These Mini Muffin Tin Taco Bites are bite sized taco cups made in mini muffin tins. They are perfect for the kids for lunch, dinner, or snacking and they make great appetizers for parties.
Long time, no post. I know, I know. You probably thought I vanished into thin air. Life has been crazy busy lately. My daughter was out of town taking a first responders course so I was puppy sitting Miss Ellie for her.
Then my computer decided to stage a mutiny and I could not upload any photos. I could not download any photos. Plus all the photos in my photo library vanished. I almost had heart failure over that last one.
I spent 2 days trying to fix it myself before I gave up and called Apple Care. Luckily after hours of investigating and chatting online, we figured out the problems and fixed them. Thankfully my photos were okay.
Luckily I have clients such as Gay Lea who are very understanding when life goes awry. I was finally able to upload my photos so I could share this month's theme: Kids in the Kitchen. March Break has arrived, people.
My kids are huge taco fiends. I suspect they get it from their mother. I also happen to be a huge taco fanatic. So it seemed fitting to make tacos for this month's theme. I mean what kid doesn't enjoy a great taco?
These ones are miniature tacos and when I say mini I really mean it. I made the shells in mini muffin tins. Not regular size muffin tins. Nope. Not good enough for this gal. I wanted teeny-tiny, itty-bitty taco bites.
Essentially these are One Bite Tacos. If you have a big appetite you could even call them Half-a-Bite Tacos. Whatever floats your boat. Call them whatever you like. One Bite Tacos, Half-a-Bite Tacos, or Mini Taco Heaven.
I'm down with whatever name you choose as long as you whip up lots and invite me over. I love a good taco. Or ten. Or twenty. There's something about them that just brings happiness to the masses, including kiddos.
What I love about these mini tacos is kids can do them up any way they like. You can set out all the fixings in little bowls or mason jars and just let the kids go to town. They can customize to their heart's content.
Mini tacos are beyond awesome for lunches too. You could say these tacos are "not too cool for school". They are just cool enough. Tacos are perfect as leftovers and taste fabulous cold. No joke. I could eat a million of them.
This recipe is perfect for March Break. Keep your kids happy and occupied. Recipes like this get them involved in the cooking process and that is ALWAYS a good thing. Not only is it fun but it teaches them essential life skills.
When you start these make sure you set out a good cutting board to cut the tortillas with biscuit cutters. It's super easy to use them. Just lay out each tortilla, then press the biscuit cutter down and give it a twist. Bam, little tortillas.
Once they are cut into tiny rounds you melt the butter and use a barbecue brush or silicone brush to spread butter on both sides of each round. This will soften them up to slide them into the muffin tins easily. Use something tiny to press them inside.
Then just cut cook up your ground beef and chop up all your toppings. Place them all in bowls or wide mouth mason jars to serve everything. The kids can make their own custom teeny-tiny tacos. Plus a mess. Just lay a tarp down. Done.
You can even serve them in muffin tins. Cool ones, NOT ones right out of the oven. C'mon, people, use your noggins. A nice cool muffin tin makes a great serving vessel for all the tiny ingredients. It looks cute and it's super useful.
Enjoy March Break and any other day you're lucky enough to spend with your hooligans. My kids are grown up and in their 20's now. I miss the good old days when they were little and everything was an absolute adventure. I loved those days.
Adventures still abound when your kids are older. The adventures jus change a little bit. One thing that never changes is how much kids LOVE tacos.
Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic!
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram ~ Kiss My Smoke
Mini Muffin Tin Taco Bites
Ingredients
- 1 package medium or large tortillas cut into smaller rounds
- 2 tablespoons spreadable butter
- 1 pound cooked ground beef
- 1 ounce taco seasoning store bought or make your own
- 1 cup water
Toppings:
- 1 head lettuce chopped finely
- 1 tomato chopped finely
- 1 large sweet onion chopped finely
- 12 ounces Old Sharpe Cheese
Optional:
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Green onions
- Peppers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray mini muffin tin with non-stick spray.
