Air Fryer Magic: Warm Corn Tortillas

Corn tortillas are a tasty treat, but how do you warm them up? There are several ways to do this, including using a dry skillet, an oven, or a microwave. However, one of the simplest and least messy ways to heat corn tortillas is by using an air fryer. This method is quick and convenient, and it doesn't require any oil, making cleanup a breeze. All you need is an air fryer and some corn tortillas. You can also use a little oil if you want to crisp them up. The process is simple: preheat your air fryer, place the tortillas inside, and heat for a few minutes until they're warm and crispy. So, if you're looking for a hassle-free way to enjoy warm corn tortillas, an air fryer is definitely worth considering.

Corn tortillas in the air fryer: a quick and simple method

Air fryers are a great way to warm up corn tortillas—it's one of the simplest and least messy methods. You don't need to use any pots or pans, and there's no need to turn on the oven. All you need is an air fryer, some oil (optional), and corn tortillas.

Soft Corn Tortillas

To warm soft corn tortillas, preheat your air fryer to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap the tortillas in foil (no more than six at a time) and place them in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes.

If you're looking to crisp up your soft corn tortillas, you can follow a similar process to the one above. First, brush or spray both sides of the tortillas with oil. Then, cut the tortillas into wedges and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, checking on them once or twice to ensure they aren't overlapping.

Hard Taco Shells

To make hard taco shells, preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place an upside-down mini muffin pan into the air fryer basket. Bend the tortillas into a taco shell shape and position them in the indents of the muffin pan to hold their form. Air fry on the lowest rack for about 3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Remove the muffin pan from the air fryer basket, flip the tortillas, and place them directly into the basket. Air fry for an additional minute, or until the bottom sides are crispy and golden brown.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the basket—ensure adequate space for air circulation when heating hard taco shells.
• Adjust the time according to your preference—if you like extra crispy taco shells, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
• To prevent the tortillas from flying around in the air fryer, weigh them down with a trivet or another object.
• To keep the tortillas warm after heating, stack them, wrap them in foil, and place them in a hot oven for 4-6 minutes.

So, the next time you're craving some warm and tasty corn tortillas, give your air fryer a go! It's a quick, simple, and mess-free method that will have your tortillas ready in no time.

Oil-free taco shells: how to make them crispy and golden brown

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, golden brown taco shells without the added oil and mess of deep-frying. Here is a step-by-step guide to making oil-free taco shells using an air fryer.

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Corn tortillas
• Air fryer
• Muffin pan or taco shell stands (optional)
• Aluminium foil (if you don't have moulds)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your corn tortillas. You can heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them more pliable and easier to shape.
• If you have taco shell stands or a muffin pan, place them in the air fryer basket. If you don't have these, you can use aluminium foil to make small tents that you can drape the tortillas over as they cook.
• Bend the tortillas into a taco shell shape and place them in the indents of the muffin pan or directly onto the taco shell stands. If using aluminium foil, drape the tortillas over the tents.
• Air fry on the lowest rack of the preheated air fryer for about 3 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy.
• Remove the muffin pan or stands from the air fryer basket. Carefully flip the tortillas and place them directly into the basket.
• Air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the bottom sides are crispy and golden brown.
• Remove the taco shells from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before filling them with your favourite toppings and fillings.

Tips:

• Softening the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp towel and microwaving for 15-30 seconds, or lightly frying them in oil until pliable.
• Season the shells with salt, chilli powder, or other spices before cooking for added flavour.
• If you want to make them crispy without the air fryer, bake them in the oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
• Store leftover tortillas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.

Soft corn tortillas: the best way to heat them up

Soft corn tortillas are a tasty and versatile treat, perfect for tacos, quesadillas, and more. But how do you heat them up to achieve that ideal warm and pliable texture? Here are some methods to try, including the air fryer method you mentioned.

