Welcome to my blog where I’ll teach you how to make the most delicious homemade taco shells that are soft, fluffy, and perfect for any taco filling. Forget those hard and crunchy store-bought shells that break apart as soon as you take a bite. With my recipe, you’ll have the best taco experience of your life.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup warm water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Add vegetable oil to the flour mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add warm water to the mixture while kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Divide the dough into small balls and roll out each ball into a thin circle.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook each tortilla for 1-2 minutes on each side until it starts to puff up and has light brown spots.
- Place the cooked tortillas on a plate and cover them with a clean towel to keep them warm and soft.
- Once all the tortillas are cooked, shape them into taco shells by gently folding them in half and holding them in place for a few seconds until they cool.
Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 taco shell
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 150mg
Total Carbohydrates: 15g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cooking Time
Total time: 30 minutes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Skillet
- Rolling pin
Serving Suggestions
Fill your homemade taco shells with your favorite taco fillings such as seasoned ground beef, shredded chicken, black beans, avocado, lettuce, and cheese. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole on the side.
Variations
To make gluten-free taco shells, use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. You can also add spices such as cumin, chili powder, or paprika to the flour mixture for a flavor twist.
Substitutions
If you don’t have vegetable oil, you can use canola oil or olive oil instead. You can also use warm milk instead of warm water for a richer flavor.
Storage
Once the taco shells are cooled, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat them, place them in a skillet over medium heat for a few seconds on each side until warm and pliable.
Tips
- Make sure the skillet is hot before cooking the tortillas to prevent them from sticking.
- Don’t overcook the tortillas or they will become too crispy and hard to shape into taco shells.
- Keep the cooked tortillas covered with a towel to prevent them from drying out and becoming too hard to shape.
Notes
Homemade taco shells are best eaten fresh but can be stored for up to 2 days. Reheat them before serving to restore their softness.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I freeze the taco shells?
- Can I use a tortilla press to make the taco shells?
- Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can store the taco shells in a freezer bag or container for up to 2 months. To use, thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat them in a skillet or oven until warm.
No, a tortilla press will make the tortillas too thin and crispy to shape into taco shells.
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before rolling it out and cooking the tortillas.
Personal Thoughts
This homemade taco shell recipe is a game-changer. The soft and fluffy texture adds a whole new level of deliciousness to any taco filling. I love how easy it is to make and how versatile it is – you can add spices or use different types of flour to customize it to your liking. Give it a try and you won’t regret it!
Summary
In this article, I shared my recipe for making homemade taco shells soft and fluffy. I included a list of ingredients, step-by-step instructions, cooking time, equipment, serving suggestions, variations, substitutions, storage, tips, notes, and frequently asked questions. This recipe is easy to make and produces delicious results that will elevate your taco game. Try it out and let me know what you think!