• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Katie's Cucina
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Me
    • FAQS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
    • Appetizer
    • Asian
    • Breakfast
    • Bread
    • Comfort Food
    • Dairy Free
    • Dessert
      • Cookies
      • Ice Cream
    • Drinks
      • Smoothie
    • gluten free
    • Greek
    • Grilling
    • Holiday
      • Christmas
      • Halloween
    • Instant Pot
    • Italian
    • Katie Original
    • Main Dish
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Sausage
      • Turkey
      • Pizza
    • Mexican
    • One Pot Meal
    • Polish
    • Salad
      • Dressing
    • Sandwich
    • Seafood
      • Shrimp
    • Side Dish
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soups and Stews
    • Vegetarian
  • Travel
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Contact
×

Katie's Cucina » Recipes » Katie Original

How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco Shells

Published: Apr 11, 2016 · Modified: Jul 6, 2020 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links

Sharing is caring!

2773 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Learn how to make crunchy hard taco shells at home in just minutes!

How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco Shells in just a few easy steps!Have you ever wanted crunchy hard taco’s but no hard taco shells on hand? Yep–this happens to me often. And when this happens and I only have the tortilla’s on hand, I heat up a pan of oil and get to frying up some taco shells. Now this works with both corn tortillas and flour tortillas. It all just depends what you have on hand. For the tutorial today, I used corn tortillas. But I have used corn tortillas in the past. Either way it’s easy to do and takes only a few minutes for a dozen taco shells!

How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco Shells

First, line a plate with paper towels and place a stack of corn tortillas on the plate for frying.

How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco Shells - step 1.2

Place 1 cup of oil in a skillet. Heat until it’s hot and little bubbles start to appear. To test if the oil is hot enough you can take a pinch of corn starch (or flour) and sprinkle in the pan if it starts to bubble then the oil is hot enough. Place the corn tortilla in the pan. Let it cook for 10 seconds.

How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco Shells

Then flip, let it stand for another 5 seconds and then fold with tongs.

How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco Shells

Remove the shells from the skillet and drain excess oil. How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco Shells

Place on the lined paper towel plate. Repeat until all of your crunchy tacos are done.

How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco Shells
And just as easy as that you–you have your very own homemade crunch taco shells!How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco ShellsYou will want to make the crunchy taco shells just before eating. I find that they do not keep well the next day–so only make what you know you’ll consume that night at lunch or dinner.

How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco Shells

How To Make Crunchy Hard Taco Shells

Learn how to make crunchy hard taco shells at home in just minutes!
4.74 from 15 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 72kcal
Author: Katie

Ingredients

  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 12 corn tortillas

Instructions

  • Preheat a skillet with 1 cup vegetable oil on medium-high heat.
  • While the oil preheats place a plate next to the pan, lined with paper towels and the 12 corn tortillas you will be frying.
  • Once the oil is hot enough, place the corn tortilla in the pan. Let it cook for 10 seconds. Then flip the tortilla, and let it stand for another 5 seconds. Then fold with tongs.
  • Remove the shells from the skillet and drain excess oil over pan. Place on the paper towel lined plate. Repeat until you've cooked all 12.

Notes

I love making my own shells at home. I can fry them to perfection and enjoy them warm. It also means everyone can have what they like from a single package - either soft or crunchy.

Nutrition

Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @KatieJasiewicz or tag #katiescucina!
« Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Flax Chia Coconut Yogurt Chicken Strips »

About Katie

Katie is a busy mom of 2 children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don't take hours to cook! She started her blog 10 years ago as a way to help others get cooking in the kitchen.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chanel

    October 11, 2022 at 7:21 pm

    5 stars
    How do you make the taco shells shelf stable?

    Reply
    • Katie

      October 14, 2022 at 2:06 pm

      Hi Chanel, Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question. I always make these right before we are ready to eat them!

  2. Beverly

    July 22, 2022 at 12:39 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent results! I sprinkle a little salt while they are still warm while they are draining on the paper towels. I’ve also sprinkled paprika sometimes.. The kids want to try garlic salt next time! Thank you for taking the time to share this!

    Reply
    • Katie

      July 26, 2022 at 10:37 pm

      So happy you enjoy this recipe Beverly! I love all the additional seasonings too! Thanks for leaving a 5 star review.

  3. Cindy

    June 19, 2022 at 11:45 am

    5 stars
    I had been doing this for many years, although I’ve never tried it with flour tortillas, only corn. Thanks for the reminder to do it again!

