Taco Cupcakes

These Taco Cupcakes are a fun, bite-sized twist on traditional tacos! With crispy wonton wrappers, seasoned ground beef, black beans, and gooey cheddar cheese, they’re a crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer. Whether you’re hosting a game day, family gathering, or just looking for a quick and tasty dinner, Taco Cupcakes are sure to hit the spot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

1. Easy and Quick to Make

These Taco Cupcakes come together in just 35 minutes, making them a perfect weeknight meal or party appetizer.

2. Crispy and Flavorful

The wonton wrappers become delightfully crispy as they bake, providing the perfect texture contrast to the savory taco filling.

3. Customizable

You can easily adjust the ingredients based on your preferences. Add your favorite taco toppings or use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.

4. Perfect for a Crowd

With 24 mini taco cupcakes, this recipe is ideal for serving a group. Whether for a party or family meal, these taco cupcakes are sure to impress!

5. Kid-Friendly

The fun mini size of these tacos makes them a hit with kids, and they can even help assemble the cupcakes!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 24 wonton wrappers
• Optional toppings: sour cream, diced avocado, chopped cilantro

How to Make Taco Cupcakes:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the wonton wrappers will bake to a crispy perfection.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s browned. Drain any excess fat, then add in the taco seasoning, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Stir and cook for an additional 5 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.

Step 3: Prepare the Wonton Wrappers

Place the wonton wrappers into a muffin tin, gently pressing them into the cups to form small cups. This will be the base for your taco cupcakes.

Step 4: Fill the Wonton Cups

Spoon the beef mixture into each wonton cup, filling them all the way to the top.

Step 5: Add the Cheese

Top each taco cupcake with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 6: Bake

Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 7: Cool Slightly

Once baked, remove the taco cupcakes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Garnish each taco cupcake with sour cream, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro for an extra burst of flavor.

Serve and enjoy!

Tips for Making Taco Cupcakes:

• Wonton Wrappers: Be sure to press the wonton wrappers down into the muffin tin well to ensure they hold their shape and don’t pop up during baking.
• Meat Options: Feel free to substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a vegetarian filling like crumbled tofu or a mixture of veggies and beans.
• Taco Seasoning: If you don’t have a taco seasoning packet, you can use homemade seasoning with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt.
• Toppings: Get creative with toppings! You can add salsa, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, or even a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce for extra heat.

How to Serve Taco Cupcakes:

Taco cupcakes are perfect for party appetizers, family dinners, or game day snacks. Serve them on a platter and let your guests top them with their favorite fixings. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature, making them versatile for all types of gatherings.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips:

Make-Ahead:

You can prepare the taco cupcake filling a day ahead and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready, assemble the wonton cups, fill them with the taco mixture, add cheese, and bake.

Storing Leftovers:

Store any leftover taco cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes to crisp them back up.

Freezing:

To freeze taco cupcakes, assemble the cups (without baking) and place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.

FAQs

1. Can I make these with ground turkey or chicken?

Yes! Ground turkey or chicken works as a great substitute for ground beef. It will have a lighter flavor, but still delicious.

2. Can I make these vegetarian?

Absolutely! You can replace the ground beef with black beans, refried beans, or any other plant-based filling.

3. How do I make them spicier?

Add jalapeños, hot sauce, or use spicy taco seasoning for an extra kick.

4. Can I use corn tortillas instead of wonton wrappers?

If you don’t have wonton wrappers, you can cut small rounds from corn tortillas and place them in a muffin tin. However, wonton wrappers give the tacos a nice crispy texture that corn tortillas might not match.

5. Can I freeze these?

Yes! Assemble the taco cupcakes and freeze them before baking. When ready to serve, bake straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Conclusion:

Taco Cupcakes are a fun, easy, and customizable dish that everyone will love. Whether you’re serving them as appetizers at a party or as a quick weeknight dinner, they offer all the delicious flavors of tacos in a bite-sized, crispy form. Enjoy them with your favorite toppings, and they’re sure to be a hit at any gathering!

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