Air-Fryer Taco Shells: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Yes, you can put taco shells in an air fryer. In fact, it's a simple and quick way to make crispy taco shells without the mess of hot oil in a skillet. All you need are small corn tortillas and an air fryer. You can also use flour tortillas if you prefer. The air fryer's hot air does all the work for you inside the forms. You can fill your crispy taco shells with all sorts of things, making them a fun option for family dinners and Taco Tuesdays.

How to make taco shells in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 4-6 taco shells
• Corn or flour tortillas
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Aluminium foil

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 300-400°F for 3-5 minutes.
• Brush or spray both sides of the tortillas with oil.
• Drape the tortillas over a taco mould, or create a mould by shaping aluminium foil into a wedge. Place the mould in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 4-8 minutes, until golden and crisp.
• Fill with your chosen toppings and enjoy!

Tips

• If you don't have a lid for your air fryer basket, cover it with aluminium foil to prevent scorch marks on the shells.
• If you're making a large batch, stack the taco shells with a little spacing in between them and heat for around 5 minutes.
• You can also make keto-friendly shells by shaping shredded cheddar cheese into a tortilla shape and air frying for 1-2 minutes.

How to make taco shells with cheese

Yes, you can make taco shells in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make taco shells with cheese:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Corn tortillas
• Salt, chili powder, or other spices (optional)
• Favorite taco toppings (e.g. sour cream, hot sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.)

Instructions:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. This is a crucial step to ensure your taco shells cook evenly and become crispy.

While the air fryer is heating up, shred about 2 cups of cheddar cheese. You can also prepare your corn tortillas by softening them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them more pliable. This will make it easier to shape them into taco shells.

Next, lightly coat each tortilla with oil on both sides using a pastry brush. You can also spray them with non-stick cooking spray to ensure they get crispy and golden brown.

Now, it's time to drape the tortillas over your taco mold and place them in the air fryer basket. If you don't have a taco mold, you can create one by making small tents with aluminum foil.

Air fry your tortillas at 400°F for 4-6 minutes until they are golden and crisp. Keep an eye on them, especially after the first 2 minutes, as the fan may shift the tortilla.

Once they are done, carefully remove the tortillas from the air fryer and allow them to cool for about a minute. You want them to be slightly hardened but still soft enough to bend into shape.

At this point, you can bend the tortillas into a taco shape and hold them until they harden. You can also place a piece of foil in the middle to help them hold their shape.

Finally, fill your crispy cheese taco shells with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Tips:

• You can season the shells with a sprinkle of salt, chili powder, or other spices before cooking for added flavor.
• If you don't have a taco mold, you can shape aluminum foil into a rectangular mold to help form the tortillas.
• Leftover taco shells can be stored in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, homemade taco shells with cheese!

How to make taco shells from wraps

Yes, you can put taco shells in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make taco shells from wraps using an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to 320-400°F and let it preheat for about 5 minutes. This step ensures that your taco shells cook evenly and become crispy.
• Prepare your wraps: Take the number of wraps you need and heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them more pliable. This step helps in shaping the wraps into taco shells.
• Oil your wraps: Lightly coat each wrap with oil on both sides. You can use a pastry brush or cooking spray for this step. The oil helps the wraps get crispy and golden brown in the air fryer.
• Shape your wraps: Drape the wraps over a taco mold, or if you don't have one, you can create a mold by shaping aluminium foil into small tents. Place the molds with the wraps draped over them in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry: Air fry your wraps at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, until they are golden and crisp. Keep an eye on them, as the fan may shift the wraps.
• Fill and serve: Once your taco shells are ready, fill them with your favorite toppings and serve!

Some popular toppings and fillings for tacos include:

• Sour cream
• Hot sauce
• Cheese
• Lime or lemon
• Guacamole
• Diced tomatoes
• Salsa
• Lettuce
• Ground beef
• Black beans
• Shredded chicken

Enjoy your crispy, homemade taco shells!

How to store leftover taco shells

If you have leftover taco shells, there are several ways to store them to maintain their freshness and crispiness.

Firstly, it is important to let the taco shells cool down before storing them. Then, depending on how long you want to store them for, you can choose to store them at room temperature or in the freezer.

For short-term storage, it is best to store the taco shells at room temperature. Place them in an airtight container or a resealable bag. This method will keep the taco shells crispy for about a week.

For longer-term storage, you can store the taco shells in the freezer. Use a freezer-friendly container or a Ziploc bag. With this method, the taco shells can be stored for up to 3 months.

It is not recommended to store taco shells in the refrigerator, as they will lose their crispness and become soggy.

How to reheat taco shells

There are several ways to reheat taco shells, and the method you choose will depend on the equipment you have available. Here are some of the most common approaches:

Using an Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 250°F for 3 minutes. Wrap the taco shells in aluminum foil and place them in the air fryer basket. Heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they are warmed to your liking.

Using an Oven

Preheat your oven to 275°F. Wrap the taco shells in aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet or oven-safe dish. Heat for about 5 minutes, or until the shells are warmed to your desired temperature.

Other Methods

If you don't have an air fryer or an oven, you can also reheat taco shells in a skillet or microwave. For the skillet method, place the taco shells in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 20-30 seconds on each side, until they are soft and pliable. For the microwave method, wrap the shells in a damp paper towel and microwave in short intervals until warmed through.

It's important to note that the timing may vary depending on the number of shells you are reheating and the power of your appliance, so keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Additionally, if you are reheating filled tacos, make sure to remove any cold toppings, such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or lettuce, before reheating. You can always add these toppings back after the tacos are warmed to your liking.

Frequently asked questions