These little tacos in a bag, often called walking tacos, are equally perfect for game day get togethers, busy school nights, or even camping... So simple and easy to make!
What Is A Walking Taco?
If you're wondering just exactly what are walking tacos, I totally get you! I was also confused the first time I heard the term... I mean, tacos seem pretty portable as is. Right?!
As it turns out, they're simply small bags of chips topped with your typical taco fixings. And I have to say, I am totally in love with them! I mean they're inexpensive, easy to make, and relatively mess-free - what's NOT to love?
Just open a snack size bag of your favorite chips and add some protein, along with your desired toppings. Grab a plastic fork and eat it straight from the bag. When you're done, the entire thing can be tossed in the trash - so simple!
Tacos in a bag are perfect for quick weeknight meals when I'm racing the clock to get the kids off to their sport of the day. And they're also a fantastic and budget-friendly way to feed a crowd for game day get togethers and parties.
Budget-Friendly Taco Ingredients
What's the best thing about my walking tacos recipe? It's that I don't have one!
There's no right or wrong way to make a walking taco. The ingredients are completely flexible, so you can change them up based on the season and/or what's on sale.
For the most basic taco in a bag, you'll need:
- snack size bags of chips
- a simple protein, like seasoned ground beef
- a variety of toppings
The toppings can be kept super simple. In this case, we had chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream. But pretty much anything you'd put on a taco is fair game!
I also typically set out a few bottled sauces to drizzle over everything. If you don't mind a little chopping, this easy fresh tomato salsa is an excellent addition.
BTW, I've started using these squeezable sour cream pouches when we do taco bars. They're so much easier to use and way less messy!
TARA'S TIP
Stretch Your Ground Beef For A Crowd
A more budget-friendly way to feed a large group is to use this ground beef and beans recipe instead of just the seasoned ground beef. Adding canned black beans is an inexpensive to stretch the taco meat to feed more people!
Simple Walking Taco Bar Ideas
When I'm making walking tacos for a crowd, I've found it's easiest to setup a buffet bar-style format. In this case, I just repurposed items I already had around the house.
Grouping items together helps keep things tidy. This slim basket is ideal for holding all of the chip bags. And my ceramic chip and dip server is perfect for the toppings.
Since I have a triple slow cooker, I like to start building my walking taco bar menu around three hot items.
An easy and inexpensive example:
- Seasoned ground beef: see recipe below ↓
- Simple Velveeta queso: 2 (8-ounce) blocks Velveeta original, cubed + 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies
- Spicy black beans: 2 cans black beans drained and rinsed + store bought or homemade taco seasoning to taste
If you regularly host parties, a triple cooker is a really good investment. Unfortunately, the model I own has been discontinued. But I found a couple of similar options for you!
top pick
Triple Slow Cooker Options
This similar triple round crockpot holds 1.5 quarts per insert, which is perfect for small groups.
If you often have larger gatherings, you might want to consider this triple buffet crockpot that holds 2.5 quarts per crock.
Where To Buy Walking Taco Chips
My kids love Fritos for walking tacos, but finding just the snack size bags of Fritos at the grocery store can be pretty difficult. Most often come in a variety pack with other chips, meaning you only get a few bags of Fritos.
If you're looking for the best price on walking taco bags, you can't beat Amazon. Especially if you use Subscribe & Save!
Now if I can just keep my kids from taking them all in their lunches...
Printable Recipe ↓
Easy Seasoned Ground Beef For Walking Tacos
Ingredients
For the seasoned taco meat:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 4 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
- ½ cup cold water
For the walking tacos:
- 16 (1-ounce) snack size bags Fritos corn chips, or Doritos tortilla chips
Instructions
- In a large skillet, crumble and brown the ground beef over medium heat.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the top and pour in water; mix well. Heat through until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Assemble walking tacos by spooning approximately ¼ cup of the seasoned ground beef over top of the Fritos chips in a snack size bag. Top with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and/or salsa, as desired.
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Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your walking tacos turn out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Melanie Shelton says
You forgot the most important part (according to my family! Add all ingredients and shake before eating. Carefully.
