Making crispy cheese taco shells is easier than you think. These cheese taco shells are crunchy, delicious and taking the keto world by storm! Gluten-free, too.
If you’ve missed eating crunchy tacos like I have, then you are in for a treat. Low carb taco shells made from cheese are the new “in” thing.
We’ve baked cheese into cheese chips for dip, taco shells, chalupa or tostada shells and bowls for salads or appetizers. They are very versatile and my family loves them.
Looking to make low carb beef tacos? Take a peek at my recipe for low carb taco seasoning and then see how I make the BEST tasting ground beef taco filling. It’s super easy.
Cheese Taco Shells Recipe
A Google search for low carb tortilla recipes yields many options for crepe-like and wrap-like tortillas. My recipe for Almost Zero Carb Wraps, which we use as breakfast wraps or fill with thick Southwestern stews, is right there on page 1.
Crunchy low carb keto taco shells recipes have been elusive… until a year or two ago, when cheese taco shells made their appearance.
Lowcarbers and Ketonians have used cheese to make chips for years now, so making them bigger to accommodate fillings is just a natural progression – and genius! I get a kick out of all of the possibilities these fun snacks provide.
All kinds of cheeses can be used to make cheese taco shells and they all have different flavors and levels of crispness. Some yield a cheese shell that is more crisp while others are a little more tough in texture.
The shells can be made with shredded cheese or cheese slices. They can also be made in the oven, on the stove or in the microwave.
Celiacs: If you are looking for gluten-free taco shells, this may be the recipe for you. Make sure that the pre-shredded cheese you use, is free from gluten and you will be fine.
Do low carb taco shells have carbs?
Yes, a small amount of carbs comes from the lactose in cheese. Most cheese has 1 carb per ounce. Many brands will list zero carbs because of FDA rules that say if a product is below 1 carb per serving it can be listed as zero even if it has .8 carbs. So, I generally count 1 ounce of cheese as 1 carb. The cheese taco shells are 1 carb per shell.
How to Make Low Carb Keto Taco Shells
Making low carb cheese taco shells is easy. Place slices of cheese or a pile of shredded cheese on a prepared surface and cook:
- Crisp in a frying pan
- Bake on Parchment or a silpat in the oven
- Place on parchment and cook in the microwave for single tacos
Once cooked, give the cheese shells just a second to cool before removing, but work fast! They need to be shaped while still pliable. Simply drape them over a wooden spoon or dowel until the cool and are crispy.
They can also be stuffed into a muffin tin cup to make into a bowl for appetizers. For chalupa or tostada shells and chips, simply let cool on the baking pan, then cool completely on a cooling rack before storing in an air-tight container.
Recently, I have been using a taco shell maker for making cheese taco shells. I think it’s much easier than using wooden spoons.
I tried several kinds of cheese and found that pre-shredded cheddar cheese from the grocery worked the absolute best. Also, the sharp variety became more crispy than the mild. Monterey jack and Colby jack cheese didn’t get as crispy but also worked well. Parmesan cheese made delicious chips which we enjoyed on our salads.
Each cheese taco shell is 1 carb.
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Crispy Cheese Taco Shells (Low Carb Keto Taco Shells)
Ingredients
- 9 oz pre-shredded cheddar cheese* (from a bag)
Equipment
- Parchment Paper (NOT WAXED PAPER)
- 2 large sheet pans (half sheet pans - 18x13 inches)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and place one rack in the upper third and the other rack in the lower third of the oven. Line two large sheet pans with parchment paper. I like to trace 3, 6-inch circles on each parchment, so my shells are the same size. (Flip the parchment over so you don't get pencil or pen on the cheese.)
- Measure 1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) of shredded cheese per circle and spread evenly to the edges of the circle.
- Bake for 5 minutes and swap the positions of the baking sheets. Bake another 5-10 minutes or until little holes have appeared in the surface of the cheese and the edges begin to brown.
- Remove from the oven and blot with a paper towel before removing to wooden spoons or spatulas suspended by glasses to shape taco shells. (I now use a taco shaper which I have linked to in the post and it is much easier to shape the shells.) Leave on the pans to cool flat for chalupa or tostada shells.
