January 27, 2021
updated
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Do you want to make your own fresh, hard taco shells? Here is an easy tutorial that will show you how!
Did you know you can turn regular soft corn tortillas into a crunchy taco shell? All you need are corn tortillas- that’s it!
Taco night has to be one of my daughter’s favorites! If you ask what her favorite food is, she would have a close toss-up between sunflower seed spread, pizza, and tacos, especially crunchy tacos!
If you are a homemade taco fan, you know that warmed tortillas are the way to go when making soft tacos. But what about crunchy tacos? You can totally make your own and I’m going to show you how today.
Homemade Taco Shells
The process to make homemade taco shells is simple and yields delicious, crunchy results perfect for filling with all your favorite taco ingredients or using to make recipes like these easy baked tacos.
Now that I make our own taco seasoning, our tacos have got a little healthier too—free of salt, MSG, preservatives, and anti-caking agents. So, why not make our own crunchy taco shells too?! They don’t include a lot of additives that come with store-bought taco shells and taste just as good.
I first attempted to make our own crunchy taco shells since my daughter eats gluten-free. I often worry about cross-contamination and the quality of the shells we would buy. It can get expensive over time buying the ones she loves so much, whereas a package of gluten-free corn tortillas is reasonably inexpensive.
To give you a better close up, I made a video on how to make these easy baked taco shells:
It’s simple and delicious recipes and tips like this one that helps parents pull off mealtimes without a glitch. You’ll find more of them inside the MOMables Classic Meal Plan. Download a sample meal plan here.
Taco Shell Recipe
The shells that you can stuff and stand on their own are my family’s favorite. We can load them up and not have to worry about them tipping over or spilling out as we make our way to the dining table.
Here’s how to make crunchy taco shells that can stand up at home:
- Preheat the oven to 375F place one oven rack in the middle position, making sure there is at least 4” of room between that oven rack and the next one. I suggest you move the bottom rack all the way to the bottom of the oven.
- Place 4 corn tortillas in your microwave for 15 to 20 seconds to warm them up and make them pliable. Transfer them onto a baking sheet and repeat the process with the remaining corn tortillas.
- Spray both sides of all corn tortillas with cooking spray.
- Pull the oven rack out, if possible, and using tongs, drape each tortilla over two bars of your oven rack.
- Bake, for 8 to 10 minutes until the tortillas are golden and crispy. Carefully remove them from the oven onto a baking sheet.
If taco night is a thing at your house, or you’d like for it to be, I have an entire book of 52 taco recipes that your family will love! Everything from breakfast tacos to steak and fish, it’s all there, and these homemade crunchy tortillas fit right in!
The Taco Tuesday Cookbook
These recipes will make every taco night the most exciting meal of your week! Eat great tacos, at home.
Grab your copy today!
Homemade Taco Shells (crunchy)
Ingredients
- 8 yellow corn tortillas
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F and place one oven rack in the middle position, making sure there is at least 4” of room between that oven rack and the next one. I suggest you move the bottom rack all the way to the bottom of the oven.
- Place 4 corn tortillas in your microwave for 15 to 20 seconds to warm them up and make them pliable. Transfer them onto a baking sheet and repeat the process with the remaining corn tortillas.
- Spray both sides of all corn tortillas with cooking spray.
- Pull the oven rack out, if possible, and using tongs, drape each tortilla over two bars of your oven rack.
- Bake, for 8 to 10 minutes until the tortillas are golden and crispy. Carefully remove them from the oven onto a baking sheet.
Allie
Thank you for this healthy alternative to frying my taco shells! Total game changer and even crisper than when you fry them. Love it thanks again!
Jeannie
OMG, I cannot believe people do not know how to warm something without a microwave… seriously people?!?!
Dawn
Mine turned out chewy in the center but were browned on the edges. Any ideas on what I did wrong?
MOMables-Laura
Hi Dawn, I’m not sure what went wrong. I’ve made this recipe step-by-step and they come out crispy all the way through.
Gina
Crispy corn things are made with older corn tortillas in Mexico . Things like chips and tostadas , etc..
So, The fresher ones have more moisture in them and Thats why they are still chewy .. we grew up frying them in a little oil in a pan and I actually enjoy the chewy and crispy together.
Next time dry the tortillas out a bit before frying or baking by leaving them out a few days, spread out on a sheet pan..
Paul Ragsdale
Jen, Take a large pot and boil water, Take a Colander with a flat bottom on it, in a large bowl pour in the boiling water and put the Colander upside down into the bowl. Put a small saucer on the Colander, put your shells on the saucer cover with a towel a couple of minuets.
I also take a 2 inch paint brush (I use only for brushing my butter on top of loaf when baking bread to make it brown and brushing on BBQ sauce) it all helps soften the shells and helps make them crispy.
Renee McBride
Love this, however, do flour tortillas work like corn? Family prefers them.
MOMables - Laura
Hi Renee, my family also loves flour tortillas, however, they’re not the best for this recipe.