Dris says
Our church sold these at the county fair back in the 80's, except as frito chili pie! Yummmmm!!
Lila says
We use Doritos and cut the bag on the side - makes it so much easier to eat out of the bag.
Melissa says
I love these with nacho cheese doritos.
Eva says
Sounds more like a frito pie but in a frito bag lol
Barb says
Since the Kentucky Derby is close to Cinco De Mayo I think I'll do these for our gathering to watch the Derby. Great idea!!
Kayla says
That's so weird! In Iowa, we always use Doritos. I'll have to try Fritos!
stephanie Hall says
@Kayla, I'm here in Des Moines IA and I'm gonna try the Fritos to this weekend.
Yolanda says
We call these Frito Pies here. They're made with red chile, pinto beans, cheese and onions.
Helen Blankenship Cook says
Also very good with Doritos
Sarah- the magical slow cooker says
We made these camping, if you buy bagged lettuce and cheese, you have no clean up except you pan you cooked your meat in and the crock pot. Love this recipe!
Christy Lucas says
Great recipe. When I was in high school, we made these for football games in the concession stands. Our only difference was we used Doritos instead of corn chips. Adds a little more flavor.
Jeannette says
I also run a stand for my daughters varsity basketball team. Wanted to try them this year. What did u sell them for?
Rhonda says
these are an awesome idea we also do them when we camp. you can also use nacho cheese doritos or chili cheese Fritos. we also do this at a.m. p.m. we get a bag of nacho cheese doritos or Fritos and add the chili and cheese for the nachos into the bag
Yvearl says
Absolutely genius! The possibilities are endless! And I love that crock pot! Walk on Unsophisticook, walk on!! Love it.
Cami says
These are really easy and kids love them. I use cheese doritos for the walking tacos and make another version with the fritos using chili, cheese, sour cream, and jalapenos as toppings. So yummy and always a big hit!
Laurel says
I absolutely love this! We are having a get together this weekend and will be trying this out :)
Char says
We call them 'taco in a bag' in Canada. I make the taco meat up ahead of time and then freeze in single serve bags, then just take the remaining ingredients along for quick lunches while camping.
Angie says
I've been wanting to try those walking tacos for a while. You've conviced me, I have to try next week!
Kristen says
We love walking tacos but always serve ours in Doritos bags! Will totally have to try the Fritos version!
Cindy Dickerson says
How very clever and can't wait to give these a try!! Sounds Yummy!
Nancy says
Love these! We serve them at KSU tailgates - they're perfect! Haven't seen a crock-pot like that one though; love it.
Kristen says
KSU as in K-State? (Manhattan KS?)
Nancy says
Yep...KSU Wildcats. Purple & Proud :)
Wendy says
Both of my sons play travel sports & going away to tournaments can be tough on the budget. So, a few parents started implementing a walking taco night at each tourney & it works out great. Everyone brings meat, taco fixings or a dessert to share. Such an inexpensive & easy version of a pot luck. The only cooking involved is for the person(s) that brings the meat. If anyone has family in the town we're in, they typically take the job of making the taco meat. Otherwise, people have cooked the hamburger with seasoning ahead of time, popped it in a cooler (later hotel fridge) until the day of the meal & then put it in the crock pot on low/keep warm setting until dinner time. I love this!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
What a great idea, Wendy!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
My kids love these, they are always a big hit at the concession stand for our school sporting events.
Colette Stanley says
We grew up with these at the pool in the summer, and they're called Frito Pie in Louisiana and Texas! Mmmmmm.
Aggie says
These are so fun! Love that crock pot!
CWil says
i help run a concession stand and we make these but use cheesy dorito chips..yummo!
Granny D says
Thanks for posting this idea! I received one of the triple Crock Pots as a gift from the Kansas Star Casino near me and I was trying to think of something to serve in it at our office Halloween party tomorrow.
Paula - bell'alimento says
Oh my goodness how have I never heard of these? I'm hosting a birthday party soon and these will be perfect : )
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I am totally on board for walking tacos, and even more with that crock pot. What a great idea!