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The Healthier Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme…taking everyone’s favorite fast food and making it healthier…and at home too. Plus all the fixings. Because loaded crunchwraps are just better. Ground meat (chicken or beef) seasoned with a homemade taco seasoning mix, layered up with cheese, peppers, crispy baked tostadas, and more! Cook these up in the skillet until they’re crispy on the outside, but warm and cheesy inside. Serve each Crunchwrap with a mix of your favorite taco toppings. They come together in minutes and are so delicious…the perfect weeknight dinner. And honestly? A whole lot better than the fast-food version.
I would never have thought I would be typing these words, but today’s recipe is inspired by Taco Bell! Well, Taco Bell and every other brother and cousin in my life. My family has been begging me to recreate the Crunchwrap for well over a year. And after some serious convincing over Christmas, I caved in.
I know, I know. Everyone loves the Crunchwrap. it’s such a thing, but honestly? I’ve never had one. I was that very, very strange child that really didn’t care for fast food…other than Dairy Queen that is, which I of course loved. I was a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or Cookie Dough Blizzard kind of girl. How about you? I’ve been told that I really missed out on the cookies n’ Cream Blizzard…
Anyway, I wasn’t much into fast food, but thankfully I have brothers and cousins. A few of whom, have really expressed the need for me to create this recipe. So here we are. And you know something? I’ve got to say, this homemade version is pretty darn good. I guess I can’t say it tastes just like the Taco Bell original, but it passed the test of every last family member, and they always tell it like it is.
The final word? Better than the original.
I had to do a bit of research on these, but after making well over three dozen Crunchwraps, I kind of developed my own method.
First though, the recipe. I wanted these to be similar to a Crunch, but with more flavor, more color, and less grease. I also wanted a bit more crunch in the center.
For the taco meat, I used my chipotle chicken taco seasoning mix because it’s always everyone’s favorite. You can make these using ground beef or chicken, I’ve done it both ways now and both are equally delicious.
Once the meat is made, the rest is really just assembling.
Well, actually, you need to make the tostadas! They are the crunchy, cheesy middle layer, and trust me, you need them. I oven-baked mine to keep them a bit healthier, then seasoned them up two ways. First with plenty of lime zest and flaky sea salt.
And second, with a simple “Doritos” seasoning blend, which is a simple as mixing garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, and chili powder with salt. It. Is. DELICIOUS when sprinkled on the warm tostada. And only just a little bit addicting…
Large Burrito Size Tortillas…I love to use Siete Foods Grain Free Burrito Size Tortillas, which I usually just order online or pick up at Whole Foods. Not only are these healthier, but I actually prefer the taste and texture over a regular flour tortilla.
Taco Meat…but homemade, of course.
Nacho Cheese Sauce…instead of a heavy cheese sauce, I use a mix of Mexican cheeses and poblano peppers. So. Delicious.
Extra Crunchy Tostadas…but oven-baked and very well seasoned.
Sour Cream…I swapped in Greek yogurt, but if you love sour cream, go for the sour cream!
Lettuce and Tomatoes…go heavy on these. They add crunch and keep things a little more balanced.
Small Taco Size Tortillas…again, I love to use these smaller Grain Free Tortillas. But whole wheat tortillas are another great option!
Here is what I will say, these take a second to assemble because of the multiple l layers, tacking, and then some folding at the end. BUT trust me, the extra effort is going to be worth it in the end.
I took as many photos of the stacking and wrapping as I could to help give you some visuals, but basically, you’re just layering everything up, then enclosing it all in one giant tortilla. Your first Crunchwrap will be the trickiest to assemble, but by the second, you’ll have it all figured out. And really, it’s pretty easy!
You can add in any additional sauces or more cheese, or keep it classic. I want heavy on the cilantro and lettuce and the cheese and peppers too!
Cook the Crucnhwraps in a skillet with a bit of olive oil, then serve them up with your favorite toppings. I ad avocado mashed up with lime and sea salt, plus hot sauce. My brothers do extra sour cream, hot sauce, and a little dip in some salsa too.
The Key? Serving these hot off the skillet so the tortillas are crispy and the cheese inside is warm and melty.
