Taco Bites (easy appetizer) 

If you are looking got an easy appetizer and delicious recipe for your next party or a dinner idea that's a big hit with all the kids- Taco Bites are here!  While traditional tacos are always a hit- they have their downside in terms of overall mess. As a bite-sized appetizer, it's a favorite finger food that is easily customizable. 

Ingredients:

• Mexican Blend Cheese (Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, etc.)
• Flour Tortillas - you be soft tacos so you can form them into the shape of a cup. You be able to get more cups made out of each tortilla, so I suggest getting the larger burrito size. 
• Taco Filling Options: the recipe card calls for black bean filling but you could easily do the same with Seasoned Taco Meat Ground Chicken, beef, or ground turkey. For another vegetarian option, green lentil filling is amazing! 
• Favorite Taco Toppings: Try Chopped green onions, pico de gallo, guacamole, sliced black olives, or a dollop of sour cream. 

Instructions- 

Preheated oven to 375. 

In a large skillet saute the chopped onion and salt on medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes. Add the drained black beans. Don't raise then- you want a little of the starchiness of the liquid for help bring the beans together. 

Add the taco seasoning and simmer and cook for another 2-3 minutes to bring out all the flavor in the seasoning. Use the back of a spoon to break up some of the black beans while they cook. Remove from the heat and set aside. 

Cut the tortillas into 3.5-inch rounds. This is easiest if you have the right sized and shaped cookie cutter- but I can never seem to find it when I need it. You can just use some that is about that size to track and cut with a pairing knife. You have save the small pieces of remaining tortilla to toast and add to salads. 

Microwave the small tortilla rounds for 15-30 seconds, or until the are soft and malleable. Light brush olive oil on both sides of the tortilla and shape the tortilla into the cups of the muffin pan. 

Spoon the bean mixture into the tortilla cups. Top with the shredded cheese. 

Place the taco bites in the oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the edges of the cups are a golden brown color.  I know they look and smell amazing, BUT wait for a let them cool for at least 5 minutes- I speak for experiences you will burn your mouth in a rush to enjoy delicious taco bites. 

Now for the fun part! While you want for them to cook down prep your favorite taco toppings. Top the finished taco bites with sour cream, chopped avocado, salsa, or what taco fixings you like best. 

Tips Trips and alterations-

• Make the mini taco bites-use a mini muffin tin and cut the tortillas into 3-inch rounds. This site is easier for little kids to eat. 
• Spicy it up- for a spicier alternative use hot taco seasoning, top with sliced jalapeno, pickled fresno chilies and top with your favorite hot sauce. 
• Filling alternatives- you can easily game-change up the fill for either convenience or flavor preferences. Ground beef or turkey, refried beans, or leftover black beans also work great. 
• Double up the filling- beans or meat filling? can't decide, use both. I love shredded chicken with black beans. 
• Wonton wrappers- usually use tortillas because we always have them at the house (did you know these freeze and reheat well) but wonton wrappers also work well and are fun for parties. 

Learn more about the amazingness of beans and lentils: Black Beans vs. Pinto Beans, Navy Beans vs. Great Northern Beans, What to do with leftover lentils (15+ ideas), What do Lentils Taste Like? and more Canned Black Bean Recipes.

Looking for more appetizers for big game days: 

• Bean dips with tortilla chips
• Mushroom Tart 
• Jalapeno poppers
• And all the hummus: spicy, dill pickle, cilantro jalapeno, harissa, black bean, 

If you’ve tried this taco bits recipe or any other recipe on BalancingBowls, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.

Recipe

Taco Bites (easy bean appetizer)

If you are looking got an easy appetizer and delicious recipe for your next party or a dinner idea that's a big hit with all the kids- Taco cups are here! While traditional tacos are always a hit- they have their downside in terms of overall mess. As a bite-sized appetizer, it's a favorite finger food that is easily customizable.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• 4 large burrito sized tortilla
• 1 can of black beans
• ½ cup chopped red onion
• 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2-4 tablespoon olive oil
• and toppings of your choice

Instructions

 

• Preheated oven to 375.
• In a large skillet saute the chopped onion and salt on medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes. Add the drained black beans.
• Add the taco seasoning and simmer and cook for another 2-3 minutes to bring out all the flavor in the seasoning. Use the back of a spoon to break up some of the black beans while they cook. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Cut the tortillas into 3.5-inch rounds.
• Microwave the small tortilla rounds for 15-30 seconds, or until the are soft and malleable. Light brush olive oil on both sides of the tortilla and shape the tortilla into the cups of the muffin pan.
• Spoon the bean mixture into the tortilla cups. Top with the shredded cheese.
• Place the taco bites in the oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the edges of the cups are a golden brown color.
• Top the finished taco bites with sour cream, chopped avocado, salsa, or what taco fixings you like best.