Warming Taco Shells: Air Fryer Magic

can you warm taco shells in the air fryer

Taco about a delicious topic! Taco shells can be warmed in the air fryer in a few simple steps. This method is perfect for those who want to avoid the mess and fuss of heating up oil in a skillet or turning on their oven. The air fryer also allows you to create crispy shells without having to deal with the fragility of store-bought options. In just a few minutes, you can have warm and crispy taco shells ready for your favourite fillings.

Characteristics	Values
Temperature	350-400°F
Time	2-8 minutes
Tortilla type	Corn or flour
Tortilla preparation	Drape over a taco mold or hang over oven racks
Oil	Optional

Warming taco shells in an air fryer

Preheating the Air Fryer

Before placing your taco shells in the air fryer, it's recommended to preheat the appliance, just as you would with a conventional oven. This ensures that your shells start cooking immediately upon contact with the hot surface. Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, allowing it to heat up thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.

Preparing Hard Taco Shells

If you're using hard taco shells, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature setting will ensure that your shells become crispy without burning. Once preheated, arrange the hard taco shells in an even layer within the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket to allow for adequate air circulation. Depending on the number of shells you're preparing, you may need to cook them in batches.

Air fry the taco shells for approximately two minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking. If you prefer your taco shells extra crispy, consider increasing the cooking time by a minute or two.

Preparing Soft Taco Shells

For soft taco shells, the preparation method differs slightly. Preheat your air fryer to a lower temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Soft taco shells are more delicate, so it's important not to expose them to extremely high temperatures. Wrap up to six flour or corn tortillas in aluminium foil to prevent them from drying out.

Place the wrapped soft taco shells in the air fryer and air fry for 3 to 4 minutes. This cooking time will ensure that your soft shells are warmed through without becoming crispy.

Customising Your Taco Shells

Once you've warmed your taco shells, you can enhance their flavour and texture by adding seasonings. Consider sprinkling a pinch of onion soup mix, buffalo wing mix, or taco seasoning on the shells. A classic flavour combination is a touch of coarse kosher salt and black pepper. If you prefer your tacos with a kick, add some red pepper flakes, chipotle chilli powder, or brush the shells with your favourite hot sauce.

Filling Your Taco Shells

Now comes the fun part—filling your freshly warmed taco shells! The options are endless when it comes to taco fillings and toppings. You can go the traditional route with seasoned ground beef, shredded chicken, or black beans. For a vegetarian option, fill your tacos with beans and cheese. Don't forget to add your favourite toppings, such as sour cream, hot sauce, salsa, avocado, or crisp romaine lettuce.

Storing Leftover Taco Shells

If you have any leftover taco shells, you can store them in an airtight container or a sealed storage bag. They will stay fresh at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the shells back in the oven or air fryer, setting the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they're warmed through.

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How to avoid cracking

Warming taco shells in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to get perfectly crisp and warm shells in a matter of minutes. However, if not done right, the shells can crack. Here are some tips to avoid that:

Warm the Shells Beforehand

If you are using soft tortillas, wrap them in a paper towel and microwave them on high for about 45 seconds before placing them in the air fryer. This will prevent them from cracking.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Always preheat your air fryer before adding the taco shells. This ensures that the shells are added to a hot basket, which helps to get them crispy without burning them. Preheat to 250°F for soft shells and 350°F for hard shells.

Avoid Overcrowding the Basket

When heating hard taco shells, make sure to leave adequate space between them so that the air can circulate. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent the shells from becoming soggy, which can lead to cracking.

Adjust the Timing as Needed

The cooking time may vary depending on your preference for crispiness. If you like extra crispy taco shells, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Keep in mind that thinner tortillas will cook faster, so adjust the timing accordingly.

Use a Lower Rack or Basket

When cooking soft tortillas, it is best to place them in the air fryer basket or on a lower rack. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent the shells from getting too crispy, which can lead to cracking.

Store Leftovers Properly

If you have leftover taco shells, store them at room temperature in an airtight container or resealable bag. They can stay crispy for about a week. Do not store them in the refrigerator, as they will lose their crispness and become soggy.

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Oil vs oil-free shells

Oil vs Oil-Free Taco Shells

There are two main ways to make taco shells in an air fryer: with oil or without. Both methods will give you a crispy, golden shell, but there are some differences to consider when deciding which approach to take.

Oil-Free Shells

One of the main benefits of cooking taco shells in an air fryer without oil is that it is a healthier option. Oil typically adds extra calories and fat to your food, so by eliminating it, you can enjoy your tacos with slightly less guilt.

Oil-free shells are also less messy and can be easier to clean up. You won't have to worry about dealing with hot oil or greasy residue on your kitchen surfaces. This method is also convenient as you can simply drape the tortillas over an upside-down mini muffin pan or use aluminium foil to shape them into taco shells.

To make oil-free shells, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place an upside-down mini muffin pan in the air fryer basket and drape the tortillas over it, or use aluminium foil to shape them. Air fry for about 3 minutes, then remove the pan, flip the tortillas, and air fry for an additional 1 minute until golden brown and crispy.

Shells with Oil

On the other hand, using oil can help you achieve a more even crisp throughout the shell. It can also add a bit of extra flavour to your tacos, especially if you use a seasoned oil or add spices to the oil.

When using oil, it is important to lightly coat both sides of the tortilla with a pastry brush or spray. Then, drape the shell over a taco mold or aluminium foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure even cooking.

Both methods will give you delicious, crispy taco shells, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you're looking for a healthier, less messy option, go for the oil-free shells. If you want an even crisp and don't mind a little extra clean-up, shells with oil are the way to go.

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Storing leftover taco shells

Leftover taco shells can be stored in an airtight container or a sealed storage bag. They can be kept on the kitchen counter for 2-3 days. It is not advisable to freeze leftover taco shells as the oil in the shells can cause them to become mealy and fall apart when thawed.

If you have leftover tortillas, you can turn them into crispy homemade tortilla chips to dip in guacamole or lay them flat for a crunchy tostada topped with beans, cheese, and tomatoes. You can also use them to make quesadillas or chicken taquitos.

To store leftover soft taco shells, keep them in the fridge. They can be reheated in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you have leftover hard taco shells, you can put them in an airtight container or storage bag and store them in the pantry.

To reheat leftover taco shells, you can place them in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit until they are crispy again.

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Filling ideas

Once you've warmed your taco shells in the air fryer, it's time to fill them with delicious ingredients. The options are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started:

Meat fillings