Mini Taco Cups Crispy (Printable Version)

Bite-sized crispy taco cups loaded with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and fresh toppings, perfect for quick gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Meat

01 - 9 oz ground beef (alternative: ground turkey or 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)

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
02 - Heat skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 to 5 minutes.
03 - Add diced onion 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 over the beef mixture. Stir well and cook for 1 additional minute. Remove from heat.
05 - Press each tortilla round firmly into the muffin tin cups, folding edges to form a cup shape.
06 - Divide the beef mixture evenly among the tortilla cups. Top each with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
07 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until tortillas are crisp and cheese is melted.
08 - Allow to cool 3 to 5 minutes. Add salsa, sour cream, diced avocado, tomato, cilantro, and jalapeño slices as desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They come together in under 40 minutes, which means weeknight dinner stress disappears.
  • You can prep the beef mixture ahead and just assemble the cups before baking, making them perfect for entertaining.
  • Kids actually eat vegetables hidden under melted cheese—a small miracle in any kitchen.
  • They're crispy on the outside and juicy inside, with zero greasy mess on your hands.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling time in the muffin tin—it's what makes the tortilla stay crispy and hold its shape when you remove it.
  • If your tortillas are too large, use a bowl or cookie cutter to make 10-cm rounds; this changes everything about how they fit and bake.
  • Blending two cheeses instead of using just one creates better melting and deeper flavor—it's a small detail that tastes significant.
03 -
  • Grease your muffin tin generously—it makes removing the cups effortless and keeps them from sticking.
  • Don't overfill the tortilla cups or the cheese will leak out and burn on the tin; divide the beef evenly and you'll have perfect balance.
  • Serve these warm for the best texture and flavor—cold leftovers are good but never quite as magical as fresh from the oven.
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