Hey y'all! Looking for a deliciously spooky way to kick off your Halloween night? These Spooky Halloween Taco Cups – Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating are the perfect bite-sized solution for families and partygoers alike. With crispy wonton wrappers, savory taco filling, and ghoulishly fun toppings, these cups pack all your favorite taco flavors into a festive, mess-free treat. Ideal for fueling up before an evening of trick-or-treating or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at your Halloween party. Let's get cooking!
Why You'll Love This Spooky Halloween Taco Cups – Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating Recipe
- Ready in under 30 minutes for quick weeknight dinners or parties.
- Kid-friendly, customizable, and perfect for picky eaters.
- Mess-free finger food ideal for pre-trick-or-treating energy.
- Festive, fun, and customizable with spooky toppings.
- Portable and easy to serve for gatherings or Halloween potlucks.
Ingredients for Spooky Halloween Taco Cups – Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
- ⅔ cup water
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons sliced black olives
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 small can sliced jalapeños (optional for extra kick)
- Halloween-themed picks, edible eyes, or cut veggies for decoration
Directions: Spooky Halloween Taco Cups – Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating
Step 1: Prepare Taco Filling
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning and water to the pan. Mix thoroughly and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Stir in black beans. Remove from heat.
Step 2: Assemble Taco Cups
- Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Press a wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, gently forming a cup shape.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of taco filling into each cup. Sprinkle a layer of cheddar cheese on top.
- Top with a second wonton wrapper, another spoonful of taco mixture, and more cheese.
Step 3: Bake the Cups
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until wonton edges are golden and crisp.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2 minutes before carefully lifting taco cups from the tin.
Step 4: Add Spooky Toppings
- Dollop each cup with a bit of salsa and sour cream.
- Decorate with sliced olives, green onions, jalapeños, and Halloween-themed touches—like edible eyes or veggie-cut jack-o-lantern faces!
Notes for Making Spooky Halloween Taco Cups – Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating
- For crispier cups, brush wonton wrappers lightly with oil before baking. Learn more about baking crispy wonton shells here.
- Use rotisserie chicken instead of beef for a lighter, faster version.
- Make ahead tip: Prepare the filling and toppings earlier in the day, then assemble and bake just before serving.
Variations: Spooky Halloween Taco Cups – Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating
- Vegetarian Taco Cups: Swap ground beef for plant-based crumbles or extra black beans and corn.
- Chicken Taco Cups: Substitute cooked shredded chicken for the ground beef. Mix with taco seasoning for flavor.
- Spicy Monster Cups: Add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of hot sauce to the filling for an extra kick.
Required Equipment for Spooky Halloween Taco Cups – Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating
- 12-cup muffin tin
- Large skillet
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Non-stick cooking spray
Storage Instructions for Spooky Halloween Taco Cups – Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating
- Store leftover taco cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8-10 minutes to maintain crispiness.
- Not recommended for freezing, as the wonton wrappers may become soggy.
Suggested Pairings & Serving Recommendations
- Pair with a simple green salad or crunchy veggie platter for a balanced meal.
- Serve alongside a festive Halloween punch or sparkling cider for kids.
- Offer with guacamole and extra salsa on the side for dipping fun.
Pro Tips for Spooky Halloween Taco Cups – Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating
- Don’t overfill the cups—this helps them bake evenly and keeps them easy to eat. Find more tips for making perfect taco cups at Food Network.
- Let kids join in by decorating their own taco cups with fun toppings.
- For extra crunch, use two wonton wrappers per cup, layering as you build.
FAQs: Spooky Halloween Taco Cups – Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating
- Can I make Spooky Halloween Taco Cups ahead of time?
- Yes! Prepare the filling and assemble the cups up to 4 hours in advance; bake just before serving for best texture.
- What can I use instead of wonton wrappers?
- Small flour tortillas (cut to size) or phyllo dough sheets are great alternatives for the crunchy cup.
- How can I make these taco cups healthier?
- Opt for lean turkey or chicken, reduced-fat cheese, and pile on fresh veggies as toppings. For more nutritional info, check out EatRight.org.
Ingredients
- 16 wonton wrappers
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup salsa
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
Instructions
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1Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
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2Press a wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, then layer a second wrapper on top, pressing gently to form a cup.
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3In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat, then add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened.
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4Spoon the taco meat evenly into the wonton cups. Top each with shredded cheddar cheese.
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5Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers are golden and the cheese is melted.
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6Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with black olives, sour cream (piped into spooky shapes), salsa, and green onions before serving.
CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO
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Approximate Information for One Serving
Serving Size:
1 serving
Calories:
210 caloriescal
Protein:
12gg
Fat:
11gg
Saturated Fat:
0g
Trans Fat:
0g
Cholesterol:
0mg
Sodium:
0mg
Potassium:
0mg
Total Carbs:
17gg
Fiber:
0g
Sugar:
0g
Net Carbs:
0g
Vitamin A:
0
Vitamin C:
0mg
Calcium:
0mg
Iron:
0mg
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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