Taco Cupcakes Recipe
These Taco Cupcakes are a fun and delicious twist on traditional tacos, combining savory seasoned ground beef with baked cornbread ‘cupcakes’ filled with cheese and topped with fresh garnishes. Perfect as a party appetizer or a family-friendly meal, these handheld delights bring together the flavors of a classic taco in a convenient, baked form.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef, cooked and seasoned with taco seasoning
Cornbread Cupcakes
- Cornbread mix, prepared according to package instructions for cupcakes
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream, for topping
- 1 large tomato, diced
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
- Guacamole (optional), for topping
- Prepare the Cornbread: Follow the cornbread mix package instructions thoroughly. Instead of pouring the batter into a regular baking pan, distribute it evenly into a muffin tin to form individual cupcake shapes. Bake the cornbread cupcakes until they are firm but still slightly undercooked to allow room for filling later.
- Scoop Out Centers: Once the cornbread cupcakes are nearly baked, remove them from the oven. Using a spoon, carefully hollow out the center of each cupcake, creating enough space to add the seasoned ground beef filling while leaving a sturdy edge to hold the filling.
- Fill with Beef: Spoon the cooked and seasoned ground beef mixture into the hollowed centers of each cornbread cupcake, making sure to fill them generously to maximize flavor in every bite.
- Top with Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the beef-filled cupcake centers. Return the filled cupcakes to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to turn golden brown on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the taco cupcakes from the oven. Top each one with a dollop of sour cream, diced tomato, chopped green onions, and cilantro. Optionally, add a spoonful of guacamole for added creaminess and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy these tasty taco-inspired cupcakes!
Notes
- Use a standard muffin tin to ensure the cornbread cupcakes bake evenly and hold their shape.
- The cornbread should be slightly underbaked before scooping to prevent cracking when hollowing out.
- Feel free to customize the toppings with jalapeños or shredded lettuce for extra crunch and heat.
- These cupcakes can be made ahead and reheated gently in the oven before serving.
Keywords: taco cupcakes, cornbread tacos, party appetizers, baked tacos, ground beef recipe, Mexican fusion