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These mini tacos are an easy, family-friendly dinner that both kids and adults love. Made with soft mini tortillas, a simple seasoned filling, and melted cheese, they’re easy for little hands to hold and perfect for busy weeknights. They bake up warm and melty without falling apart, making them a reliable meal the whole family will enjoy.
Why You’ll Love these Mini Tacos
- Just the right size for kids – The smaller tortillas are easy for little hands to hold and help keep fillings from spilling out, making mealtime less messy and more manageable.
- Mild, family-friendly flavor – Lightly seasoned so kids can enjoy them, with plenty of room to adjust the seasoning or add toppings for older kids and adults.
- Works for picky eaters – The simple filling and familiar flavors make these a reliable option when you need a dinner everyone is more likely to eat.
- Oven-baked and hands-off – Everything bakes in the oven at once, which means less standing at the stove and an easier cleanup. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
“Hi Min
I made your mini tacos tonight for a trial run. They worked out and were delicious. I will be making them for a kids Halloween party. Perfect size.
Thanks for sharing.” – Sue
Being a mom taught me that mini-sized things have some kind of magic. Serve up regular tacos, and they might be interested, but bring out the mini tacos, and they can’t eat them fast enough.
By using smaller tortillas, these cheesy baked beef tacos are for the whole family. Add your family’s favorite toppings and you have a quick and simple meal that is balanced and delicious!
And if your kids like mini versions of their favorite foods like mine do, try these mini waffles, mini pancakes, mini pizzas, and mini banana muffins!
These popular tacos are a great easy weeknight family dinner, and they are easy and popular enough to make for your next party or for Cinco de Mayo!
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
- Taco seasoning – You can use store-bought but it’s so easy to make this homemade taco seasoning, made with a delicious blend of seasonings.
- Tortillas – I like to use street corn tortillas. It’s seriously the perfect size for this. You can also use a 4 inch biscuit or round cutter to make your own mini tortillas.
- Beef – Lean ground beef is best for this perfect little tacos recipe. We LOVE and trust ButcherBox’s commitment to delivering high-quality grass-fed, grass-finished beef straight to our door. Ground chicken or ground turkey would also work if you are looking for another taco meat option.
- Cheese – I like to shred my own cheese so that it is extra gooey. You can use cheddar cheese, Monterey jack, Colby jack cheese, or any other melty cheese your family likes. Cotija cheese or a Mexican cheese blend would also be delicious!
How to Make Mini Tacos
Step 1: Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat. Add the taco seasoning and tomato sauce.
Step 2: Stir to combine and cook the beef mixture over medium-low heat until sauce has absorbed into the meat.
Step 3: Lay out warmed tortillas across the baking sheets. Brush or spray both sides with olive oil. Add a generous amount of cheese to each of the tortilla.
Step 4: Top with beef mixture and bake for 2 minutes.
Step 5: Remove from oven and carefully fold tacos in half. Press gently. If they keep opening up, you can take a second large baking sheet and place it on top of the baking sheet with the tacos.
Step 6: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the exterior of the tortillas browns and gets crispy.
Expert Tips
- Warm the tortillas first – To make the tortillas more pliable and prevent cracking, wrap in a damp paper towel (6-8 at a time) on a plate and microwave them for 30 seconds before assembling.
- Help the tacos stay closed while baking – Place a second baking sheet on top of the tacos as they bake. This keeps them folded, helps the cheese melt evenly, and allows the shells to get lightly crisp.
- Brush with oil for extra crispness (optional) – Lightly spraying or brushing the tortillas with olive oil helps them crisp up nicely in the oven, but you can skip this step if preferred.
- Use smaller tortillas when possible – Mini tortillas make these tacos easier for little hands to hold. If using larger tortillas, simply cut the baked tacos in half to create a more manageable size for kids.
- Bake just until melted and crisp – Since the filling is already cooked, the tacos only need to bake until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crisp on the outside.
- Serve safely for toddlers – Let tacos cool slightly before serving, offer toppings on the side for dipping or skipping, and choose softer tortillas or avoid overly crisp edges for younger eaters.
Mini Tacos Toppings
One of the best parts about this recipe is how much fun your family can have with colorful taco toppings! This is a great way to introduce more flavors and textures to your kiddos. Set up a taco toppings bar to make a fiesta right in your kitchen.
- Shredded cheese – Add some more cheese to the tops of your tacos for more gooey goodness. See my recommendations for cheese options above.
