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Taco Ranch Bites

Taco ranch bites pair seasoned beef with ranch flavor in crisp, golden wonton cups. Baked in a mini muffin pan and finished with melted cheddar, they make an easy appetizer to serve warm.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 21 minutes
resting 2 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 100
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the filling
  • 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
  • 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
  • 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix dry
  • 0.5 cup water
For the cups
  • cooking spray
  • 24 wonton wrappers
For the topping
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Equipment

  • 1 12-inch skillet
  • 1 24-cup mini muffin pan

Method
 

Make the filling
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Cook the ground beef in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles, until no pink remains and it reaches 160°F; drain excess fat.
  3. Stir in the taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, and water, then simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the mixture is thick.
Prepare the cups
  1. Lightly coat a 24-cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray and press one wonton wrapper into each cup.
  2. Bake the wrappers for 5–6 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
Fill and bake
  1. Divide the beef mixture among the cups and top each with cheddar cheese.
  2. Bake for 5–7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the wonton edges are golden; let the bites rest in the pan for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

For crisp cups, serve soon after filling. Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days; freezing is not recommended because the wonton cups can lose their crispness. Ground turkey can replace the beef for a leaner option.