Air Fryer Tortilla Chips: Quick, Easy, And Healthy?

Air fryer tortilla chips are a quick, easy, and healthy snack that can be made in minutes. They are a great alternative to store-bought chips as they are healthier, cheaper, and can be customised with different seasonings. You can use corn or flour tortillas and a little oil to make these crispy chips, perfect for dipping in salsa, cheese sauce, or guacamole.

Choosing the right tortillas

When it comes to choosing tortillas for your air fryer tortilla chips, you have a couple of options: corn tortillas or flour tortillas. Here's a breakdown of each type to help you decide which one is best for you:

Corn Tortillas

Corn tortillas are the traditional choice for making tortilla chips. They give your chips a more authentic, restaurant-style flavour and are also gluten-free and vegan-friendly. When selecting corn tortillas, look for the taco size, which is easy to cut into chip-sized wedges. You can use white or yellow corn tortillas, depending on your preference.

Flour Tortillas

Flour tortillas are another option for your air fryer tortilla chips. They will give your chips a flavour that is closer to pita chips. If you're not a fan of corn tortillas or want to switch things up, flour tortillas are a great alternative.

Stale or Fresh Tortillas

You can use either stale or fresh tortillas to make your chips. If you have some old, stale tortillas lying around, don't throw them away! Cut them into chips, add some oil and seasoning, and throw them in the air fryer for a delicious, crispy snack. Fresh tortillas will also work just fine and will give you that fresh, warm tortilla chip taste.

Low-Carb and Dietary Options

If you're following a specific diet or watching your carb intake, there are tortillas that cater to your needs. You can find low-carb, keto-friendly tortillas or tortillas suitable for those on Weight Watchers or gluten-free diets. These specialty tortillas can be used in the same way as regular tortillas in your air fryer, giving you a tasty, healthy snack.

Homemade Tortillas

If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your homemade tortillas from scratch! Homemade corn tortillas or whole wheat tortillas can be used in your air fryer, following the same steps as store-bought tortillas. This gives you even more control over the ingredients and flavour of your tortilla chips.

Tips for Choosing Tortillas

• The type of tortilla you use doesn't matter too much in terms of the cooking process. The main differences lie in the flavour and texture of the final product.
• The size of the tortillas is more important than the type. For restaurant-style tortilla chips, use 8-inch tortillas.
• If you want to make a large batch of chips, look for larger packages of tortillas, usually containing 12 or more tortillas.
• For a healthier option, choose tortillas with less fat and sodium. This will reduce the overall calorie count of your chips.

Oil and seasoning

The amount of oil you'll need is minimal—a light coating or a few sprays should be enough. Olive oil, avocado oil, and vegetable oil are all good options. Olive oil and avocado oil are high-smoke-point oils, which means they can withstand higher temperatures without burning. You can also use a spray oil, but you may end up using more oil this way.

When it comes to seasoning, salt is the most common option. You can use sea salt, kosher salt, or regular table salt. However, table salt tends to absorb into the tortilla rather than staying on the surface, so it's best to use a coarse-style salt.

If you want to get creative with your seasonings, here are some ideas:

• Spicy lime: Sprinkle the tortilla with taco seasoning and drizzle with lime juice after cooking.
• Zesty ranch: Sprinkle with ranch seasoning.
• Sweet dessert: Brush the tortillas with oil, maple syrup, and a pinch of cinnamon.
• Cool ranch: Use about 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning.
• Spicy: Add chili powder, cumin, and paprika.
• Greek: Oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Salt and vinegar: Combine olive oil with white vinegar and salt.
• Chili lime: Combine olive oil with lime juice, chili powder, and salt.
• Maple cinnamon: Combine olive oil with maple syrup, cinnamon, and coconut sugar.

Cutting the tortillas

Firstly, decide on the type of tortillas you want to use. Corn tortillas are the most popular choice for making chips as they turn out crispier, but you can also use flour tortillas. If you want to make gluten-free chips, go for corn tortillas. The size of the tortillas is also important; for restaurant-style tortilla chips, use 8-inch tortillas. You can also use smaller tortillas, around 5 or 6 inches in diameter, if you prefer bite-sized chips.

