Air Fryer Crispy Tacos: Perfect Shells Every Time

Making crispy taco shells in an air fryer is a quick and easy alternative to deep-frying or baking. It's also less messy and uses less oil, making it a healthier option. The process is simple: preheat your air fryer to 400°F, prepare your taco shells (usually corn or flour tortillas), spray them with cooking oil, place them in the air fryer basket (using taco shell stands or moulds if you have them), and cook for 4-6 minutes until golden and crispy. You can then fill your crispy taco shells with your favourite toppings and enjoy!

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer to 400°F is an important step in making crispy taco shells. This temperature setting ensures that your taco shells will cook evenly and become delightfully crispy. Depending on your air fryer model, preheating can take a few minutes, so be sure to factor this into your preparation time.

While your air fryer is heating up, it's a great opportunity to prepare your taco shells and fillings. Soften your taco shells by warming them in the microwave for a brief period—around 10 to 15 seconds—to make them more pliable and less prone to cracking. You can also wrap them in a damp towel and microwave for a slightly longer duration, or heat them in a dry skillet for 20 to 30 seconds on each side.

Once your shells are ready, it's time to add your desired fillings. You can go with a traditional option like seasoned ground beef or venture into vegetarian territory with beans and cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try something unique like crispy fried fish or blackened Portobello mushrooms.

After filling your tacos, brush or spray the outside of the shells with oil. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect golden crispiness. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or a cooking spray for this purpose.

Now, you're almost ready to start cooking. If you're using an air fryer basket, coat it lightly with cooking spray or line it with aluminium foil to prevent sticking. Place your tacos inside, taking care not to overcrowd them, as this can affect cooking consistency.

Finally, it's time to air fry! Depending on your desired level of crispiness, cook your tacos at 400°F for 4 to 8 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, especially after the first 2 minutes, as the fan may cause the tortillas to shift or blow upwards. When they're golden and crispy to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving.

Prepare your taco shells

To make crispy taco shells in an air fryer, you can use either corn or flour tortillas. Corn tortillas are the traditional choice and have a slightly nutty flavour, but flour tortillas will also get nice and crispy.

If you are using corn tortillas, you will need to warm them up first to avoid cracking. You can do this by wrapping them in a damp towel and microwaving them for 30 seconds to one minute, or heating them in a dry skillet for 20-30 seconds on each side.

If you are using flour tortillas, you will still need to warm them so they are soft and pliable. You can do this by wrapping them in a towel and microwaving them for one minute.

Once your tortillas are warm, you can fill them with your desired ingredients. If you are using a filling that needs to be cooked, such as ground beef, cook it before adding it to your tortillas. You can also add cheese, salsa, beans, and any other desired ingredients.

After filling your tortillas, fold them over to form a taco shape. You can secure the shape with toothpicks if needed.

Brush the outside of the tacos with olive oil or avocado oil, or spray them with cooking spray. This will help them get crispy and golden brown in the air fryer.

Place the tacos in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook the tacos at 400°F for 4-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.

Once they are golden and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer and add any desired toppings.

Spray shells with cooking spray

Spraying your taco shells with cooking spray is an important step in achieving the perfect crispy texture. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Choose the Right Cooking Spray

You can use any type of cooking spray that you prefer. Common options include non-stick cooking spray, avocado oil spray, olive oil spray, or even vegetable oil spray. Choose an option that suits your taste and dietary preferences.

Step 2: Lightly Spray Both Sides of the Taco Shells

Hold the cooking spray can about 6-8 inches away from the taco shells and spray a light, even coat on both the front and back of each shell. This step ensures that the shells will crisp up nicely without becoming greasy.

Step 3: Adjust Your Air Fryer Settings

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 350-400°F, and let it preheat for a few minutes. This step ensures that your taco shells will cook evenly. Depending on your air fryer model, you might need to adjust the temperature and timing slightly.

Step 4: Place the Taco Shells in the Air Fryer

After spraying the taco shells, carefully place them in the air fryer basket. You can use taco shell stands or create a makeshift stand by using aluminum foil to make small tents for the shells to rest on as they cook. This ensures they hold their shape.

Step 5: Air Fry to Perfection

Depending on your desired level of crispness, air fry the taco shells for 1-6 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. The cooking time will vary based on your air fryer model and the number of shells you're cooking at once.

Step 6: Remove and Enjoy

Once the taco shells have reached your desired level of crispness, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Allow them to cool for a few minutes, and then they're ready to be filled with your favorite toppings!

Remember, the key to achieving crispy taco shells in the air fryer is to lightly and evenly coat them with cooking spray before placing them in the air fryer. This technique will give you delicious, crispy shells every time!

Place shells in the air fryer basket

When placing the taco shells in the air fryer basket, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure the shells are secure and won't tip over during cooking. One way to do this is to use taco shell stands, which help to hold the shape of the shells. Alternatively, you can place the shells directly into the basket, but be aware that you may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

If you don't have taco shell stands, there are a few creative ways to secure the shells. One method is to drape the shells over a taco mold placed in the air fryer basket. If you don't have a taco mold, you can use aluminium foil to create small tents for the tortillas to rest on as they cook. Another option is to place an upside-down mini muffin pan into the air fryer basket and position the shells in the indents of the muffin pan to keep them in place.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the type of tortillas you're using. Be sure to keep an eye on the shells while they're cooking to ensure they don't burn. Check on them periodically, especially after the first two minutes, as the fan may cause the tortillas to shift.

Fill with your favourite toppings

Now that you have your crispy taco shells, it's time to fill them with your favourite toppings!

There are endless possibilities for toppings, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations. Here are some popular options to get you started:

• Sour cream
• Hot sauce
• Cheese (shredded, nacho, or melted)
• Freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice
• Homemade coleslaw
• Diced tomatoes
• Salsa
• Chopped onion
• Guacamole
• Lettuce

You can also add different types of meat to your tacos, such as seasoned ground beef, black beans, shredded chicken, grilled carne asada, crispy fried fish, or blackened Portobello mushrooms.

If you're a vegetarian, you can fill your tacos with beans and cheese, or any other vegetarian toppings of your choice.

For an extra flavour boost, try seasoning your taco shells before filling them. A touch of coarse kosher salt and black pepper is a classic choice, or you can add some heat with red pepper flakes, chipotle chilli powder, or your favourite hot sauce.

Frequently asked questions