Microtubular solid oxide fuel cells (mT-SOFCs) are promising electrochemical energy conversion devices due to their high volumetric power density, capability of bearing high thermal stresses, and rapid start up. The inert substrate-supported mT-SOFCs have an additional advantage of high reduction–oxidation (redox) cycling stability. In this study, a novel method is suggested to fabricate inert substrate-supported mT-SOFC by leaching out the nickel from an anode supported mT-SOFC that has an anode functional layer. The anode supported mT-SOFCs were prepared by a sequential dip coating and co-firing process. The manufactured inert substrate-supported mT-SOFCs possess the configuration of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) support/Ni–Scandia stabilized zirconedia (ScSZ) anode/ScSZ electrolyte/strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM)-ScSZ cathode/LSM cathode current collector. Selective leaching of the nickel from the Ni-YSZ composite was used in conjunction with the burn out of microcrystalline cellulose pore-former for the proper tuning of porosity and facilitating the gas diffusion through the inert support. The effectiveness of this approach on enhancing the fuel cell performance will be discussed.