    Reply
  4. Liz

    November 15, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    Oh , I forgot to hit 5 stars! I know this will be fantastic with just reading the recipe! Sorry about my oversight!

    Reply
  5. Liz

    November 15, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    I’m going to try this, it’s just hubby & I and a box of taco shells do not get used up & I don’t like wasting! So this would be perfect! Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
    • Katie

      December 17, 2021 at 2:17 pm

      Hi Liz, I completely understand and that’s exactly why I tried my hand at making them!

  6. Renee Titus

    September 07, 2021 at 4:08 am

    5 stars
    Worked out perfectly for a gathering of 12 of my 50-97 yr old family members. They couldn’t believe the difference in freshly made crunchy shells. I shaped some into mini bowls as most like taco salad concoctions. Thank you very much.

    Reply
    • Katie

      September 07, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      Renee, so happy to read that you loved this recipe!

  7. Debbie Prince

    August 03, 2021 at 2:03 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for the easy to follow videos. Will try this for the family!!

    Reply
    • Katie

      August 04, 2021 at 9:14 pm

      Hi Debbie–thanks for watching. Hope you enjoy the recipe!

  8. Andy

    August 27, 2020 at 11:41 am

    1 star
    looks like it might be a good recipe but I gave up after seeing it interrupted a half dozen times by a phone advertisement.

    Reply
    • Katie

      August 29, 2020 at 4:13 pm

      Hi Andy, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Sadly, your 1-star review does not reflect the recipe only your opinions on my website. I do not charge any money for my recipes even though I spend HOURS developing, creating, photographing and writing these recipes. Ads are the way that my recipes remain FREE for everyone to enjoy. It costs money to maintain a website, pay for ingredients, and compensate time. So please, think twice before leaving a 1-star review on a blogs website because you don’t like that they have ads. The star review is meant to rate the actually recipe.

  9. Tammy

    June 06, 2020 at 6:19 pm

    5 stars
    I did this with flour tortillas
    I will say I surprised my self didn’t think it was going to be as easy as it looked.
    It was super easy and it was a hit with everyone yay me. lol

    Reply
    • Katie

      June 08, 2020 at 11:30 am

      Hi Tammy, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed making them and they were easier then they looked!

    • Ella

      July 05, 2021 at 8:57 pm

      5 stars
      Worked out great. Thanks!

    • Katie

      July 05, 2021 at 9:05 pm

      Ella, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a 5-star comment! Glad it worked great for you!

  10. Janis Fletcher

    April 12, 2019 at 6:57 pm

    I’m probably overlooking it, but where is the nutritional information?

    Reply
    • Katie

      April 15, 2019 at 11:16 pm

      Hi Janis, thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately, I do not provide nutritional information for my recipes. I am one person who houses over 1,000 recipes for FREE for the public to enjoy. You are welcome to plug them into a nutrition app like My Fitness Pal to get the nutritional information for my crunch hard taco shells!

  11. Kayle (The Cooking Actress)

    April 25, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    ooooh I didn’t realize it was so simple to make hard taco shells! Must try!

    Reply
    • Katie

      April 27, 2016 at 7:05 am

      Kayle, yes! You can do the frying method or you can bake them in the oven over the rack. I’ll do a post on that too!

Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I'm Katie Jasiewicz: home cook, food blogger, and recipe developer. A busy mom of two children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don’t take hours to cook! My mission is to create easy-to-make modern comfort food for the busy family. (more)

Featured On

brand logos in collaage; food network, MSN, kitchenaid, country living, world market, etc

Most Popular Recipes

  • Broccoli Cheese Casserole spooned out of white baking dish
    Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
  • Green bowl filled with white gravy and a tray of biscuits next to the gravy bowl.
    Homemade White Gravy
  • white bowl filled with mashed potato soup.
    Mashed Potato Soup
  • Dried spaghetti on a countertop.
    KitchenAid Pasta Recipe

Easter Recipes

  • White platter filled with sliced turkey and carrots with gravy poured on top.
    Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
  • White oval dish filled with creamed spinach on a blue and white striped towel.
    Steakhouse Creamed Spinach
  • Oval red baking dish filled with corn casserole.
    Jiffy Corn Casserole
  • Square photo of a white bowl filled with cooked baby carrots.
    Instant Pot Carrots

Footer

logos of places Katie's Cucina has been featured on; food network, KitchenAid, Stonyfield, Country LIving, Women's Health, etc.

COPYRIGHT © KATIE'S CUCINA 2009-2022
AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.
PRIVACY POLICY · ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT · DESIGN BY GRACE + VINE STUDIOS

2773 shares