Mini tacos
Mini tacos are a fun, bite-sized twist on a classic favorite, perfect for parties, snacks, or easy weeknight dinners. These homemade mini tacos are baked from scratch, giving them a crispy yet tender shell with flavorful fillings.
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef (I used 85/15)
- ½ cup water
- 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning (1 ounce envelope seasoning)
- 18 small corn tortillas (4 inch corn tortillas)
- 2 tablespoons oil for brushing onto the tortillas
- 1 cup oaxaca cheese shredded
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Use a spatula to break it into smaller pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink.
- Stir in the water and seasonings, then let it cook for another 5-7 minutes until the liquid reduces and the meat absorbs the flavors. Turn off the heat.
- Lightly brush one side of each tortilla with oil, then place them oil-side down on the prepared baking tray.
- Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of shredded cheese onto each tortilla and bake for 6-8 minutes, until the cheese is melted. (Pre-baking the tortillas with cheese helps them crisp up before adding the beef, preventing the meat from drying out.)
- Remove the tray from the oven and spoon 1-2 tablespoons of taco meat onto each tortilla. Fold them in half and press gently to form mini tacos. (The melted cheese should help seal them, but if needed, place another baking tray on top to keep them closed while baking.)
- Return the tray to the oven and bake for another 10-12 minutes until the tortillas are crispy, flipping them halfway through for even browning.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve as is or with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use any cheese you like, such as mozzarella, quesadilla cheese, cotija, or a shredded Mexican blend.
- You can use homemade taco seasoning. Make yours by mixing 1 Tbsp Chili powder, 1 tsp Cumin, ½ tsp Paprika, ½ tsp Onion powder, ½ tsp Garlic powder, ½Salt, ½ tsp Black pepper, ½ tsp Oregano, ⅛ tsp Cayenne pepper. Makes a little over 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning
- Pre-baking the tortillas with cheese before adding the beef helps them crisp up and keeps the meat from drying out.
- If small street taco-sized tortillas aren’t available, use regular tortillas and cut them into 4-inch circles with a cookie cutter.
Nutrition
Calories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 19gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 337mgPotassium: 271mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 59IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
