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5.0 from 3 votes

Crispy Cactus Tacos

Crispy baked strips of cactus, black bean corn salsa and avocado cream sauce create the most delicious, vegetarian cactus tacos! Known as Nopales Tacos in Spanish, this unique taco recipe is sure to impress your friends and family!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 8 tacos
Calories: 235 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Crispy Cactus Tacos
  • 30 ounce jar cactus strips
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 8 corn tortillas
Creamy Avocado Sauce
  • 2 avocados
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
Toppings
  • 1 cup black bean corn relish click link for recipe
  • ¼ cup queso fresco crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped

Instructions

Crispy Baked Cactus Strips
    Cup of Yum
  1. Using a mesh strainer, drain the cactus from the jar, then place the cactus strips on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel.
  2. In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs and hot sauce together.
  3. In another shallow bowl, combine the taco seasoning and panko breadcrumbs.
  4. Bread the cactus by first dipping it in the hot sauce and egg mixture, then dredging it through the seasoned breadcrumbs.
  5. Once coated in the breadcrumbs, place the cactus strips on an oiled wire rack on top of a baking sheet.
  6. Once all of the cactus is breaded, turn the broiler on to high.
  7. Place the baking sheet of cactus in the middle rack of the oven for 7-10 minutes, or until the breading on the cactus is crispy.
Creamy Avocado Sauce
  1. Place avocados, lime juice and cilantro in a blender.
  2. Blend until creamy.
  3. If the sauce is too thick, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Tacos
  1. Prepare the tacos by warming the tortillas on the stove, in the oven or in the microwave.
  2. Add 6-8 strips of crispy cactus to each tortilla.
  3. Top with the black bean corn relish, a drizzle of creamy avocado sauce, crumbled queso fresco and fresh cilantro.

Notes

  • Always keep an eye on the cactus while it's under the broiler. Oven broiler temperatures vary, so be sure you're checking it every 30-60 seconds to make sure that it does not burn. The cactus is ready to come out of the oven when it's golden brown and crispy.
  • To make this recipe gluten free, substitute the panko breadcrumbs with gluten free breadcrumbs or rice chex cereal ground in a food processor. Always make sure the hot sauce used is gluten free and serve the tacos in corn tortillas.
  • To make this recipe vegan, use use a plant-based egg replacement, such as JUST Egg, instead of the egg and omit the cheese topping.

Nutrition Information

Calories 235kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 30g (10%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 44mg (15%) Sodium 432mg (18%) Potassium 671mg (19%) Fiber 9g (36%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 744mg (15%) Vitamin C 23mg (26%) Calcium 247mg (25%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8tacos

Amount Per Serving

Calories 235

% Daily Value*

Calories 235kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 30g 10%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 44mg 15%
Sodium 432mg 18%
Potassium 671mg 14%
Fiber 9g 36%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 744mg 15%
Vitamin C 23mg 26%
Calcium 247mg 25%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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