Air Fryer Magic: Warm Taco Shells, Crispy And Quick!

Tacos are a delicious and versatile meal that can be made in a variety of ways. While store-bought hard taco shells can be fragile, making your own crispy taco shells in an air fryer is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. This method allows you to create a perfectly crisp and warm shell without the mess and fuss of hot oil in a skillet. By placing corn or flour tortillas in an air fryer at the right temperature, you can achieve the perfect texture for your tacos.

How to heat hard taco shells in an air fryer

Heating hard taco shells in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to prepare for taco night. It gives you a perfectly crisp and warm shell in a matter of minutes without needing your oven or stovetop.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This step is important as it ensures the shells are added to a hot basket, which will help them cook evenly.

Step 2: Arrange the shells. Place the hard taco shells in the air fryer basket in an even layer. Make sure they are arranged in a single layer and not overcrowded, as this will allow the hot air to circulate properly.

Step 3: Air fry the shells. Set the air fryer temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry the taco shells for about 2 minutes. You can adjust the time according to your preference. If you like extra crispy taco shells, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Serve and enjoy. Carefully remove the shells from the air fryer and fill them with your favourite taco toppings. These shells are best served fresh and crispy, straight out of the air fryer.

Tips:

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave adequate space between the shells to allow for proper air circulation.
• Adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of crispness. For a crunchier shell, increase the cooking time by a minute or two.
• For an even crispier shell, consider coating the shells with a light layer of cooking spray or oil before placing them in the air fryer.
• If you want to reheat filled tacos, place them in the air fryer and heat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they are hot.

How to heat soft taco shells in an air fryer

Heating soft taco shells in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to prepare for taco night. This guide will walk you through the steps to ensure you get perfectly warmed soft taco shells every time.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, you'll want to preheat your air fryer, just as you would an oven. This ensures that your shells are added to a hot basket, which is crucial for achieving the desired level of warmth and crispness. Set your air fryer to 250 degrees Fahrenheit for soft taco shells.

Prepare the Soft Taco Shells

For soft taco shells, you can use either flour or corn tortillas, depending on your preference. Wrap up to six soft flour tortillas in aluminum foil. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as adequate space is necessary for even heating. If you're using corn tortillas, lightly coat each tortilla with oil on both sides using a pastry brush. Drape the corn tortillas over a taco mold, or create small tents with aluminum foil to lay the tortillas over as they cook.

Air Fry the Soft Taco Shells

Place the wrapped soft flour tortillas or draped corn tortillas into the air fryer basket. Air fry for 3-4 minutes. For corn tortillas, air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-6 minutes, checking after two minutes to ensure the fan doesn't shift the tortilla.

Final Steps

Once the time is up, carefully remove the warmed soft taco shells from the air fryer. You can now fill them with your favorite taco toppings and enjoy!

Tips

• Adjust the time according to your preference. If you like extra crispy taco shells, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
• If you're making a large batch, heat the shells in small batches to ensure even heating.
• For corn tortillas, you can season the shells with a pinch of onion soup mix, buffalo wing mix, taco seasoning, coarse kosher salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, chipotle chili powder, or even rub the outside with your favorite hot sauce.

How to make taco shells in an air fryer without a mould

Ingredients:

• Soft corn tortillas or small flour tortillas
• Oil (e.g. avocado oil spray, olive oil spray, vegetable oil)
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. taco meat, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, hot sauce, cheese, refried beans, lime juice)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• While the 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 to make them more pliable. Alternatively, you can lightly fry them in oil.
• Lightly spray or brush both sides of the taco shells with oil.
• Place the taco shells in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air fry at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, until golden and crisp. Check on them after 2 minutes, as the fan may shift the tortilla.
• Once they are done, carefully remove the taco shells from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula.
• Let the taco shells cool for a few minutes before filling them with your desired toppings.

Tips:

• Use corn tortillas for a more authentic taco experience. Corn tortillas have a slightly nutty flavour and are sturdy enough to hold the filling without breaking.
• Adjust the cooking time according to your preference. If you like extra crispy taco shells, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
• Season the shells before cooking by sprinkling on some salt, chilli powder, or other spices.

How to make crispy taco shells in an air fryer

Making crispy taco shells in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to prepare for taco night. This guide will show you how to make crispy shells using corn or flour tortillas, without needing to turn on your oven or stovetop.

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Corn or flour tortillas
• Cooking oil spray (optional)
• Pastry brush (optional)
• Taco moulds or aluminium foil
• Air fryer

Method:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that your shells cook evenly and become crispy.

Step 2: Prepare the Tortillas

If using corn tortillas, you may want to warm them in the microwave first for about 30 seconds. This will make them less likely to break.

Next, lightly coat each tortilla with oil on both sides using a pastry brush. Alternatively, you can use cooking spray. Drape the tortillas over taco moulds or create small foil tents in the air fryer basket for the tortillas to hang over as they cook.

Step 3: Air Fry the Shells

Place the prepared tortillas in the air fryer basket and cook for 2-6 minutes, until golden and crisp. Check on them regularly, as the fan may shift the tortillas.

Step 4: Fill and Serve

Once the shells are crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer and fill them with your favourite taco toppings. These shells are best served fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Tips:

• If you want to add your toppings before cooking, that's an option too! Just be aware that the lettuce may wilt slightly.
• You can also season the shells before cooking by sprinkling on onion soup mix, buffalo wing mix, taco seasoning, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, or chipotle chilli powder.
• For soft tortilla shells, wrap them in foil and air fry at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 minutes.

How to store leftover taco shells

To store leftover taco shells, first let them cool down. Then, place them in an airtight container or a tightly sealed storage bag. You can store them on your kitchen counter for 2-3 days.

It is not recommended to freeze leftover taco shells, as the oil in the shells can cause them to become mealy and fall apart when they thaw.

If you want to reheat your leftover taco shells, you can place them in the oven or toaster oven, or even on a skillet, to get them warm and crispy again.

Some people also recommend storing leftover taco shells in a ziplock bag or airtight container to keep them fresh for the next time you want to use them.

Frequently asked questions