Air-Frying Corn Tortillas: A Healthy Frying Option?

Corn tortillas can be fried in an air fryer. In fact, it is a common way to make tortilla chips. The process is simple: cut the tortillas into triangles, season them, and cook them in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes. The result is a crispy, delicious snack that can be enjoyed on its own or with dips like salsa, cheese sauce, or guacamole.

Air fryer corn tortilla chips

Ingredients:

• Corn tortillas
• Oil (vegetable, avocado, or olive oil)
• Salt

Optional Ingredients:

• Lime juice
• Cajun seasoning
• Chili powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Cinnamon & sugar
• Ranch seasoning
• Tomato bouillon

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter
• Pastry brush or baster brush (optional)
• Air fryer rack (optional)
• Mini muffin pan (if making taco shells)

Method:

First, apply a little bit of oil to your tortillas. You can do this by misting them lightly with avocado or olive oil spray, or by brushing it on with a pastry brush or baster brush. Don't worry about covering every inch of the tortilla—a light coating will do! Next, sprinkle each tortilla with salt—you can do just one side or both, depending on your preference.

Now it's time to cut your tortillas into chips. Stack your tortillas and cut them into triangles, much like you would cut a pizza. Aim for 6-8 pieces per tortilla, depending on the size.

Place your tortilla chips in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to work in batches if you have a lot of chips. Cook at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, checking on them once or twice to make sure they aren't overlapping. Give the basket a shake if they're sticking together.

Your chips are now ready to eat! They will crisp up even more as they cool.

Tips:

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake your chips in the oven. Follow the same preparation steps, then bake for 7 minutes at 350°F. Remove the pan, flip the chips, spray with cooking spray, and add more salt if desired. Bake for another 2-5 minutes or until crisp and browned.
• If you want to make taco shells, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place an upside-down mini muffin pan in the air fryer basket and bend your tortillas into a taco shell shape. Place them in the indents of the muffin pan to hold the shape. Air fry on the lowest rack until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes. Remove the muffin pan, flip the tortillas, and place them directly into the basket. Air fry for another minute or so, until the bottom sides are crispy and golden brown.
• If you want to add extra flavor to your chips, try brushing the tortillas with lime juice before cooking, or sprinkling on some cajun seasoning, chili powder, or cayenne pepper. For a sweeter chip, try cinnamon and sugar.
• To make Cool Ranch Doritos, combine 2 tablespoons of ranch dip with 1 teaspoon of paprika and sprinkle over your oiled chips before air frying.

Corn tortillas vs flour tortillas

Yes, you can fry corn tortillas in an air fryer. In fact, you can make tortilla chips in an air fryer using both corn and flour tortillas. To make them, slice the tortillas into 6-8 pieces, spray them with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt, and then cook in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350 degrees. Flip them over, spray and sprinkle again, and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until browned and crisp.

Now, here's a comparison between corn and flour tortillas:

Ingredients

Corn tortillas usually have a much smaller ingredient list, so if that's important to you, these might be your best bet. Corn tortillas are traditionally made from ground field corn or maize, which is then made into masa harina (maize dough) by treating it with limewater (a solution of calcium hydroxide in water). This process gives corn tortillas their distinct, savoury flavour.

Flour tortillas, on the other hand, typically contain a lot of ingredients, although not necessarily unhealthy ones. It's still a good idea to check the ingredients list and make sure there aren't any unwanted additions like high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils.

Allergens

Corn allergies are pretty rare, so corn tortillas are usually a safe choice for people with allergies. They are also gluten-free, so they are a good option for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Flour tortillas, on the other hand, contain gluten since they are made with flour.

Texture and Use Cases

Corn tortillas tend to be flakier, while flour tortillas are usually chewier. Corn tortillas are perfect for tostadas, smaller tacos, and enchiladas. They are also the best choice for gluten-free recipes and tortilla soups. However, they may not work well with wet fillings as they have a tendency to fall apart.

Flour tortillas, on the other hand, provide a sturdy base and are great for wraps and burritos. They typically come in a variety of sizes, from street tacos to burritos, so they are versatile and can accommodate larger or smaller portions.

Nutrition

When it comes to nutrition, both corn and flour tortillas have their pros and cons. Corn tortillas are higher in fibre and magnesium, and lower in calories. They are also a good source of whole grains. On the other hand, flour tortillas are a good source of carbohydrates and protein, providing about 9 grams of protein per serving compared to 6 grams in corn tortillas.

Whole wheat flour tortillas are a healthier option, as they are a whole-grain product with higher fibre and protein content.

Taste and Cultural Significance

Ultimately, the choice between corn and flour tortillas may come down to taste preferences and cultural significance. Corn tortillas have a stronger flavour and are considered more authentic for traditional Mexican dishes. They are a staple in Mexican cuisine and hold a special place in various cultures.