Before cutting the tortillas, it is recommended to apply a light coating of oil to both sides. This will help the seasoning stick to the chips and give them a crispier texture. You can use a pastry brush or a spray oil for this step. If you are using spray oil, it is best to spray the tortillas before cutting, as it is easier to apply oil to a whole circle than to multiple pieces.

Once the tortillas are coated in oil, it's time to start cutting. You can use a sharp kitchen knife, a pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors. Cut each tortilla into triangles, similar to how you would cut a pie. You should aim for about 6-8 triangles per tortilla, depending on the size. If your knife is very sharp, you can stack a few tortillas and cut them all at once. Otherwise, cut 3 at a time to ensure a clean cut.

After cutting, you can sprinkle the tortillas with salt or your chosen seasoning. It is recommended to do this before air frying, as it ensures the seasoning sticks to the chips. However, you can also season the chips after cooking if you prefer.

Now you are ready to arrange the tortilla triangles in the air fryer basket and start cooking! Remember to cook the chips in a single layer, as overlapping can cause uneven cooking. If your air fryer is not big enough to fit all the triangles in one batch, you can cook them in batches.

Air fryer settings

Temperature Settings:

Set your air fryer to the right temperature for optimal cooking. The recommended temperature for tortilla chips is around 350°F to 400°F. This temperature range will ensure that your chips cook through evenly and become crispy without burning.

Timing:

Cooking time will vary depending on the type of tortillas you use and your air fryer model. As a general guideline, cook your tortilla chips for 4 to 7 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking or burning. Check on them once or twice during the cooking process, and give the air fryer basket a shake to prevent the chips from sticking together.

Preheating:

Some air fryers have a preheat setting, which is convenient for getting your appliance ready for cooking. If your air fryer doesn't have this feature, don't worry! Simply turn it on and let it heat up for about 5 minutes before adding your tortilla chips.

Layering and Overlapping:

For even cooking and crispiness, arrange the tortilla wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If they overlap, they may not cook evenly. If your air fryer basket is small, you might need to cook the chips in multiple batches.

Preventing Chips from Blowing Around:

Some air fryers have strong fans that can cause the tortilla chips to blow around during cooking. To prevent this, place a metal trivet or rack over the chips. This will keep them in place while still allowing hot air to circulate.

Oil and Seasoning:

Before air frying, lightly brush or spray both sides of the tortillas with oil. This step is essential for achieving crispiness. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other high smoke point oil. Avoid using too much oil, as a light layer is sufficient. After oiling, sprinkle salt or your desired seasoning onto the tortillas. You can experiment with different seasonings to create various flavours, such as spicy lime, zesty ranch, or sweet cinnamon and sugar.

Storage:

Once your tortilla chips are cooked and cooled, store them in an airtight container or resealable bag. They can be kept at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 to 10 days. If you prefer your chips warm, you can reheat them in the air fryer for a minute or two before serving.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer tortilla chips are a great snack and can be served with a variety of dips and toppings. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Dips

• Salsa, including restaurant-style salsa, pico de gallo, spicy chipotle salsa, or salsa verde
• Guacamole
• Cheese sauce
• Spinach cottage cheese dip
• Greek yogurt buffalo chicken dip
• Mango corn salsa
• Rotel sausage dip
• Crack corn dip
• Boat dip
• Queso, such as dairy-free queso or chipotle dip
• Hummus, such as butter bean hummus

Toppings

• Choriqueso
• Mango guacamole
• Chipotle barbacoa
• Mexican chicken
• Chicken salad
• Nachos with toppings of your choice, such as cheese, beans, jalapeños, or ground beef
• Chicken fajitas
• Burritos
• Chicken fajitas with salsa
• Baked salsa chicken and rice
• Taco soup
• Chili
• Soup

Drinks

• Strawberry margarita punch
• Cranberry margarita
• G&T
• Negroni

Other

• Mexican vegetable soup
• Chicken fajitas
• Burritos
• Keto ground beef taco
• Quesabirria
• Chilaquiles
• Butter and cinnamon sugar
• Honey
• Lime juice
• Cinnamon-sugar mixture
• Cream cheese dip
• Instant Pot refried beans
• Black bean dip
• Creamy refried bean dip with cream cheese

Frequently asked questions