If you’re looking for a spooky yet totally delicious twist on taco night, you’re going to love this Graveyard Taco Cups Recipe. I absolutely love how this fun little dish brings out Halloween vibes while still being super tasty and easy to put together. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or just want to surprise your family with something special, these taco cups bring a playful crunch and punch of flavor that everyone goes crazy for. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to make it your new seasonal go-to!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun & Festive: It’s a creative take on tacos that’s perfect for Halloween celebrations.
- Easy to Make: Minimal prep with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Customizable: You can easily swap toppings to suit your family’s tastes or dietary needs.
- Kid-Friendly & Interactive: Great fun cutting out shapes and decorating—my kids adore getting involved!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient plays its part in making these Graveyard Taco Cups irresistibly tasty and spooky-good. I always recommend grabbing good-quality flatbread or pizza crusts for the best crispiness, plus ripe avocados that’ll mash into the creamiest guacamole.
- FlatOut pizza crusts: These sturdy, thin crusts bake up nicely into crisp taco cups—perfect for holding your layers.
- Refried black beans: They add rich, creamy body and a nice protein boost—be sure to warm them gently!
- Avocados: Use ripe ones for smooth, flavorful guacamole that balances the earthiness of the beans.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic adds a punch of flavor to the guac—don’t skip it!
- Juice of 1 lime: Brightens the guacamole and keeps the avocado from browning too fast.
- Black olives: Chopped and sprinkled on top, they add salty bursts that tie everything together.
- Green onions: Freshness and crunch to finish off your spooky taco cups.
Variations
I love how versatile the Graveyard Taco Cups Recipe is—I’ve tried switching up the fillings and toppings to keep things fresh and fun. Feel free to make it your own by adjusting to what you have on hand or dietary preferences.
- Protein upgrade: I once added cooked ground turkey seasoned with taco spices for a heartier filling that my family couldn’t get enough of.
- Vegetarian twist: Swap refried black beans with black bean hummus or lentil mash for a vegan-friendly option.
- Cheese lover’s pick: Add shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack over the beans before baking for a melty surprise.
- Spicy kick: Throw in some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce in the guacamole if you like a little heat.
How to Make Graveyard Taco Cups Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Stencils
Start by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Before baking, I like to create fun shapes for the graveyard scene: stencil out spooky trees and tombstones on sturdy paper and carefully cut them out. I found that using an Exact-O-Knife helps with precision, but if you have kids around, be sure to supervise closely or let them use a safer tool like cookie cutters designed for Halloween shapes.
Step 2: Cut and Bake Your Graveyard Shapes
Using your stencils, trace and cut the shapes from the flatbread crusts. Lightly brush each piece with olive oil and sprinkle some sea salt to enhance flavor and help crispness. Arrange them on a baking sheet and bake for 5–8 minutes until just a little golden and firm to the touch. Let them cool completely on a wire rack—this keeps them crisp and ready for decorating.
Step 3: Add the Spooky Touch to Tombstones
Once your tombstone shapes have cooled, grab an edible food pen and carefully write “R.I.P.” on each one. This little detail makes all the difference in selling the spooky graveyard theme, and it’s a fun step that adds personality to your cups.
Step 4: Heat Your Refried Black Beans
While the crusts cool, warm up your can of refried black beans over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally, making sure they don’t stick or burn. Heating gently keeps their creamy texture for layering your taco cups.
Step 5: Whip up Your Guacamole
Scoop avocado flesh into a bowl, then add minced garlic, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of sea salt. Mash everything together until smooth but still a little chunky if you like texture. The lime juice not only brightens the taste but keeps the guac from browning—trust me, it’s a game-changer!
Step 6: Assemble Your Graveyard Taco Cups
Start filling each cup with a spoonful of warm refried beans as your base layer. Next, add a generous scoop of the creamy guacamole, and finally sprinkle chopped black olives and green onions on top for that salty crunch and fresh zing. It’s like building a little taco graveyard layer by layer—you’ll find it so satisfying!
Pro Tips for Making Graveyard Taco Cups Recipe
- Use Fresh Avocados: Overripe or underripe avocados can affect the texture and flavor of your guacamole, so pick ones that give slightly when squeezed.
- Don’t Overbake Crusts: Watch your flatbreads closely—overbaking can make them too brittle and hard to eat as cups.
- Edible Pen for Decoration: This little detail transforms the tombstones from plain to spooky, so try to find one at your local craft or baking store.
- Layer Wisely: Let warm beans cool slightly before layering with guac to avoid wilting or sogginess in the crust.
How to Serve Graveyard Taco Cups Recipe
Garnishes
I usually add a few extra black olive slices and a couple of sprigs of fresh cilantro just before serving—that pop of green really wakes up the plate. A light drizzle of sour cream or crema works wonders too if you want a creamy finish.
