Crispy crunch alert! Try these easy Keto taco shells on your next taco night. We thought they tasted just like real corn tacos. Only 3 ingredients, gluten-free and low-carb!
"I tried this recipe tonight and it got 4 thumbs up! 2 from my husband and 2 from me. The perfect amount of crunch and texture, they held together nicely, and the taste was great." (Paula)
I am so excited to share this recipe for extra crunchy, super delicious low carb taco shells. They are SO MUCH CRISPIER than the 100 % keto cheese taco shells that are making the rounds in Ketogenic circles!
Plus, they hold together WAY better. They are the perfect fast food when you are on the keto diet, on par with my keto tortilla chips.
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Can you eat corn taco shells on Keto?
Tortillas made from either wheat or corn contain around 45 grams of carbs per 100 grams. One small 6 inch corn tortilla comes in at 12-15 net carbs.
When you're low carb or Keto, you would not want to eat more than one. And considering the doubtful reputation of corn (it spikes blood sugar levels and is often genetically modified), you'd better stay away altogether.
The thing is, EVERYBODY loves tacos. That's why the low-carb community came up with the genius idea to make tacos from cheese.
My Opinion On Cheese Tacos
All you need to do is melt taco-sized circles of grated cheese - cheddar is a favourite - in the oven. As soon as they have browned and then cooled enough, you hang them over the rim of a bowl or pan. This way, the cheese cool sand firms up into a taco shape.
Cheese tacos taste good. But I have always found they are NOT CRISPY ENOUGH. Plus, they feel a bit greasy.
The solution? This keto taco shell recipe! It contains cheese - but also a few other, essential ingredients.
Ingredients
Here are the 3 ingredients you need to make crispy low carb taco shells:
- Mozzarella cheese
- Coconut flour
- Psyllium husk powder
That's it!
The mozzarella binds everything together and makes the tacos sturdy.
And both the coconut flour and the psyllium husk powder absorb any moisture and add crunch. They provide a texture that is similar to real corn tortillas.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step By Step Instructions
It really is super simple to make keto taco shells. Here are the basic steps.
For a detailed method, scroll down to the recipe card.
Step 1: Put the mozzarella, psyllium powder and coconut flour into a food processor or bowl. Blend until the mixture resembles small crumbs. Take your time with this so the mozzarella is really fine.
Blending instead of melting the mozzarella as you would in Fathead dough saves you having to roll out the dough!
Step 2: Draw seven circles (15 cm / 6-inch diameter each) onto parchment paper using a prop such as a small saucepan lid. And yes - I am left-handed.
Step 3: Using a ¼ cup, scoop the mix into each of the circles. (Around 34 grams per circle).
Step 4: Spread out those crumbs within the circle.
Step 5: Place parchment paper on top and flatten the Keto taco dough with your hands or with a rolling pin. Press down really well!
Step 6: ....and when it looks like a uniform circle of dough it can go in the preheated oven.
Step 7: Bake the taco shells for around 7 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges. The top is still light in colour, but the underside will be browned as well (see image below).
Step 8: Don't wait! Pick up the shells whilst they're still hot and place them over the rim of a large frying pan. Leave them to cool into awesomely crispy shells!
And we are done! What filling would you like in this beauty?
Expert Tip
You have to work quickly! As soon as the tortillas are cool enough to touch - about 10 seconds - and drape them over the pot/large bowl. If you wait too long, as soon as they cool they'll break when you bend them.
Variations
Feel like a bit of spice? Add one teaspoon of cumin and a pinch of chilli to your dough. Garlic powder or onion powder would also match well.
Try a different cheese: I have not tried this myself, but you could use cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella. Cheddar becomes more liquid than mozzarella when hot, so you may have to wait a little longer for the shells to cool before you can lift them.
Recipe FAQs
If you don't have a large pot or bowl, place an oven rack over the sink. Drape the tortillas between the bars of the rack so the sides hang down and form the taco shape. Or, hang them over a spoon or spatula handle.
You can try using dairy-free mozzarella. However, I find that vegan cheeses do not melt as well as dairy cheese. You may need to use more of it and it may change the texture of the shells.
Yes. I would use ¾ cup or 75 grams of almond flour instead of coconut flour.
These shells are best enjoyed on the same day. That's when they are at their crispiest.
Serving Suggestion
My first suggestion is, of course, taco meat! I have instructions on how to make awesome ground beef for tacos in my keto taco seasoning post. Top with sour cream, tomatoes, avocado, salsa and cilantro.
Tip: If you want to save time, why not make your ground beef or taco meat of choice the day before instead? I find that beef dishes always taste better the day after, once the flavours have had time to mingle and develop.
Here are more keto-friendly filling ideas: How about cheese bacon & this easy guacamole recipe, shredded chicken or a fiesta taco salad with avocado and tomatillo salsa?
