How to Make Taco Shells in the Air Fryer

Name: Air Fryer Taco Shells
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 4 corn tortillas; ¼ cup canola or corn oil

Learn how to make easy and crispy corn taco shell in the air fryer. These air fryer taco shells take only a minute to make.

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If you also love eating hard shell tacos but absolutely hate how they usually shatter after only the first bite, we have the perfect solution for you! Homemade air fryer taco shells are crispy, flavorful and hold up much, much better than store bought ones.

All you need for this super easy recipe are corn tortillas and oil, and your air fried taco shells are done in only 5 minutes. Naturally gluten free, vegan and dairy free, this recipe will surely become a staple on your future taco nights.

Homemade air fryer taco shells on a tray.

Check out our list of possible taco fillings that will definitely please every lover of Mexican food in your life. We have also included our favorite recipes for juicy taco meat and fish options.

Table of Contents

WHAT IS AN AIR FRYER TACO SHELL?

A homemade taco shell is a corn tortilla, lightly brushed with oil and cooked up to perfect crispiness in the air fryer. They are easy to make, pack less calories and do not shatter into a hundred pieces after the first bite. Air fryer taco shells are also vegetarian, vegan, dairy and gluten free, and can therefore be enjoyed by most everyone.

❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS HOMEMADE TACO SHELL RECIPE

✔️ Air fryer taco shells are less brittle than store bought ones.

✔️ You only need 2 ingredients for this recipe.

✔️ Homemade taco shells are done in only 5 minutes.

✔️ They have fewer calories and fat than deep fried taco shells.

close up of air fryer taco shells on a tray

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to cook crispy taco shells in the air fryer, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, nutritional information, to print the recipe or to have the recipe scaled to double or triple, see the recipe card below.

WARM TORTILLAS: Warm tortillas for 5-10 seconds in the microwave to make them more pliable.

🔴 TIP: Warming up your tortillas is especially important, if you previously stored them in the fridge. It also prevents tortillas from tearing while you drape them onto the molds.

uncooked corn tortillas in taco shell stands

ADD OIL: Dip tortillas in oil or brush oil on both sides of the tortillas using a pastry brush. The oil helps them crisp up.

DRAPE ON MOLDS: Drape tortillas over the taco shell stands.

🔴 TIP: In case you don’t have taco shell stands, try crunching up some aluminum foil into cylindrical shapes. Make them just a bit longer than your tortillas. Put the foil molds next to each other on the air fryer tray, leaving a bit of space between them. Then drape your tortillas over the molds.

Cooked taco shells in an air fryer basket.

PLACE INTO AIR FRYER: Then place them into the air fryer basket/tray.

AIR FRY: Cook at 400°F for about 2 minutes. Remove from the air fryer.

🔴 TIP: Do not overcook, taco shells can get overcooked quickly. Start by just cooking one to get an idea of how long they take in your air fryer.

COOL AND SERVE: Let your taco shells rest for a few minutes. Then fill them with your favorite taco fillings including lettuce, onions, tomatoes, taco meat (ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork or fish), cheese and salsa, sour cream or guacamole.

RECOMMENDED TOOLS

We recommend using these tools to make this recipe. Links may be affiliate links.

Air Fryer – This recipe requires an air fryer. You could also adapt this recipe to the convection oven.

Tortilla Shell Cage – These tortilla shell molds are perfect for making crunchy tortilla shells in the oven or air fryer.

TIPS FOR THE BEST AIR FRYER TACO SHELLS

Follow these tips to make the best homemade taco shells.

✔️ Use fresh corn tortillas. Old corn tortillas are more brittle and break easier (before cooking).

✔️ Don’t skip the oil. Brush or spray both sides of the tortilla with a little canola, corn or avocado oil. This will help it be pliable and crisp up well.

✔️ Do not overcook. Taco shells can get overcooked quickly. Start by just cooking one to get an idea of how long they take in your air fryer.

STORAGE TIPS

Counter: Homemade air fryer taco shells are best eaten immediately. If you would like to store some leftovers, make sure your taco shells are completely dry and cool. Store them in an airtight container on the counter or in the pantry. They are good for up to 3 days. Do not refrigerate.

Freeze: We do not recommend freezing homemade taco shells.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH TACO SHELLS

Tacos are a great meal to feed a crowd. You can serve crispy air fryer taco shells alongside all your favorite fillings and everyone can build their own scrumptious taco. We love serving our homemade taco shells with:

Taco meat or fish: Try our Crock Pot Chipotle Chicken, Instant Pot Carnitas or Pan Seared Tilapia.
black beans
Cilantro Lime Rice
Mexican cheese blend
Salsa: Mango Habanero Salsa, Pico de Gallo, Restaurant Style Salsa
guacamole
sour cream: cilantro lime sour cream, dairy free sour cream
fresh cilantro and lime wedges

MORE EASY AIR FRYER RECIPES

If you love love crispy homemade taco shells you’ll enjoy our other air fryer recipes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking air fryer taco shells.

What kind of oil should I use to air fry taco shells?

We recommend using canola, corn or avocado oil to brush your tortillas before air frying.

How long can you store homemade taco shells?

Crispy air fried taco shells are best eaten immediately. You can store leftovers in an airtight container on the counter or in the pantry for up to 3 days. Do not refrigerate. We recommend only air frying as many tortillas as you need. Uncooked tortillas can be stored much longer in the refrigerator or freezer.

Can I use flour tortillas for this recipe?

Corn tortillas work better for this recipe as they crisp up more in the air fryer and give you that corn chip taste. You can try flour tortillas in a pinch, but they may end up less crunchy and provide more of a pita chip taste.

Recipe Tags:

5 from 28 votes

Air Fryer Taco Shells

Course Bread

Cuisine American, Mexican, vegan, vegetarian

Prep Time 3 minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

4 taco shells

Learn how to make easy and crispy corn taco shell in the air fryer. These air fryer taco shells take only a minute to make.

Equipment

Ingredients

▢ 4 corn tortillas
▢ ¼ cup canola or corn oil

Instructions

Warm tortillas for 5-10 seconds in the microwave to make more pliable.
Dip tortillas in oil or brush oil on both sides of the tortillas using a pastry brush.
Drape tortillas over the taco shell stands.
Then place them into the air fryer basket/tray.
Cook at 400°F for about 1.5-2 minutes. Remove from air fryer.
Let your taco shells rest for a few minutes. Then fill them with your favorite taco fillings.

Notes

Use fresh corn tortillas. Old corn tortillas are more brittle and break easier (before cooking).

Don’t skip the oil. Brush or spray both sides of the tortilla with a little canola, corn or avocado oil. This will help it be pliable and crisp up well.

Do not overcook. Taco shells can get overcooked quickly. Start by just cooking one to get an idea of how long they take in your air fryer.

Nutrition

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