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How do you make hard shell tacos crispy again?


Hard shell tacos are a popular Tex-Mex food that can often lose their crispiness. This can happen if the tacos sit out too long after being made, get soggy from fillings, or are poorly stored. The good news is there are several tricks you can use to revive crispiness and make those limp tacos crunchy again!

Hard taco shells are made from corn tortillas that have been fried or baked until they become curved and rigid. This process allows them to hold their shape when filled, but also makes them prone to losing moisture and getting soft over time. Thankfully, it’s easy to recrisp soft taco shells at home with some simple methods.

Here are the top techniques for making hard tacos crunchy again:

Reheating Methods

1. Use the Oven

One of the easiest ways to crispen up soft taco shells is by putting them in the oven. The dry heat helps drive out any moisture that has made the shells limp and brings back the original crisp texture.

To revitalize hard tacos in the oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  • Place the taco shells directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for 5-10 minutes, until the shells are warmed through and crispy.

Watch them carefully to avoid burning. The exact time needed depends on how soft the shells have gotten. Crunchy tacos will take less time compared to those that have become truly limp.

This oven technique works great if you have a batch of tacos to prepare for a party or gathering. You can crisp up the whole stack at once.

Use the Microwave

The microwave is another fast and easy way to crisp up soft taco shells at home. Much like the oven, the concentrated heat helps drive out moisture quickly.

Follow these steps to re-crisp tacos in the microwave:

  • Place the taco shells on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer.
  • Microwave on high for 45 seconds to 1 minute.
  • Check the taco shells and microwave for an additional 30 seconds if needed.

The exact timing will depend on your microwave wattage and how soft the shells are. For very limp tacos, start with 1 minute and add time as needed.

Microwaving is ideal for crisping up just a few shells quickly. The concentrated heat makes fast work of reviving their crunch. Just be careful not to overdo it—burnt edges or holes mean the taco shell has been in too long.

Use a Hot Skillet

Heating up limp taco shells in a hot skillet or frying pan is another great at-home option. The direct heat from the pan surface crisps up the tacos nicely.

Here’s how to restore crunch with a skillet:

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  • Place the taco shells in the dry pan and heat for 1-2 minutes per side, until warmed through.

Rotate the tacos with tongs to expose all sides to the heat. You’ll start to hear them sizzle as moisture evaporates and the crispness returns.

This stove top method gives you more control over the heating process compared to the oven or microwave. You can crisp to the desired texture.

Advanced Crisping Methods

In addition to standard reheating, there are some extra tricks that can take hard taco crisping to the next level:

Deep Fry

Deep frying is how taco shells get their original super-crispy, crunchy texture. Re-frying limp shells in oil will also revive that freshness.

To re-fry taco shells:

  • Heat 1-2 inches of vegetable or canola oil in a skillet to 350°F.
  • Fry the taco shells for 15-30 seconds until crisped up.
  • Remove shells with tongs and drain on paper towels.

The quick fry infuses the shells with oil again, resulting in an ultra-crispy texture. Just don’t over fry, or they may get greasy.

Preheat Before Serving

If you don’t want to re-fry the tacos, you can still get an extra crispy result by preheating the shells before serving.

After reheating the tacos with one of the methods above, take this extra preheating step:

  • Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Place the tacos in the pan for about 1 minute right before serving.

This last-minute pan preheat gives you that hot, fresh from the shell experience. It’s great for parties when you don’t want to re-fry a whole batch.

Replace the Fillings

Sometimes hard taco shells get soggy simply from sitting with fillings inside too long. The moisture migrates into the shell, making it limp.

After reheating your tacos, you can swap out the fillings to get back the crisp texture:

  • Take out any cheese, salsa, or other wet ingredients from inside the taco.
  • Replace with fresh, drained fillings.

Use dry items like shredded lettuce, rice, beans or freshly made guacamole. This prevents the tacos from getting soggy again.

Storing Hard Tacos

Properly storing your hard shell tacos is key for maintaining crispiness as long as possible:

  • Let freshly made shells cool completely before storage.
  • Keep shells in air-tight containers to prevent moisture absorption.
  • Store away from light if possible.
  • Consume within 5 days for best texture.

Avoid storing tacos with wet fillings already inside. Keep components separate, then assemble right before eating.

Here are some ideal ways to store hard tacos:

Storage Method Instructions
Ziplock bag Place cooled shells in bag and squeeze out excess air before sealing.
Tupperware Arrange shells in single layer in airtight container.
Foil or parchment paper Wrap shells well in layers to prevent moisture exposure.

Proper storage helps extend shelf life. But no matter how well you store hard shells, they will eventually lose their signature crispness over time. That’s when you’ll need to employ one of these tried and true reheating methods to bring back the crunch!

Common Problems and Solutions

Here are some common problems that can arise when trying to crisp up soft taco shells and how to troubleshoot them:

Problem: Shells are warping or cracking apart

  • Solution: Avoid overheating. Use lower oven temp or microwave times. Rotate shells to crisp evenly.

Problem: Shells are browning but still limp

  • Solution: Moisture is trapped inside. Replace fillings with fresh, drained items.

Problem: Shells get soggy again quickly

  • Solution: Store shells properly after reheating. Keep components separate until serving.

Problem: Shells are greasy after reheating

  • Solution: Avoid over frying. Let excess oil drain off on paper towels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about re-crisping taco shells:

Can you crisp tacos in an air fryer?

Yes, an air fryer works great! Follow the manufacturer instructions and air fry at 350-400°F for 4-6 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally.

How long do reheated tacos stay crispy for?

Tacos will generally stay crispy for up to 2 hours after being reheated by one of these methods. After that, you risk sogginess setting in again.

Is it safe to reheat hard tacos multiple times?

It’s best to only reheat taco shells once for food safety. The starch in the corn Tortilla can degrade and become unsafe if reheated multiple times.

Can you re-crisp taco shells that have gotten soft?

Yes! As long as the shells have not gotten wet or moldy, these reheating tricks will restore their signature crunch. Severely limp shells may take longer to crisp up.

Should you add oil before reheating tacos?

Oil is not necessary for most reheating methods. A light coating of oil before oven baking can promote even crisping. But take care not to over-oil or shells may get greasy.

Conclusion

Hard taco shells are prone to losing their satisfying crunchiness over time. Thankfully, you can easily re-crisp shells at home with quick methods like oven baking, microwaving, pan frying, or deep frying.

For best results, start with properly stored shells within a week of purchase. Then use concentrated, dry heat to drive out moisture and revive the crisp texture.

With these simple tricks, you can keep hard tacos crunchy until it’s taco time! Proper storage and reheating means less waste and more enjoyment of this tasty Tex-Mex treat.