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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Double Layer Beef Taco Cups

    Published: Aug 4, 2021 · Modified: Feb 5, 2023 by Ashlyn Meredith ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A taco cup on a thie plate with a bit taken out of it.

    These super fun double layer beef taco cups are easy to make and add a fun twist to taco night. They are made with wonton skins, layered with refried beans and ground beef taco meat. This fun finger food is the perfect appetizer to share with a crowd, or great to serve for dinner too!

    A taco cup on a thie plate with a bit taken out of it.

    It's fun to set out all the taco toppings on the dinner table and let everyone put their favorites on their little taco cups. This way everyone gets their taco cup just the way the want it!

    You could also make these easy taco cups as a dish to share at a gathering. A quick three bite taco snack is sure to make anyone happy. You can offer different topping combinations to, again, make sure everyone has them just how they like it!

    The best part about these yummy taco cups is how crunchy the wonton skins get when you bake them. That crunch mixed with the layers of beans, taco meat and cheese is perfection!

    For more taco inspired recipes, try: Easy Creamy Taco Soup, Mini Bell Pepper Nachos with Chorizo or Shredded Chicken Tacos with Roasted Pineapple Salsa.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love These
    • Ingredients Needed
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ
    • Storing and Freezing
    • Other Recipes to Try
    • Recipe

    Why You Will Love These

    • They are easy. This easy appetizer or dinner can be put together without too much effort. Making these involves several steps, but they are all easy enough that kids can help with the entire recipe.
    • They are fun. This is a fun twist to eating your typical taco. Having the option to customize each little taco bite with your favorite toppings makes them even more enjoyable! It is a perfect recipe to make for your next party!
    • The layers. The first layer is refried beans, the second layer is ground beef and cheese and the top is whatever you heart desires!
    Double Layer Beef Taco Cups on a white plate topped with tomatoes, black olives, sour cream, and cilantro.

    Ingredients Needed

    Here are notes about some of the ingredients needed to make these wonton taco cups. All of these ingredients can be found at your local grocery store or at an online retailer, like Amazon.

    • Oil: Canola oil is what the recipe has listed, but vegetable oil or olive oil would also work.
    • Onion: You will need just one small white onion.
    • Garlic
    • Jalapeño: I like to take the seeds and membrane to tame down the heat a bit. You can leave that in if you prefer the spiciness!
    • Chili powder
    • Cumin
    • Coriander
    • Ground beef: I like to use lean ground beef (usually 93-96% lean). This ensures that they beef mixture isn't too greasy when you add it to the taco cups.
    • Picante sauce: You can use whichever heat level you prefer. I typically choose mild for this.
    • Wonton skins
    • Beans: Refried pinto or black beans work great in this.
    • Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese is what I prefer to use for this. You could also use pepper jack, a Mexican blend, Monterey jack...or any cheese you like, really!
    Taco cups ingredients in varying bowl shapes and sizes.

    Step by Step Instructions

    Here is how to make this tasty taco cups recipe. You will need a standard size 12 cup muffin tin. For the full ingredient list and instructions see the recipe card below.

    Prepare the Beef Mixture

    STEP 1: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 4 minutes, or until softened.

    STEP 2: Add the garlic, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Sauté for about 1 minute before adding the ground beef. Cook beef for about 3 minutes or until it's browned. Be sure to stir it with a wooden spoon to crumble the beef. (I prefer to use a meat chopper when I'm cooking ground beef. Do you have one yet? It's one of my favorite kitchen tools!)

    STEP 3: Stir in the picante sauce and cover the skillet. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Prepare the Wonton Cups

    STEP 1: Spray a muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

    STEP 2: Arrange one wonton skin in each muffin cup. Be sure to press the skin to the edges and along the bottom.

    STEP 3: Take about 1 tablespoon of the refried beans and place that in the center of each wonton wrapper. I like to use a spoon to spread the beans out a bit to cover the entire bottom of the wonton skin.

    STEP 4: Arrange another wonton wrapper on top of the refried beans, pressing along the bottoms and edges. I like to make sure I put the second wonton skin on in the opposite direction of the first one, so the corners are staggered.

