Air-Fryer Taco Salad Shells: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making taco salad shells in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy meal. You can use either taco-sized or burrito-sized flour tortillas, depending on the size of your air fryer. To make the shells, you'll need to create a 'mould' to shape the tortilla as it cooks. This can be done by using oven-safe bowls or a square meal prep container, along with some cooking spray. The tortilla should be microwaved for a few seconds to make it soft and pliable before being placed over the mould and cooked in the air fryer for around 10 minutes. Once golden and crispy, the shell can be filled with your favourite taco salad toppings, such as ground beef, avocado, salsa, and cheese.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-375°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making taco salad shells. While some recipes suggest preheating to 350°F, others recommend 375°F. The ideal temperature will depend on your air fryer and the type of tortilla you are using. Burrito-sized flour tortillas, for instance, may require a higher temperature than smaller tortillas.

When preheating your air fryer, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines. Different models may have varying preheat settings and temperature controls. Refer to the user manual to understand the specific preheating process for your air fryer.

During the preheating process, the air fryer will heat up to the desired temperature, ensuring that the cooking environment is optimal for shaping and crisping your taco salad shells. This step helps to create a consistent and even cooking temperature, which is crucial for achieving the desired texture and colour of your shells.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the tortillas and gather the necessary equipment, such as bowls or moulds, to shape them. By the time your air fryer reaches the desired temperature, you will be ready to start forming and cooking your taco salad shells.

Use a tortilla that's 8-10 inches in diameter

How to Make Taco Salad Shells in an Air Fryer Using 8-10 Inch Tortillas

Ingredients and Equipment

You will need the following:

• An air fryer
• 8-10 inch flour tortillas (burrito-sized)
• Cooking spray (preferably avocado oil spray)
• Two oven-safe bowls (one that is 6-8 inches in diameter and another that is 3-6 inches in diameter)
• A large mixing bowl

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F.
• Place a large mixing bowl on the rack or basket of your air fryer.
• Spray both sides of a tortilla with cooking spray.
• Place the tortilla, oil side down, into the larger oven-safe bowl. Press the tortilla down to mould it to the shape of the bowl.
• Place the smaller oven-safe bowl on top of the tortilla.
• Place the bowls and tortilla setup into the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes.
• Remove the larger bowl from the setup, leaving the tortilla and smaller bowl in place.
• Air fry for another 3-4 minutes to brown the outside of the tortilla bowl.
• If you want additional browning, remove the smaller bowl and air fry for another 1-2 minutes.
• Allow the tortilla bowl to cool before removing it from the smaller bowl.
• Fill your tortilla bowl with your favourite taco salad ingredients and enjoy!

Tips

• If your air fryer does not have a pre-heat function, run it at the desired temperature for around 5 minutes.
• Experiment with different types of tortillas, such as whole wheat, spinach, low carb, or corn tortillas.
• For a vegetarian option, fill your tortilla bowl with Debi's Vegetarian Lentil Taco Salad.

Use cooking spray

Using cooking spray is a great way to make taco salad shells in an air fryer. It's a healthier alternative to frying the shells in oil, and the process is simple and quick. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use cooking spray to make delicious and crispy taco salad shells:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Tortilla

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F to 375°F. This temperature range is ideal for cooking the tortilla shells without burning them. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your tortillas. For taco salad shells, it's best to use burrito-sized flour tortillas. Spray both sides of the tortilla with cooking spray. This will help the tortilla get crispy and golden.

Step 2: Create the Mould

To shape the tortilla into a bowl, you'll need to create a mould. Place a large mixing bowl in the air fryer basket. You can use a stainless steel or glass bowl, ensuring it's oven-safe. Then, place the sprayed tortilla inside the bowl, gently pressing it down to mould it into a bowl shape. Allow for some folds in the tortilla; you don't need to get it perfectly smooth.

Step 3: Weigh Down the Tortilla

To prevent air bubbles from forming in the centre of the tortilla, you'll need to weigh it down. Place a smaller bowl on top of the tortilla, sandwiching it between the two bowls. Make sure the smaller bowl is also oven-safe. This will help the tortilla retain its shape and cook evenly.

Step 4: Air Fry the Shell

With your tortilla mould ready, it's time to air fry! Cook the tortilla at 350°F to 375°F for 7 to 10 minutes. This timing will ensure the tortilla gets crispy and golden without burning. Keep an eye on it, as all air fryers are different, and you don't want the edges to get too brown.

Step 5: Cool and Remove

Once the tortilla shell is golden and crispy, carefully remove it from the air fryer and allow it to cool completely. This step is crucial, as handling the shell while it's still hot may cause it to break. Patience is key here!

Step 6: Fill and Enjoy

Finally, fill your crispy taco salad shell with your favourite toppings! You can load it up with ground beef, shredded chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, salsa, and more. Get creative and enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Using cooking spray is a convenient and healthy way to make taco salad shells in an air fryer. It's a simple process that yields delicious results. So, get out your air fryer, some tortillas, and cooking spray, and enjoy making your own crispy shells for taco night!

Cook for 7-12 minutes

Once you've preheated your air fryer to 350-375°F, placed a large bowl in the basket, and sprayed your tortilla with cooking spray, it's time to cook your taco salad shell. Place the tortilla inside the bowl, moulding it to the bowl, and place a smaller bowl on top to sandwich it.

Now, it's time to air fry! Depending on your desired crispiness, air fry your tortilla for 7-10 minutes. If you want a softer shell, air fry for 7-10 minutes. If you prefer a crispier texture, opt for the full 12 minutes.

During the cooking process, you may need to remove the outer bowl after 5 minutes to allow the tortilla to brown all around. Leave the inner bowl in place to prevent air bubbles from forming. If you desire additional browning, remove the inner bowl and air fry for another minute or so.

Keep a close eye on your tortilla shell during the cooking process to ensure it doesn't burn. The edges can be particularly susceptible to burning, so be cautious.

Fill with your favourite toppings

Now for the fun part: filling your homemade taco salad shells with your favourite toppings! The options are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started:

• Ground beef, turkey, or chicken
• Shredded chicken or beef
• Beans
• Lettuce or other greens (romaine, iceberg, cabbage)
• Tomatoes
• Cheese (cheddar, nacho cheese Doritos, etc.)
• Avocado or guacamole
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Cilantro
• Italian dressing
• Ground taco-seasoned meat
• Shrimp, fish, or steak
• Pulled pork, leftover brisket, or pulled chicken
• Southwest ranch dressing

You can also get creative and experiment with different types of tortillas, such as whole wheat, spinach, low carb, or corn tortillas, to change up the texture and flavour of your taco salad shells.

So, what are you waiting for? Get filling, frying, and enjoying those crispy, delicious taco salads!

Frequently asked questions