What can I use if I can't find tostada shells?

If tostada shells aren't available, you can use corn tortillas baked until crisp, broken tortilla chips arranged in a circle, or even a layer of crushed Doritos. The goal is to achieve that distinctive crunch in the middle of your wrap.

Can I make these healthier?

Absolutely! Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, whole wheat tortillas, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and load up on extra vegetables. You can also reduce the cheese or use reduced-fat versions if you prefer.

Why is my crunch wrap falling apart when I try to flip it?

This usually happens if the wrap isn't sealed well. Make sure to create tight pleats and cook seam-side down first so it seals shut. If your large tortilla barely reaches, try using slightly less filling or a larger tortilla. The small tortilla in the center is crucial for ensuring complete coverage.

How do I keep my lettuce and fresh toppings from getting soggy or warm?

The layering strategy is key. Place your tostada shell between the hot ingredients (meat and nacho cheese) and the cold ingredients (sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes). This creates a barrier that helps maintain temperature separation for maximum texture contrast.

Homemade Crunch Wraps Recipe

Description

These homemade crunch wraps are the ultimate Tex-Mex treat, perfect for satisfying cravings for fast food-style flavors right at home! Filled with seasoned ground beef, warm nacho cheese sauce, crunchy tostadas, and fresh toppings, they’re wrapped in a large tortilla, pan-fried to perfection, and served piping hot. An irresistible mix of textures and bold flavors in every bite!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Crunch Wraps:

1 pound lean ground beef
1 (1-ounce) package of taco seasoning
4 large (burrito-sized) tortillas
3/4 cup nacho cheese sauce, warmed
4 tostada shells
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup taco sauce
4 small (taco-sized) tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend cheese)

For Cooking:

Oil for frying

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Instructions

Cook the Ground Beef:
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid from the pan. Add the taco seasoning along with 1/4 cup of water. Stir to combine and cook for 2–3 minutes until the liquid is completely absorbed. Transfer the meat to a bowl or plate and set aside.
Prepare the Skillet:
Clean the skillet by wiping it down with a paper towel to remove any excess grease or meat.
Set Up a Workstation:
Gather all your ingredients and create a clear assembly area on your countertop.
Assemble the Crunch Wraps:
Lay all four burrito-sized tortillas on the counter. Place 1/2 cup of cooked ground beef in the center of each large tortilla. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of warmed nacho cheese sauce over the beef.
Spread 1–2 tablespoons of sour cream onto each tostada shell and place the tostada directly on top of the beef layer. Top each tostada with 1/2 cup of shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and shredded cheese (approximately 1/3 cup). Finally, drizzle taco sauce over the layers.
Seal the Crunch Wraps:
Place a smaller taco-sized tortilla on top of each wrap. Fold the edges of the larger tortilla tightly up and over the smaller tortilla, creating pleats to ensure a tight seal. Flip each crunch wrap over so the pleats hold it closed.
Cook the Crunch Wraps:
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in the skillet over medium heat. Place the crunch wraps seam-side down in the skillet (cook 1–2 wraps at a time depending on skillet size). Cook for 3–4 minutes until golden and toasted. Flip and cook the other side for another 3–4 minutes.
Serve:
Cut each crunch wrap in half and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

To achieve a perfect crunch, ensure that the warm ingredients (meat and nacho cheese) are layered beneath the tostada while the cold ingredients (lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream) are layered on top.
For a healthier twist, you can use ground turkey or plant-based meat as a substitute for the ground beef.
You can customize the fillings with additional toppings like sliced jalapeños, guacamole, or black beans.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 650
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 1050
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 28
Cholesterol: 80mg