- Cut tortillas into small rounds with biscuit cutters. Save the leftover pieces of tortilla, place them in a ziploc bag and stash them in the freezer. Leftover pieces are great for things like tortilla soup.
- Place butter in a microwave safe bowl, place in microwave for about 20 seconds. Spread the butter on both sides of each tiny tortilla. Gently shape and press each tortilla into the muffin tins. You can use a small cup, measuring cup, or even the end of a honey dripper to help push each tortilla into the tins. Place in the oven and bake for about 5 to 8 minutes, depending on how light or dark you like your shells. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as you cook, continue cooking until the meat is browned and the juices run clear. Add taco season and 1 cup of water, allow to come to a boil while stirring occasionally over medium-high heat, then reduce to simmer. Allow to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture is perfectly thick and not runny. Transfer taco meat to a serving vessel.
- Chop up all the toppings and place them all in serving dishes.
- Shred the cheese and place in a serving vessel. Call it a vessel, the kids will howl with laughter.
- Place everything on the table and let the kids go to town making their mini muffin tin taco bites.
- Serve with a big old taco loving smile!
Notes
Check out my recipe index for more amazing recipes. You can find more main course and tons of easy recipes.
Take a minute to follow me on Pinterest. I’m always pinning great recipes and lots of other things as well.
You should also take an extra second to follow me on Instagram. All my current recipes get shared over there so it’s a great way to stay up to date on blog recipes.
All posts may contain affiliate links. I make a small commission, just enough to buy more cute props for the blog.
Toodles! xx
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
These are SO cute! Plus, hello, yummy, because #tacos
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much Jennifer. I'm such a sucker for cute food. Are we all going out for tacos while we're at the workshop? Because I'd be down with that plan.
Faith (An Edible Mosaic)
These are so cute, I love that they're perfect 1-bite sized! I'd be tempted to pop a whole platter in my mouth one bite at a time, lol. (I cannot resist tacos!) I'm glad to hear your computer issues are resolved, that is so frustrating!
Kim Beaulieu
Ha, I'm the same way. Once I start I can't stop. Tacos are everything.
Oh man, I thought I was going to lose my mind. I lost about 3 days of work time but I'm almost caught up with everything now. What a rough week.
Jennie @onesweetmess.com
I love a good taco. I especially love that these are bite-size. Bring on the tray!
Kim Beaulieu
Me too Jennie. We must eat tacos at least once a week. Swing by, I'll make a giant tray of these for you.
Courtney
Love that they're bite size - so much flavor - yum!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much Courtney. I'm a sucker for tiny food.
Liz
SOLD! But we'll need a double batch to satisfy all the hungry mouths!
Kim Beaulieu
Ha, we usually have to as well. They're hungry beasts when they all get home from work and school.
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Great bite sized portion. Beautiful shot.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much Megan. I appreciate it.
Pam
How many does the recipe make?
Kim Beaulieu
Hi Pam. It will make between 18 and 24, depending on the size of circles you cut from the tortillas. Hope that helps.
Peabody (SweetReciPEAs)
These are so festive and fun. Party perfect.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much Peabody. I have a serious obsession with mini food.
Heather Brown
So cute!
Kim Beaulieu
Thank you so much Heather.
Kimm at Reinvented
We love our tacos as well. This is new twist that i'll have to try.
Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much Kimm. Hope you love them.
Thanks for hosting.
Susan H
We loved these little bites! I’m definitely making them again.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much. So happy you liked them.
Toni
This is so perfect!! I love the serving size and so easy to make!! So awesome!
Kim Beaulieu
Thank you very much. I am obsessed with small food for some reason. Ha!
CP
Always a great party starter, I make them all the time by request!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much.
wilhelmina
My daughter just had a fit over these yummy bites, she totally loved them! Her and her friend thought it was the best taco night ever!
Kim Beaulieu
Aw, thanks so much. I love hearing stuff like this. Makes me so happy!