Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Beef and Cheese Tortilla Bites are a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal that brings all the comfort of a taco in a bite-sized format. The seasoned beef mixture is juicy and full of flavor, while the melted cheese adds richness and gooeyness. Topped with fresh tomatoes, green onions, and optional extras like avocado and salsa, these bites are as versatile as they are delicious. Plus, they’re perfect for customizing based on your preferences, whether you like it spicy, creamy, or packed with fresh veggies.

Ingredients

For the Beef Mixture:

1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a lighter option)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup water (optional, for moisture)

For the Toppings:

8-10 flour tortillas (small or large, depending on preference)
1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
1 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional, for serving)
Optional extras: lettuce, avocado slices, salsa, hot sauce

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

For the Beef Mixture:

Cook the Beef: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
Season the Beef: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add 1/4 cup water (if using) and simmer for about 5 minutes until the mixture is fully combined and the flavors are well distributed. Set aside to cool slightly.

For the Tortilla Bites:

Prepare the Tortillas: Cut the flour tortillas into smaller rounds using a cookie cutter, or simply cut them into quarters for smaller bites. You can also leave them whole if you prefer larger bites.
Layer the Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the tortilla pieces on a baking sheet. If you want to bake the whole tortilla, lay it flat.
Add Beef and Cheese: Spoon the cooked beef mixture onto each tortilla piece and top with shredded cheese.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the tortillas are golden and crispy.

For Serving:

Top and Garnish: Once the tortilla bites are out of the oven, top with diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt if desired. Add any extra toppings like lettuce, avocado slices, salsa, or hot sauce for extra flavor.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 4-6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 25-30 minutes

Variations

Spicy Kick: Add jalapeño slices or a drizzle of hot sauce to give the bites a spicy kick.
Vegetarian Option: Replace the ground beef with black beans or sautéed vegetables for a vegetarian-friendly version.
Cheese Variations: Use your favorite cheese, such as pepper jack for a spicy twist, or mozzarella for a milder option.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftover beef and cheese tortilla bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes or until warmed through and the cheese is melted again.

FAQs

1. Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

Yes, corn tortillas work great too! You may need to bake them for a slightly shorter time, as they tend to crisp up quicker.

2. Can I make these tortilla bites ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the beef mixture and the tortilla pieces ahead of time, store them separately in the refrigerator, and then assemble and bake when ready to serve.

3. Can I freeze these tortilla bites?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled tortilla bites (before baking). Just place them on a baking sheet to freeze them individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Bake directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes.

4. Can I add other toppings?

Yes! Feel free to add any toppings you like, such as black olives, cilantro, or even a drizzle of guacamole.

5. How do I make the beef mixture less greasy?

If using beef, choose lean ground beef (90% or higher) to reduce the fat content. Alternatively, you can use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.

6. Can I make this a low-carb or keto-friendly dish?

To make it keto-friendly, you can use low-carb tortillas or replace the tortillas entirely with zucchini or eggplant slices for a veggie alternative.

7. Can I make this dish without sour cream?

Yes, if you don’t want to use sour cream, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt, guacamole, or even a bit of cheese.

8. How do I get the tortillas extra crispy?

To get extra crispy tortillas, brush them with a little olive oil before baking. This helps them crisp up nicely in the oven.

9. Can I make this without baking?

If you don’t want to bake, you can make these on a stovetop by frying the tortilla pieces in a skillet until crispy, then adding the beef and cheese and cooking until the cheese melts.

Conclusion

Beef and Cheese Tortilla Bites are a fun, flavorful, and customizable dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, snack, or meal, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone. With a tasty seasoned beef mixture, melty cheese, and a variety of fresh toppings, these tortilla bites offer the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce, and savor the delicious crunch in every bite!

Tortilla Wraps with Ground Beef

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Author: Julia
Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

Beef and Cheese Tortilla Bites are a delicious and customizable appetizer, packed with flavorful beef, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings. Perfect for any occasion, these bite-sized treats are easy to make and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether served as a snack, side dish, or main course, they offer the perfect combination of savory, cheesy goodness in every bite!

Instructions

For the Beef Mixture:

Cook the Beef: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add ground beef (or turkey) and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Season the Beef: Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add 1/4 cup water (if using) and simmer for about 5 minutes to combine the flavors. Set aside.

For the Tortilla Bites:

Prepare the Tortillas: Cut tortillas into rounds using a cookie cutter or into quarters for smaller bites. You can also leave them whole for larger bites.
Layer the Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange tortilla pieces on a baking sheet (or bake whole tortillas flat).
Add Beef and Cheese: Spoon the beef mixture onto each tortilla piece, then top with shredded cheese.
Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges of tortillas are golden and crispy.

For Serving:

Top and Garnish: Top with diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, and sour cream or Greek yogurt. Add any extra toppings like lettuce, avocado, salsa, or hot sauce.

Notes

Spicy Kick: Add jalapeño slices or drizzle hot sauce for extra spice.

Vegetarian Option: Swap the beef for black beans or sautéed vegetables for a veggie version.

Cheese Variations: Use pepper jack for a spicier option, or mozzarella for a milder flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Category: Snack, Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American