Shrimp Taco Bites 🌮🍤🌶️🥑 Zesty, Crunchy, and Packed With Shrimp, Slaw, and Creamy Heat in Every Bite

These mini taco-style bites deliver big flavor in small form. Juicy, spiced shrimp meet tangy slaw, creamy chipotle-lime sauce, and crispy shells or cups.

Serve them cold or warm — either way, they disappear fast.

Ingredients (Makes 12–16 bites)

For the shrimp

• ½ lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: squeeze of lime or dash of hot sauce

For the slaw or topping

• 1 cup finely shredded cabbage or slaw mix
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp mayo or sour cream
• Pinch of salt and sugar
• Optional: chopped cilantro or scallions

For the sauce

• ¼ cup mayo or sour cream
• 1 tbsp chipotle hot sauce or adobo sauce
• 1 tsp lime juice
• Optional: garlic powder or smoked paprika

Base options

• Mini tortilla cups
• Scooped tortilla chips
• Toasted wonton wrappers in muffin tins
• Cucumber rounds or sliced jicama for low-carb

To garnish

• Diced avocado or guacamole
• Crumbled queso fresco or cotija
• Extra cilantro, lime wedges, or jalapeño slices

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the shrimp
Toss shrimp with oil, spices, salt, and pepper. Sauté in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and slightly crisp. Finish with a squeeze of lime. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the slaw
Mix cabbage with lime, mayo, salt, and a pinch of sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes to soften slightly.

Step 3: Mix the sauce
Stir together mayo, chipotle sauce, lime juice, and seasonings. Adjust heat and acidity to taste.

Step 4: Assemble the bites
Layer each shell or cup with a small spoonful of slaw, a shrimp or two, a drizzle of sauce, and your chosen toppings.

Step 5: Serve fresh
Serve immediately for best texture and crunch. Keep components separate if prepping ahead.

Flavor Variations

• Use mango or pineapple salsa instead of slaw for sweetness
• Swap chipotle sauce for avocado crema or cilantro lime yogurt
• Try blackened shrimp with Cajun spices for extra heat
• Make it vegetarian with crispy tofu or grilled zucchini
• Use small flour tortillas cut into rounds and baked into cups

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcook shrimp — they should be plump and springy
• Assemble just before serving to avoid soggy bases
• Use a piping bag or zip-top bag for clean sauce drizzles
• Toast tortilla cups or wonton shells for extra crunch

Final Thoughts

Shrimp Taco Bites are spicy, zesty, and totally snackable — everything you love about shrimp tacos, miniaturized for finger food perfection. Whether you build them classic or remix with salsa and crema, they’ll bring flavor to every tray.

Sauté it. Stack it. Serve it fast. 🌮🍤🌶️🥑

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