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Crunchy Taco Cups

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These Crunchy Taco Cups are a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing party snack featuring crispy tortilla shells, savory taco filling, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for gatherings, game nights, or a fun twist on taco night, they’re customizable and ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 small flour or corn tortillas (6-inch)
  • Cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil
  • 1/2 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
  • 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Monterey Jack)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  • 1/4 cup diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 1/4 cup shredded lettuce
  • Hot sauce, to taste (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Coat a muffin tin with cooking spray.
  2. Use a 3-4 inch round cookie cutter or glass to cut tortillas into rounds that fit snugly into the muffin cups. Press each tortilla round into the tin to form cups.
  3. Lightly brush or spray the tortilla cups with olive oil. Bake for 7-8 minutes until lightly golden and starting to crisp. If edges brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
  4. While shells bake, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and chopped onion. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, breaking up meat until browned and onions are translucent.
  5. Stir in garlic, taco seasoning, tomato sauce (or salsa), and a pinch of salt and pepper. If mixture seems dry, add a splash of water or extra salsa.
  6. Remove baked tortilla cups from oven. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of taco filling into each shell. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
  7. Return filled cups to oven and bake for 7-8 more minutes, until cheese is melted and shells are deeply golden.
  8. Cool cups slightly (about 5 minutes). Top each with a dollop of sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, cilantro, and hot sauce if desired.
  9. Gently lift each Crunchy Taco Cup out of the tin and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, pre-bake the shells to keep them crunchy. Don’t overfill the cups or they may get soggy. Use fresh tortillas for easy molding. Customize with your favorite fillings and toppings—try black beans for vegetarian, or low-carb tortillas for keto. Serve immediately for maximum crunch. Prep toppings while shells bake to save time.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco cups, party snack, crunchy tacos, easy appetizer, Mexican snack, kid-friendly, game day, finger food, muffin tin tacos

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/crunchy-taco-cups-recipe-easy-party-snack-with-5-crispy-tortilla-shells/