Air-Frying Corn Tortillas: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Corn tortillas are a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in many ways, including frying, baking, and microwaving. Air fryers have become a popular alternative to traditional deep frying, and they can be used to cook corn tortillas. Cooking corn tortillas in an air fryer can yield a crispy shell that can be filled with various ingredients such as meat, beans, and cheese to make dishes like tacos and tostadas. The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the desired level of crispiness and the type of air fryer being used.

Air fryer corn tortilla tacos

Air fryers are a great way to cook corn tortilla tacos. They are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, requiring minimal cleanup, and can be made in under 15 minutes.

To make corn tortilla tacos in an air fryer, start by warming up your corn tortillas in the microwave until they are pliable. You can also use a pizza cutter to slice the tortillas into 6-8 pieces, depending on their size, to make mini crispy tacos. Next, place a spoonful of sauteed vegetables on each tortilla, along with your choice of meat, such as shredded pork, chicken, or ground beef. You can also use any leftovers you may have, such as pulled pork or pot roast. For a vegetarian option, grilled white fish or gluten-free fish sticks are great alternatives.

Fold the tortillas over and place them on an air fryer baking sheet. Spray the tortillas with olive oil spray for a crispier finish. Air fry the assembled tacos at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden brown. If you are using hard taco shells, they will only need to be warmed up in the air fryer for a few minutes. You can also add cheese to the tacos and air fry for an additional minute or two to melt it.

For a healthier option, use low-fat toppings such as salsa, pico de gallo, or light sour cream. You can also substitute corn tortillas with low-carb alternatives made with cauliflower or coconut flour.

Air fryer corn tortilla chips

Air fryers are a great way to make tortilla chips. They are healthier, quicker, and easier than deep-fried tortilla chips. You can use corn tortillas or flour tortillas, but corn tortillas are vegan, gluten-free, and generally turn out crispier.

To make air fryer tortilla chips, start by preheating your air fryer. Some air fryers do not require preheating, but it is a good idea to check your specific model. Set the temperature to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your tortillas. You can use fresh tortillas or leftover tortillas that you want to use up. Slice the tortillas into 6-8 pieces, depending on their size. A pizza cutter can make this process easier. You can also use taco-sized tortillas and cut them into chip-sized wedges.

Once the tortillas are sliced, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It is important to ensure that the tortillas do not overlap, as this can affect even cooking. If you are cooking a single tortilla, you may need to weigh it down with a trivet or another object to prevent it from being blown around by the air fryer fan.

Lightly spray the tortillas with cooking spray or avocado or olive oil spray. Then, sprinkle them with salt or another seasoning of your choice. The amount of salt you use is a matter of personal preference.

Place the tortillas in the preheated air fryer and cook for 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on the tortillas, as the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model. If you are cooking multiple tortillas, you may need to shake the basket or redistribute the tortillas with tongs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

After the first round of cooking, flip the tortillas and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until they are browned and crisp. If you are adding cheese and beans, do so during the final minute or two of cooking.

Once the tortillas are crisp and browned, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool. As they cool, they will continue to crisp up. These tortilla chips can be served with dips such as Spicy Nacho Cheese sauce, Homemade Salsa, Pineapple Salsa, or Guacamole. They can also be used as a base for nachos or loaded with toppings.

Air fryer tortilla chips can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Air fryer corn tortilla tostadas

Air fryers are a great way to cook corn tortilla tostadas. They are easy to make, crispy, and delicious. Here is a step-by-step guide to making corn tortilla tostadas in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• Corn tortillas (any size)
• Olive or avocado oil (or spray oil)
• Salt (optional)
• Refried beans
• Cheese
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. lettuce, tomatoes, onions, salsa, guacamole, etc.)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer. (This step is optional, but some people believe it yields better results.)
• Spray or brush both sides of the tortilla with oil. You can also use cooking spray, or even just water, to make the tortillas healthier.
• Sprinkle salt on the tortilla, if desired.
• Place the tortilla in the air fryer basket. To prevent the tortilla from curling up, place something heat-safe on top to weigh it down, such as a metal rack or a small oven-safe bowl.
• Air fry for 6-7 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 300 degrees Fahrenheit if you want to avoid browning), flipping halfway through.
• Add refried beans and cheese on top of the tortilla.
• Air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes at the same temperature, watching carefully to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Remove the tortilla from the air fryer and add any desired toppings.

Tips:

• All air fryers cook differently, so watch your tortilla carefully to ensure it doesn't burn.
• If using cheese, it is recommended to add a little at the beginning to create a barrier between any "wet" toppings and the crisp shell.
• You can break the tostadas into pieces and use them as tortilla chips to dip in salsa or guacamole.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the tortillas in the oven.

Air fryer corn tortilla taco shells

Ingredients and Tools:

• Corn tortillas (soft, yellow or white)
• Oil spray (optional)
• Muffin pan or trivet
• Air fryer

Steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• If you want to make taco shells, place an upside-down mini muffin pan into the air fryer basket.
• Bend the tortillas like taco shells and position them in the indents of the muffin pan to hold their shape.
• Air fry on the lowest rack of the preheated air fryer until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes.
• Remove the muffin pan from the air fryer basket.
• Flip the tortillas and place them directly into the basket. Air fry until the bottom sides are crispy and golden brown, about 1 minute.
• If you want to make tortilla chips instead, slice the tortillas into 6-8 pieces using a pizza cutter.
• Spray the tortillas lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt (optional).
• Lay the tortillas into the air fryer basket, without letting them overlap, and cook for 3 minutes at 350 degrees.
• Flip them over, spray with more oil or cooking spray if desired, and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until browned and crisp.

Tips:

• You can fill your tacos with ground beef, chicken, veggies, shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, or any other toppings you like.
• If you are using ground beef, cook it in a skillet over medium heat. Crumble the beef as it cooks, then drain the grease and stir in taco seasoning and a bit of water.
• To soften the tortillas and make them easier to shape, wrap them in a damp towel and microwave for 15-30 seconds, or lightly fry them in oil until pliable.
• If you are only reheating soft corn tortillas, they will only need about 10-15 seconds in the air fryer.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake your tortillas in the oven. Slice, spray with oil, and salt, then bake for 7 minutes at 350 degrees F. Flip, spray again, and bake for another 2-3 minutes or until crisp.

Enjoy your crispy, golden, air-fried corn tortilla taco shells!

Reheating cooked corn tortillas in an air fryer

To reheat your cooked corn tortillas in an air fryer, first set the air fryer temperature to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, place the tortillas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap or are crammed too tightly together. Weigh the tortillas down with a trivet or another object to prevent them from flying around in the air fryer. Depending on the number of tortillas you are reheating, it should take around 10 to 15 seconds to reheat them, or 4 to 5 minutes if you want them to become crispy. Flip the tortillas halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating. Once the tortillas are warmed through, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of air fryer you have and the number of tortillas you are reheating. Additionally, if you are reheating hard taco shells, they may require less time in the air fryer as they are already "boiled" and only need to be warmed.

If you are looking for alternative methods to reheat your cooked corn tortillas, you can also use a skillet, microwave, or oven. For the skillet method, place the tortilla on a dry, hot skillet for about 10 seconds on each side. For the microwave method, wrap the tortilla in a damp paper towel and microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. For the oven method, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place the tortilla on a lightly oiled baking sheet, and bake for 10 to 15 seconds.

Frequently asked questions