5 from 52 votes
Homemade Hard Taco Shells Recipe
This recipe explains how to make homemade hard taco shells by frying small corn tortillas in hot oil until crispy and golden brown. The tortillas are folded immediately after flipping to form the shell shape and then lightly salted. Cooling shells upside-down helps them stay open for easy filling. The result is crunchy, flavorful taco shells suitable for various fillings.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
20
shells
Calories:
57 kcal
Cuisine:
Mexican, Tex-Mex
Ingredients
- 20 corn tortillas small 6", white or yellow
- olive oil or 1/4” oil, light or any high heat cooking oil
- kosher salt for sprinkling fried shells
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Place a medium/large skillet over medium heat and add 1⁄4” of oil. Once the oil is hot (350 ̊F on a thermometer), carefully slide in a tortilla and fry for 12-15 seconds until golden and bubbly on the first side.
- Flip and use tongs to immediately fold in half. Fry another 10-12 seconds per side or until golden brown then use tongs to transfer the taco shell to the prepared baking sheet.
- Immediately sprinkle taco shells lightly with kosher salt. I find if you open them up a bit and set them upside-down to cool and drain on the paper towels, they will stay open a bit more, making them easier to fill and you don’t need a taco holder. Repeat with remaining tortillas until all shells are fried.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store cooled taco shells in an airtight container or zip bag at room temperature to maintain crispness for up to one week.
Nutrition Information
Calories
57kcal
(3%)
Carbs
12g
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.4g
(2%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.2g
(1%)
Sodium
12mg
(1%)
Potassium
48mg
(1%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
0.2g
(0%)
Vitamin A
1IU
(0%)
Calcium
21mg
(2%)
Iron
0.3mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 20 shells
Amount Per Serving
Calories 57
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 57kcal | 3% |
| Carbs | 12g | |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Sodium | 12mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 48mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 0.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 1IU | 0% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.