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    Home » Air Fryer Recipes

    EASY Black Bean Chalupas with Crispy Buttery Shells

    Published: Mar 6, 2022 · Modified: May 17, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 16 Comments

    191 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    One of my favorite things to do for our family dinners is to make them fun and interactive. Easy Black Bean Chalupas are always a hit! They have that indulgent fast food/take-out feel while being healthy and fresh with a no-fry shell. And who can resist a build-your-own toppings bar?! The paratha shell is crispy on the outside and soft and supple inside. Rather than just a carrier for the spicy beans, refreshing veggies, and creamy sauce–the shell adds so much flavor and texture to the dish!

    Two Black Bean Chalupas served in a white bowl
    Jump to:
    • What Are Chalupas
    • The Best Twist on Chalupa Shells
    • My Favorite Freezer Hack and a Few Pantry Staples
    • Make It Your Own
    • That Sauce!
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Storing
    • Hungry For More Tacos?? Try These!!
    • Recipe

    What Are Chalupas

    Chalupas are Mexican street-food snacks with a crispy boat-shaped shell made from masa harina dough. They can be topped simply with salsa, lettuce, and cheese or hold heartier toppings like beans or meat.

    The Best Twist on Chalupa Shells

    If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you’ll know that I love using Kawan frozen parathas for wraps in place of pitas, tortillas, or other Indian flatbreads. They are buttery, flakey, and puff up beautifully in the pan, golden and crispy with a soft chewy center. 

    The best part is that they cook straight from the freezer in minutes. A quick turn in the pan and flash in the Air Fryer creates the most delicious homemade chalupa shells! This is a taco game-changer and we are hooked! 

    Air Fried Chalupa Shells

    My Favorite Freezer Hack and a Few Pantry Staples

    All you need to make these amazing chalupas are our favorite Kawan frozen parathas, some pantry staples, and a few basic fresh ingredients. At a moment's notice, you can be ready to make a quick dinner, fun after-school snack, or game night party food for friends.

    Ingredients to make the spicy black bean filling

    Make It Your Own

    We love easy vegetarian dinner ideas with filling plant-based protein like these Black Bean Chalupas. But you can make this healthy take on Taco Bell Chalupas your own. Use leftover grilled chicken or roasted veggies and make a completely new meal out of leftovers. Love fish tacos? Stuff chalupa shells with grilled, pan-fried, or breaded white fish with fresh slaw and Baja sauce for an unforgettable meal!

    Baja Sauce in a bowl

    That Sauce!

    This addictingly creamy and spicy sauce is similar to the Taco Bell Baja Sauce that was discontinued. If you’ve been missing it, now you can make it at home! I skipped diced jalapenos, but add them if you like more spice! This sauce is so good you’ll want leftovers. Use it as a dip for Air Fryer Potato Wedges, Air Fryer Zucchini Chips, or drizzle over nachos to take them to the next level.  

    Ingredients to make baja sauce

    Step by Step Instructions

    • Baja sauce - Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. Refrigerate until ready to use.
    photos one and two showing how to make baja sauce
    • Black Bean Filling - Heat oil in a medium pan, add onion, red pepper, green pepper, jalapeno, and saute until the veggies start to soften about 5 minutes. Add beans, taco seasoning, salt, and mix well. Add water and mix. Lightly mash with a potato masher, Garnish with cilantro. Reserve the filling
    photos three through six showing how to make black bean filling
    • Shells - Add Kawan paratha on a preheated skillet and book about 80%. Repeat with the second paratha. Fold both in the middle to form a semi-circle and place in a preheated air fryer. Cook at 350 F for 5 minutes. Carefully take out the crispy air-fried paratha shells with a silicone spatula.
    photos seven through ten showing how to cook Kawan Parathas to make the chalupa shells
    • Assemble - Take one of the folded parathas and evenly spread about ¼ cup of bean filling in the middle. Spread lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cheese on top. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of sauce on top and serve.
    photos eleven and twelve showing how to assemble chalupas

    Storing

    Black bean chalupas is a perfect make-ahead recipe. The filling and the Baja sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days. I always double the filling in this recipe as it makes for a perfect protein packaged vegetarian quesadilla filling and is an easy meal prep idea!

    Here are some more easy dinner recipes using frozen parathas:

    • Chicken Shawarma
    • Paneer Kathi Rolls
    • Chicken Kathi Rolls
    • Corn and Cheese Samosas

    Hungry For More Tacos?? Try These!!

    • Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
    • Blackened Fish Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
    • Instant Pot Chicken Tinga Tacos

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    2 chalupas served in a white bowl topped with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    4.78 from 9 votes

    EASY Black Bean Chalupas

    A fun twist to the classic, these chalupas use parathas for the outer shells and are filled with a delicious spicy black bean filling, creamy baja sauce topped with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Brunch, dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 257kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • ½ cup yellow onion finely diced
    • ½ cup red pepper finely diced
    • 1 jalapeno pepper finely diced
    • 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
    • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped optional

    Baja Sauce

    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 2 garlic cloves grated
    • ½ tablespoon white vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon red chili powder

    To Serve

    • 6 Kawan parathas **
    • 1 cup lettuce finely chopped
    • ½ cup tomatoes diced small
    • ¼ cup red onion diced small
    • ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese

    Instructions

    • Baja sauce - Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. Refrigerate until ready to use.
    • Black Bean Filling - Heat oil in a medium pan, add onion, red pepper, green pepper, jalapeno, and saute until the veggies start to soften about 5 minutes. Add beans, taco seasoning, salt, and mix well. Add water and mix. Lightly mash with a potato masher, Garnish with cilantro. Reserve the filling
    • Shells - Add Kawan paratha on a preheated skillet and book about 80%. Repeat with the second paratha. Fold both in the middle to form a semi-circle and place in a preheated air fryer. Cook at 350 F for 5 minutes. Carefully take out the crispy air-fried paratha shells with a silicone spatula. Continue to cook and air fry the remaining parathas.
    • Assemble - Take one of the folded parathas and evenly spread about ¼ cup of bean filling in the middle. Spread lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cheese on top. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of sauce on top and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    1. The Nutrition facts do not include frozen Kawan Parathas. Each Plain Parathas is 280Kcal, 35 g carb, 14 g fat, and 5 g protein. You can also use their low GI parathas, wheat parathas which vary in nutrition. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 417mg | Potassium: 297mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 825IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Radhika says

      March 14, 2022 at 5:27 pm

      Looks delicious! Any alternatives to Kawan parathas? (if they are not available)

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 16, 2022 at 10:46 am

        Traditionally this dish is made with deep-fried Masa Harina flatbreads and if you google there are a few recipes out there to make them. Kawan was the easiest option and they are available in Indian grocery stores.

        Reply
    2. Sheetal says

      March 16, 2022 at 4:39 pm

      Loved this recipe so much! What an amazing idea. The fillings
      can be limitless. Best recipe for a fast lunch or dinner and filling too! Will be making this over and over again.5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 16, 2022 at 8:48 pm

        Thank you for the feedback.

        Reply
    3. SP says

      March 30, 2022 at 8:38 pm

      Made this a few days ago and it was an absolute hit all around…….
      #nomnomnom5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 31, 2022 at 10:00 am

        Thank you for the review! It's been on repeat for us too!

        Reply
    4. Prachi says

      April 05, 2022 at 10:05 pm

      This recipe turned out delicious . Quick and simple and tastes so good. The kawaan paratha is a wonderful addition to this recipe for the shell.5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 06, 2022 at 9:23 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Prachi says

      May 12, 2022 at 10:05 pm

      This recipe is a winner! Everybody loved it!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        May 13, 2022 at 8:55 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    6. Madhu says

      May 17, 2022 at 11:05 am

      Would love to try this out but would the airfryer hack work in a regular oven too?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        May 18, 2022 at 9:48 pm

        Yes! Or you can continue to cook on teh pan itself on low heat

        Reply
        • Marisa says

          November 11, 2022 at 10:20 pm

          Omg so good!! Used whole wheat parathas and half greek yogurt for the Mayo to lighten it up and what a healthy and fast dinner.5 stars

          Reply
          • Archana says

            November 11, 2022 at 10:32 pm

            Thank you Marisa!

            Reply
    7. Rona says

      November 30, 2022 at 8:36 pm

      Archana I live in a remote part of Northern Ontario no paratha to be found! Any suggestions for alternative please?!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 01, 2022 at 5:32 pm

        Hi Rona, couple of options. You can make homemade parathas or try storebought naan or pita bread.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

    Learn More About Me!

    Archana's Essential Indian Instant Pot Cookbook

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