It is actually very easy to make your own crispy shells. You can fry them but if you cook them in the oven you can skip all those additional calories. So are you ready to learn how to make tostada shells? Let’s get started!
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Easy Tostada Shells Recipe
You can make these crunchy shells from scratch very easily. You have to start with your favorite corn tortilla recipe.
Make them with masa harina, water, and salt. Then press the tortillas using a heavy-duty cast-iron tortilla press.
When you bake the tortillas you are almost there to make homemade tostadas.
You have the option to fry your tostadas so you get those extra crispy tostadas.
However, you get an amazing result when you pop them in the oven. So you can make some tasty tostada.
It may look difficult to eat a tostada but it is really very easy especially when you know how to eat it.
Tostada Shell Ingredients
To make your own shells you need just a couple of ingredients. Have them ready when you start
- Corn tortillas
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Salt
How To Make Tostada Shells
To make these hard shells you need to start preheating your oven to 400°F.
In the meanwhile take a baking tray. Take your corn tortillas and spray both sides of the tortillas with cooking spray or brush them with olive oil.
Put the tortillas in a single layer on the baking sheet. Then season the corn tortillas with salt this is not required so can be omitted.
Bake the tortillas into tostadas for 5 minutes. Flip them and cook for another 5 minutes or until crisp and crunchy like tortilla chips.
Keep a close eye as after 5 minutes the tostadas can brown really fast.
Take the tostadas out of the oven and put them on a rack to let them cool so they can crisp up while they cool.
Add your favorite toppings like refried beans, tuna, carnitas, or tinga.
How Big Are Tostada Shells
Tostada shells are similar in size to small corn tortillas. These are usually 5 or 6 inches big.
When they are cooked in the oven they shrink slightly and will be a little smaller compared to soft tortillas.
What Are Tostada Shells Made Of
Tostada shells are generally made of corn tortillas that start out soft but crisp up when you bake them in the oven.
You can make tostadas with a flour tortilla but this is not the authentic way when corn tortillas are used.
Are Tostada Shells The Same As Taco Shells
No, tostada shells are not the same as taco shells.
Tostada shells are made with corn tortillas and are flat. Tacos are made with soft corn tortillas or flour tortillas.
In the Tex Mex kitchen, you have crispy taco shells which are made from corn but these are not the same as corn tortillas.
You can make crispy tacos shells from a corn tortilla.
How To Store Tostada Shells
You have several ways to store your tostada shells:
- Room temperature – the best way to store shells is at room temperature. You can either store them in an airtight food container or in a resealable bag. You can keep them for about a week.
- Freezer – you can also store your tostada shells in the freezer. Again store them in a freezer-friendly food container or Ziploc bag. Store for up to 3 months
If you are wondering if you can store your shells in the refrigerator this is not recommended.
Just like with bread these shells do not store well in the fridge. They lose their crispness in the fridge and get soggy.
So if you want to store them choose either of the two options.
How To Reheat Tostada Shells
When you want to reheat your shells just use them in your recipes and add the toppings to the tostada.
Heat them in the oven as described in the recipe so you can serve the tostada as described in the recipe.
More Tostada Recipes
You can use your homemade shells in one of the following recipes:
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