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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We recommend using canola, corn or avocado oil to brush your tortillas before air frying.
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.
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:
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.
Mariana says
Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe, I'm Colombian but I love Mexican food, and these taco shells were amazing.
Holley says
Whoa, these shells are a game changer! This is my new go to taco shell!
Sara Welch says
I have never thought about using the air fryer for taco shells! Definitely giving these a try for Taco Tuesday this week!
Jere Cassidy says
This is amazing on making these taco shells in the AF. I stopped buying hard shell tacos, they are just too messy. These shells are the perfect solution and super easy. Great recipe.
Elaine says
I love how delicious these taco shells look. They look like the best taco shells that I've ever seen!
Amy says
So genius! I saw, made, and enjoyed! Super happy to have stumbled on this blog! Thank you!
Natalie says
So I made taco shells for the first time, and I must tell you, I will never buy them again. These are perfect, thanks!
Kayla DiMaggio says
These air fryer taco shells were amazing! So perfect and delicious!
Michele says
These were a great idea! So easy and so crispy. We made ground beef tacos and these taco shells were perfect!
Peter says
I love the simplicity of this recipe! One of my sons love tacos and the other tortillas. This recipe allows me to make both economically without need to buy extra tacos! Perfect!
Freya says
This is an amazing tip! I’m going to buy some taco holders as I always use bought shells but I don’t like the flavour as much.
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli says
What a great idea to make your own taco shells! And such an amazing use of the air fryer! Will try soon for our taco night!
Ann says
This was a great idea! The taco shells came out tasting like those from a restaurant. Definitely added to the taco! I will always do this with my taco shells before eating!
Katie Crenshaw says
These were so fun to make and they came out perfect. Another Air Fryer win!!
Lauren Michael Harris says
I am always so amazed at what the air fryer can do! No more buying hard shells for us - definitely my go-to taco shells now!