Air Fryer Magic: Perfect Taco Shells

Making taco shells in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to achieve the perfect crunchy texture for your tacos. This method uses less oil than traditional deep-frying, making it a healthier alternative. By placing corn or flour tortillas in an air fryer for a few minutes, you can create crispy shells that are ready to be stuffed with your favourite fillings.

How to make crispy taco shells without oil

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, as they use much less oil to achieve a similar texture and taste. Here is a guide on how to make crispy taco shells without oil, using an air fryer.

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Corn tortillas or small flour tortillas
• Non-stick cooking spray (optional)
• Air fryer
• Taco shell stands or a mini muffin pan

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This will ensure that the taco shells cook evenly and become crispy.
• While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your taco shells. If you are using corn tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel or cloth and heat them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds to make them more pliable. You can also lightly fry them in oil until they are soft.
• If desired, lightly spray or brush both sides of the tortillas with cooking spray or oil. This will help them get crispier and golden brown.
• Place the tortillas in the air fryer. If you have taco shell stands, place them in the air fryer basket and drape the tortillas over them. If you don't have stands, you can use a mini muffin pan and drape the tortillas over the indents to hold their shape. You may need to cook the tortillas in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air fry the tortillas for 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.
• Once the tortillas are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before filling them.
• Fill the taco shells with your favorite ingredients. You can use ground beef, chicken, veggies, cheese, salsa, sour cream, or any other toppings of your choice.

Tips:

• Use corn tortillas for a slightly nutty flavor and a sturdy shell.
• Softening the tortillas before shaping them to avoid cracking.
• Season the shells with salt, chili powder, or other spices before cooking for added flavor.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the tortillas in the oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes to make crispy taco shells.

Using aluminium foil to make taco shells

If you don't have a taco stand or moulds, you can use aluminium foil to make taco shells in an air fryer.

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). While the air fryer is heating up, you can prepare your tortillas. If they have been stored in the refrigerator, warm them to room temperature or warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Next, you will need to create foil moulds for your tortillas to drape over. Crunch up some aluminium foil into a tube shape, making it slightly longer than your tortillas. You can also use foil to line your air fryer basket, ensuring the sides are high enough to allow air circulation. If you line your basket with foil, be sure to weigh it down with something like uncooked rice or dried beans to prevent it from blowing around.

Now, you can prepare your tortillas. Brush or spray both sides of each tortilla with a little oil. This will help the tortillas become pliable and crisp up nicely. Drape the tortillas over your foil moulds or the rack of your air fryer, forming them into a taco shell shape.

Place the foil moulds with draped tortillas into your preheated air fryer. Alternatively, if you are using the air fryer rack, simply place the basket into the air fryer. Air fry at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, until the tortillas are golden and crisp. Keep an eye on them after the first 2 minutes, as the fan may cause the tortillas to shift.

Once they are golden and crisp, remove them from the air fryer and fill them with your favourite taco toppings. Enjoy!

How to avoid cracking when making taco shells

To avoid cracking when making taco shells in an air fryer, follow these steps:

Firstly, it is important to use the right type of tortillas. Corn tortillas are the traditional choice and are sturdy enough to hold the filling without breaking. If you are set on using flour tortillas, be aware that they may take slightly longer to cook and are more prone to cracking.

Secondly, softening the tortillas before shaping them into taco shells will make them more pliable and less likely to crack. You can do this by wrapping the tortillas in a damp towel and microwaving 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, or until soft.

If you are using corn tortillas, be sure to heat them well before filling and cooking them. Corn tortillas need to be very warm and pliable to prevent cracking.

If your tortillas start to crack while you are working with them, simply reheat them for a few seconds and they should be fine.

Additionally, when filling your tortillas, be careful not to overfill them as this can cause them to crack under the weight of the filling.

Finally, when cooking your taco shells, be sure to follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures for your specific air fryer. Keep a close eye on them to ensure they don't burn, as burnt shells are more likely to crack.

By following these steps, you can avoid cracking and make perfect, crispy taco shells in your air fryer.

How to store leftover taco shells

If you have leftover taco shells, it is best to store them in an airtight container. They can be kept fresh in a ziplock bag or a Tupperware container.

Leftover taco shells can be stored for up to four days. To reheat, use the oven or the air fryer. Set the temperature to 300° F and heat until warm, which should take about five minutes.

If you want to reheat your taco shells in the air fryer, place them evenly in the air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for four minutes. You can also use the Air Crisp setting on the Ninja Foodi for the same amount of time and temperature.

If you have leftover tacos with all the fillings and toppings, it is best to eat them fresh and warm.

How to make soft tortillas crispy in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Soft corn tortillas
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt, chili powder, or other spices (optional)
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. meat, cheese, lettuce, salsa, etc.)

Method

• Prepare the tortillas: Wrap the tortillas in a damp towel and heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them more pliable. This step will help prevent cracking when you shape them into taco shells.
• Shape the tortillas: While the tortillas are still warm, bend and shape them into taco shell forms. You can use a taco mold or create a makeshift mold by placing an upside-down mini muffin pan in the air fryer basket and draping the tortillas over it.
• Spray or brush with oil: Lightly spray or brush both sides of the tortillas with olive oil or cooking spray. This step will help the tortillas get crispy and golden brown in the air fryer.
• Place in the air fryer: Put the shaped tortillas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are securely placed in the molds or draped over the muffin pan. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Air fry: Set the air fryer to 350-400°F and air fry the tortillas for 3-8 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning, as cooking times may vary.
• Flip and air fry again: After the initial cooking time, remove the tortilla shells from the molds or muffin pan and place them directly into the air fryer basket. Air fry for an additional 1-3 minutes until the bottom sides are crispy and golden brown.
• Cool and fill: Once the tortillas are crispy and golden, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before filling them with your desired toppings.

Tips:

• For added flavor, you can season the taco shells with a sprinkle of salt, chili powder, or your favorite spices before cooking.
• If you want to fill your tacos with ingredients that need cooking (e.g. ground beef), cook the fillings separately and add them to the tortillas after air frying.
• If you prefer a softer tortilla, reduce the cooking time.

Frequently asked questions