Walking Tacos (or Frito pie) are a fun way to enjoy tacos in a handheld package. Here are two different ways to enjoy a classic! A saucy beef taco and a chili cheese version. Both deliciously easy and crowd pleasing.

Walking Tacos - 2 ways! taco and chili cheese

When I Think of Football I think of food.

And when I think of football food, I think of walking tacos. And since it just so happens that the big game is this Sunday I thought it would be the perfect time to share my favorite ways to make them.

Walking tacos are great because you can make everything in advance and guests can build their own. And since I like having options, when I make these I always make a saucy beef taco version using Doritos and a chili cheese version with Fritos. Not going to lie, I’m partial to the chili cheese walking tacos – because Fritos, warm no-bean chili, melty cheese and pickled jalapeños are my jam. But having two different options means more satisfied friends, or more realistically, the chance I’ll br having one of each 🤭.

walking tacos - taco ingredients

To Make The Beef Taco Walking Tacos You Will Need:

  • saucy beef taco filling
  • Doritos – nacho cheese or cool ranch
  • shredded lettuce
  • pico de gallo
  • guacamole
  • sharp cheddar cheese
  • black olives
  • hot sauce

cooked ground beef in skillet

Start by browning 1 pound ground beef in a skillet. I use 90/1o ground beef. Once fully cooked and browned, do not drain off the fat – you will need it to make it saucy.

taco seasoning sprinkled over cooked ground beef

But first, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, stir until incorporated.

flour sprinkled over seasoned taco meat

Next, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons flour. Depending on which type of ground beef you use, you may need more or less.

combined

Stir until all of the flour is absorbed and then cook 1 to 2 minutes.

pour in water

Pour in 3/4 cup water.

saucy taco meat in skillet

Simmer while stirring until thickened. Remove off of the heat.

crushed doritos in bag

Open a individual sized bag of Doritos and crush the chips.

saucy taco meat added to doritos

Top with the saucy beef mixture.

top with lettuce and pico

Lettuce and pico.

then add cheese, guacamole and black olives

Guacamole and black olives. Or any other taco toppings your heart desires.

Walking Tacos - taco version

I add a few shakes of Tapatio hot sauce before eating. SO GOOD!

Walking Tacos - chili cheese ingredients

To Make The Chili Cheese Walking Tacos You Will Need:

  • no bean chili
  • fritos – regular or chili cheese
  • cheddar jack cheese
  • sour cream
  • pickled jalapeños
  • minced white onion

no bean chili

The no bean chili I use is the same chili I use for Detroit-style coney dogs. Basically you add 1 pound (85/15) ground beef to a dutch oven with 1 medium diced white onion and 2 cloves minced garlic. Break up the meat with a wooden spatula and cook until no longer pink. Then add in 1-1/2 tablespoons chili powder, 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 3/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoons both onion powder and garlic powder, a few shakes cayenne pepper. Pour in 1 (15 ounce) can tomato puree (not tomato sauce) and 1/4 cup yellow mustard. Lastly add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Stir, cover and simmer over low for 30 minutes.

Click Here if you’d like to see the step-by-step to how I make it.

crushed fritos in a bag

Open an individual sized bag of Fritos (regular or chili cheese).

no bean chili added to bag

Add in a spoonful or two of the no-bean chili.

top with cheddar jack cheese

Top with a generous amount of cheddar jack.

add in sour cream, diced white onion and pickled jalapenos to bag.

Lastly top with sour cream, pickled jalapeños and minced white onion.

Walking Tacos - chili cheese version

Stick a fork in it and mix.

Walking Tacos - chili cheese version with fork

The hot chili should melt all that glorious cheese. *swoon*

Enjoy! And if you give either of these Walking Tacos recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Walking Tacos (2 ways!)

Walking Tacos (2 ways!)
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Yield: 16 servings

Walking Tacos (2 Ways!)

Walking Tacos (or Frito pie) are a fun way to enjoy tacos in a handheld package. Here are two different ways to enjoy a classic! One is a beef taco and the other is a chili cheese version. Both deliciously easy and crowd pleasing.

Ingredients

FOR THE BEEF TACO WALKING TACO:

  • 1 pound ground beef, 90/10
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 8 bags (total) Doritos, individual bags of nacho cheese and/or cool ranch
  • shredded lettuce
  • pico de gallo
  • guacamole
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • black olives

FOR THE CHILI CHEESE WALKING TACOS:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • tablespoons chili powder
  • teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • a few shakes cayenne pepper
  • a pinch of sugar
  • 15 ounces canned tomato puree, (not tomato sauce)
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 8 bags (total) Fritos, individual size of regular and/or chili cheese
  • shredded cheddar jack
  • sour cream
  • pickled jalapeños
  • minced white onion

Instructions 

TO PREPARE THE BEEF TACO WALKING TACOS:

  • Start by browning 1 pound ground beef in a skillet. Once fully cooked and browned, do not drain off the fat, but add in the taco seasoning. Stir until incorporated. Sprinkle with flour* and stir until absorbed and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in 3/4 cup water and simmer until thickened.
  • Open an individual sized bag of Doritos and crush the chips. Top with some of the saucy beef mixture, lettuce, pico, guacamole, cheese and black olives.

TO PREPARE THE CHILI CHEESE WALKING TACOS:

  • Add ground beef to a dutch oven with the diced white onion, minced garlic. Break up the meat with a wooden spatula and cook until no longer pink. Then add in chili powder, kosher salt, ground cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and a few shakes cayenne pepper. Add in tomato puree (not tomato sauce) and yellow mustard. Lastly add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • Stir, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring ocassionally.
  • Open an individual sized bag of Fritos (regular or chili cheese), top with no-bean chili, cheddar jack, sour cream, jalapeño and minced white onion.

Notes

*Depending on which type of ground beef you use in the saucy beef walking tacos, you may need more or less flour.
Serving: 1bag, Calories: 607kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 35g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 24g, Cholesterol: 37mg, Sodium: 1013mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 9g