Skip the added fat by making your own crunchy tostada shells at home baked in the oven or air fryer. Homemade tostadas are super easy to make and get crispy without oil. All you need is one ingredient: corn tortillas! Then, add your favorite toppings.
Place the tortillas in your air fryer basket in one layer (do not overlap them, if possible)
Air fry the tortillas at 375°F for 3 minutes. Then, open the air fryer, flip them and air fry them again at 375°F for another 3 minutes, watching them closely toward the end of the cooking time.
Gently press them in the middle of the tortilla. If they are still flexible they need a little more time. They are done when they are hard and golden brown. They may need less or more time, depending on your air fryer and the brand of tortillas you have.
Baked in Oven Instructions
First, preheat your oven to 400°F. (If using convection or fan oven, follow air fryer instructions.)
To bake your tostada shells in the oven, place them on a cookie sheet or metal baking pan in one single layer, careful not to overlap them. I can fit 6 corn tortillas on my half sheet 18x13 inch baking pans.
Then, bake them for 10-15 minutes. Check them at 10 minutes and if they are still soft or bendable, bake for another couple of minutes.
Watch them closely toward the end of the baking time, as they may bake faster or take longer, depending on how hot your oven is, the type of pan you're using and the brand of tortillas you have.
They are done when they are hard and golden brown.
Notes
For mini tostadas: use street taco tortillas!For salted tostada shells: To make your tostada shells salted, brush a thin layer of water on top of the tortilla, then sprinkle lightly with salt. Then, bake or air fry.For chili lime tostada shells: When the tostada shells come out of the oven or air fryer, squeeze a little bit of lime juice on the tostada, then sprinkle with Tajín or chili lime seasoning from Trader Joe's.