Can I make Taco Ranch Bites ahead of time?

Yes, these are designed to be made ahead. You can assemble the filled phyllo shells and keep them refrigerated for several hours, or freeze them unbaked for longer storage. Bake them just before serving so the shells stay crisp.

Why are my Taco Ranch Bites soggy on the bottom?

This usually means the filling was too wet or the beef wasn’t drained well enough. Make sure the taco meat cooks until thick and no longer glossy before mixing in the cheese and ranch. Excess moisture will soak into the phyllo shells as they bake.

Can I bake Taco Ranch Bites straight from frozen?

Yes, and that’s one of their biggest advantages. Bake them directly from frozen and add a few extra minutes to the baking time until the centers are hot and the cheese is fully melted. There’s no need to thaw first.

What kind of ranch dressing works best for this recipe?

A classic, thick bottled ranch dressing works best here. Very thin or homemade ranch tends to loosen too much when heated, which can affect the texture of the filling and soften the shells.

How long do Taco Ranch Bites stay crisp after baking?

They’re at their best for about 20 minutes after coming out of the oven. After that, the filling stays flavorful, but the phyllo shells gradually soften. If you’re serving a crowd, it’s best to bake them in batches.

Ultimate Taco Ranch Bites – Easy, Crispy Party Snack

Description

Crispy phyllo tart shells filled with seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, and creamy ranch dressing. These Taco Ranch Bites are made for parties, freeze well, and bake quickly when you need an easy crowd-pleasing snack.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef
1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 (8-oz) bottle ranch dressing
5 (15-count) frozen phyllo tart shells

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned, then drain off excess fat.
Stir in the taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chiles and cook until thickened.
Remove from heat and mix in the shredded cheddar cheese and ranch dressing until creamy.
Spoon the filling into frozen phyllo tart shells.
Bake until the cheese is melted and the shells are crisp.

Notes

These Taco Ranch Bites can be assembled ahead of time and frozen unbaked.
Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Phyllo tart shells are usually found in the freezer section near puff pastry.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bite
Calories: 70
Sugar: 1
Sodium: 180
Fat: 4
Saturated Fat: 2
Unsaturated Fat: 2
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 4
Fiber: 0
Protein: 4
Cholesterol: 15