The Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme is one of the most popular items on the fast food chain’s menu. With its crispy tortilla shell, savory taco meat, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato and sour cream all wrapped up into one portable package, it’s easy to see why this tasty Tex-Mex creation is a crowd favorite.
While you can always visit your local Taco Bell to get your Crunchwrap fix, it’s also possible to make a version of this beloved snack in your own kitchen. With the right ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create Crunchwraps at home that taste just as delicious as the real deal.
Here is a complete guide to making Crunchwraps with the same layers and textures as Taco Bell, but with the convenience of enjoying them in your own home. Follow these instructions to craft the ultimate homemade Crunchwraps Supreme.
Ingredients
To make Crunchwrap Supremes at home, you will need:
- Flour tortillas – both regular size and extra-large size
- Ground beef or shredded chicken
- Taco seasoning
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Taco sauce or salsa
The exact amounts needed will vary depending on how many Crunchwraps you want to make. Figure around 1/2 cup of meat, 2-3 tablespoons of cheese, 1-2 tablespoons of lettuce and tomatoes, and 1-2 tablespoons of sour cream per Crunchwrap.
You’ll also need some cooking oil for frying the hard taco shells. Vegetable, canola or avocado oil will all work well.
Cooking the Taco Meat
Just like at Taco Bell, you’ll want to start by cooking a flavorful taco meat filling. The easiest option is to use ground beef, but you can also make tasty Crunchwraps with shredded chicken or steak.
For the ground beef, add 1 pound of meat to a skillet over medium heat. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once no longer pink, drain off any excess grease. Stir in 1 packet of taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid has mostly absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside.
For chicken, cook 1 pound of shredded chicken breast in a skillet until heated through. Add taco seasoning and stir to coat. For steak, marinate cubed sirloin in taco seasoning overnight. Cook in a skillet until browned and cooked through.
Assemble the Crunchwrap Layers
Toast the Shell
Take one of the extra-large tortillas and place it a skillet over medium heat. Warm the tortilla for about 30 seconds per side so it becomes soft and pliable. Remove from heat and set aside.
Line with Cheese
Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of shredded cheddar over the lower half of the toasted tortilla, covering an area about 6 inches wide.
Add Meat
Spoon 1/2 cup of the cooked taco meat over the cheese in an even layer.
Top with Lettuce and Tomatoes
Add 1-2 tablespoons each of shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes over the meat layer.
Drizzle on Sauce
Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of taco sauce or salsa over the veggies.
Wrap It Up
Now it’s time to wrap up the Crunchwrap layers into the iconic shape.
Take a regular sized flour tortilla and place it on top of the fillings. Tuck the sides of the large tortilla in towards the center. Then lift up the bottom edge of the small tortilla and continue rolling it tight like a burrito.
Make sure the seam is at the bottom and the open edges are tucked inside the rolled up tortilla. You should have a nice tight wrap encasing all the yummy Crunchwrap fillings.
Fry the Crunchwrap
Add about 1/4 inch of cooking oil to a skillet and heat over medium high heat.
Once hot, add the assembled Crunchwrap seam side down. Fry for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
Carefully flip and fry the other side for another 1-2 minutes.
Remove the crisp Crunchwrap from the oil and drain on paper towels.
Immediately sprinkle with a pinch of extra salt while still hot.
Customize It
Half the fun of Crunchwraps from Taco Bell is customizing them to your tastes. Feel free to add in any of these extra ingredients to make your homemade version your own:
- Guacamole
- Jalapenos
- Black beans
- Pico de gallo
- Nacho cheese sauce
- Diced onions
- Sliced avocado
- Cilantro
- Lime juice
- Salsa verde
- Queso fresco
Get creative with different meat fillings, veggies, cheeses and sauces to invent your perfect Crunchwrap Supreme.
Serve Immediately
Crunchwraps are best enjoyed hot and fresh. Serve them up as soon as they come out of the oil.
Let everyone dress their Crunchwrap with desired toppings like sour cream, extra cheese and hot sauce.
Enjoy this tasty homemade version of a fast food favorite. With crisp fried tortillas encasing a flavorful Tex-Mex filling, these Crunchwraps are sure to satisfy any Taco Bell craving!
Tips for Crispy Crunchwraps
The key to mimicking Taco Bell Crunchwraps is getting the tortilla shell extra crispy. Here are some tips:
- Make sure oil is hot before frying. Use a deep skillet and fry for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Blot off excess oil after frying so shell stays crispy.
- Let tortillas warm up before assembly so they are pliable and don’t crack.
- Don’t overload filling, less is more to prevent soggy spots.
- Wrap up tortilla tight and tuck in sides so fillings are enclosed.
- Sprinkle with salt immediately after frying for added crunch.
Storage
For best texture and flavor, Crunchwraps are really best served right after frying. However, you can keep leftovers wrapped in foil in a 300 degree F oven for up to 20 minutes to reheat.
The crisp shells will soften over time though so they are definitely best fresh.
Any extras can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven until hot.
You can also freeze assembled Crunchwraps before frying for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then fry as directed to crispy them back up.
Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition information for a homemade beef Crunchwrap Supreme made with the ingredients and amounts listed in this recipe:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 508 |
| Total Fat | 26g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g |
| Cholesterol | 65mg |
| Sodium | 874mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 43g |
| Protein | 26g |
As you can see, homemade Crunchwraps are still quite high in sodium, fat and calories compared to other homemade foods. But as an occasional treat, they can be enjoyed as part of an overall balanced diet.
Conclusion
Recreating the taste of Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supremes at home is easy with the right ingredients and technique. Crisp-fried tortillas encasing tasty Tex-Mex fillings make for a satisfying copycat recipe. Customize with your favorite meats, cheeses and toppings to make these crunchy snacks your own. While not the healthiest option, homemade Crunchwraps can be a delicious and fun meal when you’re craving fast food flavors.