How do you heat up old El Paso hard taco shells?

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

There are a few easy methods to heat up old hard taco shells to restore their crispness:

Oven – Place taco shells on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.

Microwave – Place taco shells on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 10-15 seconds at a time until crisped.
Stovetop – Heat a skillet over medium heat, add shells and heat for 1-2 minutes per side until crispy.
Toaster oven – Arrange shells on rack and toast for 1-3 minutes, checking frequently to avoid burning.

Fryer – Heat 1 inch oil to 350°F and fry shells for 15-30 seconds until crisped. Drain on paper towels.

The key is using short cooking times at moderate heat to gently crisp the shells without burning them.

Evaluating the Freshness of Old Shells

When reheating old hard taco shells, it’s important to first evaluate their freshness and quality. Here are some tips:

Inspect packaging – Make sure package is not opened or damaged. Avoid shells that may have been exposed to air and moisture.
Check for staleness – Stale shells will appear dried out and brittle. Fresh shells are more flexible.
Smell shells – They should have a fresh corn aroma. Discard any with an unpleasant or stale smell.

Monitor texture – Shells that are very rigid and fragile are likely too old to salvage.
Watch for mold – Discard any shells that have visible mold growth.

If the shells pass these checks and seem reasonably fresh, reheating may help improve their texture. But shells that are very stale and brittle are unlikely to become crispy again.

Heating Methods for Old Taco Shells

Below are more details on the best techniques for crisping up old hard taco shells:

Oven

The oven allows you to gently warm through multiple shells at once:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Arrange taco shells side by side on a baking sheet.
Bake for 2-3 minutes, checking frequently, until warmed through and starting to crisp.
For especially stale shells, you may need up to 5 minutes.

Watch carefully to avoid burning.

Microwave

The microwave provides a quick way to crisp just a few shells:

Place 1-4 taco shells on a microwave-safe plate.

Microwave on high in 10-15 second intervals until crisped.
Rotate shells between intervals for even heating.
Stop early if any sections start to burn.

Let shells cool briefly before handling to avoid breaking.

Stovetop

The stovetop allows you to heat and crisp the shells in a dry skillet:

Heat a skillet over medium heat.

Add taco shells and heat 1-2 minutes per side, turning frequently.
Use tongs to gently flip shells and press down lightly to aid crisping.
Watch closely to prevent burning.

Toaster Oven

A toaster oven provides a small space to concentrate heat:

Place up to 4 shells on the rack of a toaster oven.
Set temperature to 300-350°F.

Toast for 1-3 minutes until warmed through and starting to crisp.
Check often to avoid burning.

Fryer

Frying offers the fastest crisping, but requires more oil:

Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°F in a pan.
Fry 1-2 shells at a time for 15-30 seconds.
Flip shells halfway for even crisping.

Transfer to paper towels to drain.
Let cool briefly before handling.

Tips for Reheating Old Taco Shells

Follow these tips for the best results when reheating old taco shells:

Work in small batches – Reheat just a few shells at a time for ease of handling.
Rotate and flip shells – This promotes even heating and crisping.
Press down while cooking – Light pressing with tongs or spatula helps shells crisp up.

Allow shells to cool slightly – Let shells rest 20-60 seconds before filling to prevent cracking.
Use moderate heat – High heat risks burning shells before fully crisped.
Watch carefully – Check shells frequently to avoid overcooking.

Discard any that burn – Burnt shells will have an unpleasant taste.

With the right technique, you can revive those leftover taco shells to be almost as good as new!

Filling and Serving Reheated Hard Shells

Once your taco shells are crisped up, you’ll want to fill and serve them right away before they lose their crunch. Here are some serving tips:

Work quickly – Have your taco bar setup ready before reheating shells.
Fill generously – Heaped ingredients help weigh down the shell and prevent breaking.
Use sturdy fillings – Thicker fillings like meat, beans, cheese hold better than loose items.

Wrap securely – Fold a napkin around filled tacos for easier transporting.
Serve immediately – Enjoy tacos as soon as possible or shells may sog.
Provide taco holders – Wire taco holders help minimize shell breakage.

With perfectly crisped shells and flavorful fillings, your tacos will taste freshly assembled!

Troubleshooting Reheating Issues

If your reheated taco shells still lack crispness or have other problems, try these troubleshooting tips:

Shells remain soggy

Increase cooking time and temperature slightly.

Press down on shells while cooking to improve crisping.
Make sure shells are spread out and not overlapping.
Discard any shells that are excessively dried out or stale.

Shells are scorched or burnt

Lower temperature setting and use shorter cooking time.
Watch shells closely and remove immediately if browning.
Avoid using the oven broiler setting.

Fry fewer shells at a time to prevent overcrowding.

Shells become brittle and shatter when filled

Let shells cool for 1-2 minutes before filling.
Avoid aggressively forcing fillings into the shells.

Discard any shells that are very dried out or fragile.
Moisten shells slightly by steaming or microwaving briefly to soften.

Cooked shells absorb fridge odors

Store reheated shells in a sealed container.

Line storage container with paper towels to absorb odors.
Consider wrapping shells individually in plastic wrap or foil.
Avoid storing shells near pungent foods in the fridge.

With some experimenting, you’ll find the ideal reheating method and timing to bring those old taco shells back to their peak crunch.

Best Food Pairings with Reheated Hard Taco Shells

Filing your crisped taco shells with delicious, flavorful ingredients is key. Here are some of the best pairings:

Fillings	Toppings
Seasoned ground beef or shredded chicken	Shredded lettuce
Refried beans or black beans	Diced tomatoes
Spanish rice	Shredded cheese
Sauteed veggies like peppers and onions	Salsa
Grilled fish or shrimp	Sour cream
Guacamole	Jalapenos

Crunchy, flavor-packed tacos are hard to beat! Play around with different fillings and garnishes to complement the reheated shells.

Storing Leftover Reheated Taco Shells

Here are some tips for storing reheated hard taco shells:

Let shells cool completely before storing.
Place in a sealable container or bag.

If storing more than 2-3 shells, layer between sheets of parchment or wax paper.
Ensure shells are not bent or crushed.
Refrigerate for 2-3 days maximum.

To freeze – Place shells in single layer in airtight container or bag. Freeze for 1-2 months.
Avoid humidity – Add a paper towel to absorb moisture.

With proper storage, you can keep your leftover reheated shells handy for more taco nights!

Conclusion

Old hard taco shells can be given new life with some simple reheating techniques. Key tips include using moderate heat, frequent monitoring, and allowing shells to cool before filling. With the right timing, temperature, and fillings, you can get those lackluster shells crispy and delicious again. Resist the urge to toss old shells and enjoy the satisfaction of transforming taco trash into treasure!