- Cool completely and store in an air-tight container on the counter for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- * Make sure to use ONLY pre-shredded cheddar cheese from a bag like Kraft brand. This never sticks to the parchment. I tried a mixed blend of Mexican cheese and it stuck a little and didn't get crispy. ALSO, if the cheese isn't cooked enough, it will stick. Make sure it starts to turn evenly browned - not dark, but not bright orange any more.
- 1 carb per shell.
Notes
Nutrition
Low Carb Keto Taco Seasoning Recipe
I tried these and they were extremely greasy… how come?
Yes, Dawne. The fat in the cheese cooks out of the milk protein. That’s why they get crispy. I always blot with a paper towel right out of the oven before shaping. -Kim
Thank you Kim…. I will definitely make these again!!
followed your instruction to the T and they will not let go of the parchment paper. In the trash and a total waste. Very disappointed,
Hi Carol. Did you use parchment paper or waxed paper? I use high quality parchment, I buy it at Costco, and I have never ever had the cheese stick. However, I did try it on waxed paper once and it was a total mess! -Kim
Hi Carol. I made the cheese shells again today to make sure I wasn’t having a problem with them. I added more information to the recipe because many people don’t read the posts for extra tips. I will share some with you. Use pre-shredded cheddar cheese from a bag. I use Lucerne brand. Make sure that the cheese is evenly spread out. Cook the cheese until it changes colors, looks lacy with lots of holes and the oil begins to come to the surface. Remove from the oven and blot quickly with a paper towel to remove the excess oil and quickly put on your taco shaper. For tostada and chalupa shells, let them cool flat. Also, make sure to use parchment and not waxed paper. I experimented with some Mexican blend cheese and it did stick a little to the parchment and did not crisp well. I hope this info helps. -Kim
Instead of bending these, can you cut them with a pizza cutter while still warm to make chips?
I haven’t tried it, but it may wok, Loretta. -Kim
Tried these tonight and they came out AWESOME! Is definitely a learning curve, too much cheese makes a chewy shell.
Big question, how can you find a cheese that doesn’t have so much grease???
Hi Kelly. The oil cooks out of the cheese and that, in part, makes it crispy. I just blot really well when finished. I have not tried low fat cheese so I don’t know how it would work. I have found that different brands and the how coarse the cheese is grated also makes a difference in how crispy the shells get. -Kim
I just made this recipe. After starting a small fire in my over (not joking, LOL) I knew that my batch would not come out as described in this recipe. I ended up with pigs in a cheese blanket, but it was still really good!
I used pre-shredded cheese and parchment paper just like the pictures. I’m sorry yours didn’t turn out, Denise. Lots of people are making enchiladas or burritos with cheese shells. I tried once and almost burned my finger off! Lol. Have a nice day. -Kim
These make amazing taco shells! I was making a single serving and did it in a frying pan. Super quick,
Pre-Packaged shredded cheese is not keto. It has starch added to keep the cheese from sticking together. If you’re doing keto you had better stick to shredding the cheese yourself from a block.
Sue, keto is keeping total carbs under 50 grams, not a particular food. -Kim
I do not understand instruction that says “then swap the lower backing sheet and bake another five minutes”. Can someone clarify what this means ?
Hi Diane. If you are using two baking sheets, swap their positions because the lower baking sheet is receiving heat from the bottom of the oven and the top baking sheet is receiving heat from the top of the oven. I have just changed the instructions to make this more clear. Have a nice day. -Kim
Kim, how do you make the tacos using a frying pan?
Hi Shantia. Use a non-stick pan or a reaaaaaaly well seasoned cast iron skillet set over medium heat. Swirl a little oil around the pan, wipe it gently to spread the oil and sprinkle the cheese into the pan in a circle. Let it cook. It will bubble and make bubbles. When it browns slightly, you should be able to lift it out with a spatula. It will depend on the kind of cheese and pan how easy it is to lift out. -Kim
I used this recipe but just spread the cheese out in a large square as I want to break up for chips. However, the square is not crispy. How do I make it more crispy?
Hi Maurine. Some cheese doesn’t crisp up as well as others, but cheddar and Parmesan bot get crispy for me. It sounds like your cheese needs to be cooked longer. It may have been a little thicker and needed more time. -Kim
Excellent recipe, thank you! You can even add mashed avocado and parmesan cheese with garlic, spices and chilli flakes to create a Spicy Guacamole taco.
All my shells stuck to the parchment paper. What did I do wrong?
