Zesty Enchilada Cups Recipe: Fun Handheld Fiesta Bites

Zesty and packed with flavor, these mini enchilada cups bring a spicy twist to traditional Mexican-inspired appetizers.

Bite-sized enchilada cups burst with rich, melted cheese and tender seasoned meat.

Each crispy tortilla shell cradles a delicious filling that packs a serious punch of southwestern goodness.

You’ll love how simple these little handheld treats are to assemble and serve at gatherings.

The combination of crisp edges and soft, savory interior makes them irresistible for game days or casual dinner parties.

These cute cups deliver all the classic enchilada flavors in one convenient, crowd-pleasing package.

Dive into this easy recipe and watch everyone’s eyes light up with the first delectable bite.

Baking Directions for Enchilada Cups

• Tortilla Transformation

Create crispy tortilla bowls by gently pressing them into a muffin tin, giving them a perfect curved shape that cradles the delicious filling.

• Beefy Base

Brown ground beef in a skillet, breaking it into small pieces until it’s cooked through and packed with savory flavor.

• Saucy Mixture

Stir enchilada sauce and zesty seasonings into the beef, then fold in black beans, sweet corn, and spicy jalapeños for a burst of southwestern goodness.

• Cheesy Topping

Fill the crispy tortilla cups with the hearty beef mixture and blanket them with a generous layer of melty Mexican cheese.

• Final Flourish

Add a colorful array of fresh toppings like vibrant cilantro, green onions, juicy tomatoes, creamy sour cream, and smooth avocado slices to elevate these mini flavor bombs.

• Serving Magic

Pull these sizzling enchilada cups straight from the oven and serve immediately while they’re hot and loaded with mouthwatering ingredients.

Creative Tips for Enchilada Cups

• Brush corn or flour tortillas with olive oil before shaping to enhance crispiness and prevent breaking during baking.
• Replace ground beef with shredded chicken, turkey, or plant-based crumbles for diverse flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
• Modify heat intensity by adjusting jalapeño amounts or substituting with milder green chiles for sensitive palates.
• Prepare tortilla cups and beef mixture separately up to 24 hours in advance, then quickly assemble and bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
• Skip meat entirely and use additional beans, quinoa, or roasted vegetables to create a wholesome plant-based version that's equally delicious and satisfying.

How to Plate Enchilada Cups for Guests

• Party Platter Magic: Arrange enchilada cups on a large wooden board with extra toppings scattered around, creating a colorful and interactive serving experience that lets guests customize their bites.
• Fiesta Side Companions: Pair these cups with Mexican-style rice, fresh salsa, guacamole, or a crisp green salad to balance the rich, savory flavors and add extra nutrition to the meal.
• Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: Transform these enchilada cups into bite-sized finger food for game day, potlucks, or cocktail parties by making them slightly smaller and using mini muffin tins for irresistible mini servings.
• Leftover Lunch Hack: Cold enchilada cups make an excellent next-day lunch packed in a sealed container, retaining their crispy texture and bold flavors for a quick and satisfying midday meal.

Storing and Reheating Enchilada Cups

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep leftover enchilada cups in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Seal completely to maintain flavor and prevent moisture absorption.
• Freezer Friendly Stash: Wrap individual cups in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. These tasty bites will stay delicious for up to 2 months when properly stored.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated cups in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to restore crispy tortilla edges and melt cheese perfectly. Microwave works in a pinch but may soften the tortilla texture.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare tortilla cups and beef mixture separately, storing them in different containers. Assemble and bake just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and flavor quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 413 kcal

Servings: 11

Enchilada Cups Ingredient Breakdown

• Corn Tortillas: Provides a crispy, authentic vessel for the filling, choose fresh, pliable tortillas without cracks.
• Cooking Spray: Ensures tortillas don't stick and helps create a golden, crisp texture.

• Ground Beef: Delivers rich, hearty flavor, select lean beef for a healthier option.
• Black Beans: Adds protein and creamy texture, rinse canned beans to reduce sodium.
• Corn: Brings sweet crunch and vibrant color, frozen or fresh corn works beautifully.
• Jalapeños: Introduces spicy kick, remove seeds for milder heat, use fresh for best flavor.
• Enchilada Sauce: Infuses deep, tangy Mexican-style taste, choose red sauce for robust flavor.
• Taco Seasoning: Provides complex, zesty spice blend, look for low-sodium options.

• Mexican Blend Cheese: Melts perfectly, creates gooey deliciousness.
• Cilantro: Adds fresh, bright herbal notes, choose bright green leaves.
• Green Onions: Delivers mild onion flavor with crisp texture.
• Tomatoes: Brings juicy freshness, select ripe, firm varieties.
• Sour Cream: Offers cool, tangy contrast to spicy filling.
• Avocado: Provides creamy richness, select slightly soft avocados.

Must-Have Tools for Enchilada Cups

• Muffin Tin: Essential for creating crispy tortilla cups with perfect shape.
• Cooking Spray: Helps prevent tortillas from sticking to the muffin tin.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef and mixing ingredients.
• Tin Foil Balls: Temporary support to help tortillas form bowl shape.
• Spatula: Great for stirring beef and mixing ingredients evenly.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for adding precise amounts of seasoning.
• Cheese Grater: Optional if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.

Loaded Enchilada Cups Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired enchilada cups deliver a compact, flavor-packed appetizer perfect for gatherings. Crispy wonton wrappers cradle spicy chicken, melted cheese, and zesty salsa, inviting friends to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (453 g) ground beef, 80-85% lean
• 1 ½ cups (340 g) shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 10 small flour tortillas
• 10 oz (283 g) red enchilada sauce
• 14 oz (397 g) canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup (118 ml) canned whole kernel corn
• 2 tbsps taco seasoning
• ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
• ¼ cup (60 ml) chopped pickled jalapeños
• ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh cilantro
• ¼ cup (40 g) chopped tomato
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1 small avocado, cubed

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Gently press tortillas into muffin tin cavities, using aluminum foil balls to maintain structural shape and create delicate edible vessels.
2. Toasting: Roast tortilla shells in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15 minutes until achieving a golden, crisp foundation.
3. Meat Fusion: Brown ground meat in a skillet, crumbling thoroughly, then drain excess grease. Integrate enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and jalapeños to develop a rich, complex flavor profile.
4. Assembly: Generously fill crisp tortilla cups with the seasoned meat mixture, ensuring even distribution without overflowing.
5. Cheese Transformation: Sprinkle Mexican cheese blend over filled cups, creating a complete coverage that promises a melted, glossy finish.
6. Final Baking: Return muffin tin to the oven for 10 minutes, allowing cheese to melt and develop a bubbling, appetizing surface.
7. Garnishing: Adorn the enchilada cups with a vibrant medley of chopped cilantro, green onions, tomatoes, sour cream, and avocado slices to enhance visual appeal and flavor complexity.
8. Serving: Present immediately, preserving the crisp texture and warm, inviting essence of the dish.

Notes

• Structural Reinforcement: Use aluminum foil balls to help tortillas maintain shape and prevent collapsing during baking.
• Tortilla Transformation: Prebake tortillas at 350°F for 15 minutes to create crispy, sturdy cups that hold fillings perfectly.
• Meat Preparation: Thoroughly drain excess grease from browned ground beef to prevent soggy, oily cups and ensure a cleaner flavor profile.
• Strategic Cheese Melting: Cover filled cups completely with cheese and bake an additional 10 minutes to achieve a glossy, bubbling top that enhances overall texture and taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 413
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 690 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg