These Homemade Tostada Shells are the perfect crispy crunchy base for all your favorite Mexican toppings! They’re baked, not fried, and ready in only 15 minutes!
Want to make tostadas but can’t find any tostada shells at the grocery store? It’s a-okay because making them at home is super easy! All you need is a little oil, some corn tortillas and salt.
What is a tostada?
Tostadas are corn tortillas that have been baked or fried until crispy and topped with things like refried beans, cheese, chicken, ground beef, and many other toppings.
I like to think of it as a big round tortilla chip that’s topped with my favorite toppings. Or an open-faced crunchy taco. Or a crispy Mexican pizza. I mean, what’s not to love about that?!
Making your own tostada shells are a great option when you don’t have any at the house or you can’t find any in stores near you. Here’s how to make them.
How to make tostada shells
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and spray two large baking sheets with cooking spray.
- Lightly spray both sides of the tortillas with cooking spray and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Lightly season them with salt.
- Bake for 5 minutes, flip them over and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the tortillas are crispy like a chip.
That’s it! Pretty much one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever see!
Tips and tricks for making tostada shells
These tostada shells stay super crispy when stored correctly. To store, place them in an airtight container or ziplock bag and leave them on the counter or in a cupboard at room temperature for up to 1 week. Don’t refrigerate them or they’ll get soggy.
Feel free to add different seasonings and spices to add some different flavors to your shells! Here are a few suggestions.
- Chili lime – chili powder, lime juice and salt
- Jalapeno – jalapeno powder, onion powder, salt
- Cheesy – grated Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, salt
If you don’t have cooking spray, you can use any cooking oil you have. Just lightly brush it on with a pastry brush or a paper towel.
While tostada shells are delicious on their own, they’re even better when they’re topped with tasty foods! Here are a few of my favorite toppings that turn tostadas into a filling weeknight meal.
Toppings for tostada shells
- Mexican Carnitas
- Easy Shredded Chicken
- Mexican Refried Beans
- Chicken Tinga
- Chorizo and Eggs
- Mexican Picadillo
- Mexican Barbacoa
Don’t forget the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and salsa!
Tostada Shells
Ingredients
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- 8 corn tortillas
- Fine salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray two large baking sheets with cooking spray.
- Lightly brush or spray both sides of the tortillas with olive oil or cooking spray and place in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Lightly season with salt.
- Bake for 5 minutes, flip them over, and bake for another 4-5 minutes until the tortillas are crispy like a tortilla chip.
- Remove from the oven and serve with toppings such as refried beans, shredded cheese, chicken tinga, carnitas, or ground beef.
Notes
- Air fryer instructions: Place 1-2 corn tortillas in the air fryer basket and put a small ramekin dish (or other heat-safe dish, like a coffee mug) on top to keep them in place. Air fry at 390℉ for 3-4 minutes, adjusting the tortilla halfway through so that the parts underneath the ramekins are also air-fried.
- Keep a close eye. Tostadas can go from undercooked to burnt very quickly! So keep an eye on them while in the oven or air fryer.
- Batch it. These tostada shells are super easy to batch. Just make your desired amount and then store them in a cool, dry place for 1-2 weeks.
- Use different tortillas. Tostada shells are traditionally made with corn tortillas, but you can use flour tortillas if you prefer. Just note it will have a fluffier texture and won’t be as crispy.
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