Side Dishes
Pair your Graveyard Taco Cups with a crisp, tangy slaw or a simple Mexican-style street corn salad. I also love serving these with some festive salsa verde and tortilla chips to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween parties, try arranging the taco cups on a large platter lined with leafy greens or lettuce to mimic a spooky ‘graveyard’ scene. You can add plastic spiders or small Halloween figurines around for extra fun. My favorite has been serving the cups inside mini pumpkins hollowed out like bowls—it’s such a conversation starter!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover taco cups and components separately in airtight containers. I find the crusts stay best if kept unfilled and crisp in a paper towel-lined container, while the bean and guacamole layers keep longer in their own containers in the fridge.
Freezing
While I don’t recommend freezing the entire assembled cups because the guacamole will get mushy and the crust soggy, you can freeze the refried beans in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat your refried beans gently on the stove or microwave. To crisp up the flatbread cups again, pop them in a hot oven or toaster oven for a few minutes. Then assemble with fresh guacamole and toppings for best results.
FAQs
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Can I make Graveyard Taco Cups Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap out the FlatOut pizza crusts for gluten-free tortillas or flatbreads that are sturdy enough to hold fillings. Just keep an eye on baking times since different breads behave differently in the oven.
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How long do Graveyard Taco Cups stay fresh?
Assembled, they’re best enjoyed the same day for optimum crispness and flavor. However, if you keep components separate, you can store them up to 2 days in the fridge and assemble fresh when ready.
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Can I use other beans besides black beans?
Yes! Pinto beans or refried kidney beans work well too, just choose whichever you prefer. The key is to make sure they’re smooth enough to layer easily inside the taco cups.
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What if I don’t have an edible pen for the tombstones?
No worries! You can use tiny pieces of cut veggies like black olives or thin strips of seaweed to create “R.I.P.” letters, or skip the writing altogether—it’s still fun and yummy!
Final Thoughts
There’s something so joyful about sharing the Graveyard Taco Cups Recipe with friends and family—it’s playful, tasty, and just a little spooky in the best way. I remember making these with my kids last Halloween, and the excitement on their faces as they helped cut out the shapes and decorated tombstones was priceless. I wholeheartedly recommend this recipe if you want to elevate your taco night or add a themed dish that actually tastes amazing too. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll keep coming back to it year after year!
Print
Graveyard Taco Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (4 Graveyard Taco Cups)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Graveyard Taco Cups are a fun and festive Halloween-inspired appetizer featuring pizza crust cutouts shaped like trees and tombstones, baked to a light crisp and layered with warm refried black beans, fresh guacamole, and topped with chopped black olives and green onions. Perfect for a spooky party or themed meal, these taco cups combine creamy, savory, and crunchy textures with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Pizza Crust & Decorations
- 2 FlatOut pizza crusts
- Olive oil, for coating
- Sea salt, to taste
- Edible pen, for decorating tombstones
Refried Beans Mixture
- 1 can refried black beans
Guacamole
- 2 avocados
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- Sea salt, to taste
Toppings
- 8 black olives, chopped
- Green onion, chopped (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C) to get ready for baking the pizza crust shapes.
- Prepare Stencils: Draw a tree and tombstone shape on paper and cut them out to use as stencils for cutting the pizza crusts precisely. Alternatively, use Halloween-themed cookie cutters if available.
- Cut Shapes: Using the stencils, carefully cut out tree and tombstone shapes from the FlatOut pizza crusts. An Exact-O-Knife works best for precision, but ensure children are supervised if involved.
- Bake Crust Shapes: Lightly brush the cut shapes with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, then place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-8 minutes or until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown.
- Cool and Decorate: Remove the baked shapes from the oven and allow them to cool completely. Once cool, use an edible pen to write “R.I.P.” on the tombstone shapes to create a spooky effect.
- Heat Beans: Warm the refried black beans on medium-low heat in a saucepan until thoroughly heated through. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make Guacamole: In a bowl, scoop the avocado flesh and add minced garlic, lime juice, and sea salt. Mash everything until smooth and creamy to make fresh guacamole.
- Assemble Taco Cups: Layer the taco cups by first adding a spoonful of warm refried beans, followed by a generous layer of guacamole. Top each with chopped black olives and green onions for a flavorful finish.
Notes
- For added flavor, sprinkle a little chili powder or cumin into the guacamole if desired.
- Use an edible food pen designed for decorating baked goods to write on the tombstones safely.
- These taco cups are best served fresh the same day to maintain crispness of crusts.
- Substitute black refried beans with any preferred bean variety for variation.
- If you want to make this recipe vegan and gluten-free, ensure the FlatOut crusts you use meet those dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 graveyard taco cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
