Air Fry Taco Bannock Pops

By Kirsten Buck @bucknakedkitchen

Growing up in Tataskweyak Cree Nation we didn’t have access to many of the convenience foods we saw on TV commercials, and if we did, they were too expensive at the Northern Store! We enjoyed a mix of “country food” along with homemade versions of popular convenience foods. One thing we loved, but were only made on special occasions, were bannock pops! They weren’t fancy by any means, simply a mix of ground beef, onions, and mashed potatoes stuffed in homemade bannock dough and deep fried in a pot of oil! Pure comfort food. The bannock pops we make today are a tad fancier  - add a blend of spices, green chilies, black bean, Air Fry with minimal oil in the Whirlpool® 7-in-1 Air Fry Oven until crispy and golden, and finish with all the toppings one could ever wish for!

A serving of taco bannock pops with topping A serving of taco bannock pops with topping

Total Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 14-17 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the bannock:

  • 4 cups flour, plus more if needed
  • 3 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup cold butter, diced into small cubes
  • 1¾  cups water

For the filling:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin 
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
  • 1 teaspoon oregano 
  • 1-4.5 oz can green chilies
  • ½ cup cooked black beans
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 egg + 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)

Toppings:

  • shredded lettuce
  • fresh diced tomato
  • grated cheddar 
  • black olives
  • cilantro
  • sourcream

Directions

  1. For the bannock, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix well, then add the butter. Cut the butter into the flour using your fingers until no large clumps remain and the flour mixture looks crumbly. 
  2. Create a well in the center of the bowl. Add ½ cup of water and slowly incorporate the water using a fork. Repeat until the water is used up, and a dough is formed. Knead the dough for 4-5 minutes until smooth. Add a touch more flour if the dough feels sticky, or a touch more water if the dough feels too dry. Set aside.
  3. For the filling, brown the ground beef in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant. Add the spices, green chillies, and black beans.Stir well to combine, then simmer for 8-10 minutes to allow the flavours to combine. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash.
  4. Pull the dough apart making 8 equal sized pieces. On a floured surface, flatten each piece of dough into large oval shaped pieces using your hands (or rolling pin) until they are about ¼ inch thick. Fill one side of the oval with taco beef mixture making sure to leave enough space around each perimeter for the dough to be pressed together. Fold the opposite side of the dough over the filling, and press the dough together around the outside edges with a fork to seal.
  5. Brush the tops of the bannock pops with the egg wash. Line the Whirlpool Air Fry Basket with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking oil. Place the bannock pops on to the parchment paper. Air fry in the Whirlpool® 7-in-1 Air Fry Oven at 425°F for 14 minutes flipping halfway through. After 14 minutes, The bannock pops should be puffed up and golden in colour. Turn the bannock pops onto the side with the egg wash and Air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully, to deepen the golden hue on top. 
  6. Serve hot with favourite toppings. Shredded lettuce, tomato, cheddar, black olives, cilantro, and sour cream.

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