Deep-Frying Taco Bowls: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Taco bowls are a fun and delicious way to enjoy your favourite Mexican-inspired recipes. You can make these crispy, golden, and flaky tortilla bowls at home with a few simple steps. While you can bake them in the oven, deep-frying gives them a bubbly texture and an irresistible crunch. Here's a guide on how to make taco bowls in a deep fryer.

Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375°F

Heating oil in a deep fryer to 375°F is the first step to making taco bowls. This is a crucial step as it ensures the oil is hot enough to fry the tortilla bowls and create a crispy, golden texture. The ideal temperature range for frying tortilla bowls is between 350°F and 400°F. If the oil is not hot enough, the tortilla bowls may absorb too much oil and become soggy. On the other hand, if the oil is too hot, the tortilla bowls may burn. Therefore, it is important to use a thermometer to ensure the oil reaches the desired temperature of 375°F before proceeding with the next steps.

When heating the oil, it is important to use a suitable oil with a high smoke point, such as corn oil, peanut oil, or canola oil. The amount of oil needed will depend on the size of the deep fryer, but it should be enough to fully submerge the tortilla bowls. Once the oil is heated, it is important to work carefully and slowly to avoid splashing or burning yourself.

After heating the oil, the next step is to gently place the tortillas into the hot oil and shape them into bowls. This can be done using a steel soup ladle, a metal spoon, or a special taco-bowl-shaped fryer basket. It is important to work carefully and slowly to prevent splashing or burning. The tortillas should be fried for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Once the tortilla bowls are fried, they should be removed from the oil using tongs and placed on a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil. It is important to work carefully during this step as the oil is very hot. The tortilla bowls can then be filled with your favourite taco salad ingredients and served.

Use a fryer basket to keep the tortilla in place

Using a fryer basket is the safest way to make taco bowls. The fryer basket keeps the tortilla in place and prevents the hot oil from splashing onto you. It is also a more hands-off method, as you do not need to use a spoon to keep the tortilla submerged.

To use a fryer basket, first, preheat your oil to 375º. Then, place a flour tortilla in the fryer basket and lower it into the hot oil. Fry the tortilla for about 2.5 minutes, or until it is lightly browned and firm. Finally, remove the basket from the oil and invert the taco bowl onto a paper towel to drain and cool.

Fryer baskets are a small investment (around $15) and are much safer than jury-rigged methods. They also produce uniform, evenly-sized taco bowls.

Fry for 2-3 minutes

Frying your tortilla bowls for 2-3 minutes is the key to achieving a crispy, golden texture. The frying time will depend on your desired level of browning and crispness, but this timeframe should be sufficient to create a stable structure for your taco bowls.

When frying, it is essential to be cautious and use the appropriate tools to avoid getting burned by the hot oil. Use a ladle or a large metal spoon to gently press the tortilla down into the oil, forming the bowl shape. You may need to use tongs to help position the tortilla correctly. The sides of the tortilla will float up around the ladle or spoon, creating the bowl shape. Maintain a safe distance from the oil, as it will sputter and splatter.

During the frying process, the tortilla should be left in the oil for about 2 to 3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, as you want it to turn a light brown colour and become firm. The exact frying time may vary depending on your oil temperature and the type of tortilla you are using. Once the tortilla bowl is lightly browned and firm, use tongs to carefully remove it from the hot oil.

Place the fried tortilla bowl upside down on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet to allow the excess oil to drain. This step is crucial to ensure that your taco bowls are not greasy. It is also important to work in batches if you are making multiple tortilla bowls, as frying more than one at a time may cause the oil temperature to drop, affecting the cooking time and the final texture of your bowls.

Drain on a wire rack

Once you've removed the taco bowl from the deep fryer, you'll need to place it upside down on a wire rack to drain and cool. The wire rack should be placed over a baking sheet to catch any excess oil. This process should take around 2 to 3 minutes.

It's important to be very careful during this step as the oil will be extremely hot. Use tongs to handle the taco bowl and ensure that you don't burn yourself.

Once the taco bowl has drained and cooled, you can sprinkle the inside of the bowl with salt or sea salt. This will add extra flavour to your taco and is a crucial step to ensuring the perfect deep-fried taco bowl.

If you're making multiple taco bowls, you can place them on the same wire rack to drain and cool. Just be sure to give them enough space so they're not touching. This will ensure that they cool down evenly and don't stick together.

By following these steps, you'll be able to create the perfect, crispy deep-fried taco bowl that your friends and family will love.

Fill with taco ingredients

Now that your tortilla bowls are ready, it's time to fill them with your favourite taco ingredients! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Meat

• Ground beef
• Ground chicken
• Ground turkey

Beans

• Black beans
• Refried beans

Vegetables

• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Onion
• Green onions
• Olives
• Salsa
• Sour cream

Cheese

• Cheddar
• Jack cheese
• Any of your favourite shredded cheese

Sauces and Dressings

• Taco sauce
• Catalina salad dressing
• Lime crema
• Guacamole
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Homemade taco seasoning

You can also add some fun twists to your taco bowls, such as:

• Fish
• Shrimp
• Chicken fajita
• Rice
• Avocado
• Corn
• Jalapenos
• Cilantro
• Lime juice

The options are endless, so get creative and enjoy your delicious deep-fried taco bowls!

Frequently asked questions