Air-Fryer Tostadas: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Yes, you can make tostadas in an air fryer! This method is ideal for smaller batches, such as a quick meal for kids or a work-from-home lunch. It's also a great way to reduce the oil content of your tostadas, making them a lighter option than frying.

To make tostadas in an air fryer, you'll need corn tortillas, oil or cooking spray, and salt. You can also add toppings like refried beans, cheese, lettuce, salsa, avocado, and more.

Here's a simple method: First, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. Brush or spray both sides of your tortillas with oil and sprinkle with salt, if desired. Place the tortillas in the air fryer basket and cook for 4-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. If you want to add beans and cheese, do so after the initial cooking, then return the tostadas to the air fryer for another 2-4 minutes until the cheese is melted. Top with your desired cold toppings and serve!

Air fryer tostadas: a healthier, less messy alternative to frying

Tostadas are a delicious and versatile Mexican dish that can be easily prepared in an air fryer, offering a healthier and less messy alternative to traditional frying methods. This article will guide you through the process of making crispy and tasty air fryer tostadas with a variety of toppings.

Ingredients and Preparation

The beauty of tostadas is their simplicity. All you need for the base is corn tortillas, which can be found in most supermarkets or specialty stores. If you want to make your life even easier, you can also purchase store-bought tostada shells and simply heat them up in the air fryer.

To prepare the tortillas for the air fryer, coat both sides generously with oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil spray. This step is important to ensure the tortillas don't become dry and brittle. You can also sprinkle the tortillas with salt if desired.

Place the tortillas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overlap them. The exact temperature and cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, but generally, you'll want to cook them at around 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Toppings and Customization

The fun part about tostadas is that you can get creative with the toppings! Traditional toppings include refried beans, shredded cheese, salsa, avocado or guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, and cilantro. However, you can also experiment with different ingredients like cooked chicken or steak, bell peppers, jalapeno slices, olives, or pico de gallo.

If you want to add beans and cheese to your tostadas, spread them on top of the crispy tortilla after the initial cooking. Then, return the tostada to the air fryer for an additional 2-4 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure the cheese melts to your liking without burning.

Tips and Tricks

When making air fryer tostadas, it's important to watch your tortillas carefully during the cooking process as all air fryers cook differently. Additionally, you may want to weigh down the tortillas with something heat-safe to prevent them from curling up.

Another benefit of air fryer tostadas is the ability to make smaller batches, making it a perfect option for a quick meal or lunch. You can also prepare the tostadas ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, ensuring they stay super crisp.

So, the next time you're craving tostadas, give your air fryer a try! It's a healthier, less messy, and convenient way to enjoy this delicious Mexican treat.

The best tortillas for making tostadas

Tostadas are a Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla that has been fried or baked until crunchy, and then topped with ingredients such as beans, meat, seafood, cheese, lettuce, salsa, avocado, and sour cream. The best tortillas to use for tostadas are corn tortillas. Flour tortillas are not commonly used in authentic Mexican cuisine.

When making tostadas, it is best to use thin tortillas as they crisp up the easiest. Corn tortillas labelled "for frying" are a good option as they are usually thinner and have less moisture. You can find these in most stores. If you are making baked tostadas, look for the thinnest corn tortillas available as they will air fry the fastest and be crunchy yet tender.

If you are frying your tostadas, you will need to use oil. Vegetable oil is a good option as it has a neutral flavour and a high smoking point. Heat up about 1/4" of oil in a skillet or saucepan to about 340-350°F. Fry each side of the tortilla until it turns light golden brown, which will take about 30 seconds per side depending on the thickness of the tortilla. You can also shallow fry the tortillas in hot oil.

If you are baking your tostadas, preheat your oven to 400-450°F. Spread out the tortillas on a baking sheet and lightly brush or drizzle both sides with oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt if desired. Bake for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown, flipping halfway through.

