Frying soft taco shells is absolutely possible, though it requires some special considerations compared to frying hard taco shells. With the right techniques and a bit of practice, crispy, delicious fried soft taco shells can be achieved in your home kitchen.
What are soft taco shells?
Soft taco shells differ from hard taco shells in that they are pliable and can be folded or rolled around taco fillings. Hard taco shells are pre-shaped and crunchy. Soft taco shells are made from corn or flour tortillas that have been warmed and lightly fried to make them more pliable and able to hold ingredients without cracking.
Common types of soft taco shells include:
- Flour tortillas – Made from wheat flour, these have a soft and slightly chewy texture.
- Corn tortillas – Made from corn flour or masa, these have a distinctive corn flavor and texture.
- Flavored tortillas – Tortillas with added flavors like spinach, sun-dried tomato, garlic, etc.
Soft taco shells are the traditional wrapping used for tacos in Mexico. Their flexibility makes them easy to fill and eat by hand without breaking apart. Pre-shaped hard taco shells were popularized later in the U.S. as a more portable and crispy vessel for fillings.
Challenges of frying soft taco shells
While frying adds delicious flavor and texture to soft taco shells, getting them perfectly crispy without over-frying can be tricky:
- They are thinner and more delicate than hard taco shells, so they cook faster and can burn easily.
- Without pre-shaping, they can puff up unevenly in the hot oil.
- Overcrowding the pan can cause them to steam instead of fry.
- Getting an even golden color without dry spots requires attentive flipping and frequent oil temperature checks.
However, with the right frying methods and some trial and error, you can achieve lightly crisped, flavorful fried soft taco shells at home.
Best oils for frying soft taco shells
Choosing the right oil for frying is key to getting evenly browned and crisped soft taco shells without greasiness:
| Oil | Features |
|---|---|
| Vegetable oil | Neutral flavor, high smoke point (400-450°F) |
| Canola oil | Neutral flavor, high smoke point (400°F) |
| Peanut oil | Neutral flavor, very high smoke point (450-500°F) |
| Corn oil | Light flavor, high smoke point (450°F) |
Oils with high smoke points, like vegetable, canola, peanut, or corn oil, allow the oil to get hot enough to crisp the tortilla without burning. Their mild flavors also don’t overpower the taco fillings.
How to fry soft taco shells
Follow these steps for perfectly fried soft taco shells:
- Heat oil to 350-375°F. Use a deep pot or Dutch oven and a cooking thermometer to regulate temperature.
- Prepare tortillas. For best results, wrap stacks of 6-8 tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave 30-60 seconds to soften and make them pliable.
- Fry 1-2 tortillas at a time. Gently lay them flat in the hot oil without overlapping. Fry 30-60 seconds per side until lightly browned and crispy.
- Flip and fry the second side. Use tongs or a slotted spatula to carefully flip each tortilla. Fry about the same amount of time as the first side.
- Remove and drain on paper towels. Transfer the fried tortillas to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up excess grease.
- Keep warm in a low oven while frying the remaining tortillas. Place fried shells on a sheet pan in a 200°F oven so they stay warm and pliable for filling.
- Let oil return to temperature between batches. Allow the oil to recover to the proper frying temperature before adding more tortillas.
Tips for perfect fried soft taco shells
- Microwave tortillas first to make them pliable and prevent cracking in the oil.
- Fry just 1-2 at a time so they crisp evenly without steaming.
- Adjust heat to maintain proper oil temperature – hot enough to crisp but not burn.
- Flip frequently and fry in short bursts for the best color without drying.
- Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Keep warm in a low oven while you fry the remaining tortillas.
How to fill and serve fried soft taco shells
Once your fried soft taco shells are crispy and warm, you can fill and serve them right away for the perfect crunch in each bite.
Filling fried soft taco shells:
- Add your favorite taco fillings in a strip down the center of the fried tortilla – meats, beans, cheese, lettuce, salsa, etc.
- Overstuffing will make them prone to breaking, so stick to a manageable amount of filling.
- Feel free to double up smaller tortillas for extra sturdiness.
- Warm fillings like meats and beans will help maintain the crispness of the fried shell.
Serving fried soft taco shells:
- Provide plenty of fresh garnishes like shredded lettuce, chopped onion, tomato, etc.
- Serve with salsa, guacamole, sour cream and other dips on the side.
- For a make-your-own taco bar, set out the fried shells along with desired fillings and let guests assemble their own.