- Salsa or diced tomatoes – Use tomatoes from your garden or buy salsa from the store, whatever is easier for you!
- Sliced avocado or guacamole
- Fresh vegetables – Add shredded lettuce, chopped bell peppers, or some red onion for a bright crunch!
- Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Cilantro or green onions – Sprinkle vibrant herbs for a delicious burst of flavor.
- Fresh lime juice – Squeeze a lime wedge over your mini tacos for a refreshing splash of citrus.
- Mexican rice
- Beans – Add iron and protein to your family’s tacos with black beans or refried beans.
- Green chiles
Chicken Mini Taco Variation
To make chicken mini tacos, substitute the ground beef with:
- Finely chopped or shredded cooked chicken
- Rotisserie chicken works especially well
Season with mild taco seasoning and a small splash of water or broth to keep the filling moist. This option is great for kids who prefer softer textures and milder flavors.
Vegetarian Mini Taco Variation
For a vegetarian version, use one of the following fillings:
- Mashed black beans – see the ultimate guide to beans for babies for tips on how to prepare
- Lentils – for tips on how to prepare, check out lentils for babies
- Refried beans
- Tofu – see cooking tips in the ultimate guide to tofu for babies
- Mushrooms
Warm the filling with a bit of taco seasoning and assemble as directed. These are naturally softer and work especially well for toddlers and younger eaters.
Serving Suggestions
The texture is quite crispy so it may be a bit challenging for your toddler to eat. However, it’s great texture exposure so let them explore.
If it’s too difficult, you can serve deconstructed with warmed tortilla so they can build their own soft mini tacos, as shown above.
Alternatively, you can assemble and microwave instead of baking.
You can also combine the beef mixture with quinoa (see how to cook quinoa for babies), lentils, or use as a topping for easy mini pizza.
Is your toddler becoming picky?
Arm yourself with these strategies that will transform your mealtimes!
Mini Tacos FAQs
Transfer leftover tacos to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 days.
To freeze, place the mini tacos in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze the tacos until they are firm. Once frozen, transfer the mini tacos to airtight freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
There are a few easy ways to warm tortillas for tacos depending on your preference and what is most convenient for you. You can warm them in the microwave by placing a damp paper towel between each tortilla and heating for 20-30 seconds or until they are warm and flexible.
To use the stovetop, heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Place tortillas on the skillet and heat for 20-30 seconds on each side so that it has a slight char.
Finally, you can also wrap in foil and toss them in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. This is a great option since you are using your oven to bake these mini beef tacos!
Yes. You can fully assemble the mini tacos, cover, and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. Bake just before serving for best texture.
Mini taco shells can typically be found in the ethnic foods aisle of most grocery stores, near the regular-sized taco shells and tortillas. If you can’t find them, you can also use regular-sized tortillas and cut them into smaller rounds using a cookie cutter or knife.
More Mexican Dishes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Mini Tacos
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil and more for tortillas
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 24 4 inch corn or flour tortillas
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Be sure to break up the meat into small pieces. Drain excess fat.
- Add the taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Stir to combine and cook over medium-low heat until sauce has absorbed into the meat, about 3-5 minutes.
- Lay out warmed tortillas across the baking sheets. Brush or spray both sides with olive oil. Add a generous amount of cheese to each of the tortilla and top with beef mixture.
- Bake for 2 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully fold tacos in half. Press gently. If they keep opening up, you can take a second baking sheet and place it on top of the baking sheet with the tacos.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the exterior of the tortillas browns and gets crispy.
- Enjoy immediately with desired toppings.
Notes
- To make the tortillas more pliable, wrap in a damp paper towel (6-8 at a time) on a plate and microwave them for 30 seconds.
- To keep your mini tacos closed while they bake, put another baking sheet on top so that the cheese can melt as the tacos get nice and crispy.
- If it’s too difficult to eat for little hands, you can serve deconstructed with warmed tortilla so they can build their own soft mini tacos.
Easy and delicious
Hi Min
I made your mini tacos tonight for a trial run. They worked out and were delicious. I will be making them for a kids Halloween party. Perfect size.
Thanks for sharing.
Amazing! Thanks for sharing!
So quick and easy especially if you already have her taco seasoning recipe on hand. Our whole family enjoys it!
These were so delicious and a huge hit!
Delicious for the whole family and easy to make!
So happy you guys enjoyed this!
My toddler loves these! They come out nice and crunchy!
I’m so glad!!!
Tasty yet easy!
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed these tacos :). Yes, SO easy!