Mini Taco Cups Crispy (Printable Version)

Crispy, bite-sized tortilla cups filled with savory beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings—perfect for gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat

01 - 9 oz ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 1 garlic clove, minced

→ Seasonings

04 - 1 tsp chili powder
05 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Base & Dairy

09 - 12 small flour tortillas (street taco size or cut into 4-inch rounds)
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Toppings (optional)

12 - 1/2 cup salsa
13 - 1/4 cup sour cream
14 - 1 small avocado, diced
15 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
16 - 1 small tomato, diced
17 - Jalapeño slices (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef, breaking it up, until no longer pink, about 4–5 minutes.
03 - Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
04 - Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture. Stir well and cook for 1 additional minute. Remove from heat.
05 - Press each tortilla round into the muffin tin cups, folding edges to fit and create a cup shape.
06 - Distribute the beef mixture evenly among the tortilla cups. Top each with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
07 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until tortillas are crisp and cheese has melted.
08 - Allow cups to cool for 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with salsa, sour cream, diced avocado, tomato, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño slices as desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They bake while you're doing something else, leaving your hands free to prep toppings or pour a drink.
  • Each person gets their own edible vessel and can load it exactly how they like it.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully in a toaster oven, making them perfect for meal prep.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling time—rushing to the table results in molten cheese and disappointed hands.
  • The tortillas continue to crisp as they cool, so they're actually crunchiest a few minutes after coming out of the oven, not immediately.
03 -
  • If your muffin tin doesn't have a nonstick coating, grease it generously or use a light cooking spray—this is where most failure happens.
  • Slightly warm tortillas before pressing them into the cups; they fold and conform much more easily than cold, stiff ones.
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