Air-Frying Corn Tortillas: A Healthy Frying Option?

Corn tortillas are a versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of dishes, from tacos to tortilla chips. But can you fry a corn tortilla in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Air fryers are a great way to cook corn tortillas, and you can make a variety of dishes with them. You can make crispy corn tortilla taco shells or even cut them into triangles and fry them to make tortilla chips. The best part is that it only takes a few minutes and you have a healthy, delicious snack ready to be devoured.

Air-frying corn tortillas to make taco shells

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying foods. They can be used to make corn tortillas crispy and golden brown, perfect for taco shells. Here is a step-by-step guide to air-frying corn tortillas to make taco shells:

Step 1: Prepare the Corn Tortillas

Start by gathering your corn tortillas. You can use any size, but smaller tortillas, such as taco-sized ones, are easier to work with. For this recipe, you will need 4 to 8 tortillas, depending on how many tacos you want to make.

Step 2: Warm the Tortillas

To prevent cracking, it is essential to warm the tortillas before filling and folding them. There are two recommended methods for doing this:

• Method 1: Wrap the tortillas in a towel and microwave them for about a minute until they are very warm and pliable.
• Method 2: Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet for 20-30 seconds on each side until they become soft and pliable.

Step 3: Fill and Fold the Tortillas

Once the tortillas are warm, it's time to fill and fold them. You can fill them with your choice of meat, beans, cheese, or vegetables. For example, you could use ground beef with taco seasoning or chicken with Instant Pot Salsa. Be sure to add some shredded cheese as well!

After filling the tortillas, fold them over to form a taco shape. You can use toothpicks to hold the tacos closed if needed.

Step 4: Brush with Oil

Before placing the tacos in the air fryer, brush the outside of each taco with olive oil. This will help them crisp up and turn golden brown.

Step 5: Air-Fry the Tacos

Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F (180-200°C). Place the tacos in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook the tacos for 3 to 8 minutes, depending on your air fryer and desired crispness.

For even cooking, you may need to flip the tacos halfway through the cooking time. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.

Step 6: Top and Serve

Once the tacos are golden brown and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer. Top them with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. Serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• If your tortillas crack while handling them, simply reheat for a few seconds to soften them again.
• You can also use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas. The cooking time may vary slightly, but they will still crisp up nicely.
• If you want to add extra flavor to your taco shells, you can sprinkle them with seasonings like salt, lime juice, chili powder, or cinnamon sugar before air-frying.

Corn tortilla chips in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• Corn tortillas
• Olive oil cooking spray (or any cooking spray)
• Coarse salt

Optional:

• Lime juice
• Cajun seasoning, chilli powder, or cayenne pepper
• Cinnamon & sugar

Method:

• Slice the tortillas into 6-8 pieces, depending on their size. A pizza cutter can be used to make this easier.
• Lightly spray the tortilla pieces with cooking spray and sprinkle with coarse salt.
• Lay the tortillas into the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap, and cook for 3 minutes at 350°F.
• Flip the tortillas, spray with cooking spray again, and add more salt if desired.
• Cook for another 2-3 minutes at 350°F or until browned and crisp.
• Remove from the basket and allow to cool. The tortillas will continue to crisp as they do so.

Tips:

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the tortilla chips in the oven. Follow the same preparation instructions, but instead lay the chips on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes at 350°F. Then flip, spray with cooking spray, and bake for another 2-3 minutes or until crisp and browned.
• For added flavour, squeeze some lime juice over the chips before serving.
• To spice up your chips, sprinkle on some cajun seasoning, chilli powder, or cayenne pepper.
• For a sweeter option, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Brushing corn tortillas with oil before air frying

There are a few ways to apply oil to your corn tortillas. The first method is to brush the oil onto the tortillas using a pastry brush or baster brush. This method is suitable if you don't want to use spray oils and don't mind using a bit more oil. You can also mist the tortillas with avocado or olive oil spray. This method will give the tortillas a lighter layer of oil.

Once you've applied the oil, you can then sprinkle the tortillas with salt to taste. Then, cut the tortillas into wedges or triangles—about six to eight pieces per tortilla. You can use a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors to cut them.

After cutting, arrange the tortilla pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches. Air fry at 350°F for 3-7 minutes, checking and shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

Your corn tortillas will come out crispy and golden brown, perfect for dipping or as a base for nachos. They're a healthier, budget-friendly, and quick alternative to store-bought chips, and you can easily customise them with different seasonings and flavours.

Air-frying corn tortillas without oil

Air-fried corn tortillas are a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-make snack. They can be made in minutes and are perfect for dipping in salsa, cheese sauce, or guacamole. Here is a step-by-step guide to making air-fried corn tortillas without oil:

Ingredients:

• Corn tortillas
• Cooking spray (optional)
• Coarse salt

Instructions:

• Slice the corn tortillas: Cut the tortillas into 6-8 pieces, depending on their size. You can use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to make this process easier.
• Prepare the tortillas: If you are using cooking spray, lightly spray the tortillas and sprinkle them with coarse salt. You can also season the tortillas with other spices, such as cajun seasoning, chili powder, or cinnamon and sugar, according to your taste preferences.
• Arrange the tortillas in the air fryer: Place the tortillas into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
• Air fry the tortillas: Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the tortillas for 3 minutes, then flip them over. If using cooking spray, give them another light spray and add more salt or seasonings if desired. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes or until they are browned and crisp. The total cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer brand and model.
• Serve and enjoy: Remove the tortillas from the air fryer and let them cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool down. Once cooled, your air-fried corn tortillas are ready to be served and enjoyed!

Tips:

• Some air fryer models may require pre-heating, while others do not. Refer to your air fryer's instructions to determine if pre-heating is necessary.
• Keep an eye on your tortillas during the cooking process, as the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer.
• For a gluten-free and vegan option, use corn tortillas. Flour tortillas are also an option but may contain lard or other types of fat and can be high in sodium.
• Experiment with different seasonings to find your favorite flavor combinations.

Air-frying corn tortillas at different temperatures

Air-frying corn tortillas is a great way to make crispy, delicious tortilla chips or taco shells without the mess and health concerns of deep-frying. Here's a guide to help you achieve the best results at different temperatures:

Air-frying at 350°F (176.6°C)

This temperature is recommended by several sources for making corn tortilla chips. Here's what you need to do:

• Slice your corn tortillas into 6-8 equal pieces, depending on their size.
• Lightly spray both sides of the tortilla pieces with cooking spray (olive oil or any other type) and sprinkle with coarse salt.
• Place the tortilla pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap.
• Air fry for 3 minutes, then flip the tortilla pieces over, give them another light spray, and add more salt if desired.
• Air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the tortilla chips are browned and crisp.
• Remove from the basket and let them cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool.

Air-frying at 400°F (204.4°C)

This higher temperature is recommended by one source for making corn tortilla chips. Here's the method:

• Cut fresh corn tortillas into fourths.
• Spray the tortilla pieces with oil and air fry at 400°F for 3 minutes.
• Flip the tortilla pieces over, respray, and air fry for another 3 minutes at the same temperature.

Air-frying at 400°F (204.4°C) for Taco Shells

If you want to make taco shells instead of chips, this method uses a slightly different technique:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Place an upside-down mini muffin pan into the air fryer basket.
• Bend your corn tortillas into taco shell shapes and position them in the indents of the muffin pan to hold their shape.
• Air fry on the lowest rack until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy (about 3 minutes).
• Remove the muffin pan from the basket, flip the tortillas, and place them directly into the basket.
• Air fry for about 1 minute, or until the bottom sides are crispy and golden brown.

Frequently asked questions