Sherri's Favorite Puffy Tacos

Experience the ultimate Tex-Mex sensation with Sherri's Favorite Puffy Tacos—light, golden, and perfectly crispy taco shells stuffed with flavorful seasoned meat and topped with fresh, vibrant ingredients. The secret lies in the homemade masa harina dough, carefully hand-shaped and deep-fried to achieve a deliciously airy crunch. Filled with your choice of spiced ground beef or chicken, these tacos are elevated with layers of shredded lettuce, melty cheese, juicy diced tomatoes, creamy sour cream, and a zesty splash of salsa. Perfect for Taco Tuesday or any festive gathering, these fun-to-make puffy tacos deliver restaurant-quality flavor in just under an hour. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this irresistible Tex-Mex classic!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef or chicken
• 1 tablespoon Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 cups Corn masa harina
• 1.5 cups Water
• 3 cups Vegetable oil
• 2 cups Shredded lettuce
• 1 cup Shredded cheese
• 1 cup Diced tomatoes
• 0.5 cup Sour cream
• 0.5 cup Salsa

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or chicken until browned and fully cooked. Drain any fat from the skillet.

Step 2

Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and set the seasoned meat aside.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, combine the masa harina and water. Knead the mixture until it forms a soft dough. If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time until the consistency is right.

Step 4

Divide the dough into golf ball-sized portions. Flatten each ball into a thin, round tortilla using a tortilla press or a rolling pin.

Step 5

Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or skillet to 350°F (175°C). To check if the oil is ready, drop a small piece of dough into the oil—it should sizzle and float to the surface.

Step 6

Carefully place one dough round into the hot oil. As it cooks, use tongs to lightly press down in the center while holding the edges up to form the iconic puffy taco shell shape. Fry for about 30-45 seconds on each side until golden and crisp. Remove and let drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Step 7

Fill each puffy taco shell with the reserved seasoned meat, then top with shredded lettuce, cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa.

Step 8

Serve immediately and enjoy the light, crispy texture of the puffy tortillas combined with the flavorful fillings!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2436.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8211.0

Total Fat 788.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 166.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 403.3g
Cholesterol 541.4mg	0%
Sodium 3631.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 227.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.2g	0%
Total Sugars 21.6g
Protein 135.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1607.2mg	0%
Iron 22.8mg	0%
Potassium 3081.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 83.0%

Protein: 6.3%

Carbs: 10.6%