Puffy Taco Shells
Discover the magic of homemade Puffy Taco Shells—a Tex-Mex delight that takes your taco game to a whole new level! These golden, crispy shells are made from scratch using simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a touch of warm water to create a soft, pliable dough. Once fried to perfection, each shell transforms into a light and airy masterpiece, perfect for cradling your favorite taco fillings—from zesty seasoned meats to fresh veggies and creamy sauces. With just 20 minutes of prep time, you’ll master the art of crafting these irresistibly crunchy taco shells, adding an authentic, restaurant-quality touch to your next taco night. Perfect for customizing and sharing, these puffy taco shells are a crowd-pleasing base for all your bold culinary creations.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.75 cups Warm water
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil (for dough)
- 4 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the warm water and vegetable oil (2 tablespoons) while mixing until the dough comes together and forms a soft consistency.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 3–5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Divide the dough into 10 equal portions and roll each portion into a ball.
Use a rolling pin to flatten each ball into a 6-inch circle on a floured surface. Keep the circles covered with a clean kitchen towel to prevent drying out.
In a deep skillet, heat 4 cups of vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer to ensure the correct frying temperature.
Carefully place one dough circle into the hot oil. Fry for about 20 seconds until it starts to puff up. Quickly use tongs to gently press the center down to create a taco shell shape.
Continue frying while maintaining the shell shape for an additional 30 seconds on each side or until golden brown and crisp.
Remove the shell from the oil and place it on a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Repeat the frying process with the remaining dough circles.
Serve the puffy taco shells warm with your favorite fillings, such as seasoned meat, beans, fresh veggies, cheese, and sauces.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
9224 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 975.5 g | 1251% | |
| Saturated Fat | 139.4 g | 697% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2082 mg | 91% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 187.4 g | 68% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.5 g | 23% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.5 g | ||
| Protein | 24.8 g | 50% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 33 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 11.1 mg | 62% | |
| Potassium | 257 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