    Double layer beef taco cups wonton skins in a muffin tin.
    Taco cup preparation in muffin tin.
    Taco cup preparation in muffin tin.

    STEP 5: Divide the meat mixture, placing about about 1 tablespoon in the center of each of the wonton wrappers.

    STEP 6: Top with shredded cheese, about 1 tablespoon of cheese per taco cup.

    Taco cup preparation in muffin tin.
    Taco cup preparation in muffin tin.

    STEP 7: Bake the taco cups in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes or until edges are golden and the cheese is melted. Let them cool slightly and then top with your favorite taco toppings.

    Baked taco cup preparation in muffin tin.
    Double layer beef taco cups in a muffin tin topped with sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and black olives.

    Expert Tips

    • Get creative with the toppings. The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can have available. You could add a small dollop of sour cream or guacamole, taco sauce, pico de gallo, diced onions, green onions, green chilies, etc.
    • You can prepare the beef mixture up to a day before you plan to bake these. If you have all the other ingredients ready to go, you will be well prepared for baking these up.
    Taco cup toppings ingredients in varying bowl shapes and sizes.

    FAQ

    Can I use tortillas instead of wonton skins?

    Yes. You could use a large biscut cutter to cut out circles from flour tortillas and place them in the muffin tin as you would the wonton skins.

    Can I serve these at room temperature?

    Yes. These are great at room temperature which makes them perfect to set out at a party!

    Could I use ground turkey in place of the ground beef?

    Absolutely. Ground turkey would make a great substitution for the ground beef.

    Double layer beef taco cups toped with sour cream, black olives, tomatoes, and cilantro.

    Storing and Freezing

    Store leftover taco cups in an airtight container or zip top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Warm, wrapped in a paper towel or napkin for 30-45 seconds.

    Freezing is not recommended for these.

    Double layer beef taco cup with a bite taken out of it on a white plate.

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      Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Crumble Muffins
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    Recipe

    A taco cup on a thie plate with a bit taken out of it.

    Double Layer Beef Taco Cups

    These super fun double layer beef taco cups are easy to make and add a fun twist to taco night. Made with wonton skins and layered with refried beans and ground beef, this fun finger food is perfect for bringing to share with a crowd or serving for dinner too!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 12
    Calories 328 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ teaspoons canola oil
    • ½ cup diced onion
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno
    • 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
    • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ¾ teaspoon ground coriander
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 8 ounces ground beef
    • 2 tablespoons picante sauce
    • Cooking spray
    • 24 wonton wrappers
    • 1 cup refried beans
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

    For Topping:

    • Shredded iceberg lettuce
    • Diced tomato
    • Sliced ripe olives
    • Sour cream

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and swirl to coat. Add onion and saute 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Add garlic and next 6 ingredients (through salt). Saute 1 minute, stirring constantly.
    • Add beef and cook for 3 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble.
    • Stir in picante sauce. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Meanwhile, prepare the taco cups. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray. Arrange one wonton wrapper in each cup. Press the wrapper to the edges and along the bottom.
    • Place 1 tablespoon refried beans on top of each wonton wrapper, using a spoon to spread the beans out.
    • Place another wonton wrapper on top of the beans, staggering the corners with the first wrapper and pressing bottoms and edges. Place 1 tablespoon of beef mixture on top of the wonton wrapper and top with 1 tablespoon cheese.
    • Bake in 350°F oven for 15 minutes or until edges are golden and cheese is melted. Let cool slightly. Top with your choice of toppings and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 41.7gProtein: 18gFat: 9.4gSaturated Fat: 4.7gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 575mgPotassium: 223mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 0.5gCalcium: 178mgIron: 6mg
    Keyword beef, taco
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @heysnickerdoodle on Instagram.

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    Hey, there! I'm Ashlyn and I'm the human behind Hey, Snickerdoodle where you will find approachable, simple recipes that are attainable for any home chef. As a parent to three busy boys, my recipes have been developed and tested with busy families in mind. Hey, Snickerdoodle is a place where you can find a collection of recipes I have developed, photographs I have taken and some simple background information, tips, and tricks I have written about my recipes.

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