How to cut corn tortillas

Corn tortillas are a great snack and can be made in an air fryer. Here is a guide on how to cut corn tortillas:

• Gather your tortillas: You will need corn tortillas for this recipe. You can either make your own tortillas from scratch or store-bought ones will also work. If you want to make your own, you will need masa harina (corn flour), hot water, and fine sea salt.
• Prepare the tortillas: If you are using store-bought tortillas, skip to the next step. To make your own tortillas, mix the masa harina and salt in a large bowl. Gradually add the hot water and knead the dough until it forms a cohesive ball. The dough should be soft but not sticky. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let the dough rest for about 10 minutes.
• Roll the dough: Use a spoon or a medium ice cream scoop to portion the dough into 2-tablespoon balls. Use your hands to roll the balls until they are nice and round.
• Flatten the tortillas: Place a ball of dough between two pieces of plastic or waxed paper. If you have a tortilla press, use that to flatten the dough into a flat tortilla. If you don't have a tortilla press, you can use a heavy flat-bottomed pan or a rolling pin to flatten the dough.
• Cut the tortillas: Here are a few options for cutting the tortillas:

• Pizza cutter: Use a pizza cutter to quickly and easily slice through the tortillas. This method will give you straight, even cuts.
• Knife: Use a sharp knife to cut the tortillas. You can freehand the cuts or use a ruler to guide you for straight cuts.
• Scissors: If you find it easier to handle, you can use scissors to cut the tortillas.

Air-fry the tortillas: Lightly spray the tortillas with cooking spray and sprinkle with coarse salt. Place the tortillas in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes. Flip the tortillas, spray with cooking spray, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they are browned and crisp.

Your corn tortillas are now ready to be enjoyed as a snack or used in your favourite recipes!

How long to cook corn tortillas in an air fryer

Yes, you can fry corn tortillas in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide on how long to cook them for:

Preparation

First, you will need to slice your tortillas into 6-8 triangular pieces, depending on their size. You can use a pizza cutter to make this process easier. Next, spray the tortillas lightly with cooking spray (or brush with oil) and sprinkle with salt. You can also add other seasonings like Cajun seasoning, chilli powder, or cinnamon & sugar.

Cooking

Place the tortillas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Set the air fryer to 350°F (176.6°C) and cook for 3 minutes. Then, flip the tortillas, spray them again with cooking spray, and add more salt if desired. Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until they are browned and crisp.

Post-Cooking

Remove the tortillas from the air fryer and let them cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool.

Tips

Air fryer models may vary, so keep an eye on your tortillas as they cook. Some air fryers may require pre-heating. If you do not have an air fryer, you can also bake the tortillas in the oven. Follow the same preparation steps, then bake for 7 minutes at 350°F (176.6°C), flip them, spray with cooking spray, and bake for another 2-3 minutes or until crisp and browned.

Air fryer corn tortillas without oil

Yes, you can fry corn tortillas in an air fryer. In fact, it is a healthier alternative to deep-frying them in oil. You can make corn tortilla chips in just a few minutes with an air fryer.

While most recipes for air fryer corn tortillas include a small amount of oil, it is possible to make them without. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Corn Tortillas

Start by gathering your corn tortillas. You can use either fresh or stale tortillas for this recipe. If your tortillas are frozen, let them thaw at room temperature for a few minutes before proceeding.

Step 2: Cut the Tortillas

Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the corn tortillas into triangle, chip-sized pieces. You can make them about the same size as store-bought tortilla chips, or larger if you prefer. Stack a few tortillas and cut them together to speed up the process.

Step 3: Season the Tortillas (Optional)

At this point, you can choose to season your tortillas. Lightly spray them with cooking spray or avocado/olive oil spray, and then sprinkle with coarse salt or your preferred seasoning. You can also try other seasonings like Cajun seasoning, chili powder, or cinnamon sugar.

Step 4: Arrange in the Air Fryer

Place the tortilla pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they don't overlap too much, as this can affect even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tortillas in batches.

Step 5: Air Fry

Set your air fryer to 350°F and cook the tortillas for 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn. If your air fryer doesn't have a pre-heat setting, turn it on for about 5 minutes before adding the tortillas.

Step 6: Flip and Cook Again

Once the tortillas have cooked for a few minutes, open the air fryer and flip the tortillas. Give them another light spray or sprinkle of seasoning, if desired. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until they are browned and crisp.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove the tortillas from the air fryer and let them cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool. Once cooled, your air fryer corn tortillas are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with your favourite dips like salsa, cheese sauce, or guacamole.

Tips:

• If your tortillas are flying around in the air fryer, place a metal trivet or a sheet of foil over them to weigh them down.
• Avoid using too much oil or spray, as it can make the tortillas soggy. A light misting or brushing of oil is usually enough.
• Store any leftover tortillas in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Frequently asked questions