FiestaNibbletizers—Snack for 12
FiestaNibbletizers are a delicious Mexican-inspired snack featuring bite-sized morsels packed with bold flavors. These savory treats combine seasoned ground meat, beans, cheese, and zesty spices, all nestled in a crunchy tortilla shell. Perfect for parties or casual gatherings, they’re sure to satisfy your craving for a taste of Mexico.
Do This With That Stuff
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- On the cutting board, dice the onion and tomato, and chop the cilantro using the chef’s knife
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet, cook for 2-3 minutes until softened
- Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon
- Season beef with 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional), salt and pepper to taste
- Cook beef until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet
- Stir in 1/2 cup cooked black beans and 1/2 cup refried beans into the beef mixture in the skillet, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through
- Place 12 mini tortilla shells on the lined baking sheet in a single layer
- Spoon equal amounts of beef mixture onto each mini tortilla shell on the baking sheet
- Top each tortilla shell with equal amounts of diced tomato and shredded Mexican cheese blend (about a heaping tablespoon per shell)
- Bake in preheated oven for about 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly
- Remove from oven and let cool for a minute before garnishing each FiestaNibbletizer with chopped cilantro
Obvious and Not So Obvious Variations and Pairings
☕ Bitter
- Add 1/4 cup chopped radicchio
- Add 1/4 cup chopped endive
- Add 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder to the beef mixture
- Increase ground cumin to 2 tsp
🧂 Salty
- Increase salt to 1 tsp
- Add 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- Add 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- Add 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños
🍋 Sour
- Add 1/4 cup lime juice
- Add 1/2 cup pickled jalapenos, chopped
- Replace diced tomato with 1/4 cup pico de gallo
🌶️ Spicy
- Increase cayenne pepper to 1/2 tsp
- Add 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Add 1 diced jalapeno pepper
- Add 1/4 cup hot salsa
🍬 Sweet
- Add 1/4 cup pineapple chunks
- Add 1/4 cup diced mango
- Add 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
- Replace cayenne pepper with 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
🍄 Umami
- Add 1 tbsp soy sauce
- Add 1/2 tsp fish sauce
- Increase ground cumin to 1.5 tsp
- Add 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
🍸 Alcoholic
- Classic Margarita: The citrusy flavors and tequila base complement the Mexican spices in the dish
- Mexican Lager: The light, crisp taste of the lager balances the richness of the beef and cheese
- Sangria: The fruity sweetness of sangria pairs well with the bold flavors in FiestaNibbletizers
🥤 Non Alcoholic
- Horchata: The creamy, cinnamon flavor complements the spices in the dish
- Agua de Jamaica: The tart, refreshing hibiscus tea balances the richness of the dish
- Tamarind Water: The tangy and sweet taste of tamarind pairs well with the bold flavors of FiestaNibbletizers
🥓 Keto
- Remove black beans
- Remove refried beans
- Replace mini tortilla shells with 12 large lettuce leaves
- Increase ground beef to 1.5 lbs
🍆 Mediterranean
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground lamb
- Replace black beans with 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas
- Replace refried beans with 1/2 cup hummus
- Replace Mexican cheese blend with 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Replace chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper with 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Replace mini tortilla shells with 12 mini pita breads
🥑 Paleo
- Remove black beans
- Remove refried beans
- Remove Mexican cheese blend
- Remove mini tortilla shells
- Replace olive oil with coconut oil
- Add 1 medium avocado, diced
- Add 1/2 cup almond flour
- Add 1/2 cup coconut flour
🐟 Pescatarian
- Replace 1 lb ground beef with 1 lb cooked shrimp, chopped
- Remove 1/2 cup refried beans
🌱 Vegan
- Replace 1 lb ground beef with 1 lb crumbled tempeh
- Replace 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend with 1 cup vegan shredded cheese blend
🥦 Vegetarian
- Replace 1 lb ground beef with 1 lb crumbled tempeh
- Add 1 tbsp soy sauce to tempeh while cooking
🥩 Whole30
- Remove black beans
- Remove refried beans
- Replace mini tortilla shells with 12 large lettuce leaves
- Remove shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Replace olive oil with 1 tbsp avocado oil
🧠 Brain Health
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground turkey
- Add 1/2 cup chopped spinach
- Add 1/2 cup chopped kale
- Replace Mexican cheese blend with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Replace refried beans with 1/2 cup mashed avocado
🌾 Celiac Disease
- Replace mini tortilla shells with 12 gluten-free mini tortilla shells
💩 Crohns Disease
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey
- Remove black beans
- Replace refried beans with mashed avocado
- Replace onion with green onion tops (green part only)
- Remove garlic
