Imagine biting into a perfectly crisp, golden taco shell that shatters delicately with each mouthful - without the mess and calories of deep frying! These air fryer taco shells are about to revolutionize your Mexican cuisine game, offering restaurant-quality crunch right from your kitchen. Whether you're a busy home cook or a taco enthusiast looking for a healthier alternative, this recipe will have you ditching traditional frying methods forever.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 8 taco shells
Ingredients
- 8 corn tortillas
- Olive oil spray
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Ensure the air fryer basket is clean and dry.
- Remove corn tortillas from packaging and let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to become more pliable. This helps prevent cracking when shaping.
- Lightly spray each tortilla on both sides with olive oil spray. The oil helps create a crispy texture and prevents sticking.
- Gently drape each tortilla over the air fryer basket's bars or use a taco shell rack to create a curved shape. If using bars, ensure tortillas are evenly spaced and not overlapping.
- Sprinkle a small pinch of salt over each tortilla for additional flavor.
- Cook in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Tortillas should become golden and crispy with a slight crunch.
- Carefully remove taco shells using tongs, as they will be hot. Allow to cool for 1-2 minutes to crisp up further.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days, reheating briefly in the air fryer if needed.
Tips
- • Always let tortillas sit at room temperature before shaping to prevent cracking • Use a light, even olive oil spray for the best crispy texture • Watch shells closely during cooking to prevent burning - air fryers can heat quickly • If you don't have a taco shell rack, carefully drape tortillas over air fryer basket bars • For extra flavor, experiment with different salt varieties like sea salt or chili-lime salt • Allow shells to cool for 1-2 minutes after cooking to achieve maximum crispiness • Store in an airtight container and reheat briefly in air fryer if shells lose crunch
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 55kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
