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Taco Ranch Bites

Taco Ranch Bites

Taco Ranch Bites are a simple, flavorful, and crunchy snack combining seasoned ground beef or turkey, melted cheddar cheese, fresh vegetables, and creamy ranch dressing atop mini tortilla chips. Perfect for parties, game days, or casual snacking, these bite-sized treats balance bold taco spices with tangy ranch and fresh toppings, offering a versatile and kid-friendly snack that’s quick to prepare and easy to customize.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: About 20-25 bites 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Base

  • Mini Tortilla Chips – enough for serving about 20-25 bites

Protein

  • 1 pound cooked ground beef or turkey
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons water (for cooking meat with seasoning)

Dairy

  • 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Ranch Dressing, as needed for drizzling

Fresh Toppings

  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
  • ½ cup chopped green onions
  • Jalapeños, sliced (optional, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Protein: Brown the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat. Add the taco seasoning and a splash of water, stirring occasionally until the meat is fully cooked, fragrant, and well coated with the seasoning.
  2. Assemble the Base: Arrange the mini tortilla chips in a single layer on a large serving tray or baking sheet, making sure each chip is spaced evenly to hold toppings without tipping.
  3. Layer Cheese and Meat: Spoon a small amount of the cooked seasoned meat onto each chip. Top each with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese to ensure it melts nicely.
  4. Add Fresh Toppings: Scatter chopped tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeños (if using) evenly over the bites to add freshness and texture.
  5. Drizzle with Ranch Dressing: Finish by drizzling creamy ranch dressing over the assembled bites, providing a cool and tangy contrast to the spicy taco flavors.

Notes

  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh tomatoes and green onions elevate the overall flavor and texture.
  • Don’t Overload the Chips: Avoid piling too much topping to prevent chips from breaking or becoming soggy.
  • Warm the Meat Slightly: Slightly warm the cooked meat before assembling to help cheese melt better and flavors meld.
  • Make Ahead: Prepare toppings separately and assemble just before serving to keep chips crunchy.
  • Experiment with Ranch Flavors: Try variations like garlic, chipotle, or avocado ranch for different flavor twists.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5 bites
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: Taco Ranch Bites, snack, appetizer, party food, tortilla chips, ground beef, ranch dressing, easy snack, Tex-Mex