Ranch Taco Bites

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These ranch taco bites make the perfect appetizer for parties and game days! They’re crispy, crunchy, and filled with a cheesy, creamy taco meat mixture.

There’s never a need to fall back on ordinary chips and dip when I have so many quick, easy appetizer recipes for you! Don’t miss my other favorites like cheddar bay sausage balls, mini cheese ball bites, pretzel pigs in a blanket, and jalapeno popper crescent cups.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

With only 6 ingredients and a baking sheet, you can make these quick and easy ranch taco bites in no time! This is a simple way to serve one of everyone’s favorite dishes as a snack or appetizer instead of a main.

Ranch taco bites come together easily and disappear quickly! Crispy phyllo cups get filled with a cheesy, creamy mix of beef, taco seasoning, tomatoes with green chilies, ranch, and cheddar cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, these little bites are perfect for parties or game days!

Ingredients you’ll need:

• Store-bought phyllo cups
• Ground beef
• Rotel- drained
• Taco seasoning
• Ranch dressing
• Cheddar cheese- shredded

I love an appetizer that I can whip up last minute! With premade mini phyllo pastry cups, these taco ranch bites come together in no time at all! I think it’s important for all of us to have some quick and easy recipes in our back pockets for entertaining, and these ranch taco bites are a hit every single time.

There’s nothing better than a poppable, handheld food when you’ve got a big crowd to feed! The best part might be how incredibly easy they are to whip up. This easy appetizer only takes 10 minutes to assemble, is great for nearly any occasion, and can even be made ahead of time!

How to make the best ranch taco bites:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, then place your phyllo shells on a baking sheet and set aside for later.
• In a skillet over medium heat, brown your ground beef, then drain off any excess grease. Stir in the drained rotel and taco seasoning, then continue to cook for 3-5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add in ranch dressing and shredded cheddar cheese. Spoon the mixture into your phyllo shells, then bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

Easy taco ranch bites are a fun take on a favorite finger food, simply made into mini taco cups and assembled as an appetizer! The best part? These convenient phyllo cups stay crispy even after baking, which means no soggy bites!

Plus, they’re super versatile! You can make them mild or kick up the heat depending on what you’re in the mood for. If you’re a fan of spice, swap the mild rotel for the hotter one, or even throw in some diced jalapeños. You could also drizzle some hot sauce on top after baking for an extra kick!

My top tips:

• EXCESS GREASE: If you find that there’s a lot of excess grease in your skillet once the beef is browned, I recommend using a paper towel to soak up the extra grease before moving forward. This will just depend on how fatty your beef is.
• PHYLLO SHELLS: Athens frozen phyllo shells are the best for this recipe! They don’t require any thawing, are perfectly bite-sized, and are very light and flakey! If you can’t find phyllo shells, you could also use scoop shaped tortilla chips in a pinch.
• ROTEL: It’s important that the rotel is drained before adding it to the ground beef. You don’t want any of those extra juices in there – this will keep the filling nice and creamy.
• RANCH DRESSING: Feel free to use your favorite homemade or store-bought ranch dressing here. Just make sure you’re using ranch dressing and not ranch seasoning. Ranch seasoning will not hold the filling together the same way.
• SHREDDED CHEESE: I recommend shredding your own cheese rather than buying pre-shredded at the grocery store. Shredding the cheese yourself allows it to melt better compared to pre-shredded cheese that usually has added starch to prevent clumping.
• REHEATING: Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just pop them in the air fryer or oven as needed. You can also use the microwave; just know the exterior won’t be as crispy.

Looking for more simple appetizers? Try these out!

• Boursin Candied Bacon Crackers
• Cowboy Queso
• Pizza Pretzel Bites
• Loaded Tater Tot Skewers
• White Queso Dip
• Cheesy Ranch Ritz Bits
• Bean and Cheese Taco Bites
• Pepperoni Crescent Rolls

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