If you’re obsessed with birria tacos, wait until you try the Birria Bombs recipe. These cheesy, beef-filled dough balls are everything you love about traditional birria, wrapped in a golden, crispy crust and baked to perfection.
They’re juicy. They’re spicy. They’re addictive. And yes, they’re trending hard on TikTok, Instagram, and just about every foodie blog out there.
In this post, you’ll learn exactly how to make Birria Bombs at home with easy steps, essential ingredients, and expert tips to nail it on your first try. Plus, we’ll cover common questions like how spicy they are, what kind of dough works best, and how to freeze them for later cravings.
What Are Birria Bombs?
Let’s get one thing straight: birria bombs are not traditional Mexican food. They’re a delicious, modern mashup of juicy birria-style beef and cheesy bread rolls (think savory meat-stuffed pizza balls). They exploded in popularity thanks to TikTok and food trucks across the U.S. putting their spin on them.
Birria itself is a Mexican stew, slow-cooked with beef, chiles, garlic, and spices until tender enough to fall apart with a fork. In this version, that shredded birria meat is wrapped inside a dough ball, usually with cheese, then baked or air-fried.
The result? A crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside flavor bomb that you dip in rich birria consommé (that’s the flavorful broth left from cooking the meat).
Why You’ll Love This Birria Bombs Recipe
- TikTok-Famous, But Totally Doable at Home
No complicated equipment or deep-frying here—just simple baking and mouthwatering results. - Perfect for Parties or Meal Prep
Make a big batch, freeze them, and reheat for quick snacks or game day appetizers. - Customizable
Use beef, chicken, or even jackfruit for a vegan twist. Add jalapeños or swap in mozzarella—go wild. - High Protein, Low Fuss
Thanks to shredded beef and melted cheese, these birria bombs are filling without being fussy.
Ingredients for Birria Bombs
Here’s what you’ll need to make the ultimate birria bombs:
For the Birria Beef:
- 2–3 lbs beef chuck roast (or short ribs)
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 6 cloves garlic
- 3 dried guajillo chiles
- 2 dried ancho chiles
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp coriander (optional)
- 4 cups beef broth
- Salt to taste
- 1–2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
For the Dough Bombs:
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (or pizza dough, crescent rolls, etc.)
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Optional: diced jalapeños or sautéed onions for stuffing
How to Make Birria Bombs (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prep and Cook the Birria Beef
Start by soaking the dried guajillo and ancho chiles in hot water for 15 minutes. Once softened, blend them with garlic, onion, chipotle, spices, vinegar, and 1 cup beef broth into a thick marinade.
Add beef to a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Pour in the marinade and the rest of the beef broth. Cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours (or pressure cook for 1 hour). When it’s fall-apart tender, shred the beef and save the liquid—this is your birria consommé, perfect for dipping later.
Step 2: Assemble the Bombs
Roll out each dough piece into a small circle. Add a spoonful of shredded birria meat, a pinch of cheese, and a little extra consommé if you like it juicy. Fold the dough over and pinch the seams tightly to seal. Place seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection
Brush each bomb with a bit of egg wash or melted butter. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
Want that iconic shiny top? Brush with consommé after baking and sprinkle a little chopped cilantro.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overstuff: Too much filling makes them hard to seal and leaks out during baking.
- Want spice? Add chopped chipotle or jalapeños to the filling.
- Need dairy-free? Use vegan cheese alternatives and dairy-free dough.
- Crispier outside? Air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes instead of baking.
Where to Buy Birria Bombs
Can’t make them at home? You’ll find birria bombs recipe near me trending on local food truck maps, Mexican street food pop-ups, or on apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash in major cities.
Some brands like Birria Bombs, Amazon, or Walmart offer frozen versions too. Just check the reviews first—homemade usually wins on flavor!
Birria Bomb Variations Worth Trying
- Cheesy Birria Balls – Use frozen dinner rolls instead of biscuit dough and stuff with triple cheese.
- Vegan Birria Bombs – Use jackfruit or mushrooms for the filling and vegan mozzarella.
- Birria Bomb Sliders – Bake larger bombs and slice open to stuff with pickled onions and chipotle mayo.
- Phyllo Birria Bombs – Wrap your birria filling in crispy layers of phyllo dough for an elegant twist.
What to Serve With Birria Bombs
These pair perfectly with:
- Birria consommé (for dipping)
- Mexican street corn
- Pickled red onions
- Cilantro-lime rice
- Hot sauce or chipotle aioli
- Margaritas or Jarritos on the side
Storing & Reheating Birria Bombs
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Flash-freeze, then store in zip-top bags up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or air fry for 5 minutes to revive that crisp.
FAQs About Birria Bombs
Q: Can I make the birria beef ahead of time?
Yes! It gets better after chilling. Make it 1–2 days before and reheat when ready.
Q: What’s the best dough for birria bombs?
Refrigerated biscuit dough works great, but crescent dough or homemade pizza dough is also amazing.
Q: Are birria bombs spicy?
They can be! The traditional birria base has some heat. Adjust the chiles to your liking.
Q: Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. Freeze before or after baking. Just let them cool completely and wrap tightly.
Q: What if I don’t have all the dried chiles?
No worries—use chipotles in adobo or even chili powder for a shortcut version.
Final Thoughts
Birria Bombs are the ultimate comfort food mashup, crispy on the outside, savory and juicy on the inside, and perfect for dipping in rich consommé. Whether you’re hosting a party, craving something viral and indulgent, or just love trying new recipes, this dish brings heat, flavor, and a whole lot of fun to your kitchen.
Give them a try, tag us on Instagram, and don’t forget to save the leftovers (if there are any).
Happy cooking, and remember: bombs away, birria-style!
Birria Bombs Recipe
12
servings20
minutes1
hour340
kcalIngredients
- For the Birria Beef:
2–3 lbs beef chuck roast (or short ribs)
1 large onion, quartered
6 cloves garlic
3 dried guajillo chiles
2 dried ancho chiles
1 chipotle pepper in adobo
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp coriander (optional)
4 cups beef broth
Salt to taste
1–2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- For the Dough Bombs:
1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (or pizza dough, crescent rolls, etc.)
1½ cups shredded mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese
1 egg (for egg wash)
2 tbsp melted butter
Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Optional: diced jalapeños or sautéed onions for stuffing
Directions
- Make the Birria Beef
Soak dried guajillo and ancho chiles in hot water (15 mins).
Blend with garlic, onion, chipotle, spices, vinegar, and 1 cup beef broth.
Add beef and marinade to a slow cooker or Instant Pot with remaining broth.
Cook until tender (6–8 hrs slow, 1 hr pressure), then shred the beef.
Save the broth (birria consommé) for dipping. - Assemble the Bombs
Flatten dough pieces into circles.
Add shredded birria meat, cheese, and a splash of consommé.
Seal the dough and place seam-side down on a lined baking sheet. - Bake & Finish
Brush with egg wash or melted butter.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 mins until golden.
Optional: Brush with consommé and sprinkle with cilantro after baking.