Welcome to the ultimate guide for making irresistible Taco Cups! This is the perfect recipe for anyone searching for a fun, easy, and crowd-pleasing dish. Whether you’re planning a party, need a quick weeknight dinner, or want a game-day snack, these mini tacos baked in a muffin tin are your answer. They deliver all the classic taco flavor you love in a perfectly portioned, crispy wonton shell. Let’s dive into how to create these delicious bites that will have everyone asking for more.
Ready for the party! These taco cups are always the first to disappear.
Why You’ll Love These Taco Cups
There are so many reasons to adore this recipe. First, they are incredibly simple to prepare, using common ingredients and a standard muffin tin. Second, they are endlessly customizable. You can stick with the classic ground beef filling or experiment with chicken, turkey, or even a vegetarian option. Finally, these Taco Cups are the perfect party food—easy to eat, no mess, and absolutely delicious. They’re a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
The Essential Ingredients for Taco Cups
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of core ingredients to create these amazing bites, with plenty of room for your favorite toppings.
For the Wonton Cups
Wonton Wrappers: These are the star of the show, creating the crispy, golden-brown cups. You can find them in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores.
Cooking Spray or Olive Oil: To ensure the wrappers don’t stick to the muffin tin and get perfectly crispy.
For the Savory Filling
Ground Beef: A lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) works best to minimize grease.
Taco Seasoning: Use your favorite store-bought packet or a homemade blend for that classic taco flavor.
Onion & Garlic: Finely chopped onion and minced garlic build a delicious flavor base for the meat.
Salsa or Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and a zesty flavor to the beef mixture.
Topping Ideas
Shredded Cheese: A Mexican blend, cheddar, or Monterey Jack cheese works perfectly.
Shredded Lettuce: Adds a fresh, cool crunch.
Diced Tomatoes: For a burst of freshness.
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop on top adds a creamy, tangy finish.
Sliced Jalapeños: For those who like a little extra heat.
Guacamole: A creamy and delicious addition.
Every bite is a perfect crunch of savory goodness.
How to Make Taco Cups: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making these muffin tin Taco Cups is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Prepare the Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Gently press one wonton wrapper into each cup, ensuring it forms a small cup shape.
Pre-bake the Wonton Cups: Bake the empty wonton wrappers for 5-7 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and crispy. This step is crucial to prevent them from getting soggy later.
Cook the Ground Beef: While the wontons are baking, cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the chopped onion, minced garlic, and taco seasoning. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the onion is soft.
Assemble the Taco Cups: Remove the muffin tin from the oven. Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each pre-baked wonton cup. Top each cup generously with shredded cheese.
Bake to Perfection: Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for another 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the wonton cups are golden brown.
Add Toppings and Serve: Let the taco cups cool for a minute or two before carefully removing them from the muffin tin. Arrange them on a platter and top with your favorite garnishes like lettuce, tomato, and sour cream. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Taco Cups Every Time
Want to ensure your taco bites are flawless? Follow these expert tips.
Don’t Skip the Pre-bake: Pre-baking the wonton wrappers is the secret to a crispy, sturdy cup that holds up to the filling.
Drain the Grease: Be sure to drain the grease from the ground beef thoroughly to avoid making the cups soggy.
Use Two Wrappers for a Sturdier Cup: For an extra-crispy and more durable cup, try layering two wonton wrappers in each muffin tin spot, staggering the corners.
Shred Your Own Cheese: For the best melt, shred a block of cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can affect how they melt. If you need some other appetizer ideas, try these amazing holiday appetizers.
Delicious Taco Cup Variations
This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to get creative with these delicious variations!
Spicy Chicken Taco Cups
Instead of ground beef, use shredded rotisserie chicken. Toss the chicken with taco seasoning and a bit of salsa. Fill the cups and bake as directed. For an extra kick, add a dash of hot sauce to the chicken mixture. For another spicy option perfect for game day, try these hot honey chicken wings.
Vegetarian Black Bean Taco Cups
For a plant-based version, substitute the ground beef with a can of black beans (rinsed and drained). Mash about half of the beans and mix with a can of corn, taco seasoning, and chopped onion. This makes a hearty and flavorful vegetarian filling.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
These Taco Cups are great for planning ahead. You can prepare the ground beef filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also pre-bake the wonton cups a day ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. When ready to serve, simply fill, add cheese, and bake.
Store leftover taco cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best results, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispiness. For more recipes perfect for parties, check out these buffalo chicken sliders.
What to Serve with Your Taco Cups
While these taco cups are a fantastic standalone appetizer, you can easily turn them into a full meal. Serve them with a side of Spanish rice, a simple salad, or some cilantro-lime rice. They also pair wonderfully with classic Mexican side dishes like refried beans, corn salad, or a bowl of guacamole and chips.
Taco cups are typically made with wonton wrappers pressed into a muffin tin, filled with seasoned ground beef or another filling, and topped with cheese. They are then baked until golden and crispy and finished with classic taco toppings.
Yes! You can prepare the meat filling up to 2 days in advance and pre-bake the wonton cups 1 day ahead. Store the filling in the fridge and the cups in an airtight container at room temperature. Assemble and bake just before serving.
The key to preventing soggy cups is to pre-bake the empty wonton wrappers for 5-7 minutes before adding the filling. Also, make sure to thoroughly drain any excess grease from the cooked meat.
The best way to reheat taco cups and keep them crispy is in an oven or air fryer. Heat them at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through and re-crisped.
A shredded Mexican cheese blend, sharp cheddar, or Monterey Jack cheese are all excellent choices. For the best melt, it’s recommended to shred your own cheese from a block.
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FL Recipes
Taco Cups: The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Mini Tacos
Discover how to make the best Taco Cups! This easy recipe uses wonton wrappers and a muffin tin to create crispy, delicious mini tacos filled with seasoned ground beef. Perfect for appetizers, parties, or a fun family dinner.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Gently press one wonton wrapper into each cup.
Bake the empty wonton wrappers for 5-7 minutes, until lightly golden and crispy.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease. Add the onion, garlic, and taco seasoning, and cook for 2-3 minutes more.
Spoon the beef mixture into each pre-baked wonton cup. Top generously with shredded cheese.
Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for 5-8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the wonton edges are golden brown.
Let cool for a minute before removing from the tin. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 110kcalProtein: 8gFat: 6gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: For extra crispy cups, use two wonton wrappers per muffin cup, staggering the corners. Tip 2: Shred your own cheese from a block for the best melting results. Tip 3: The seasoned meat filling can be made up to 2 days in advance to save time.
Keyword muffin tin tacos,taco bites,taco cups,wonton taco cups
We hope you loved making these fun and delicious Taco Cups! They are a true crowd-pleaser and a recipe we come back to again and again. If you tried this recipe, we’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below or share a photo of your masterpiece on Pinterest. Your feedback helps our community of home cooks grow!
Crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—these Taco Cups are the ultimate party snack!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
