Birria Balls Recipe: The Ultimate Juicy, Cheesy Mexican Appetizer

If you’re a fan of bold Mexican flavors and ooey-gooey cheese pulls, this Birria Balls Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Perfectly seasoned birria beef stuffed into crispy golden shells and loaded with cheese—these birria bombs are everything a party snack should be.

Whether you’re making them for game day, taco Tuesday, or just because, you’ll love how simple and delicious they are. This recipe brings restaurant-style results to your kitchen, with an irresistible combo of crunch, spice, and savory richness.

Want more flavor-packed recipes? Check out this delicious carne asada fries recipe.

What Are Birria Balls?

Birria balls (also known as birria bombs) are deep-fried appetizers made by stuffing shredded birria beef and cheese inside a crunchy shell—typically using egg roll wrappers or dough. Originating as a fun fusion twist on traditional birria tacos, these crispy bites have exploded in popularity for their cheesy center and meaty, spicy flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Birria Meat:

• 2 lbs beef chuck roast or short ribs
• 2 dried guajillo chiles
• 2 dried ancho chiles
• 1 chipotle in adobo (optional for heat)
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp Mexican oregano
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 roma tomato (roasted)
• 4 cups beef broth

For the Birria Balls:

• 2 cups shredded birria meat (prepared above)
• 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese or Oaxaca cheese
• 12 egg roll wrappers
• 1 egg (beaten for sealing)
• Oil for frying

Step-by-Step Preparation

Make the Birria Meat

1. Prepare the Chiles
   • Remove seeds and stems from guajillo and ancho chiles.
   • Toast lightly in a dry skillet (10–15 seconds per side).
   • Soak in hot water for 15 minutes.
2. Blend the Marinade
   • Blend softened chiles, garlic, roasted tomato, cumin, oregano, cloves, cinnamon, paprika, chipotle, vinegar, and ½ cup broth.
3. Cook the Beef
   • Sear the beef chunks in a pot.
   • Add the marinade, remaining broth, bay leaf, and salt.
   • Simmer for 2–3 hours or pressure cook for 45 minutes.
4. Shred and Set Aside
   • Shred the beef with forks.
   • Reserve 2 cups for the birria balls.

Want perfect shredded meats? Learn our shredding guide.

Assemble and Fry the Balls

1. Heat the Oil
   • Bring oil to 350°F (175°C).
2. Form the Balls
   • Place 2 tbsp birria and 1 tbsp cheese in center of wrapper.
   • Fold tightly and seal with beaten egg.
3. Fry Until Golden
   • Fry in batches, 3–4 minutes each.
   • Remove and drain on paper towels.

Tips for Extra Crispy Shells

• Use egg roll wrappers for the crunchiest finish
• Don’t overcrowd the fryer—work in small batches
• For ultra crispiness, double fry:
  1. Fry for 2 minutes
  2. Cool 5 minutes
  3. Fry again for 1–2 minutes

Serving Suggestions

Serve birria balls hot with:

• Birria consommé (use reserved broth as a dip)
• Avocado crema (avocado, sour cream, lime)
• Pickled red onions
• Jalapeño ranch

Want more dips? Try our creamy jalapeño sauce.

Birria Balls Recipe FAQs

What are birria balls made of?

Birria balls consist of shredded birria beef and melted cheese, wrapped in a thin dough shell and deep-fried.

What are the ingredients in birria bombs?

Birria bombs include birria beef, cheese (mozzarella or Oaxaca), egg roll wrappers, and a bit of egg for sealing.

What are the ingredients for birria?

Birria is made with beef, dried chiles (guajillo, ancho), tomato, garlic, vinegar, spices (cumin, oregano, cinnamon), and beef broth.

How to get birria shells crispy?

Use hot oil (350°F), don’t overcrowd the pan, and opt for double frying for extra crispiness.

Birria Balls Recipe FAQs

Conclusion

These Birria Balls are crispy on the outside, cheesy and juicy on the inside, and bursting with the bold flavors of traditional birria. They’re perfect for entertaining, snacking, or satisfying your birria cravings in a fun new way.

Want more recipes like this? Check out these birria quesadillas.

Recipe Card

Recipe Name: Birria Balls Recipe
Cuisine: Mexican Fusion
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 3 hrs
Total Time: 3 hrs 25 mins
Yield: 12 birria balls
Calories: ~220 per ball
Skill Level: Medium

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