- For appetizers, cut larger fried tortillas into wedges and top with toppings for taco bites.
The crunch from frying adds fun contrast against the soft fillings. Enjoy your fried soft taco shells right away for maximum crispness!
Troubleshooting fried soft taco shells
Frying tortillas takes some practice. Here are some common issues and how to avoid them:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Burning or over browning | Lower oil temperature and fry in shorter bursts, flipping frequently. |
| Not getting crispy | Make sure oil is hot enough (350-375°F). Let oil reheat between batches. |
| Tearing and cracking | Microwave tortillas first. Don’t overfill. Double up smaller tortillas. |
| Greasy or oily | Drain fried shells well on paper towels. Use high smoke point oil. |
With a little care and practice with the timing, oil temperature and flipping techniques, you’ll master the art of delightfully crispy fried soft taco shells. Adjust the cooking times and temperatures as needed to suit the thickness and size of your tortillas.
Alternative methods for crispy soft taco shells
If deep frying isn’t your thing, you can still achieve crispy texture in your soft taco shells using these alternative cooking methods:
- Pan frying or sautéing – Quickly fry tortillas one at a time in a small amount of hot oil in a skillet.
- Baking – Lightly brush tortillas with oil and bake at 400°F for 5-10 minutes until crisped.
- Microwaving – Microwave tortillas between paper towels 30-60 seconds to steam and soften.
- Grilling – Quickly grill tortillas directly on the grates of a hot grill for charred speckled spots.
While deep frying yields the crispiest texture, these options can also add a delightful crunch to your soft taco shells without as much added fat and calories.
Healthier alternatives to frying
If you’re looking for lower fat options for serving tacos in soft shells, consider these healthy recipes:
Baked Turkey Taco Cups
Line muffin tins with tortillas, bake until crispy, and fill with turkey taco meat, peppers, onions, beans, etc. for a fun and lower fat taco alternative.
Shrimp Tostada Bites
Top baked tostada rounds with shrimp, avocado, cotija cheese and lime crema for a fresh, lighter taco-inspired appetizer.
Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wraps
Sauté peppers, onions and seasoned chicken. Serve in lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for a carb-conscious take on fajitas.
Portobello Mushroom Tacos
Grill portobello caps and fill with salsa, beans, cabbage, avocado and other veggie taco fixings for a meat-free and lighter meal.
While frying adds irresistible texture and flavor, you can absolutely make tasty tacos in soft tortillas without all the added fat. Get creative with crispy shells, lettuce wraps, baked cups and other fun vessels for your favorite taco fillings.
Inspiration for fillings and toppings
While the shells are essential, the possibilities for amazing taco fillings are endless! Whether you fry the tortillas or go for a healthier crisping method, be sure to top your tacos with any of these delicious fillings and garnishes:
Protein fillings:
- Ground beef, pork or turkey
- Shredded chicken or pork carnitas
- Grilled steak, shrimp, or fish
- Refried or black beans
- Tofu or tempeh
Veggie toppings:
- Lettuce or cabbage
- Tomato, onion, peppers
- Avocado
- Corn, black beans
- Cilantro, parsley
Cheese and extras:
- Shredded cheese like cheddar, Oaxaca, cotija
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Hot sauce
- Lime wedges
Mix and match your favorites or follow traditional combo ideas like:
- Carne asada – Steak, onions, cilantro
- Al pastor – Seasoned pork, pineapple, onion
- Carnitas – Braised pork, salsa, lime
- Veggie – Beans, lettuce, pico de gallo
The beauty of tacos in soft shells is how customizable they are to your tastes. Fry up a batch of shells and get creative with your fillings!
Key takeaways
- Soft taco shells can be fried for delicious flavor and crunch.
- Use oil with high smoke points like vegetable or canola.
- Fry just 1-2 tortillas at a time at 350-375°F.
- Microwave tortillas first so they don’t crack.
- Flip frequently for even browning and crisping.
- Drain fried shells on paper towels.
- Keep shells warm in a low oven while frying the rest.
- Don’t overfill shells to prevent breaking.
- Add fresh toppings like lettuce, pico and cheese.
With the proper techniques, frying soft taco shells is an easy way to add delicious crunch to your tacos for fun meals, appetizers and snacks. Now that you know how to fry soft taco shells, it’s time to enjoy those crispy, crave-worthy tacos at home!