There’s something magical about summer meals that are quick to make, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly customizable. This year, our favorite discovery has been what we call smashed tortillas — and let me tell you, they’ve earned a permanent spot in our dinner rotation.
Imagine this: a warm, crisp tortilla with a thin layer of seasoned meat (or even beans) cooked right into one side. You grill or pan-fry it until the meat is cooked and the tortilla is golden. Then, you flip it, let the other side crisp up, load it with your favorite toppings, and fold it like a wrap. It’s delicious, satisfying, and fun to make — like a cross between a taco, a flatbread, and a grilled sandwich.
Even better? These are easy to prep ahead and reheat beautifully in the air fryer. I make extras, store them with foil in between, and when dinner rolls around, we just crisp them up and fill them. It’s also become a habit to keep prepped toppings in the fridge — shredded romaine, diced tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers — so everything’s ready to go.
A Sam’s Club Haul Made it Even Easier I grabbed most of the essentials at Sam’s Club — tortillas, ground meat, tzatziki sauce, romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. One trip and we were stocked for several rounds of smashed tortilla nights.
Now, let’s get into the good stuff — our favorite flavor combos!
7 Must-Try Smashed Tortilla Combos:
1. Greek Gyro Style
Meat: Ground lamb or beef + Cavender’s Greek Seasoning + crumbled feta.
Toppings: Tzatziki, cucumber, tomato, onion, shredded lettuce.
2. Buffalo Chicken
Meat: Ground chicken with buffalo seasoning.
Toppings: Crumbled blue cheese, tomato, onion, lettuce.
3. Classic Burger Smash
Meat: Ground beef seasoned like a burger.
Sauce: Mayo + mustard + ketchup + dill relish.
Toppings: Lettuce, tomato, onion.
4. Taco Style
Meat: Taco-seasoned ground beef or turkey.
Toppings: Cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, avocado, jalapeños.
5. BBQ Ranch Chicken
Meat: Ground chicken or turkey + BBQ seasoning + a little BBQ sauce.
Toppings: Ranch, cheddar, red onion, coleslaw or lettuce, jalapeños.
6. Refried Bean Smash (Vegetarian)
Base: Refried beans mixed with taco seasoning, cumin, or garlic.
Toppings: Cheddar or cotija, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, salsa, sour cream.
7. Philly Cheesesteak Style
Meat: Ground beef or turkey cooked with sautéed onions and bell peppers.
Toppings: Provolone, mozzarella, or cheese sauce. Add mushrooms if you like!
Tips for Making & Serving:
Prep ahead: Stack uncooked tortillas with foil between each so they’re ready to cook.
Reheat like a pro: Fold up extras, refrigerate, and toss in the air fryer to crisp them back up.
Fridge-ready fixings: Keep chopped romaine, onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers ready to grab.
Final Thought: Smashed tortillas aren’t just a meal — they’re a whole vibe. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want something fast and tasty, this method delivers. Try a few combos, find your favorite, and don’t forget to make extra — they won’t last long!
As always, think on the good things, and live your best life — even if it’s just one delicious bite at a time.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” — Philippians 4:8
If you try one, let me know your favorite flavor combo. And if you come up with your own, I’d love to hear it!
Louise
