Soft tortilla bowls are a must-have pantry item for family dinner. Tortilla bowls (sometimes know as boats) hold more filling with less mess.
When you learn to cook by heart, tortilla bowls are a pantry essential that opens the door to creatively upcycling leftovers into a brand new meal.
Why Soft Tortilla Bowls Are A Pantry Staple
Why use soft tortilla bowls? The number one reason to choose tortilla bowls over traditional shells is they hold more filling with less mess.
Which means, they also works great for little hands! They are more family-friendly than traditional soft tortilla shells. My kids love them.
This kitchen staple that can turn a traditional taco into a playful "taco boat" or an everyday salad into a delicious wrap. Be sure to check out all the creative ways you can take these flour tortillas to the next level at the end of the post.
I also want to mention that grandparents love them too. Tortilla bowls are helpful for people who struggle with carpel tunnel or rheumatoid arthritis because they are easy to hold, with little strain.
^ That feels strange to say, but my father-in-law loves tacos, struggles with his hands, and thinks these are the best thing since sliced bread!
How To Prep & Store Tortilla Bowls
New to this pantry must-have? Here's a few soft tortilla bowl FAQs!
To warm tortilla bowls in an oven, gently pull the desired number from the packaging. Wrap the tortilla stack in foil and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325°F for 5 to 8 minutes or until until warm. Serve immediately!
Gently pull the desired number of tortilla bowls from the package. Wrap the stack of soft taco bowls in a microwavable towel on a glass plate. Microwave on high until warm — 10 to 15 seconds for up to 4 tortillas, 20 to 25 seconds for 7 more more taco bowls.
Warming store bought tortilla bowls is recommended but not required. The shape and firmness of the soft flour tortilla bowl securely holds a large amount of filling. You can enjoy every bite (even when served at room temp) without fear of the entire shell splitting.
Seal remaining tortilla bowls in a sealable plastic bag or tightly sealed glass storage container and store in your pantry. Leftover tortilla bowls do not need to be refrigerated.
What else can you put in "taco shell bowls?"
There are SO MANY things you can enjoy in soft taco bowls. Our top three ways to use tortilla bowls, beyond traditional tacos (of course), is for:
- Chicken Cesar Wraps — Toss grilled chicken strips with a Marketside Caesar Chopped Salad Kit for the perfect tortilla boat "salad wrap."
- Chicken Spinach Wraps — Toss grilled chicken strips with spinach and crumbled feta for a fast and easy last-minute lunch or weeknight dinner.
- Crunchy Rice & Sautéed Veggie Boats — Cover leftover Mexican rice with fresh sautéed peppers and crushed tortilla chips for a crunchy treat.
Cook By Heart ♥ Notes
A few quick notes from our kitchen to yours!
We usually buy the Old El Paso Soft Tortilla Bowls. The Mini Soft Tortilla Bowls are fun, if you've got really young kids! See the ingredients and nutritional information here.
We also still keep Aldi Pueblo Lindo Fajita Flour Tortillas on-hand to be cost efficient. Unfortunately, none of the local stores in our area carry a generic version of these awesome soft tortilla bowls.