You can also make tostadas in an air fryer. Brush or spray both sides of the tortillas with oil and sprinkle with salt if desired. Then, air fry for 6-7 minutes at 350°F, flipping halfway through.

Oil or no oil?

If you're making tostadas in an air fryer, you might be wondering whether you need to use oil. The answer is that it's up to you! You can make delicious tostadas in an air fryer with or without oil, depending on your preferences and dietary requirements.

No Oil

If you want to skip the oil, you can simply place your corn tortillas directly into the air fryer basket. It is recommended that you use the thinnest corn tortillas you can find, as they will cook faster and be crunchier but still tender. Air fry them at 375°F for 3 minutes on each side, keeping a close eye on them so they don't burn. They should be done when they are hard and golden brown.

With Oil

If you want to add oil, you can brush or spray both sides of your corn tortillas with olive or avocado oil before placing them in the air fryer. You can also sprinkle them with salt if desired. Air fry for 6-7 minutes at 350°F, flipping halfway through. Then, add your desired toppings and air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Using oil will give your tostadas a crispier texture and a more golden colour. It can also help to prevent the tortillas from curling up during cooking. However, it is not necessary, and you can still achieve delicious results without it.

How to stop tortillas from flying around in the air fryer

Tostadas are a great, easy meal to make in an air fryer, but it can be frustrating when your tortillas fly around in the air fryer. Here are some tips to stop this from happening:

Firstly, you can use a tool like a toothpick to skewer your tortillas and keep them weighed down. This is a simple trick that ensures your tortillas stay firmly in the basket. You can also use the cooking rack or tray that comes with most air fryers as a weight to keep the tortillas in place. Simply place your tortillas in the basket, then rest the tray on top.

Another option is to use a basket crisper plate, which fits inside the air fryer and allows you to place food directly on it. The small holes in the plate will stop tortillas from flying out. You can also line the basket with aluminium foil or parchment paper, which will help to keep your tortillas in place and make clean-up easier.

If you don't want to use any tools, you can try adjusting the temperature. Try lowering the temperature slightly if you are cooking very light foods. This will subdue the force of the air from the fan, preventing the tortillas from flying around.

Finally, you can try adding a little more weight to your tortillas by brushing both sides with oil. This will also ensure that your tortillas don't turn out dry and brittle.

By following these tips, you can enjoy perfectly cooked tortillas in your air fryer without the hassle of them flying around.

Creative tostada toppings

Tostadas are a popular dish in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. The best part about tostadas is that you can get creative with the toppings. While the traditional toppings include refried beans, guacamole, cheese, and meat, you can experiment with a variety of other toppings. Here are some creative topping ideas for your tostadas:

• Vegetarian toppings: If you want to make vegetarian tostadas, you can skip the meat and add extra grilled or roasted vegetables. You can also add shredded lettuce or cabbage for some crunch.
• Vegan toppings: For vegans, leave off the cheese and try plant-based options like avocado tostadas, vegan ceviche, or vegan sour cream made from cashew cream, silken tofu, or sunflower seed kernels.
• Seafood toppings: For a seafood twist, try making shrimp tostadas or using tilapia, shrimp, or strips of cilantro lime chicken. You can also make ceviche tostadas for a delicious blend of classic tostadas with a seafood touch.
• Salad toppings: Pile on a good dressed salad like the Eat Smart Sweet Kale Salad Kit, which includes superfoods like kale, broccoli, and chicory, and a sweet-tangy poppy seed dressing.
• Mediterranean toppings: For a Mediterranean twist, try spreading hummus instead of refried beans and topping with crumbled feta cheese, freshly grated parmesan, or fresh mozzarella. You can also add sliced kalamata olives and julienne-cut carrots.
• Other toppings: Get creative and top your tostadas with sliced avocado, cucumbers, radishes, jalapeno peppers, sauteed bell peppers, or boiled potatoes. Don't forget the tomatoes and onions! You can also add a squeeze of lime or a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Frequently asked questions