Air Fryer Taco Shells: How Long To Fry?

Air fryers are a convenient way to make taco shells without the mess of deep-frying or the need for an oven or stovetop. The circulating hot air of an air fryer can create crispy, golden taco shells in a matter of minutes. The process is simple: prepare your taco shells, coat them with oil or cooking spray, place them in the air fryer basket, and fry until golden and crisp. The time required varies depending on the type of air fryer and desired crispiness, but it typically ranges from 3 to 8 minutes at temperatures between 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to make taco shells in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Soft corn tortillas or small flour tortillas
• Oil (optional)
• Favorite toppings (e.g. taco meat, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, etc.)

Method

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it heat up for a few minutes. This will ensure that the taco shells cook evenly and become crispy.

Step 2: Prepare Your Taco Shells

Take the number of taco shells you need and heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them more pliable. This will prevent cracking when you fold them.

Step 3: Oil Your Taco Shells (optional)

Lightly brush or spray your taco shells with oil on both sides. This will help them get crispier and golden brown in the air fryer.

Step 4: Place Your Taco Shells in the Air Fryer

Drape the shells over a taco mold and place them in the air fryer basket. If you don't have a mold, you can use aluminum foil to make small tents to lay the tortillas over as they cook.

Step 5: Air Fry Your Taco Shells

Air fry at 400°F for 4-6 minutes until golden and crisp. Check on them after two minutes as the fan may shift the tortilla.

Step 6: 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.

Step 7: Fill With Favorite Toppings

Now it's time to fill your taco shells with your favorite ingredients. Whether you prefer ground beef, chicken, veggies, or anything else, the possibilities are endless. Top them off with shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, and any other toppings you like.

Tips and Tricks

• Use corn tortillas for a more authentic taco experience. Corn tortillas have a slightly nutty flavor and are sturdy enough to hold the filling without breaking.
• Soften the tortillas to make them easier to shape. You can do this by wrapping them in a damp towel and microwaving for 15-30 seconds or lightly frying them in oil until pliable.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure there is adequate space for air to circulate, especially when heating hard taco shells.
• Adjust the cooking time according to your preference. If you like extra crispy taco shells, increase the cook time by 1-2 minutes.
• Season the shells for added flavor. Sprinkle with salt, chili powder, or other spices before cooking.

How to heat taco shells in an air fryer

Ingredients and Equipment

• Taco shells (soft or hard)
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Air fryer
• Taco shell stands or a mini muffin pan
• Tongs or a spatula

Method

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. For hard shells, set it to 350-400°Fahrenheit. For soft shells, set it to 250°Fahrenheit.

While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your taco shells. If using soft shells, wrap them in a damp towel and heat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them more pliable. You can also heat them in a dry skillet for 20-30 seconds on each side.

Next, lightly brush or spray your taco shells with oil on both sides. Drape the shells over the taco shell stands or place them in the indents of an upside-down mini muffin pan to hold their shape.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the shells inside. For hard shells, air fry for around two minutes. For soft shells, wrap them in foil and air fry for 3-4 minutes. Keep an eye on the shells to make sure they don't burn.

Once they're done, carefully remove the shells from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Let them cool for a few minutes before filling them with your favourite taco ingredients.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, especially when heating hard taco shells, as the air needs to circulate.
• If you like extra crispy taco shells, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
• If your tacos open up due to the circulation of air, use toothpicks to hold them closed during the first cooking time.
• If your shells start to crack, reheat them for a few seconds.

How to prevent taco shells from cracking in the air fryer

To prevent your taco shells from cracking in the air fryer, there are a few simple steps to follow. Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Set it to 300-400°F and let it heat up for a few minutes. This will ensure that your taco shells cook evenly.

While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your taco shells. If you are using corn tortillas, you can soften them by wrapping them in a damp towel and microwaving for 15-30 seconds, or lightly frying them in oil until pliable. You can also use flour tortillas if you prefer, but make sure they are the right size for your taco shell holders.

Once your shells are ready, lightly spray or brush both sides with oil or non-stick cooking spray. This will help them get crispy and golden. Place the shells in the air fryer basket, using taco shell stands or aluminium foil to shape them if needed. Make sure the shells are in a single layer and not overcrowded, so the air can circulate.

Cook your taco shells for 2-6 minutes, depending on your air fryer and how crispy you like them. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

By following these steps, you can enjoy crispy, golden taco shells without the risk of cracking or breaking.

How to store leftover taco shells

Storing leftover taco shells is easy. First, let the shells cool down completely. 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 are thawed.

If you want to store leftover uncooked tortillas, you can place them in a ziplock bag or an airtight container to keep them fresh for your next meal.

How to make taco bowls in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Corn or flour tortillas
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Your choice of fillings and toppings, such as:
• Ground beef
• Chicken
• Beans
• Cheese
• Lettuce
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Hot sauce

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Pastry brush
• Taco mold (optional)
• Aluminum foil (if you don't have a taco mold)
• Tongs or a spatula

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Wrap your tortillas in a damp towel and heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them more pliable.
• Lightly coat each tortilla with oil on both sides using a pastry brush.
• Drape the tortillas over a taco mold and place them in the air fryer basket. If you don't have a taco mold, you can use aluminum foil to make small tents to lay the tortillas over as they cook.
• Air fry for 4-6 minutes at 400°F until golden and crisp. Check on them after two minutes to make sure the fan hasn't shifted the tortilla.
• Carefully remove the taco bowls from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula.
• Let the taco bowls cool for a few minutes before filling them with your desired toppings.

Tips

• If you want to make your taco bowls ahead of time, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. They will last for 2-3 days at room temperature.
• You can also make tortilla chips using the same method.
• For added flavor, season the taco bowls with salt, chili powder, or other spices before cooking.

Frequently asked questions