Air Fryer Tortillas: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Option

Air fryers are a great way to make tortilla chips at home. They are healthier than deep-fried tortilla chips and can be made in a few simple steps. You can use corn or flour tortillas and cut them into triangles or slices before placing them in the air fryer. The cooking time varies depending on the desired crispiness, but it usually takes around 3-7 minutes at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also season the tortillas with olive oil, avocado oil, salt, chili powder, cumin, or cayenne pepper to add extra flavor. Air fryer tortilla chips are a quick and easy snack that can be made in large batches and stored for later.

Air fryer tortilla chips

Ingredients

• Corn or flour tortillas
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. Italian herbs, ranch seasoning, Cajun seasoning, chilli powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, sugar, lime juice)

Method

• Cut the tortillas into triangles or pie-shaped slices.
• Spray or brush both sides of the tortilla pieces with olive oil or cooking spray.
• Sprinkle salt and any other desired seasonings on the tortilla pieces.
• Place the tortilla pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
• Cook at 350°F for 3 minutes.
• Flip the tortilla pieces over, give them another light spray, and add more salt or seasonings if desired.
• Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until browned and crisp.
• Remove from the basket and let cool. The tortillas will continue to crisp as they cool.

Tips

• Air fryer tortilla chips will stay fresh for up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature.
• If your chips start tasting stale, you can put them in the air fryer at 400°F for a couple of minutes to freshen them up.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the chips in the oven. Follow the same preparation instructions, then bake at 350°F for 7 minutes. Flip the chips, spray with cooking spray, and add more salt if desired, then bake for another 2-3 minutes or until crisp and browned.

Corn vs flour tortillas

Corn and flour tortillas can both be cooked in an air fryer. However, corn tortillas are more commonly used in Mexican cuisine and have been around for much longer than flour tortillas. Corn tortillas are also more authentic, as corn is a staple ingredient in Mexico and Central America. Corn tortillas are typically smaller and more compact than flour tortillas to prevent them from falling apart, and they are also less sturdy. They usually have a yellowish colour, while flour tortillas are white.

To make corn tortilla chips in an air fryer, cut the tortillas into triangles or slices, spray them with cooking oil, and sprinkle with coarse salt. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes. Flip them over, spray and sprinkle more if desired, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until browned and crisp. You can also bake them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes, flipping them halfway through, and then baking for another 2 to 3 minutes.

To make flour tortilla bowls, spray the tortilla with olive oil or cooking spray on both sides. Prick the tortilla all over with a toothpick to prevent it from blowing up. Drape the tortilla over a small bowl and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Remove the tortilla bowl, set the bowl upright, and air fry for another 2 minutes. Allow it to cool before filling with salad.

Both corn and flour tortillas can be used to make tortilla chips or bowls, but corn tortillas are more traditional and authentic for Mexican cuisine. Corn tortillas also tend to be smaller and less sturdy, so they may be more suitable for certain dishes or fillings.

Oil and seasoning

Air fryer tortilla chips are a healthier alternative to deep-fried tortilla chips, and they are easy to make. You can use any type of tortilla, such as corn tortillas, flour tortillas, or gluten-free tortillas. Corn tortillas are recommended if you want your chips to taste like store-bought corn chips. You can also use flavoured tortillas to add a twist to your dish.

For the oil, you can use avocado oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil. Brush or spray the tortillas with a light coating of oil on both sides. If you are using flour tortillas, you can prick the tortilla with a toothpick all over so that it doesn't blow up during frying. If you want to make tortilla bowls, you can drape the tortilla over a small bowl and air fry for about 5 minutes before removing the bowl and air frying the tortilla bowl for another 2 minutes.

For seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt and a touch of paprika for colour, or you can get creative and use any seasoning you like. You can try a combination of chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper, or cinnamon and sugar for a sweet version. You can also use a pre-made Mexican-style seasoning. If you want to add another layer of flavour, squeeze some lime juice over the chips.

After seasoning the tortillas, cut them into triangles or slices and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap or overcrowd the basket. Air fry at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The tortillas will get crunchier as they cool, so let them cool completely before serving or storing in an airtight container.

Air fryer settings

When cooking tortillas, it's best to arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overlapping tortillas may cause uneven cooking. If you have a small air fryer, you might need to cook the tortillas in batches. The cooking time can vary depending on the desired crispness and the size of your tortillas, but it typically ranges from 3 to 8 minutes. Keep a close eye on the tortillas during the cooking process, as air fryers can cook quickly, and you don't want your tortillas to burn.

For flour tortillas, it is recommended to lightly spray or brush them with cooking oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil, before placing them in the air fryer. Corn tortillas, on the other hand, usually don't require oil, but you can still brush them lightly if desired. If you're making tortilla chips, cut the tortillas into triangle, chip-sized pieces before placing them in the air fryer.

During the cooking process, it's a good idea to flip the tortillas halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning. You may also need to adjust the cooking time based on your observations. If you notice any uneven coloring or if the tortillas are cooking too quickly, you can reduce the total cook time or remove them from the air fryer earlier.

Additionally, if you're reheating leftover tortillas, set your air fryer to a lower temperature of around 300°F (150°C). Reheating at a lower temperature will help gently warm the tortillas without drying them out or making them too crispy. Typically, 3 to 4 minutes is sufficient for reheating.

Cooking time

The cooking time for tortilla chips in an air fryer depends on the desired crispiness and the make and model of the air fryer. It is recommended to cook tortilla chips in the air fryer for 5 to 7 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some sources suggest cooking for as little as 3 minutes or as long as 8 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness.

For softer chips, air fry for 3 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For chips that are crispy at the edges and somewhat pliable in the middle, air fry for 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you prefer your chips to be crispy throughout, air fry for 6 to 7 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For well-done chips, you can air fry for up to 8 minutes, but be careful not to burn them.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the make and model of the air fryer. Some air fryers may require a longer or shorter cooking time to achieve the desired level of crispiness. It is recommended to keep an eye on the chips and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Additionally, the cooking time can be affected by the preparation of the tortillas. For example, if you are using a flour tortilla to make a tortilla bowl, you will need to drape the tortilla over a small bowl and air fry for 5 minutes before removing the bowl and air frying for an additional 2 minutes. If you are using a toaster oven-style air fryer, you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two.

Overall, the cooking time for tortilla chips in an air fryer can range from 3 to 8 minutes, depending on the desired crispiness and the specific air fryer being used. It is important to keep an eye on the chips and adjust the cooking time as needed to avoid burning.

Frequently asked questions