Air-Fryer Taco Shells: Quick, Crunchy, And Easy!

Cooking taco shells in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to achieve a crunchy texture without the mess of deep-frying. It is also a great way to heat up taco shells, taking a third of the time needed in an oven. You can use corn or flour tortillas, and the shells can be seasoned and filled with a variety of ingredients. The air fryer temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the desired crispiness and the type of air fryer being used.

Cooking Taco Shells in an Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making sure your taco shells cook evenly and turn out crispy. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer to is between 300°F and 400°F. The duration of preheating varies depending on the desired temperature. For instance, preheat for 3 minutes if you're aiming for 300°F, and for 5 minutes if you're aiming for 320°F. If you're preheating to 400°F, simply let the air fryer heat up for a few minutes.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your taco shells. Take as many taco shells as you need and heat them in the microwave for 5 to 15 seconds to make them pliable. You can also wrap the taco shells in a damp towel and microwave for 15 to 30 seconds, or heat them in a dry skillet for about 20 to 30 seconds on each side until they are soft and pliable.

Once your shells are ready and your air fryer is preheated, it's time to move on to the next steps of cooking your taco shells in the air fryer.

Soften the tortillas

Softening the tortillas is an important step in making taco shells in an air fryer. This will make the tortillas easier to shape into taco shells. Here is a step-by-step guide to softening tortillas:

Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas

Take the number of tortillas you need and ensure they are corn tortillas, as these are the traditional choice for making taco shells. Corn tortillas have a slightly nutty flavor and are sturdy enough to hold the filling without breaking. Choose tortillas that are the right size for your taco shell holders.

Step 2: Soften the Tortillas

There are two main methods to soften tortillas:

• Method 1: Wrap the tortillas in a damp towel and microwave them for 15-30 seconds. This method is quick and convenient, and it ensures even softening of the tortillas.
• Method 2: Lightly fry the tortillas in oil. Heat a skillet over high heat and add a small amount of oil. Place a tortilla in the skillet and fry for about 20-30 seconds on each side until pliable and soft. This method gives you more control over the softening process and allows you to soften the tortillas in batches if needed.

Step 3: Season the Tortillas (Optional)

Before shaping the tortillas into taco shells, you can add some extra flavor by seasoning them with a sprinkle of salt, chili powder, or other spices. This step is optional but recommended if you want to enhance the taste of your taco shells.

Step 4: Shape the Tortillas

Once the tortillas are softened, you can shape them into taco shells. Drape each tortilla over a taco mold or a small tent made of aluminum foil. If you are using a metal rack, you can hang the tortillas over the grates to create a space for your fillings and secure the shells.

Remember, softening tortillas is a crucial step in making taco shells in an air fryer. It ensures that the tortillas are pliable and easy to work with, allowing you to create the perfect crispy taco shells for your favorite taco fillings.

Drape shells over a mould

Drape the taco shell over a mould before placing it in the air fryer basket. If you don't have a mould, you can use aluminium foil to make small tents to lay the tortillas over as they cook. You can also use a long piece of aluminium foil, wadded up into a rectangular shape, to mould the tortillas around.

Before placing the shells in the air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to 320-400°F and let it heat up for a few minutes. This will ensure that the taco shells cook evenly and become crispy. While your air fryer is heating up, 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. You can also wrap the tortillas in a damp towel and microwave them for 15-30 seconds, or heat them in a dry skillet for about 20-30 seconds on each side, until they are soft and pliable.

Once the shells are soft, you can drape them over the mould. Place the mould in the air fryer basket and air fry for 4-6 minutes, or until golden and crisp. If you want your shells to be very crispy, you can spray them with olive oil during the last minute of cooking.

Season the shells

Seasoning your taco shells can be a fun and creative process, and there are many ways to go about it. You can use a pastry brush to lightly coat each tortilla with oil on both sides, or spray them with cooking spray. This will help the shells get crispy and golden brown in the air fryer. Be sure to spray or coat both sides of the shells to ensure even cooking.

For added flavor, you can season the taco shells with a variety of spices and ingredients. A classic option is to sprinkle a pinch of coarse kosher salt and black pepper on the shells. If you want to add some heat, you can use red pepper flakes, chipotle chili powder, or rub your favorite hot sauce on the outside of the shells. You can also get creative and experiment with other spices and seasonings, such as onion soup mix, buffalo wing mix, or a packet of taco seasoning.

If you're using corn tortillas, you might want to heat them before filling and shaping them into taco shells. You can do this by wrapping the tortillas in a damp towel and microwaving them for 15-30 seconds, or by lightly frying them in oil until they are pliable. This step will make it easier to shape the tortillas into taco shells and prevent cracking.

Once your shells are seasoned and cooked to perfection, it's time to fill them with your favorite ingredients. The possibilities are endless, from ground beef and chicken to veggies, beans, and cheese. Don't forget to top off your tacos with shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, or any other toppings you desire!

Fill and serve

Once your taco shells are cooked, it's time to fill and serve them. You can fill your taco shells with your favourite ingredients. Whether you prefer ground beef with taco seasoning, chicken, or veggies, the possibilities are endless.

Some popular vegetarian options include filling the taco shells with beans and cheese. You can also use instant pot salsa chicken, black beans, shredded chicken, grilled carne asada, crispy fried fish, or blackened Portobello mushrooms.

For toppings, you can use shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, and any other toppings you like. You can also top your tacos with sour cream, hot sauce, nacho cheese, a fresh squeeze of lime or lemon, homemade coleslaw, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, creamy guacamole, or crisp romaine lettuce.

If you have any leftover tortillas, you can cut them into chip shapes and air-fry them for 4-5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until hardened and golden brown. You can also lay them flat for a crunchy tostada topped with a layer of beans, cheese, and tomatoes.

Frequently asked questions