Tacos Dorados: Deep-Fried Tacos With Free Printable

"Tacos dorados are sometimes confused with flautas, or rolled-tacos, in the United States. However these tacos dorados are thin, folded-in-half tortillas, usually filled with refried beans, cheese, requesón (Mexican ricotta), mashed potatoes, chicken, roasted poblanos, or any combination of these fillings. Tacos are secured by toothpicks and deep-fried."

- Mariana Nuño Ruiz

Welcome to our kitchen! Join us as we make tacos dorados or deep-fried tacos. These popular Mexican street tacos are fun for the whole family to make. They can even be customized to include your favorite fillings and toppings. If that isn't a dream come true, I don't know what is.

If you like this tostada recipe, try this salsa molcajete roja, soak beans, cure a molcajete, bean sauce enchiladas, and healthy tostadas.

Learn more about cooking with kids.

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Dining with the Dead

This tacos dorados recipe comes from Dining with the Dead: A Feast for the Souls on Day of the Dead by Mariana Nuño Ruiz and Ian McEnroe.

I grew up admiring the elaborate altars and offerings, altares y ofrendas, at the Catholic Church I attended with my family. I knew when I saw this cookbook that it would contain the eye-catching beauty I remembered from my childhood and that I could count on it to capture the attention of my kids.

Dining with the Dead includes everything you'd want to learn about Day of the Dead. There are recipes, craft tutorials, stunning landscape photos, and many of the headings are bilingual.

Find out which ingredients to stock in your pantry and find the equipment you'll come to appreciate as you reach for this book again and again.

Stop by our shop to see more Family & Kids' Cooking Resources.

Learn more about allergies and your family.

Free Food & Equipment Spanish - English Language Cards

Grab your free food and equipment Spanish - English Language Cards, complete with a sorting extension.

Kids can sort the cards into rows or columns using the heading cards: food and equipment. The colors of the cards provide a control of error so that kids can self-correct when completing this work independently.

These sorting cards also make excellent three-part cards for introducing new vocabulary. To use these as 3-part cards, simply print two copies of the printable and then cut the labels off the cards on one of the copies. Children can match the picture and then match the label as they show readiness.

Do you want to make homemade tortillas for the best tacos dorados?

How about refried beans?

How to Make Tacos Dorados: Deep-Fried Tacos

Ingredients

• tortillas - homemade corn tortillas
• oil - olive oil
• mashed potatoes
• refried beans - homemade refried beans are
• requesón or ricotta cheese
• peppers
• chicken

You don't need all of the above fillings. Choose a couple or mix it up for the best tacos dorados.

• cabbage or lettuce
• onions
• radishes
• Mexican crema
• cotija cheese
• tomato sauce

You don't need all of the toppings either. Grab what you like.

Equipment

• apron
• prep bowls - a mise en place is helpful when prepping toppings and then setting up a self-serve station
• child-friendly knife
• butcher block
• toothpicks
• blue carbon steel wok - my favorite thing about this wok when making tacos dorados is we don't waste oil. It's also naturally non-stick and lightweight, a perfect choice when cooking over high heat
• cooling rack
• kitchen thermometer
• serving platter

1. Prep the Ingredients

Wash your hands with soap and water. Depending on what you want inside your tacos, you'll need to prep those ingredients.

Mash your potatoes, make your tortillas and refried beans, shred your roasted chicken, and slice your radishes. Grab whatever you think is the ideal filling for these deep-fried tacos.

2. Add Oil to the Wok

Add enough oil to cover the base of the wok and so that the tacos will be mostly submerged in the oil while they cook. With this wok, you won't need as much oil as you would with other pans.

3. Heat to 350 - 375 °F (176 - 190 °C)

Gradually heat the oil to around 350 - 375 °F. Once the oil is hot, move on to the next step.

4. Build Your Tacos

If you've recently made your tortillas, remove them from the tortilla warmer and get started on adding the filling to each one. Be sure not to overfill the tortillas, keeping the filling away from the edges.

5. Seal Them With Toothpicks

Insert a toothpick through each end of the tortilla, ensuring you've pierced both sides.

6. Deep-Fry the Tacos in Oil

Once you've built a few tacos, you can transfer them to the wok. You can easily cook 4 tacos in the wok, while you build the rest. Once the tacos are golden-brown and crunchy, flip them over to cook the other side.

Once the tacos are cooked evenly, remove them and place them on a cooling rack lined with a paper towel while they drain. You can transfer them to the oven to keep warm while you cook the rest of the tacos. Turn off the stove when finished.

7. Add the Toppings

Remove the toothpicks and transfer the tacos to a serving platter. Set up a self-serve station or taco dorado bar with the toppings of your choice and enjoy!

Free Tacos Dorados Recipe for Pre-Readers and Up

Grab your free printable recipe cards above. Kids can gather ingredients using the ingredient list, gather their equipment with the tools list, and prepare the meal using the step-by-step recipe cards, with assistance as needed.

The cards are easy to use, include pictures, and encourage confidence and independence in the kitchen. They also make an excellent addition to your Montessori continent box for North America.