Storage
You can store them in an airtight container on the kitchen counter for a day or a few days in the fridge. They will still hold your taco fillings, won't get soggy and taste perfectly fine. However, they do lose some of their crunch.
I do not recommend freezing these taco shells.
Reheating
You can carefully reheat them in the microwave. Give them a quick blast only, because they'll soften and will eventually stick together.
I microwaved one for 10 seconds on one side, then turned it over and gave it another 5 seconds. This warmed up the taco without making it collapse.
Of course, you can also reheat the keto taco shells in the oven by draping them upside down over the bars of an oven rack.
Low Carb Taco Options
Don't want to spend the time to make homemade taco shells? The Carbzone tortillas are a substitution. They are soft straight out of the packet, but you can also fry them until crispy in olive oil or avocado oil.
Or, make my coconut flour tortillas.
More Keto Mexican Recipes
If you love Mexican food, you'll also like these keto recipes:
- Keto Breakfast Casserole55 Minutes
- Cauliflower Tortillas30 Minutes
- Low Carb Keto Beef Burritos
- Keto Taco Casserole50 Minutes
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Crispy Keto Taco Shells
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups pre-shredded mozzarella 225g, room temperature
- ¼ cup coconut flour 25g
- 2 teaspoon psyllium husk powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 175 Celsius / 350 Fahrenheit.
- Mix all ingredients in a food processor or with an electric mixer until they resemble small crumbs.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw circles of 6 inch / 15 cm diameter on the parchment. I traced around a small saucepan lid, but you can use any round object that size.
- Scoop ¼ cup of the taco shell mix onto each circle and spread out inside the circle.
- Place a second parchment paper on top and press down the dough with your hands or use a rolling pin. Press down well - you want it nice and compacted.
- Remove the top parchment paper and bake in the oven for 7 minutes or until the edges of each taco have browned.
- Remove from the oven and hang each taco shell over the side of a large saucepan until cooled.
Caroline
Hi Katrin
I am truly loving your recipes and cannot thank you enough for indirectly helping me and my family overcome sickness and diabetes.
I have tried a few of your recipes and so far the keto pancakes and muffin recipes are our favourite. The dorito chips which we enjoy with an avocado dip is a game changer too.
Many thanks
Summer
Can you substitute almond flour for coconut flour?
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, it should work with 3/4 cup / 75 grams of almond flour.
Dianna
Hi, how long do these keep in refrigerator?
Katrin Nürnberger
They should be fine for a few days. Put them back in the oven to firm up and get crunchy again!
Susan Degarmo
Hi Katrin, is there a brand of psyllium husk that doesn't make the product turn purple???? I find that purple baked goods very off putting.
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, I have used Just Naturals, BonPom and Green Origins without issues. The NOW brand is also supposed to be fine. Also check that your baking powder does not contain aluminium.
Linda
The recipe doesn't mention baking powder. Is it supposed to be in the recipe?
Katrin Nürnberger
There is no baking powder in the recipe.
Dana
Hi can you make this recipe without the psyllium powder? Or use something else instead?
Katrin Nürnberger
The psyllium gives these taco shells a sturdier texture and helps with crunchiness. You could try subbing with ground flaxseed.
Esme
These are just fantastic! I made them according to your recipe, and added some Mexican seasoning like you suggested. Crispy without falling apart, tasty, and very filling! I don't know how my husband ate 4 of them without exploding, ha ha! (I could only eat 2, I was so full). He told me he'll never order tacos in a Mexican restaurant again, these were so much better. Agreed! Thank you so much for the perfect keto taco shell!
Lisa
Looks like a great idea and I plan on trying it. One question wondering if you could use vegan cheese instead
Katrin Nürnberger
I don't have much experience with vegan cheese. The ones I tried do not melt as well, which means you may need more of it.
Paula Raulinaitis
You're my hero! I tried this recipe tonight and it got 4 thumbs up! 2 from my husband, and 2 from me! I tried the other "only' cheese recipes and they were a bit too greasy, and sometimes so crunchy they just fell apart. THESE are the perfect amount of crunch and texture, they held together nicely, and the taste was great. I must admit that I didn't have mozzarella as I used the last of it to make fathead bagels a few days ago, so I used cheddar and it was perfect! Thanks again ....I'm now going to check the rest of your recipes! Clearly...you know food!
Jill Couture
Is there a way to do this dairy free?
Katrin Nürnberger
Hi Jill, there are vegan cheeses, but the ones I have tried do not melt as well as dairy. You would have to experiment.
rachel
Hiya Katrin, I was wondering if I could substitute the coconut flour chickpea flour as I don't have coconut flour?
Katrin Nürnberger
You may need to use more chickpea flour to get a similar result. Coconut flour is quite special because it absorbs so much moisture.