Crispy All Cheese Taco Shells Recipes

CRISPY ALL-CHEESE TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• 1. Using a paper towel, spread a thin layer of vegetable oil on the inside of the ring mold. Wipe a thin layer of oil into a small cast iron or non-stick skillet and place over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Place ring mold in center of skillet and sprinkle a very light layer of cheese inside it. It should form an even layer in which you can still see the black bottom of the pan poking through in spots. Carefully remove ring mold and set aside.
• 2. Cook cheese until it stops bubbling and is an even golden brown throughout, adjusting heat so that pan is hot but not smoking (you should never take it above medium-low). Use a thin metal spatula to carefully remove cheese from pan.
• 3. Working quickly, drape the cheese over the handle of a thick wooden spoon placed over two overturned cups and form into a shell shape. It will harden within a few seconds. Transfer to a plate to cool completely. Repeat with remaining cheese to make more shells. After cooling completely, these shells can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Fill as desired (such as with soft scrambled eggs, or with charred corn), and serve.

CHEDDAR CHEESE TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wrap a yardstick or ruler with aluminum foil and suspend it between two 28-ounce cans.
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the shredded Cheddar on the baking sheet to form a circle 6 inches in diameter. Repeat with another 1/2 cup of cheese, making 2 circles. Bake the first batch until the cheese melts and turns light brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Using a spatula, transfer the cheese circles to the suspended yardstick and drape them over to form taco shells. Let them hang until firm, then carefully remove. Repeat with the remaining cheese.
• Fill the shells with your favorite taco fillings.

CRISPY CHEESE TACO SHELLS (LOW CARB KETO TACO SHELLS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and place one rack in the upper third and the other rack in the lower third of the oven. Line two large sheet pans with parchment paper. I like to trace 3, 6-inch circles on each parchment, so my shells are the same size. (Flip the parchment over so you don't get pencil or pen on the cheese.)
• Measure 1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) of shredded cheese per circle and spread evenly to the edges of the circle.
• Bake for 5 minutes and swap the positions of the baking sheets. Bake another 5-10 minutes or until little holes have appeared in the surface of the cheese and the edges begin to brown.
• Remove from the oven and blot with a paper towel before removing to wooden spoons or spatulas suspended by glasses to shape taco shells. (I now use a taco shaper which I have linked to in the post and it is much easier to shape the shells.) Leave on the pans to cool flat for chalupa or tostada shells.
• Cool completely and store in an air-tight container on the counter for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
• * Make sure to use ONLY pre-shredded cheddar cheese from a bag like Kraft brand. This never sticks to the parchment. I tried a mixed blend of Mexican cheese and it stuck a little and didn't get crispy. ALSO, if the cheese isn't cooked enough, it will stick. Make sure it starts to turn evenly browned - not dark, but not bright orange any more.
• 1 carb per shell.

HARD TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• Heat about 1 inch of oil in a heavy skillet over medium to medium-high heat to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C).
• Use tongs to place one tortilla at a time into the oil. It should start to sizzle right away. Cook for about 15 seconds, then flip over and fold the shell in half, holding in place with the tongs until crispy, about 15 seconds. You may need a little practice at first. Drain on paper towels, and sprinkle with salt while still hot. Use for tacos right away, or they may become chewy. Leftovers may be heated in the oven for crisping.

LOW-CARB KETO CHEESE TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
• Wrap the handle of a wooden spoon with aluminum foil. Balance between 2 tall cans.
• Spread Cheddar cheese on the prepared baking sheets into four 6-inch circles placed 2 inches apart.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese melts and is lightly brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Lift with a spatula and drape over the wrapped wooden handle; cool until set, about 10 minutes.