These easy and delicious Keto Cheese Taco Shells are crispy, cheesy, and made right in the microwave. They hold their shape like real taco shells and pack in way more flavor than regular taco shells.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Keto Taco Shells Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Homemade Taco Shells
• 🔪 How to Make Cheese Taco Shells
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 Tasty Ways to Serve These Cheese Shells
• 💡 Tips
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Can I Reheat Cheese Taco Shells?
• Why is My Shell Sticking to the Parchment Paper?
• Can I Make More Than One at a Time?
• Why Did My Shells Break When I Shaped Them?
• Why Did My Shell Come Out Soft Instead of Crisp?
• 🍽️ More Keto Mexican Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Keto Taco Shells Recipe

• Crunchy texture, similar to traditional taco shells
• Bold cheesy flavor
• Fill with taco meat and your favorite toppings
• No need to turn the oven on, made in the microwave
• Takes less than 5 minutes to make

Who doesn’t love taco night? But it can be tricky when you’re skipping the carbs. These Keto Cheese Taco Shells are here to solve that problem. Their texture is golden and crisp like regular shells, and the flavor hits with that deep, toasty cheddar goodness that regular shells just don’t have.

Even better, these don’t require a stove or oven; just cheese and a microwave. They go from shredded cheese to crunchy taco shell in under five minutes. Trust me, when you make them once, you'll wonder why you didn’t try them sooner.

If you love these cheesy taco shells, you should also try my Baked Cheese Crisp Crackers.

🛒 Ingredients for Homemade Taco Shells

• Shredded cheddar cheese

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Microwave safe plate
• Parchment paper
• Taco holder

🔪 How to Make Cheese Taco Shells

Add ⅓ cup of the shredded cheese to a microwave-safe plate lined with parchment paper. Microwave for 1 minute.

Remove and immediately lift off the plate with a spatula and directly onto a taco holder. If you don't have one, you can use a wooden spoon elevated by two jars.

Gently mold the cheese around the taco holder form a taco shaped shell. It doesn’t take long to harden, so you’ll want to work quickly.

Set shell aside and make the second one. Once cooled, add taco meat and your favorite toppings.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Cheese shells are best eaten shortly after being made. But, they'll be fine if you can place paper towels between them and leave them on your counter for a few hours.

I do not recommend freezing them They lose texture and get chewy after freezing.

🍴 Tasty Ways to Serve These Cheese Shells

• Seasoned Taco Meat: The go-to filling. Add a spoonful and top with sour cream, lettuce, and Homemade Salsa to finish it off.

• Shredded Chicken: Fill them up chicken and then pile it high with avocado and cilantro.

• Pulled pork: Juicy, slow-cooked pork with a spoonful of sugar-free BBQ Sauce work great in these shells.

• Carnitas: Crispy, seasoned pork and a squeeze of lime makes a simple but insanely good combo.

• Grilled shrimp: Add some Mexican Slaw and a drizzle of Chipotle Aioli for a taco-night upgrade.

• Eggs and bacon: Yes, you can totally turn these into breakfast tacos. Add a sprinkle of jalapeño for a kick.

• Taco salad shells: Break them into chunks and toss into a bowl of lettuce, meat, and toppings for crunchy texture.

💡 Tips

• Always use parchment paper, not wax paper, or the cheese will stick.
• Make sure the cheese is in a flat circle, about 5 to 6 inches wide.
• Keep an eye on the cheese after 45 seconds. The edges should start to bubble.
• As soon as it comes out of the microwave, work quickly to shape it.
• If it cools too fast, pop it back in the microwave for 10 seconds to soften again.
• Let the formed shell cool completely before filling or it may collapse.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Cheese: Use a Mexican blend for a milder, more melty shell. Try Monterey Jack for a lighter flavor that still gets crispy.

• Mini versions: Use 2 tablespoons of cheese for appetizer-sized tacos.

• Seasoning: Add a pinch of taco seasoning to the cheese before microwaving for extra flavor.

• Toppings: Sprinkle sesame seeds or crushed red pepper on top before microwaving.

• Bowls: Shape into a bowl instead of a shell by pressing over the bottom of a muffin tin.

Can I Reheat Cheese Taco Shells?

You can very slightly, but they tend to lose their shape.

Why is My Shell Sticking to the Parchment Paper?

Make sure you’re using actual parchment, not wax or baking paper. Also, don’t remove it too soon. Let it sit for 10 seconds first.

Can I Make More Than One at a Time?

Yes, as long as your microwave plate is big enough and the cheese circles don’t touch.

Why Did My Shells Break When I Shaped Them?

You probably waited too long to shape it. Microwave one at a time and form it quickly while it's still pliable.

Why Did My Shell Come Out Soft Instead of Crisp?

It might need a few more seconds in the microwave. The edges should turn golden brown before removing.

🍽️ More Keto Mexican Recipes

• Easy Taco Casserole
• Creamy Chicken Poblano
• Baked Southwest Skillet
• Stuffed Poblano Peppers
• Mexican Cauliflower Rice

*Originally published on April 6, 2018, updated on June 3, 2025 with improvements to the recipe, new photos, new recipe information and helpful tips.