Emilie Meyer
Cooking taco shells in an air fryer is an easy and convenient way to achieve a crunchy texture without the added oil and mess of deep-frying. You can use corn or flour tortillas, and the process is simple: preheat your air fryer, soften your tortillas, drape them over a taco mold, and air fry for a few minutes until golden and crisp. You can then fill your crispy taco shells with your favourite toppings and enjoy!
Cooking Taco Shells in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 320-400°F |
| Cook Time | 4-12 minutes |
| Ingredients | Corn or flour tortillas, ground beef, chicken, shrimp, beans, cheese, olive oil, avocado oil, non-stick cooking spray, salt, chili powder, onion soup mix, buffalo wing mix, taco seasoning, red pepper flakes, black pepper, hot sauce |
| Toppings | Sour cream, salsa, avocado, hot sauce, shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, nacho cheese, lime or lemon, coleslaw, onion, guacamole, romaine lettuce |
| Fillings | Seasoned ground beef, black beans, shredded chicken, grilled carne asada, crispy fried fish, blackened Portobello mushrooms |
| Storage | Store leftover shells in an airtight container or a tightly sealed storage bag for 2-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making taco shells. It ensures that your taco shells cook evenly and turn out crispy. Set your air fryer to 320-400°F and let it heat up for a few minutes. The exact temperature and time depend on the model of your air fryer and your desired level of crispiness.
While your air fryer is preheating, you can 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 helps to soften the shells, making them easier to shape. You can also wrap the tortillas in a damp towel and microwave them for 15-30 seconds, or lightly fry them in oil, until they are soft and pliable.
If you want to add extra flavour to your taco shells, this is the time to season them. Sprinkle salt, chili powder, or your choice of spices on the shells before cooking them in the air fryer. You can also brush the shells with olive oil or spray them with cooking spray to help them turn crispy and golden brown during cooking. Be sure to coat both sides of the shells for even cooking.
Once your shells are prepared and your air fryer has preheated, you can move on to the next step of placing the shells in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shells in batches.
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Prepare the taco shells
Preparing the taco shells is a straightforward process. First, decide on the type of tortilla you want to use. Corn tortillas are the traditional choice, with a slightly nutty flavour and sturdy texture. However, you can also use flour tortillas if you prefer.
Next, you'll need to soften the tortillas to make them easier to shape. To do this, wrap the tortillas in a damp towel and microwave them for 15-30 seconds, or until they are very warm and pliable. Alternatively, you can lightly fry them in oil for 20-30 seconds on each side. If you're using corn tortillas, heating them well is crucial, or they may crack.
Once your tortillas are soft, it's time to shape them. Drape each tortilla over a taco mold and place it in the air fryer basket. If you don't have a taco mold, you can use aluminium foil to make small tents to lay the tortillas over as they cook.
At this point, you can season the shells for added flavour. Sprinkle salt, chilli powder, onion soup mix, buffalo wing mix, or a bit of taco seasoning on the outside. You can also add some coarse kosher salt and black pepper or red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Finally, if you want your shells to be extra crispy, lightly spray them with cooking spray or brush them with oil. Be sure to coat both sides to ensure even cooking.
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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.
To prepare your taco shells, start by wrapping the tortillas in a damp towel and microwaving them for 15-30 seconds. Alternatively, you can lightly fry them in oil for 20-30 seconds on each side until they are soft and pliable. If you are short on time, you can heat them in the microwave for just 10-15 seconds.
Once your shells are soft, drape them over the mould or aluminium foil tent. Place the mould in the air fryer basket. If you are using aluminium foil, simply lay the foil "bar" in the middle of the basket, with the two sides open to allow for stuffing later.
Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it heat up for a few minutes. Then, lightly spray your taco shells with non-stick cooking spray. Be sure to spray both sides of the shells to ensure even cooking and a golden brown colour.
Now, it's time to cook your taco shells! Air fry at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, or until they are golden and crisp. Check on your shells after two minutes, as the fan may cause them to shift.
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Fill with your favourite toppings
Once your taco shells are done, it's time to fill them with your favourite toppings. You can fill your tacos with whatever you like. If you want to make vegetarian tacos, you can fill them with beans and cheese. You can also use cooked chicken, beef, or veggies. If you want to use meat, make sure it is cooked before adding it to your taco shells.
You can top your tacos with shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, and any other toppings you like. Some other topping options include:
- Sour cream
- Hot sauce
- Guacamole
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped onion
- A squeeze of lime or lemon
- Homemade coleslaw
- Nacho cheese
- Crispy fried fish
- Blackened Portobello mushrooms
- Black beans
- Shredded chicken
- Grilled carne asada
If you have any leftover tortillas, you can cut them into chip shapes and air-fry them for a few minutes to make tortilla chips. You can also lay them flat and top them with beans, cheese, and tomatoes to make a crunchy tostada.
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Store leftovers in an airtight container
Storing your leftover taco shells correctly is crucial to preserving their freshness and crispiness. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions for storing leftover taco shells in an airtight container:
Firstly, ensure that the taco shells are completely cool before storing. Placing warm or hot taco shells in a sealed container can cause condensation, making the shells soggy. Waiting for them to cool down prevents this, ensuring your shells remain crisp.
Once cooled, place the leftover taco shells in an airtight container or a tightly sealed storage bag. If using a container, consider using one with a secure lid to prevent air from seeping in and causing the shells to lose their crispness. For bags, squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing to achieve the same effect.
Store the airtight container or sealed bag on your kitchen counter, where it will stay fresh for 2-4 days. Do not freeze cooked taco shells, as the oil in the shells can cause them to become mealy and disintegrate upon thawing.
To reheat the leftover taco shells, simply place them in an oven or an air fryer, heating them at 350°F until hot and crispy again. Remember to keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
By following these instructions, you can enjoy your delicious, crispy taco shells for a few more days after your taco night!
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Frequently asked questions
First, preheat your air fryer to 320-400°F for 5 minutes. While it's heating up, prepare your taco shells by wrapping them in a damp towel and microwaving them for 10-30 seconds to make them more pliable. Then, drape the shells over a taco mold and place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 4-8 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
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.
You can store leftover taco shells in an airtight container or a tightly sealed storage bag on your kitchen counter for 2-4 days. It is not recommended to freeze cooked taco shells as they will become mealy and fall apart when thawed.
