Description
Taco Cornbread Cupcakes are a savory, cheesy, and satisfying fusion of Tex-Mex tacos and Southern cornbread. With a crispy cornbread base, a flavorful taco filling, and melty cheese on top, these bite-sized treats are perfect for dinner, meal prep, or parties. Easy to make and fun to eat, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
Cornbread Batter:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free alternative)
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup milk (or buttermilk for extra moisture)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp honey or sugar (optional, for sweetness)
Taco Filling:
- ½ lb ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or plant-based substitute)
- ½ cup diced onions
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning (or homemade blend)
- ½ cup tomato sauce or salsa
- ½ cup black beans (optional, for added texture)
Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- ½ cup avocado slices or guacamole
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cornbread Batter
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, melted butter, and honey.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 2: Cook the Taco Filling
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil.
- Sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant (about 2 minutes).
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and black beans. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Assemble the Cupcakes
- Grease a muffin tin or line it with cupcake liners.
- Fill each muffin cup halfway with cornbread batter.
- Add 1-2 tbsp of taco filling to the center of each.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese, then top with more cornbread batter to enclose the filling.
Step 4: Bake & Serve
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the tin.
- Top with sour cream, avocado, tomatoes, and cilantro. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Make it vegetarian: Swap ground meat for mushrooms, lentils, or crumbled tofu.
- Go gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
- Add spice: Stir in diced jalapeños or use a spicy salsa.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, Southern Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Taco cornbread cupcakes, cornbread muffins, cheesy taco bites, Tex-Mex appetizers, mini taco pies, cornbread taco cups, easy dinner recipes.