Oven Baked Taco Shells

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These Oven Baked Taco Shells are an easy, healthy alternative to store-bought crunchy shells. With just corn tortillas and a bit of oil or spray, you can whip up a crispy taco night in under 20 minutes.

106 CAL 22g CARBS 1g FAT 3g PROTEIN 2
12 Comments

When taco night rolls around, my kids always vote Team Crunchy. But buying a pack of hard shells and a bag of soft tortillas every week? No thanks. That's when I figured out how easy it is to make crunchy taco shells from the soft corn tortillas already in my pantry.

All it takes is a quick zap in the microwave to soften them up, a little spray oil, and a clever trick using your oven racks. Pop them in, and in just 10 minutes you've got golden, crispy taco shells. No deep-frying required! Even better, they're lighter, super budget-friendly, and way tastier than anything from a box.

Baked taco shells with crispy browned edges and filled with taco meat, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.

Before You Get Started

Here are a few quick tips that'll make your baked taco shells come out perfectly every time:

  • Microwave first: Warming the tortillas makes them soft and flexible. This is essential to avoid cracking!
  • Drape carefully: Hang each tortilla over two oven grates so they form that perfect taco shell shape.
  • Use aluminum foil: I wish someone had told me about this tip when I was starting out. Place a sheet of aluminum foil across the bottom rack of the oven and save yourself the time and effort of cleaning out a potential mess!
  • Tortilla chips. I've saved my favorite tip for last! If you've got any leftover tortillas, you can slice them into triangles and bake them to create some crispy chips that pair well with everything from salsa to guacamole.

How to Make Oven Baked Taco Shells

Here's my simple, foolproof process for turning soft corn tortillas into perfectly crispy taco shells in just a few easy steps:

1. Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 425°F and line the bottom rack with foil to catch any drips.

2. Soften the Tortillas

Microwave tortillas in batches for 1–3 minutes until hot and pliable. Wrapping them in a damp paper towel helps.

3. Season and Spray

Spritz both sides with cooking spray (or lightly brush with oil). Add lime juice and salt if you like.

Cooking spray swap: Don't have cooking spray? Just lightly brush some oil onto the tortillas before baking them. I've used both vegetable neutral oil and corn oil without seeing much of a difference, so use whatever you have at hand.

4. Drape Over Oven Racks

I prefer draping my tortillas over two bars each. Not only does this create more room for fillings, but it also makes them all uniform in size and shape, which comes in handy when stacking them together.

5. Bake Until Crispy

Bake for 8–10 minutes until golden and crispy. Keep a close eye on them. They can burn fast!

Corn tortillas baking in the oven to make taco shells that are draped over the oven rack.

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

Here are some of my favorite tips and substitution ideas to help you get the best baked taco shells every time:

  • Use larger tortillas. Using larger tortillas is key to getting the perfect taco shell. When they're bigger, they're easier to handle and can fit more taco fillings without breaking.
  • Create taco bowls. Taco bowls are a fun spin on the usual taco shells and don't even require much effort. Just shape the heated tortillas into bowls using a flipped cupcake pan and pop them into the oven until they're golden brown and crispy.
  • Add a hint of flavor. Just a dash of your favorite seasoning is more than enough to give these taco shells a kick of their own. Great options include kosher salt, smoked paprika, and cumin.

Serving Ideas

These taco shells pair well with just about everything:

Storage and Reheating

Whether you're prepping ahead for taco night or saving a few extras, here's how to keep your shells fresh and crispy:

  • Store: Let shells cool completely, then place in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 3–5 minutes to crisp back up.
  • Avoid: Don't refrigerate or freeze. Humidity will make them soft or soggy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about baked taco shells:

Flour tortillas tend to be softer, unlike corn tortillas, which are more on the sturdy side. They probably won't be able to stand up on their own, so I don't recommend using them to make crunchy taco shells.

 

Of course! Toasting tortillas is a great way to bring out the flavor, while making sure that they're pliable enough to be shaped into tacos. I prefer toasting my tortillas on the stove for a minute or so on each side until pliable. For an easier way of making your tortillas more pliable, you can microwave them for 1-3 minutes.

 

Corn taco shells tend to be crunchy but eventually end up getting soggy due to the moist fillings. The best way to prevent soggy tacos is to prepare the fillings separately and only assemble the taco once you're ready to enjoy it. To make sure your crunchy taco shells stay crunchy, store them at room temperature instead of in the fridge.

 

Ovens vary, so check early around the 6–7 minute mark and keep a close eye near the end.

 

Baked corn taco shells filled with ground turkey, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, and radish.
The Recipe
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Oven Baked Taco Shells

106 CAL 22g CARBS 1g FAT 3g PROTEIN 2
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 10 Min
TOTAL TIME: 15 Min
12 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 8 corn tortilla
  • 2 tsp. lime juice (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

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1

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spread out the tortillas and microwave until extremely soft and pliable. Depending on your microwave this can take between 1-3 minutes. They should be hot and really pliable when you take them out.

2

You can wrap them in a moist paper towel to make them even softer. Immediately wrap in a towel or place in a ziploc bag to keep them warm. Keeping them soft is the key to not having them break in the oven.

3

Then carefully spray each tortilla with cooking spray on both sides. Sprinkle with lime juice and seasoning if using. Gently drape over the oven grates, pressing down ever so lightly. I press mine over two grates so that the taco shells stand up nicely and have lots of room to press things in.

4

Repeat with remaining shells and then bake for 8-10 minutes until brown and crispy. These can go from perfect to burnt quickly so be sure to keep an eye on them.

Equipment

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Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 2 shells
Amount Per Serving
Calories 106
Calories from Fat 12
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1g
2%
Saturated Fat 0g
1%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 22mg
1%
Total Carbohydrate 22g
7%
Dietary Fiber 3g
12%
Sugars 1g
Protein 3g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
12 Comments
On Oven Baked Taco Shells
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KT
October 3, 2025 - 14:03
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5
Fabulous thinking. Thanks!
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Rhonda
March 16, 2025 - 08:07
How far in advance can you make these. Can I make today and use tomorrow. Baking for a group.
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March 26, 2025 - 12:33
I find these are best made fresh, but they can be made in advance if needed. Just make sure to let them fully cool and the carefully store in an airtight container.
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Laura
September 25, 2024 - 17:14
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5
These turned out great! Mine needed about 7 minutes, and I actually put them in before the oven was fully preheated. My husband requested that I don't make them as wide next time, but overall he was very impressed.
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Irene
May 9, 2024 - 16:06
You don't state oven temperature....
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May 10, 2024 - 10:07
Oven is set to 425 degrees (step 1), Hope you enjoy them!
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Pat
May 21, 2023 - 05:02
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5
I might have missed it in your comments, but what is the best oven temp to bake these?
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September 19, 2023 - 10:47
Cook the tortillas at 425 degrees.
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Susama F.
April 27, 2023 - 23:47
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5
Thank you for all the tips, super easy. I love it.
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Sandy E.
September 12, 2022 - 16:14
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5
Love these! They taste so much better than the store-bought boxed tortillas. Will never go back!
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Roberta
May 21, 2022 - 16:28
What kind of seasoning do you put on the shells, salt?
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June 3, 2022 - 09:35
Normally I just use a bit of salt but you can add any seasoning you like. They are really tasty with a sprinkle of chili powder or taco seasoning if you like a little spice.
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