Description
Taco Ranch Bites are a flavorful and fun appetizer featuring seasoned ground beef nestled in crispy wonton cups, topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, green onions, ranch dressing, and cilantro. Perfect for parties or game day snacks, these bite-sized treats combine classic taco flavors with a creamy ranch finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 package taco seasoning
Toppings
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced green onions
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Wrapper
- 24 wonton wrappers
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin to ensure the wonton cups don’t stick during baking.
- Cook Beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until it is fully browned and crumbled. Drain the excess fat to keep the filling from being greasy.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning according to the package instructions, combining thoroughly with the cooked beef for full flavor.
- Form Wonton Cups: Place one wonton wrapper into each mini muffin cup, gently pressing them down to form small cup shapes that will hold the taco filling.
- Fill Cups: Spoon the seasoned taco meat evenly into each wonton wrapper cup, filling them but not overstuffing.
- Bake: Bake the filled wonton cups in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the wontons are golden brown and crispy.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the taco bites cool for a few minutes to set and avoid burning your mouth.
- Add Toppings: Top each taco bite with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, diced green onions, and a drizzle of ranch dressing to add creamy and fresh layers of flavor.
- Garnish: Finish by garnishing each bite with chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of herbaceous freshness.
- Serve: Serve these delicious taco ranch bites immediately while the crispy wonton cups and warm meat filling are at their best.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the taco meat.
- Ensure the wonton wrappers are tightly pressed into the muffin tin to avoid collapsing.
- These bites are best served fresh but can be reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
- Use lactose-free dairy or vegan cheese and sour cream to make this recipe suitable for lactose intolerant or vegan diets (modifications required).
