Everybody loves tacos. Everybody enjoys eating nutritious meals. Wrap those two food facts together with healthy taco shell alternatives. Now you’re cooking with ideas that spice up family dining tables and work in commercial foodservice settings. From home kitchens to concession stands, taco shells are back on the healthy side of the menu.
10 Delicious Ideas for Healthy Taco Shells
Why should you replace tortillas with healthier options? Let’s answer the question with a few food numbers. One 10-inch flour tortilla delivers 5 grams of fat and 215 calories. Crispy corn taco shells weigh in with a healthier profile, but their deep-fried preparation adds fat and calories.
How do you keep tacos on the table and increase their nutritional value? Try one of our 10 creative ideas for tasty alternatives to traditional taco shells.
1. Put Tacos In Pita Pockets
This healthy substitute for tortillas opens up all kinds of taco possibilities. Pita pockets are easy on calorie and carb counts, and they’re easy to fill up too. Kids always have fun with pita pocket tacos. These yummy, compact meals fit well in the smallest hands.
2. Grill Gluten-Free Taco Shells
Make your own shells with a blend of almond and coconut flours. If you like scratch cooking, you’ll love how simple it is to press and grill gluten-free taco shells. They’re low-cal, low-carb paleo alternatives to classic corn tortilla shells.
3. Wrap Up Healthy Tacos
With less than a gram of carbohydrates and almost no calories, baby iceberg lettuce naturally belongs on our list. As a wrap, its cool, crisp flavor provides just the right balance for spicy taco fillings. Tuck and roll good health into every taco with nutritious iceberg baby leaves.
4. Transform Cheddar Into Shells
Transform shredded cheddar into a fantastic low-carb taco shell substitute. Amaze friends at home or customers in your restaurant with from-scratch cheddar cheese taco shells. Play with different shapes, and design signature snacks, sides and entrees with this versatile oven-baked recipe.
5. Parmesan Is Perfect Too
Imagine the aroma of toasted Parmesan cheese wafting through the kitchen. Picture favorite fillings nestled in crispy Parmesan shells fresh from the oven. Make it happen with this irresistible, low-carb taco idea. These healthy taco shells are simple to make and simply delicious.
6. Cook Up Shredded Carrot Shells
Turn fresh carrots into low-calorie taco shells that pair perfectly with traditional or vegan fillings. Cut down on prep time by shredding baby carrots in your food processor. Add cheese and eggs, bake for 15 minutes, and enjoy the unique texture and flavor of carrot taco shells.
7. Roll Out Fresh Spinach Shells
When you’re aiming for healthy taco shells, you can’t miss with fresh baby spinach. Add high-protein spelt flour, sea salt and water, and roll out a tender, luxurious dough. The nutritional profile of soft spinach taco shells includes vitamins A, C and K as well as magnesium and iron.
8. Create Cauliflower Taco Shells
This recipe creates soft tortillas that score big as grain-free, gluten-free paleo taco wraps. They rack up extra points for minimum calories and plenty of vitamins and minerals. Cauliflower tortillas also win in taste and presentation categories.
9. Wrap Up Flavors With Zucchini
This versatile vegetable easily mixes with basic ingredients to turn out delicious wraps. Zucchini taco shells made with garlic, cumin and Parmesan yield soft tortillas yummy enough to enjoy without a filling. They also dress up plates with colorful, festive presentations.
10. Oven-Bake Healthy Taco Shells
When you crave crispy tacos, satisfy your appetite with this healthy idea. Soften corn tortillas in the microwave, and then bake them in the oven. Experience that satisfying crunch without the calories of a fried tortilla. Oven-baked taco shells preserve tradition and keep it guilt-free too.
Fill Your Shells With Good Health
The healthiest taco shell deserves a healthy filling, so get creative with turkey, chicken and seafood. Pile on the veggies, top with homemade salsa, or drizzle with home-made hot sauce.
Check back with us soon for more healthy ideas that work in family kitchens and commercial operations. It’s always our goal to fill everyone’s pantries with culinary inspiration and the freshest produce available.
