Air-Fryer Tortilla Chips: Quick, Easy, And Healthy!

Air fryers are a great way to make tortilla chips. They are healthier than deep-fried tortilla chips, and you can make them in just a few minutes with very little oil. You can use corn or flour tortillas, and there are many different seasonings you can add to customize the flavour.

Choosing the right tortillas

When it comes to making tortilla chips in an air fryer, you can use either corn or flour tortillas. Corn tortillas are gluten-free and vegan, as they are just ground corn, while flour tortillas are made with lard or another type of fat and can be high in sodium. Corn tortillas also tend to turn out crispier, so they are a good choice if you want extra crunchy chips.

If you are using store-bought tortillas, you can use either soft tortillas or stale/dried-out tortillas. Using stale tortillas can help to ensure your chips turn out crispy. If your tortillas are soft, you can dry them out by leaving them out overnight or drying them in the oven or microwave.

Tortilla size is also a consideration. You can use any size, but smaller tortillas are easier to cut into chip-sized wedges. Taco-size tortillas are ideal, but you can also use larger burrito-sized tortillas.

Finally, when choosing tortillas, you may want to consider the brand. While you can use any brand, some brands may be better than others in terms of taste and texture. For example, Xochitl Corn Tortilla Chips are a popular choice, known for their fresh, crisp, and lightly oiled texture.

Cutting the tortillas

Using a pizza cutter

You can use a pizza cutter to slice your tortillas into triangles, much like you would cut a pizza. Stack the tortillas on top of each other and cut through them all at once. This will give you about six to eight triangles per tortilla, depending on their size.

Using a sharp knife

If you don't have a pizza cutter, you can use a sharp knife to cut the tortillas into triangles. Start by slicing the tortilla in half, then cut each half into quarters. You can also cut the tortilla into sixths or eighths, depending on your desired chip size.

Using kitchen shears

Another option is to use kitchen shears to cut the tortillas. First, fold the tortilla in half, then fold it in half again so that it is in quarters. Cut along the folded seams, keeping the tortillas stacked. Finally, cut the stack of quartered tortillas in half. This will give you eight evenly sized chips per tortilla.

Tips for cutting tortillas

• You can also brush the tortillas with oil before cutting them, as it is easier to apply oil to a whole circle than to many small pieces.
• If you are making a large batch of chips, cut and cook the tortillas in batches to ensure even cooking.

Seasoning the tortillas

The seasoning is what makes your tortilla chips truly delicious. While you can keep it simple with just salt, there are many other seasonings you can use to spice up your chips.

Seasoning Tips:

• Brush or spray the tortillas with oil first, before applying the seasoning. This will ensure that the seasoning sticks to the tortillas.
• You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other neutral-tasting oil of your choice.
• If you are using salt as your seasoning, you can sprinkle it on both sides of the tortilla or just one side, depending on your preference.
• If you want to reduce your salt intake, you can leave out the salt and instead find a salty salsa or dip to go with your chips.
• If you are using other seasonings, you can sprinkle them on one side or both sides of the tortilla, depending on your preference.

Seasoning Ideas:

• Cilantro Lime: Toss the baked chips with fresh lime zest and chopped or dried cilantro.
• Smoky Southwestern: Sprinkle both sides of the chips with a mix of smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder.
• Ranch: Toss the unbaked chips in ranch seasoning before baking.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Toss the baked chips in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar while they are still warm.
• Cool Ranch: About 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning.
• Spicy: Add 1 teaspoon of chili powder, ⅛ teaspoon cumin, and ¼ teaspoon paprika.
• Greek: ½ teaspoon oregano, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and ⅛ teaspoon onion powder.
• Salt and Vinegar: 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ½ tablespoon of white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt.
• Chili Lime: 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ½ tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, and ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt.
• Maple Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ½ tablespoon of maple syrup, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of coconut sugar.

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and create your own unique flavor combinations!

Cooking the tortillas

The cooking process for the tortillas is straightforward and can be done in an air fryer or an oven. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the tortillas

First, gather your tortillas. You can use corn or flour tortillas, depending on your preference. Cut the tortillas into chip-sized pieces. You can use a pizza cutter or kitchen scissors to cut them into triangles or wedges. For example, you can cut each tortilla into 6-8 pieces, depending on their size.

Step 2: Apply oil and seasoning

Lightly spray or brush both sides of the tortilla pieces with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or a cooking spray. Then, sprinkle your desired amount of salt on both sides of the tortillas. You can also add other seasonings, such as chili powder, cumin, or smoked paprika, to give them extra flavour.

Step 3: Cook the tortillas

If using an air fryer, place the tortillas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook the tortillas for 5-8 minutes, checking on them occasionally and shaking the basket to prevent sticking.

If using an oven, preheat it to 425°F and line a baking sheet with aluminium foil sprayed with non-stick spray. Place the tortillas on the baking sheet, ensuring they don't overlap, and bake for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 4: Cool and serve

Once the tortillas are cooked, let them cool on a wire rack. They will continue to crisp as they cool. You can then serve them with your favourite dips, such as salsa, guacamole, or cheese sauce.

Tips and variations:

• You can experiment with different seasonings to create various flavours, such as cinnamon sugar, ranch, or lime zest.
• If using an air fryer, you may need to flip the tortillas halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• The tortillas will stay fresh for up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container or bag at room temperature.

Storing the tortillas

Storing the tortilla chips

Air fryer tortilla chips will stay fresh for a few days to two weeks, depending on the source. It is important to wait until the chips have completely cooled before storing them in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature. Do not freeze or refrigerate. They start to become stale after about a day, but they can be safely stored for up to 10 days to two weeks. If they lose some crispness, crisp them back up in the air fryer for a minute or two.

Frequently asked questions