Hi Geri. I’m sorry the cheese stuck. I have never had cheese shells stick to parchment paper, but it sticks like crazy to waxed paper. I have a feeling that the cheese didn’t cook long enough. Did it brown? -Kim
Do not buy cheap parchment paper from the 99 cent store, for some reason not good got cheese….
Tonight I prepared the taco shells and made up some taco seasoning. I probably used too much cheese since my shells did not hold shape. Also, I used regular cheddar rather that low fat. I live in a rural “food desert” where the nearest grocery of reasonable variety is 40 miles away. despite the lack of form the shells were delicious and snuggly held the taco fixings. The seasoning blend was just right for our taste preference. I will pass both recipes along to the Optavia community.
Thanks for publishing these recipes
We are trying to eat only Keto, so tried these today. I was skeptical about how they would work, but they are wonderful!! It was so easy, and wuick. Thank you so much for helping us with our journey. Highly recommend!!
These are fantastic!! I used a blend of Monterey Jack, Colby and Cheddar Kraft crumbles along with shredded cheddar. I love these. 11 minutes in my 375° oven. I just drape mine over a large metal cooking spoon. The handle is flat so it gives me a small, flat bottomed shell. Perfect for holding the ingredients. Now I have chips for my Chipotle bowl and about 5 other dinner options with these.
These directions are so awesome! How long will they keep in the fridge? I want to make some for a party and I need to make a lot.
They will keep in the fridge for a long time as long as they are in an air tight container, Tina. Make sure to use parchment paper and not paper. Enjoy your party. -Kim
Great and easy recipe!! I used a muffin pan turned upside down to creat ‘taco shells ‘used parchment paper in between shells and muffin cups. Worked awesome!! Looking forward to trying more recipes!
Thanks! Lisa
Go Keto!
I wonder if you can make enchilada shells the same way?
Hi Gary. I tried using the cheese to make taquitos the other day. The cheese was molten and soft, and a little difficult to wrap around the filling. Additionally, the sheet pan was very hot. It worked, I burned myself a few times and the shell was not as strong as I would have liked. I bet a cannoli shaper might work to make a tube and then the filling could be stuffed inside? -Kim
Read the label carefully on any shredded cheese package. Most have potato starch, rice starch or cornstarch as a filler to keep the cheese from clumping. Those cause gut pain or elevated blood sugar in many people. I know from my own bad experience with packaged shredded cheese.
At Least, Potato Starch is Natural. Unlike, Cellulose Powder… AKA: Wood Shavings.
The reason why packaged grated cheese works best is because all that stuff has wood pulp in it “cellulose” and I don’t eat wood in my cheese.
And probably the small amount of starch which is added to help it stay loose. -Kim
Today is national taco day so I had to make tacos without the usual corn taco shells. I found your recipe and thought I’d give it a try. I shredded my own cheese and I also added in a couple tablespoons of finely crushed pork rind to give it some extra crunch. It worked amazingly well. I used the parchment paper/oven approach using a small plate to make circles to define the edges of the taco disc. I loaded up the tacos with the usual fillings of meat, shredded lettuce, avocado, sour cream and diced tomatoes. Amazing !
How did I miss national taco day? I’m glad you liked the shells, Andrea! -Kim
So my husband and I said OMG! We made grilled steak tacos. I made the shells-so easy!!i made some guacamole and used sour cream to keep a leaf of Romain lettuce on the inside of the shell. It kept it from falling apart and all the stuff falling out! Will so be making my it with and even an Italian twist!!
I’m so excited Deb. I love it when my husband likes my meals. Steak is one of my favorite foods, so I bet these tacos were amazing! I love how you used the lettuce to keep the guac from squeezing out the lacy holes in the cheese shell. Thanks for letting me know how it went and have a great night. -Kim
Hi Kim,
Did you try using the metal taco shaper? I had that idea before I found this recipe and your comment that you were going to try the taco shaper. Just curious to see if the taco shaper worked before I purchased them. I was also on eBay looking for taco shapers before I found your recipe etc. How ironic!!
No, I haven’t yet, Patti. I was actually going to do it last weekend, but our plans changed. I know it would work and I am actually looking forward to using it because I know it will be easier than using the wooden spoon method. The only difference is that I will have a bigger piece of equipment to clean off. -Kim
I have been making your taco seasoning and love it. Sometimes I just sprinkle it on warm chicken…yum!!! Oi will try your cheese taco shell and enchilada sauce next!
