Step 1

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl

Step 2

Add the shortening or butter to the bowl. Mix by hand or use a fork

Step 3

Pour in the milk with the flour mixture. Take the wooden spoon and combine the ingredients into a dough ball

Step 4

Knead the dough on a floured board into a big ball. Flatten the ball and cut into 4 wedges for 4 big chalupas or 8 if you want small chalupas

Step 5

Roll the wedges in a ball and roll into a round circle with a rolling pin

Step 6

Preheat a skillet with the oil to medium-hot

Step 7

If you want taco shaped chalupas take a tong and carefully dip half of a chalupa circle into the hot oil

Step 8

When the dough is light brown, flip the chalupa bread and fry the other half of the chalupa shell. This takes about a minute to 2 minutes per side

Step 9

If you like tostadas you can just fry the chalupas flat

Step 10

Take out of the pan and drain on a piece of paper towel