Crispy Tater Tot Taco Cups — Bite-Sized Taco Appetizers

Tater tot taco cups
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These tater tot taco cups turn taco night into something playful and portable. They work great as a family dinner, a game-day snack, or a handheld appetizer for parties. Crispy tater tots form the shell, and you can customize the fillings and toppings however you like.

Tater tots in muffin tin

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Place three frozen tater tots in each cup of a nonstick muffin pan.

Baking tater tots

Bake the tater tots for about 20 minutes to start crisping them up.

Preparing taco meat

While the tots bake, prepare 1 lb of taco meat—brown the ground beef and stir in a packet of taco seasoning according to the package directions.

Forming tot cups

Remove the muffin pan from the oven and, while the tots are hot, press each group of three down with a flat-bottomed object (a small cup or the back of a measuring cup works well) to form a cup shape. Return to the oven.

Crispy tater tot cups

Bake the formed cups for another 20 minutes, or until they are deeply golden and very crispy so they hold their shape.

Filling tot cups

Once the cups are crispy, spoon warmed taco meat into each one.

Cheese on taco cups

Top each filled cup with shredded cheddar or your favorite melting cheese.

Melting cheese

Return the pan to the oven for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Toppings bar

Set out a variety of toppings—sour cream, salsa, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, avocado or guacamole, cilantro, and lime wedges—so everyone can personalize their cups.

Ready to enjoy

Serve warm and enjoy these crispy, savory mini tacos that are as fun to make as they are to eat.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 36 frozen tater tots
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 2–3 cups grated cheddar cheese (or blend of cheeses)
  • Your choice of toppings: sour cream, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapeños, avocado, cilantro, lime, etc.

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
  2. Place three frozen tater tots into each cup of a nonstick muffin pan.
  3. Bake for 20 minutes to begin crisping the tots.
  4. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a skillet and stir in the taco seasoning according to package instructions. Keep warm.
  5. Remove the muffin pan from the oven. While the tots are hot, press them down with a flat-bottomed cup or spoon to shape cups.
  6. Return the pan to the oven and bake another 20 minutes, until the tot cups are very crispy and golden.
  7. Fill each cup with taco meat and top with shredded cheese. Bake about 5 minutes more, until the cheese melts.
  8. Garnish with your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
@whatsmomcookin

These tater tot taco cups are a fun way to switch up taco night and are a perfect game day appetizer! #tacocups #taconight #tatertots #easyrecipe #dinneridea #gamedayfood #funfood #kidapproved

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