These are awesome! Made them today super easy! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Amazing thank you! I was craving something crispy and this was perfect. I followed the instructions exactly and came out perfect. Only note is to move very quickly when removing from parchment paper to mold or bend before the cheese sets hard.
Other than that, perfect crispy taco shells!
Can you make these ahead of time? If yes, how is it best to store them?
Absolutely! Let them cool completely, then store in an air tight container. I keep them on the counter for 1-2 days or the refrigerator for longer. Make sure that the cheese shells are completely cooked (crispy) and not soft in the middle if you are going to keep them on the counter. Some cheeses do not crisp as well as others and the shells can be a little leathery if not used right away. -Kim
Instead of draping them over a spoon, I transferred them from the parchment paper to a paper towel… Rolled up another paper towel and folded the shells around that…
So 2 shells side-by-side on a paper towel with the next paper towel with 2 shells wrapped around that… They don’t stick to the paper towels because they’re naturally oily.
It’s a little different, but more manageable for me than draping and dripping
Great idea, Sara. Thanks for sharing. -Kim
love your recipes. thank you for sharing
I cant get the darn cheese to come off the wax paper. It just rips the paper completely. What is going wrong? Using microwave and cheddar cheese
Hi Jess. Waxed paper doesn’t work – the cheese sticks. You have to use parchment paper or a silicone mat. If you are doing one at a time, use a non-stick skillet. -Kim
These were delicious! I bent some using the wooden spoon method and some cooled flat. Next time we will cool them flat only. Since they are made of cheese, they easily bend when adding warm filling, so the flat ones just nicely folded over. I would only use with warm, not hot, filling. If the cheese gets too hot it stretches out and can collapse beneath the taco.
Hi April. Cheese shells are the best thing in the world! Lol. I like to make them flat, too, but I bought a taco shell shaper and will try that next time as well as your trick of having the warm filling soften the cheese. Thanks for sharing that trick, BTW. Have a wonderful week. -Kim
We love these!! So easy! I draped over wooden handles and put newspapers down to catch the few oil drips from the cheese.
Hi I cant seem to get these to be crispy, what can I be doing wrong?
Hi Judy. Can you tell me what method you are using and what kind of cheese? -Kim
I am having the same problem. Using sharp cheddar shredded and using both oven at 400 for 5 to 10 min and microwave 55 seconds. Any suggestions… not getting as crispy as I would like.
Hi Nikki. I found that the grated cheese in the bag works the best and I get the medium cheddar. Make sure that the cheese is spread out evenly and not mounded in the middle. The Monterey jack cheese I tried did not get crispy – it was tough instead. The cheese has to get hot enough that it forms little holes making a lace effect and starts to brown around the edges. I bet different cheeses and whether or not one hand grates or uses the cheap cheese in the bag plays a small part, too. -Kim
Does the Cheese Shell melt when you put the meat and other taco fixings into it? I love a Crunch with my tacos and soooo miss it! Thinking of making these tonight!
Hi Jamie. No, the shells stay nice and crisp! -Kim
Rather than use a wooden spoon, I’d recommend using a short piece of 1/2″ PVC pipe with wax paper over it for cooling/shaping the taco shells.
I make cheese taco shells by draping them over the side of a large bowl after the cheese has baked. You do have to work quickly with these!
Thank you for all of your delicious recipes.
Great idea, Amy. Thanks! -Kim
This sounds so delicious, can’t wait to try tomorrow. It’s a little late, around 11:00 pm, to be trying tonigjt
How do you store these if you don’t eat them all?
Hi Jenn. I put them in a plastic bag or large air-tight cookie tin and put them in the refrigerator. They can probably be kept in a bag on the counter, too, if the house isn’t too hot. -Kim
How long will they keep usually?
Great question, Melissa. I made a whole bunch and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. I’m sure they can last longer, but we use them by then. They are just cooked cheese. -Kim
171 calories per taco shell ? That sounds like a lot of calories for the shell alone.
Each shell is about 1 1/2 ounces of cheese, Raine. An ounce of cheddar cheese is 113 calories, so the number is accurate depending on the nutritional calculator being used. I think I was using Mastercook at the time, but now I use Fatsecret.com. -Kim