Marianne Martinez
Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, golden taco shells with less oil and mess than traditional deep-frying methods. The time it takes to cook hard taco shells in an air fryer varies depending on the type of air fryer and the desired crispiness, but it typically takes between 4 and 10 minutes. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious, crispy taco shells in an air fryer, as well as offer tips on storing leftovers and different filling options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 320-400°F |
| Time | 4-7 minutes |
| Toppings | Sour cream, salsa, avocado, hot sauce, cheese, lime, lemon, coleslaw, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, guacamole, lettuce |
| Fillings | Ground beef, black beans, shredded chicken, carne asada, crispy fried fish, Portobello mushrooms, shrimp |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for 2-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer temperature for taco shells
The ideal temperature for cooking taco shells in an air fryer is between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact temperature you choose will depend on the type of taco shell you are cooking.
For hard taco shells, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the shells in an even layer in the air fryer basket and fry for two minutes. If you prefer extra crispy taco shells, increase the cooking time by one or two minutes.
For soft taco shells, the temperature is slightly lower. Preheat your air fryer to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap up to six flour or corn tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in the air fryer for three to four minutes.
If you are making crispy taco shells from scratch, most recipes recommend air frying at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for four to six minutes. Drape the tortilla over a taco mold or aluminum foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Check the tortillas after two minutes, as the fan may cause them to shift.
You can also make crispy taco shells in an air fryer oven. Simply hang the tortillas over the oven racks and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for seven to nine minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Leftover taco shells can be stored in an airtight container for two to four days and reheated in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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How long to cook taco shells
Cooking taco shells in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to achieve crispy, golden shells without the mess and excess oil of deep-frying. The process is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.
First, you need to prepare your taco shells. Take the desired number of taco shells and heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them more pliable. This step ensures that the shells will be easier to shape and work with.
Next, you'll want to lightly coat both sides of the taco shells with oil or non-stick cooking spray. This step is crucial for achieving the desired crispiness and golden colour. Be sure to use a pastry brush to evenly distribute the oil, or spray both sides of the shells if using cooking spray.
Now it's time to shape the shells. Drape the shells over taco molds or use aluminium foil to create small tents that you can lay the tortillas over as they cook. This step ensures that your shells will have the perfect curved shape.
Once your shells are prepared, it's time to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes, depending on your air fryer's specific settings and wattage. Then, place the shells in the air fryer basket, being careful not to let them touch the heating element, as this can cause scorch marks.
The cooking time for your taco shells will depend on the desired crispiness and the specific model of your air fryer. On average, cook the shells at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, checking on them occasionally to ensure they don't burn. You may need to adjust the cooking time by 1-2 minutes, depending on your air fryer.
Finally, once your shells are golden and crisp, remove them from the air fryer and fill them with your favourite toppings! Sour cream, hot sauce, cheese, fresh salsa, guacamole, and diced tomatoes are all excellent choices.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy delicious, crispy taco shells in no time! The process is quick, easy, and perfect for a fun taco night or a quick weeknight dinner.
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Preparing taco shells for the air fryer
Once you have your ingredients and materials, you can begin preparing the taco shells. If you are using oil, brush both sides of the tortillas lightly with it. If you are using cooking spray, spray both sides of the tortillas. You can then add your seasoning. Suggested seasonings include onion soup mix, buffalo wing mix, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, chipotle chilli powder, or your favourite hot sauce.
Next, drape the tortillas over the taco mold or aluminum foil tents. If you are using an air fryer oven, you can also hang the tortillas over the oven racks. Place the mold, foil, or rack in the air fryer basket. If you are using foil, be sure to leave the two sides open so you can fill the shells with your chosen ingredients later.
Finally, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes, or until it reaches the desired temperature. Then, air fry your taco shells for 4-6 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy. Check on them after 2 minutes, as the fan may cause the tortillas to shift. Once they are cooked, fill your taco shells with your favourite toppings and enjoy!
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Storing leftover taco shells
To store leftover taco shells, place them in an airtight container or a tightly sealed storage bag. You can keep them on your kitchen counter for 2-3 days or 3-4 days if they are meat and cheese tacos. It is not recommended to freeze cooked taco shells as they will become mealy and fall apart upon thawing.
To reheat the taco shells, place them in the oven or air fryer and heat at 350 degrees until hot. Make sure to watch them carefully so they don't burn. You can also use leftover tortillas to make air fryer crispy homemade tortilla chips, tostadas, air fryer quesadillas, or chicken taquitos.
If you're using an air fryer with racks, you can place the tortilla over the rack, hanging down, and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-6 minutes. Check on them after two minutes, as the fan may shift the tortilla. You can also lay them flat and air fry for a crunchy tostada.
For a simple and quick weeknight dinner, air fryer taco shells are a great option. They are easy to make and can be filled with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, hot sauce, cheese, fresh squeeze of lime, guacamole, diced tomatoes, salsa, or crispy romaine lettuce.
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Reheating leftover taco shells
If you have leftover taco shells, there are several ways to reheat them to achieve that crispy, hot, restaurant-style taco taste.
The air fryer is a quick and convenient way to reheat taco shells without needing to turn on your oven or stovetop. It is also much quicker at heating up than a conventional oven. To reheat leftover taco shells in an air fryer, follow these steps:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Place the hard taco shells upright in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving adequate space for air to circulate.
- Spritz the shells with a little oil or water to help them crisp up.
- Air fry the shells for 2-5 minutes, checking frequently, until they are hot and crispy.
The oven is another option for reheating leftover taco shells. To reheat in the oven, follow these steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the hard taco shells upright on a baking sheet, leaving space between them.
- Spritz the shells with a little oil or water.
- Bake for 5-10 minutes, checking frequently, until the shells are hot and crispy.
The microwave is a quick and easy option for reheating leftover taco shells. To reheat in the microwave:
- Place the hard taco shells upright in the microwave, preferably without the wrapper.
- Microwave on medium power (50%) in short 30-second bursts, checking frequently, until the shells are hot and crispy.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 4-6 minutes to cook hard taco shells in an air fryer. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
The best way to store leftover hard taco shells is at room temperature in an airtight container or a resealable bag. They can be kept crispy for about a week.
Yes, you can store leftover hard taco shells in the freezer. Put them in a freezer-friendly container or a Ziploc bag and they can be stored for up to 3 months.
To reheat leftover hard taco shells, place them in the oven or air fryer and heat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until hot. Be careful not to burn them.
To prevent scorch marks on hard taco shells, cover the air fryer basket with a lid or aluminum foil. This will prevent the shells from touching the heating element and getting scorched.
