This easy Wonton Taco Cups recipe is made with crispy wonton wrappers, savory ground beef, zesty taco seasoning, and melted cheddar cheese. The result is a bite-sized appetizer that is perfectly crunchy, savory, and loaded with flavor. They are the ultimate finger food for your next game day or party, and this recipe makes 24 delicious cups.
Wonton Taco Cups Ingredients
For the Taco Cups:
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Cooking spray
For the Toppings (Optional):
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped fresh cilantro
How To Make Wonton Taco Cups
- Prepare the wonton cups: Preheat your oven to 375∘F (190∘C). Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Gently press one wonton wrapper into each cup. For a sturdier base, you can use two wrappers per cup, staggering them slightly.
- Pre-bake the wonton cups: Lightly spray the inside of the wonton cups with cooking spray. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crisp. Set the muffin tin aside.
- Cook the taco meat: While the cups are baking, add the ground beef and diced onion to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
- Season the meat: Return the skillet to the heat. Stir in the taco seasoning packet and the water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Fill the cups: Carefully spoon the cooked taco meat into each of the pre-baked wonton cups. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the meat in each cup.
- Bake again to melt cheese: Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for an additional 4-5 minutes, or just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add toppings and serve: Let the Wonton Taco Cups cool in the tin for a minute or two before transferring them to a serving platter. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and any other desired toppings just before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Pre-bake the Wonton Cups: This is a crucial step! Baking the wrappers before you add the filling makes them crispy and sturdy. If you skip this, the grease from the meat will make the bottoms soggy.
- Use Two Wrappers for a Sturdier Cup: One wrapper works, but using two makes the cups much more durable and easier for guests to handle without them breaking apart. Just be sure to stagger them for full coverage.
- Drain the Grease Thoroughly: After browning the ground beef, make sure to drain all the excess fat. Too much grease will pool in the bottom of the cups and can make them soft.
- Add Cold Toppings at the End: For the best texture experience, add cool and fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, and sour cream right before you serve them. This keeps the cups warm and the toppings crisp and fresh.
What To Serve Wonton Taco Cups
These taco cups are the star appetizer on any party platter. Serve them with classic dipping companions like guacamole, fresh salsa, and queso dip with a side of tortilla chips. They also pair well with other popular game day snacks like seven-layer dip, jalapeño poppers, and buffalo chicken wings.
How To Store Wonton Taco Cups Leftovers
- Refrigerate: These are best enjoyed immediately while they are warm and crisp. If you have leftovers, store them without any fresh toppings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350∘F (175∘C) for a few minutes to help them crisp up again.
- Freeze: Freezing fully assembled cups is not recommended, as the wonton wrappers will become soft and soggy upon thawing. However, you can cook the taco meat filling ahead of time and freeze it for up to 3 months for a quick future assembly.
Wonton Taco Cups Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 taco cup (recipe makes 24)
- Calories: 95 kcal
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 280mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 6g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.5g Sugars: 0.4g Protein: 6g
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef? Yes, absolutely! Ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent, leaner alternatives. You can prepare the filling in the exact same way as you would with ground beef.
- Where do I find wonton wrappers in the store? You can typically find wonton wrappers in the refrigerated section of most major grocery stores. They are often located in the produce section, near the tofu and other refrigerated plant-based products.
- Can I make these ahead of time for a party? You can do most of the prep work in advance. You can cook the taco meat and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can also pre-bake the wonton cups and store them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to serve, just fill the cups, top with cheese, and do the final bake.
- Do you have other filling ideas? These cups are incredibly versatile. You could fill them with shredded BBQ chicken and coleslaw, a creamy buffalo chicken dip filling, or make a vegetarian version with black beans, corn, and bell peppers.
Try More Recipes:
- Yorkshire Pudding Recipe
- Zucchini Roll-Ups Recipe
- Zucchini Caprese Sliders Recipe
- Zucchini Quinoa Cakes Recipe
Wonton Taco Cups Recipe
Description
These Wonton Taco Cups are the perfect party food! Crispy baked wonton wrappers are filled with savory, seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, then topped with your favorite taco fixings. They are easy to make, fun to eat, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
For the Taco Cups:
For the Toppings (Optional):
Instructions
- Prep Cups: Preheat oven to 375∘F (190∘C). Press wonton wrappers into a sprayed muffin tin. Lightly spray the wrappers and pre-bake for 5-7 minutes until golden.
- Cook Meat: Brown the ground beef with onion, then drain the grease. Stir in taco seasoning and water, and simmer until thickened.
- Fill and Bake: Spoon the meat mixture into the pre-baked wonton cups. Top with shredded cheese.
- Final Bake: Bake for another 4-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the tin, add fresh toppings like lettuce and sour cream, and serve immediately.
