Air Fryer Magic: Homemade Taco Shells

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, as they use much less oil and are more convenient and healthier. You can make crispy taco shells in an air fryer in just a few minutes. The shells can be made with corn or flour tortillas, and you can add your favourite fillings and toppings such as meat, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and hot sauce.

How to make taco shells in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Soft corn tortillas or small flour tortillas
• Oil for brushing or spraying the tortillas (optional)
• Your choice of fillings and toppings, such as taco meat, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, hot sauce, cheese, refried beans, lime juice, etc.

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Pastry brush (optional)
• Taco moulds or an upside-down mini muffin pan (optional)
• Tongs or a spatula

Method

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it heat up for a few minutes. This will ensure that your taco shells cook evenly and become crispy.
• Prepare your taco shells: While your air fryer is heating up, prepare your taco shells. If you are using corn tortillas, wrap them in a damp towel and microwave for 15-30 seconds, or lightly fry them in oil, to make them more pliable. You can also heat them in the microwave for a shorter time (around 10 seconds) if you are using flour tortillas.
• Oil your taco shells (optional): Lightly brush or spray your taco shells with oil on both sides. This will help them get crispy and golden brown in the air fryer.
• Place your taco shells in the air fryer: Drape the shells over a taco mould or an upside-down mini muffin pan and place them in the air fryer basket. If you don't have a mould or pan, you can use aluminium foil to make small tents to lay the tortillas over as they cook. You may need to cook the taco shells in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air fry your taco shells: Air fry your taco shells at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, or until they are golden and crisp. Check on them after two minutes, as the fan may shift the tortilla.
• Remove your taco shells from the air fryer: Once your taco shells are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Let them cool for a few minutes before filling them.
• Fill your taco shells: Fill your taco shells with your choice of fillings and toppings. Enjoy!

Tips

• Use corn tortillas for a more authentic taco experience. Corn tortillas also have a slightly nutty flavour and are sturdier than flour tortillas.
• Soften your tortillas before shaping them into taco shells to make them easier to work with.
• Season your taco shells with a sprinkle of salt, chilli powder, or other spices before cooking for added flavour.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake your taco shells in the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly coat the tortillas with cooking spray. Place them on a baking sheet in taco holders and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

How to make taco bowls in an air fryer

Ingredients and Tools

• Corn or flour tortillas
• Oil (olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or cooking spray)
• Taco fillings and toppings of your choice (e.g. seasoned ground beef, chicken, veggies, cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, etc.)
• Air fryer
• Taco shell moulds, an upside-down mini muffin pan, or aluminium foil (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 375-400°F. Let it preheat for a few minutes to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Tortillas

While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your tortillas. If using corn tortillas, wrap them in a damp towel and microwave for 15-30 seconds to soften them and make them more pliable. You can also lightly fry them in oil for a few seconds until pliable. For flour tortillas, simply soften them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Step 3: Oil the Tortillas

Lightly brush or spray both sides of the tortillas with oil. This will help them get crispy and golden.

Step 4: Shape the Tortillas

If you have taco shell moulds, drape the oiled tortillas over them. You can also shape the tortillas by placing them in the indents of an upside-down mini muffin pan. If you don't have either of these, you can use aluminium foil to make small tents to lay the tortillas over as they cook.

Step 5: Air Fry the Taco Bowls

Place the shaped tortillas in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary. Air fry at 375-400°F for 3-8 minutes, until golden and crispy. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning, and check after two minutes as the fan may shift the tortilla.

Step 6: Fill and Serve

Once the taco bowls are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. Then, fill them with your favourite taco fillings and toppings, and serve.

Tips

• Corn tortillas are the traditional choice for taco shells and have a slightly nutty flavour. However, flour tortillas also work well and will get crispy in the air fryer.
• Season the taco bowls before cooking by sprinkling them with salt, chili powder, or other spices.
• If your taco bowls open up during cooking, use toothpicks to hold them closed.

How to store leftover taco shells

Storing leftover taco shells is simple and ensures they stay fresh and crispy. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store them:

Firstly, it is important to let the taco shells cool down completely before storing them. Placing warm shells in a container can cause condensation, making them soggy. Once they are cooled, you can begin the storage process.

The best way to store leftover taco shells is in an airtight container or a tightly sealed storage bag. This will keep them fresh and help maintain their crunch. Place the shells in the container or bag and seal it tightly. You can store them at room temperature; there is no need to refrigerate them.

Leftover taco shells can be stored for 2-3 days using this method. It is not recommended to freeze cooked taco shells as the oil in the shells can cause them to become mealy and fall apart when thawed.

If you want to reheat the shells, you can place them in the air fryer for a short time or microwave them for about 30 seconds to restore their crispness.

Additionally, some people suggest that if you have a small number of leftover shells, you can place them in a ziplock bag or airtight container and store them at room temperature. This method is suitable for those who consume tacos regularly, as the shells can be used within a few days.

How to prevent taco shells from cracking

Making taco shells in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to achieve a crunchy texture without the mess and added oil of deep-frying. However, to prevent your taco shells from cracking, there are a few tips you should follow:

Firstly, choose the right type of tortillas. Corn tortillas are the traditional choice as they have a slightly nutty flavour and are sturdy enough to hold the filling without breaking. Make sure to also choose tortillas that are the right size for your taco shell holders.

Secondly, soften your tortillas before placing them in the air fryer. This will make them easier to shape into taco shells. You can do this by wrapping the tortillas in a damp towel and microwaving them for 15-30 seconds, or by lightly frying them in oil until they are pliable.

Thirdly, preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking. Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it heat up for a few minutes.

Next, prepare your taco shells by lightly spraying or brushing them with oil or non-stick cooking spray. This will help them get crispy and golden brown in the air fryer. Be sure to coat both sides of the tortillas evenly.

When placing your taco shells in the air fryer, use taco shell stands or create your own by draping the shells over a taco mold or small tents made out of aluminium foil. This will help the shells hold their shape while cooking.

Finally, keep an eye on your taco shells while they're cooking to make sure they don't burn. Depending on your air fryer, the cooking time may vary, so adjust accordingly.

What to fill your taco shells with

Now that you've made your taco shells in an air fryer, it's time to fill them with your favourite ingredients. The possibilities are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started:

Meat fillings

• Ground beef, chicken, or turkey
• Grilled carne asada
• Crispy fried fish
• Steak
• Braised beef shoulder
• Cecina
• Chorizo
• Grilled fish
• Shrimp
• Barbacoa
• Tongue, intestines, brains, and other parts of the cow

Vegetarian fillings

• Black beans
• Refried black beans
• Roasted corn
• Shredded cabbage
• Radishes
• Poblanos
• Butternut squash
• Pumpkin
• Mushrooms
• Zucchini
• Squash blossoms
• Swiss chard
• Kale
• Potatoes
• Portobello mushrooms

Toppings

• Sour cream
• Hot sauce
• Cheese
• Nacho cheese
• Guacamole
• Lime or lemon juice
• Homemade coleslaw
• Diced tomatoes
• Salsa
• Chopped onion
• Lettuce
• Olives
• Avocados
• Pineapple
• Jalapeños
• Chiles
• Cilantro
• Slivered almonds
• Pickled red onions
• Pickled jalapeños
• Radishes
• Queso fresco
• Monterey Jack
• Mexican blend cheese
• Crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese
• Rice

Frequently asked questions