Learn how to make crunchy hard taco shells at home in just minutes!
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!
First, line a plate with paper towels and place a stack of corn tortillas on the plate for frying.
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.
Then flip, let it stand for another 5 seconds and then fold with tongs.
Remove the shells from the skillet and drain excess oil. 
Place on the lined paper towel plate. Repeat until all of your crunchy tacos are done.
And just as easy as that you–you have your very own homemade crunch taco shells!
You 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
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.
Katie Siepierski
This was such a lifesaver! I’d been planning on making tacos all week, and when the day final came, my local market was all out of hard taco shells. So I figured I would just make burritos and toast them over a skillet afterwards, but then I came across this recipe and OH my GOODNESS everyone had seconds! i even had to fry up a few more! absolutely delicious and so simple. 10/10, 5 stars, A+
Thank you for your time, energy, and passion for sharing your recipes! It is such a blessing to have this available for free at my fingertips. I remember when I was a kid, my mom would always check out cookbooks from the library, borrow them from friends and family, and she would hand copy the recipes she liked best and keep them all in binders. Seeing one of the comments here lenda me to believe they never experienced life before the internet, or they assume websites are just free to run and that we should dedicate countless hours to them for no compensation. Mostly I think some people just lack common sense.
i would gladly have some ads rather than have to pay for every website I go on!
Anyway, thank you again for this! i am so happy to have found your site and I will definitely be checking out the rest of it!
Katie
Katie–your comment made my evening. Thank you for not only taking the time to leave a 5 star review but also understanding that the content I share is for free and it cost money to host and takes time to maintain over 900+ recipes. I’m so happy you found KatiesCucina.com if you are ever looking for a recipe please feel free to email me! -Katie
Todd
Katie, I have a dream of crunchy taco shells peppered all over with sesame seeds! Wouldn’t that be amazing with asian-inspired fillings? Would your oven method allow for this? Maybe brushed first with a butter mixture, or … ? To messy? … I leave it to the genius … !
Katie
Hi Todd, hmm it could work! Just sprinkle the sesame seeds on the minute you pull them from the oil and they should stick. I agree–Asian cuisine in them would be delicious.
Chanel
How do you make the taco shells shelf stable?
Katie
Hi Chanel, Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question. I always make these right before we are ready to eat them!
Beverly
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!
Katie
So happy you enjoy this recipe Beverly! I love all the additional seasonings too! Thanks for leaving a 5 star review.
Cindy
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!
Liz
Oh , I forgot to hit 5 stars! I know this will be fantastic with just reading the recipe! Sorry about my oversight!
Liz
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!
Katie
Hi Liz, I completely understand and that’s exactly why I tried my hand at making them!
Renee Titus
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.
Katie
Renee, so happy to read that you loved this recipe!
Debbie Prince
Thanks for the easy to follow videos. Will try this for the family!!
Katie
Hi Debbie–thanks for watching. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Andy
looks like it might be a good recipe but I gave up after seeing it interrupted a half dozen times by a phone advertisement.
Katie
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.
Tammy
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
Katie
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
Worked out great. Thanks!
Katie
Ella, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a 5-star comment! Glad it worked great for you!
Janis Fletcher
I’m probably overlooking it, but where is the nutritional information?
Katie
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!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
ooooh I didn’t realize it was so simple to make hard taco shells! Must try!
Katie
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!