SO. GOOD. Better than the original because you can taste the flavor and not just lots of grease!
If you’re looking for a fun family dinner, try these! Not only are they delicious, but you can make a night out of it and get everyone in the kitchen to help assemble the CrunshWraps. They’ll be able to customize them to their liking too!
And for the adults, maybe add a nice margarita tas well. My current favorite is the very wintery frosted mistletoe margarita, but this spicy cucumber margarita is another great option! So you see? The perfect January Wednesday night at home. Homemade Crunchwraps and a margarita in hand. Hard to beat that.
Looking for fun takeout favorites recipes? Here are my favorites:
Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana
30 Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken
Better Than Takeout Dan Dan Noodles
Lastly, if you make this Healthier Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
I made these for a girls weekend at my cabin and they were a huge hit. I prepped everything at home in advance and made them the night we arrived.
Hi Abigail,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Happy Holidays!? xT
Possibly the best thing I have ever tasted. I added some grated asiago to the Dorito spice mix to really get the cheesy-feet Dorito smell and I think it was a good addition. My kids were over the moon! Great recipe!
Hi Amy,
Happy Friday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks so much for making it and happy holidays!❄️ xTieghan
I’m confused about all the different kinds of tortillas.
Hi there,
Did you read the instructions? I very clearly lay out how to use each one of them in steps 3 and 4. Please read those through, if you are still confused let me know! xTieghan
I started singing “Simply the Best” by Tina Turner after my first bite, because this is the best thing I’ve ever made. That’s it. I’m done.
Hey Caitlin,
LOL Thanks so much for trying this recipe out, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
We made these tonight. Love all the flavors, however the tostadas didn’t come out well. They were hard to chew. I baked them for 6 mins on the first side and 4 mins on the other. Only did oil on one side. Any thoughts on what I did wrong?
Hey Liz,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! Sorry to hear about the tostadas, did you use corn tortillas? Next time I would bake longer in the oven until crisp. xTieghan
Making tonight! Has anyone tried making in the air fryer?
Hey Audra,
Sorry, I haven’t tried this, but let me know if you do! I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
BEST COPY CAT OF ALL! I love Taco Bell and this is on brand! Only downside is that you have to construct each crunch wrap individually so the chef may be eating a few mins later than everyone else!
Hey Kassi,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Loved these! Super fun take on the Taco Bell version, but SO much better. A little more time consuming with assembly, but totally worth it!
Thanks so much Noell 🙂 xTieghan
Absolutely loved this recipe!
Hey Tori,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend! xTieghan
Wow, so these were excellent! My husband and 5 year old daughter both loved them. The seasoning mixture for the tostadas was delicious. I made a larger batch for future use!
I heard about your website from the gals over at Morbid: A True Crime Podcast. Ash and Alaina are the best and spoke so highly of your recipes that I just couldn’t wait to try them!
Hey Elizabeth,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Thanks so much for following along. Have the best day:) xTieghan
Fantastic!!!!! I made it veganized and it is splendid. Thabk you for your recipe and tips and tricks. Yummmm.
Oh, I also did it in my panini maker instead of pan fry and it worked PERFECTLY
Hey Lauren,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best day:) xTieghan
Hey Lauren,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best day:) xTieghan
This was INCREDIBLE. I thought for sure my folding skills would lead to a disaster but the water trick worked wonders. Such a fun meal to make and received endless compliments from my husband. Thanks for a great recipe 🙂
Hey Lauren,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xxTieghan
Do you think these could be made ahead/frozen? Thanks!
Hey Casey,
Sure, I would definitely freeze before pan frying though. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Question. What would you substitute for smoked paprika? My daughter doesn’t like the taste of smoked paprika. Should I use just plain paprika?
Hey there,
Regular paprika will work just fine here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Love this, but wonder how I can make it ahead? Is this possible? We all loved this but it took me much longer than it takes you . . .
Thanks!
Hey Carol,
Awesome! So great to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and thanks for making it! You could assemble ahead of time, then bake in the oven when you are ready to eat. Have the best week! xTieghan