Using an Air Fryer

Air fryers are a convenient option for heating soft corn tortillas. Here's what you need to do:

• Preheat your air fryer to 250°Fahrenheit.
• Wrap up to six soft corn tortillas in aluminum foil.
• Place the wrapped tortillas in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes.
• Check if the tortillas are heated through. If not, return to the air fryer for another minute.

Other Methods

If you don't have an air fryer, or you're looking for alternative methods, here are some other ways to heat soft corn tortillas:

• Dry Skillet: This classic method involves heating a dry skillet (no oil needed) over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet and heat for 15-30 seconds on each side until warm and slightly toasted. Use tongs for easy flipping.
• Oven: Preheat your oven's broiler and adjust the top rack to be about 6-8 inches from the heat source. Place the tortillas in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the oven until toasted spots appear (about 2 minutes). Remove from the oven, flip the tortillas, and add your toppings to the soft, untoasted side.
• Microwave: While not ideal for texture and flavor, you can heat soft corn tortillas in the microwave. Place a damp paper towel over the tortillas and microwave for about 30 seconds.

Tips for Warm and Toasty Tortillas

• Avoid overcrowding your air fryer or skillet to ensure even heating and prevent tortillas from folding up.
• Keep tortillas warm by stacking them and wrapping them in aluminum foil. Open the stack to add more tortillas as you heat them.
• If your tortillas become too hard to fold, wrap them in aluminum foil to create a bit of steam and soften them.

Air fryer temperature settings for hard and soft shells

Yes, you can heat corn tortillas in an air fryer. This is a quick, simple, and mess-free method. You can heat soft or hard corn tortillas, and you can also make your own hard taco shells from corn tortillas.

To heat soft corn tortillas, preheat your air fryer to 250°F (121°C). Wrap no more than six tortillas in foil and place them in the air fryer basket. Heat for 3-4 minutes.

To heat hard corn tortillas, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C). Arrange the tortillas in a single layer in the air fryer basket and heat for 2 minutes.

If you want to make hard taco shells, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Brush your corn tortillas with oil, shape them into taco shells, and place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry for about 5 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure they don't shift or turn over. When the shells are crisp, remove them with tongs and place them on a paper towel to cool.

Tips for Heating Tortillas in the Air Fryer:

• Do not overcrowd the basket. Leave enough space for air to circulate, especially when heating hard taco shells.
• Adjust the time according to your preference. If you like extra crispy taco shells, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
• For soft tortillas, make sure to wrap them in foil before placing them in the air fryer.

How to make tortilla chips in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• Corn tortillas
• Avocado or olive oil spray
• Salt

Optional:

• Pastry brush
• Aluminium foil

Steps:

• Apply a little oil to the tortillas. You can do this by misting them lightly with avocado or olive oil spray, or brushing them with oil using a pastry brush. Make sure to oil both sides of the tortillas.
• Lightly sprinkle each tortilla with salt, adding more or less to your taste.
• Cut the tortillas into wedges. Stack the tortillas and slice them into triangles, as if you were slicing a pie.
• Place the wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you have a small air fryer, you may need to cook the wedges in batches.
• Air fry the wedges at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Check on them once or twice during cooking, shaking the basket to ensure they aren't sticking together.
• Once they're done, remove them from the air fryer and serve. They will crisp up even more as they cool.

Tips:

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can make oven-baked tortilla chips. Simply follow the same steps, but bake the tortillas in the oven instead.
• Any size of tortilla will work, but taco-sized tortillas are easy to cut into chip-sized wedges.
• White or yellow corn tortillas work well, but you can also use flour tortillas if you prefer.
• If you want to reduce the amount of oil used, brush the tortillas with lime juice before cooking instead. However, this may result in slightly soggy chips.
• You can season the chips with any flavour you like. Try using popcorn seasoning, which comes in a variety of flavours and works great on tortilla chips.
• Store any leftover chips in an airtight container or plastic bag. They will stay fresh for a few days. If they lose their crispness, simply put them back in the air fryer for a minute or two to recrisp.

Frequently asked questions