Garlic Bread Taco Bites Recipe
If you love a zesty taco and swoon for golden, garlicky bread, Garlic Bread Taco Bites are about to steal your heart! Each bite packs the cozy crunch of a biscuit “crust,” richly brushed with garlic butter, and is loaded with seasoned taco filling, gooey cheddar, and cool toppings. They’re fun to make, wildly crowd-pleasing, and the absolute best party starter—trust me, you won’t be able to stop at just one!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Great recipes begin with the right essentials, and these Garlic Bread Taco Bites are all about big flavor with easy-to-find ingredients. Each one is simple, but together they create magic you can taste in every mouthful.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough: The perfect shortcut for a soft, pillowy, and golden base that holds your taco filling in place.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich moisture when melted and brushed onto the dough, giving that irresistible garlic bread vibe.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the biscuit shells with deep, savory flavor in every crispy bite.
- Dried parsley: Offers a pop of color and herbaceous aroma, making each bite extra inviting.
- Ground beef or ground turkey: Both options create a hearty filling—choose beef for classic richness or turkey for a lighter twist.
- Taco seasoning mix: Delivers that signature Tex-Mex zest, effortlessly seasoning the meat.
- Water: Helps the seasoning blend smoothly into the meat, keeping your filling juicy and flavorful.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully over the hot taco filling and adds gooey, cheesy perfection.
- Sour cream: Adds a creamy, tangy finish that balances all the flavors.
- Diced tomatoes: Brings a juicy, fresh element to the finished bites, livening up every mouthful.
- Chopped green onions: Sprinkled on top, they add crunch, color, and a touch of mild sharpness.
How to Make Garlic Bread Taco Bites
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Biscuit Crusts
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lightly greasing a mini muffin tin—this will help the Garlic Bread Taco Bites pop out perfectly later. Split your refrigerated biscuit dough in half, flatten those halves into rounds, and gently press them into the muffin cups so they form miniature crusts. This is where the magic—and the “bread” in the name—begins!
Step 2: Make & Brush the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, mix up your melted butter with garlic powder and dried parsley. Brush the inside of each dough cup with this aromatic garlic butter. It soaks into the dough as it bakes, infusing every bite with that signature garlic bread flavor we all crave.
Step 3: Cook the Taco Filling
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey until no pink remains. If there’s extra fat, go ahead and drain it off. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, add the water, and simmer for about five minutes until it’s thick and delicious—your kitchen will smell amazing at this point!
Step 4: Fill and Top the Bites
Spoon the savory taco meat into each biscuit cup, filling generously but without overflowing. Sprinkle each one with cheddar cheese, letting it cascade into the nooks and crannies of the filling for maximum melty goodness.
Step 5: Bake and Garnish
Bake the pan for 12 to 15 minutes, until each Garlic Bread Taco Bite is golden on the edges and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let them cool just a bit before using a butter knife to ease them from the pan. Finish each one with a tiny dollop of sour cream, a pinch of diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of green onions for a colorful, creamy, and fresh final touch.
How to Serve Garlic Bread Taco Bites
Garnishes
A little garnish turns these bites from tasty to next-level. Top each one with a swirl of sour cream, a handful of bright diced tomatoes, and a scatter of green onions. If you’re feeling adventurous, try sliced jalapeños or a sprinkle of chopped cilantro for a punchy upgrade.
Side Dishes
Pair your Garlic Bread Taco Bites with a refreshing citrusy salad or some classic chips and salsa for a party-perfect platter. They also go beautifully with Mexican street corn or a scoop of guacamole on the side, bringing creamy, fresh, and crunchy contrasts to your spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them high on a colorful platter, nestle them in cupcake wrappers for easy grabbing, or arrange them in a wreath shape with festive garnishes for a holiday appetizer table. For family game nights, serve them as an interactive build-your-own bar with bowls of assorted toppings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Stash any leftover Garlic Bread Taco Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The dough holds up surprisingly well, keeping its chewy, buttery texture for snacks or quick lunches later on.
Freezing
You can freeze cooled bites in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay tasty for up to two months. Freeze before adding fresh toppings like tomatoes or sour cream for best results.
Reheating
To bring them back to life, pop the bites in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until warmed through and the cheese is melty again. A quick zap in the microwave also does the trick—just add toppings after reheating.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken for the filling?
Definitely! Ground chicken is a great lighter alternative to ground beef or turkey, soaking up all those delicious taco spices and staying juicy inside the biscuit crust.
How do I keep the Garlic Bread Taco Bites from sticking to the pan?
Make sure to grease your mini muffin tin really well. For extra insurance, you can also use paper or silicone mini muffin liners—especially handy if serving at parties.
Can I make these vegetarian?
Absolutely. Swap the meat filling for sautéed and seasoned black beans, lentils, or your favorite meatless crumbles. Keep all the garlic bread goodness and bold toppings for a meat-free treat.
What’s the best way to reheat for a crowd?
Place the bites on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. This keeps them soft yet crispy, and ready to serve hot, cheesy, and irresistible.
Can I prep these ahead for a party?
Yes! You can bake Garlic Bread Taco Bites a day in advance, cool completely, and refrigerate. Add fresh toppings just before serving for that just-made flavor and look.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about savoring Garlic Bread Taco Bites with friends and family—each one is a burst of flavor, a little nostalgia, and a whole lot of fun. If you want a surefire way to impress at your next gathering (or just spice up a weekday dinner), these bites deliver every single time. Give them a try and watch them disappear!
Print
Garlic Bread Taco Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 bites 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Garlic Bread Taco Bites are a fun twist on traditional tacos, featuring a savory ground beef filling nestled in mini garlic butter-infused biscuit cups, topped with melty cheese and classic taco toppings. Perfect for parties or game day snacks!
Ingredients
For the Biscuit Cups:
- 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
For the Taco Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a mini muffin tin.
- Prepare the Biscuit Cups: Separate the biscuit dough and cut each biscuit in half. Flatten and press into the muffin cups to form mini crusts. Mix melted butter with garlic powder and parsley, then brush inside each dough cup with the garlic butter.
- Cook the Taco Filling: In a skillet, cook ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat, then add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Spoon the taco mixture into each biscuit cup and top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes until the biscuit edges are golden brown and cheese is melted. Let cool slightly before removing from the pan.
- Finish and Serve: Top each taco bite with a dollop of sour cream, diced tomatoes, and green onions.
Notes
- Perfect for parties or game days and can be made ahead and reheated.
- Add chopped jalapeños for extra heat or use ground chicken for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