- Replace chili powder with 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Remove cayenne pepper
🩸 Diabetes
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground turkey
- Replace refried beans with 1/2 cup mashed avocado
- Use 12 mini whole wheat tortilla shells instead of regular tortilla shells
- Decrease shredded Mexican cheese blend to 1/2 cup
🍞 Gluten Intolerance
- Replace mini tortilla shells with 12 gluten-free mini tortilla shells
🫀 Heart Disease
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground turkey
- Decrease shredded Mexican cheese blend to 1/2 cup
- Use 1/2 cup low-sodium refried beans
- Replace olive oil with 1 tbsp avocado oil
- Remove cayenne pepper
❤️ Heart Health
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground turkey
- Decrease olive oil to 1/2 tbsp
- Replace Mexican cheese blend with 1 cup shredded low-fat Mexican cheese blend
- Use whole wheat mini tortilla shells
🧂 High Blood Pressure
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground turkey
- Replace refried beans with 1/2 cup mashed avocado
- Omit salt
- Decrease chili powder to 1/2 tsp
- Decrease cayenne pepper to 1/8 tsp (optional)
🍔 High Cholesterol
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground turkey
- Replace Mexican cheese blend with 1 cup shredded low-fat cheese
- Increase black beans to 1 cup
- Remove refried beans
🦠 Immune System
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground turkey
- Add 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
- Add 1/2 cup chopped spinach
- Increase black beans to 1 cup
- Decrease refried beans to 1/4 cup
- Add 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
🚽 Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground turkey
- Replace black beans with 1/2 cup canned lentils, rinsed and drained
- Replace refried beans with 1/2 cup mashed canned chickpeas
- Omit onion
- Replace garlic with 1/4 tsp garlic-infused olive oil
- Omit chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper
- Add 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Add 1 tsp dried chives
💧 Kidney Disease
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground turkey
- Remove black beans
- Replace refried beans with 1/2 cup mashed cauliflower
- Decrease shredded Mexican cheese blend to 1/2 cup
- Replace chili powder with 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Remove ground cumin
- Remove cayenne pepper (optional)
- Decrease salt to 1/8 tsp
🐄 Lactose Intolerance
- Replace shredded Mexican cheese blend with 1 cup lactose-free shredded cheese
🍺 Liver Disease
- Replace ground beef with 1 lb ground turkey
- Decrease olive oil to 1/2 tbsp
- Replace refried beans with 1/2 cup mashed avocado
- Decrease shredded Mexican cheese blend to 1/2 cup
- Remove cayenne pepper
🤰 Pregnancy
- Remove cayenne pepper
Beti’s Reflections
On a recent culinary adventure to Mexico, I stumbled upon a delightful snack that had me craving more. The vibrant flavors and irresistible crunch led me to create my very own FiestaNibbletizers recipe. These Mexican appetizer bites are perfect for parties or casual gatherings, and I’m thrilled to share them with you all!
Introducing the FiestaNibbletizers Recipe, a scrumptious snack that serves 12 people. These mini tortilla bites are packed with seasoned ground beef and beans, making them a hearty and satisfying treat. Please note that this recipe is not vegetarian, allergy-friendly, low calorie, gluten-free, or dairy-free.
The magic of these cheesy Mexican nibbles lies in the combination of ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup black beans (cooked), 1/2 cup refried beans, 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, 12 mini tortilla shells, 1/4 cup diced onion, 1/4 cup diced tomato, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp olive oil, and an array of spices including chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper (optional), salt and pepper. Each ingredient adds its unique flavor profile to create these mouthwatering FiestaNibbletizers.
To make these baked mini Mexican bites follow these simple instructions: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dice the onion and tomato and chop the cilantro using a chef’s knife. In a large skillet over medium heat add olive oil followed by diced onion and minced garlic; cook until softened. Add ground beef to the skillet along with chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper (optional), salt and pepper; cook until browned. Drain any excess fat, then stir in black beans and refried beans. Place mini tortilla shells on the lined baking sheet, spoon equal amounts of beef mixture onto each shell, and top with diced tomato and shredded Mexican cheese blend. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Finally, garnish your FiestaNibbletizers with chopped cilantro.
In conclusion, these ground beef mini tacos are a must-try for anyone looking to add some Mexican flair to their party menu or simply craving a delicious snack. The combination of seasoned meat, beans, cheese, and spices nestled in crunchy tortilla shells will have your taste buds dancing with joy. Give this easy FiestaNibbletizers recipe a try and let the fiesta begin!
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