean what is the black sauce in the last picture? Is it a soy sauce?

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      November 17, 2020 at 10:17 am

      Hi,
      I serve it with any type of hot sauce.

      Reply
  6. Bethany says

    December 15, 2020 at 4:16 pm

    I’m very excited to try this! Do you think the dough could be frozen? Maybe after flattening into circles?

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      December 15, 2020 at 5:55 pm

      Hi Bethany,
      I have never tried freezing them. I think it should work.

      Reply
  7. Jennifer Sanchez says

    December 27, 2020 at 2:03 pm

    Can I use a tortilla press or does the dough have to be rolled?

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      December 28, 2020 at 11:01 am

      Yes, you can use tortilla press.

      Reply
  8. Karrie says

    January 04, 2021 at 7:55 pm

    What type of oil do you use for frying? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      January 05, 2021 at 10:32 am

      Hi,
      I used Canola oil.

      Reply
  9. Adriana says

    January 13, 2021 at 8:50 pm

    Hello.
    Can I bake it instead of frying? Or, did someone have tried to use the air fryer? I love chalupas, but I would like to make them healthier.

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      January 14, 2021 at 11:40 am

      I have never tried, but you should be able to.

      Reply
      • Adriana says

        January 16, 2021 at 12:54 pm

        I’m gonna try it and I’ll come back here to tell if worked ☺️
        Thank you

        Reply
    • Anh says

      September 26, 2022 at 7:31 am

      Hi Adriana,
      How did air fry or baking these go?
      I would pass the recipe up if they are fried.
      Thank you.

      Reply
  10. Alicia Lowe says

    January 27, 2021 at 10:39 am

    I tried with wheat flour. Fried up well but they weren’t the best tasting, but I think that’s just cause of the wheat. Also didn’t have to fry as long and I struggled with getting a good curl. May need to do 50/50 next time or try as original recipes says lol.
    Has anyone tried to do these as a bake? It is there a baking variation possibly? I would love to attempt a bit healthier then frying.

    Reply
  11. Robin sweeting says

    January 30, 2021 at 11:58 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing the recipe I tried it for the first time oh my goodness me and my husband loved them. We will be making them again and again.

    Robin

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      January 31, 2021 at 4:33 pm

      Yayyyy….. thank you for trying. I am so glad to know that you both loved it. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Nate says

    February 16, 2021 at 6:49 pm

    5 stars
    Unless I did something wrong, this recipe wasn’t really good and did not taste like taco bell chalupas. Every time I get to even see a taco bell I get 2 chalupas from the drive through and this tasted nothing like them. I am not even close to being a food critic but this just didn’t taste right. I loved the idea about using the black beans in this recipe and those were fantastic. You say when you put the dough into the hot pan they should immediately rise but mine didnt. I used vegetable oil for it and sweetenedbutter is this what made it taste bad. Thanks

    Reply
  13. J Dickerson says

    May 05, 2021 at 9:36 am

    5 stars
    These were really good. I would make them again. Easy to make.

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      May 05, 2021 at 11:49 am

      So happy to know. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Gaminqueen says

    June 03, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    What kind of milk can you use

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      June 03, 2021 at 5:19 pm

      Whole milk.

      Reply
  15. Donna Marie Williams says

    June 19, 2021 at 12:33 pm

    I made these as indicated in the recipe and they were delicious, but I’m wondering if they could be made vegan using lard or oil instead of butter??

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      June 27, 2021 at 9:02 am

      Yes, you can use oil instead of butter.

      Reply
    • Victoria says

      August 07, 2022 at 5:44 pm

      Do you know what lard is?!! It’s animal fat and it causes DIABETES!

      Reply
  16. ida McClure says

    June 26, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    It says to mix flour, baking powder salt & ghee together but I don’t see ghee in the ingredients, what is it & how much

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      June 27, 2021 at 9:05 am

      Sorry for the confusion. It’s a typo. Add butter with flour and baking powder.

      Reply
  17. La'Kesha says

    July 13, 2021 at 12:41 pm

    I decided to try your recipe today for chapulas I usually just do a simple recipe which is the same basically but I don’t melt the butter at all I just put in there and kneed it in but it comes our great too I love taco bell I use to work there so I’m glad you came up with this recipe Thanks love

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      July 13, 2021 at 4:38 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Kathy says

    January 21, 2022 at 7:05 pm

    Really great recipe. Very ez to made. Can’t wait to made again. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      January 21, 2022 at 7:32 pm

      So glad to hear. Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  19. Melinda says

    February 10, 2022 at 6:52 am

    I haven’t made this yet but wondering if the dough freezes well?

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      February 14, 2022 at 4:46 pm

      Yes, it does.

      Reply
  20. Dorothy says

    February 28, 2022 at 11:48 am

    5 stars
    I made these exactly as listed in the recipe. I rolled out the 15 shells and put on wax paper. I fried 8. I had two hubby had 4 and I was able to share 2 with with sister. They fried beautifully, everyone loved them. Sis came by to pick up remaining 7 to make today! 😁

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      March 03, 2022 at 9:51 am

      Yay…… thanks for the feedback 🙂

      Reply
  21. Cindi says

    July 28, 2022 at 3:12 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe! Made them today and they were really delicious and super easy to make. My husband said they were better than Taco Bell.

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      August 02, 2022 at 8:50 pm

      So glad to know.

      Reply
  22. Renuka says

    July 29, 2022 at 2:43 pm

    5 stars
    I recently made this recipe. I really loved it. It looked exactly like Taco Bell chalupa shells and tasted great too. Thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
    • Dhwani Mehta says

      August 02, 2022 at 8:50 pm

      Awesome. Thanks for the feedback 🙂

      Reply
  23. Andreka says

    November 15, 2022 at 7:13 pm

    I’m confused if I omit the flour and salt what am I using

    Reply

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