Kara
These crunchy taco shells worked out PERFECT. Look no further. We used them for Vegan tacos and swooned with delight!
Andi
This is what I was looking for also and I would definitely call them homemade for hater Andrew.
MOMables - Laura
Thanks Andi! <3
Alix Beech
Hello
Thank you for this. It was exactly what I was looking for.
I don’t have a microwave so i just wrapped the wraps in a hot steamy tea towel or a few minutes. I sprayed each side with oil before I put them on the rack in the oven (Gas mark 5).
Great.
MOMables
Awesome! Glad you loved the recipe.
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
This is brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing. Pinning!
Jackie
Thank you so much for this great idea! It never would have occurred to me to use the oven in this way for taco shells! I just made my first batch of tortillas and my husband suggested turning some of them into taco shells. So glad I found your site!
MOMables
I’m glad this worked great for you! :)
Christina
Taco night at our house is too expensive with the number my children consume, and I’d love having healthy ones on hand. Can you store these in a cupboard after you make them? If so, how long do they keep, and do you have any storage tips?
MOMables
I would store these in an airtight bag or container but you’ll have to “crisp” back up so they don’t taste “stale”. I would make these while you are cooking your taco fillings.
andrea
I agree with Andrew–this is not making your own. Very mislleading. This is more of a hack than it is a recipe
MOMables
Well, busy moms like me appreciate “hacks” because I don’t often have the crunchy taco shells that don’t have junk sprayed into them (like BHT) around, so I like making my own from fresh tortillas .
Michelle
That’s Right girlfriend! Woot Woot!
Whitney
I totally agree! Plus, this way is much more cost efficent. My kids go through about 4 shells each (one taco, 3 just shells)… that’s almost a whole box you buy at the store! And for some reason, we always have tons of corn tortillas in the cupboard that just sit there until they go bad. Now I can use them! Thank you for this “hack!” This busy, preggo mommy gladly appreciates it!
Emilie Hebert
We’re so glad this came in handy for you!! What better way to turn a boring pantry staple into a fun dinner? :)
Gabby
Who doesn’t like a good hack especially when most of us are busy working families. Nothing replaces a taco shell fried in oil, but many of us don’t have the extra time on a busy week night. Thank you for sharing this nice tip and send others our way.
andrew galpin
I’m sorry but this is ridiculous. Buying a packet of a product and heating the Tortillas is NOT making Taco shells yourself.
MOMables
You are welcome to have an opinion, of course. I purchase organic corn tortillas that have minimal ingredients. For us, it’s better to make them this way than buying the crunchy ones at the store with things like BHT. What you purchase is your choice.
Jim
I couldn’t disagree more. This site came up near the top of my Google search, and it was exactly was I was trying to find. I do understand that, if you’re looking for a recipe to make shells, this isn’t the info for which you were searching. But calling the information “ridiculous” ignores the real value people get from information sharing.
MOMables
Thanks Jim! this recipe was created for those of us who have corn tortillas in our fridge and want crunchy taco shells. Perhaps he was looking to make his own tortilla first, then the hard taco. Thank you for taking the time to try the recipe and leave a comment. It’s very much appreciated!
Stephanie
I was trying to see if there was a simple way to turn the masa tortillas I made into hard tacos, so this was perfect. OP, making homemade tortillas is extremely easy, it’s simply masa flour and water. The recipe is on the bag of masa flour.
MOMables
Thank you!
Kristy Beeman
Very nice and I also have the masa harina. This time I was trying to find a way to use the white corn tortillas I’d bought.
Whitney
Actually, it IS considered making your own taco shells. The description didn’t say “make your own corn tortillas.” Perception is everything.
Kris
Do you think this will this work with homemade tortillas? If so, should I cook the tortillas first?
MOMables
Kris, I make this with my homemade tortillas after they are made. Usually I make it with the leftover ones :)
danae kerr
what if you dont have a microwave
MOMables
Danae, this recipe does not require a microwave.
Megan
Yes, it does. You steam the tortillas in the microwave prior to baking.
MOMables
You can pan fry them to warm them up.
Cheryl
I think maybe they are supposed to be wide because they have a wider base so they stand up easier on the plate while you fill them.
MOMables
the base width will vary depending on your oven rack. yes, the wider base helps fill them better.
Kat
I am so in love this idea but the shells seem kind of wide or am I looking at the picture wrong.
I always warm up/cook tortillas on a cast iron griddle 3 at a time then keep warm in a kitchen towel. I have also heard of people using the oven to cook stacks of tortillas but I’ve never tried it.
Cheryl
I’d also like to know of a way to steam them without using a microwave. Very excited to try baking my shells rather than frying them! :)
Chris
I would also say buy organic corn tortilla shells because most processed foods that use corn use genetically modified corn, which is very scary to me as a parent.
Jen V.
I love this idea! Do you have any suggestion for softening the tortillas without a microwave? We just moved into a new house that doesn’t have room in the kitchen for one.