Air-Fryer Hack: Tortilla Bowl, Healthy And Tasty!

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy tortilla bowls for taco salads and other Mexican-inspired dishes. They are easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. You can use either flour or corn tortillas, depending on your preference, and shape them into bowls using oven-safe bowls or aluminium foil. The tortilla bowls are then filled with your favourite taco salad ingredients, such as ground taco meat, salsa, cheese, and avocado or guacamole.

How to make a tortilla bowl in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Flour tortillas (8-inch or 10-inch)
• Avocado cooking spray (or any cooking spray)
• Grated cheddar cheese (optional)

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Oven-safe bowls (stainless steel or glass)
• Tongs

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 3-4 minutes.
• Gather your utensils and ingredients.
• Choose two bowls that can be nested together: a medium-sized metal bowl and a smaller one that fits inside it. Alternatively, create a mould using multiple layers of aluminium foil shaped around a bowl.
• Lightly spray both sides of the tortilla with avocado cooking spray (or any cooking spray).
• Place the tortilla inside the larger bowl and gently press it down, allowing for folds, to form it into a bowl shape.
• Place the smaller bowl on top of the tortilla to hold it in place.
• Put the tortilla bowl, with the smaller bowl still inside, into the air fryer.
• Air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes.
• Carefully remove the outer bowl and air fry for another 3-4 minutes to brown the outside of the tortilla bowl.
• If you want more browning, remove the inner bowl and air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• If you want to add cheese, place ¼ cup of grated cheddar cheese inside the tortilla bowl and air fry for 1 minute to melt the cheese.
• Allow the tortilla bowl to cool and harden before filling it with your favourite taco salad ingredients.

Tips:

• For smaller tortillas and bowls, you can make mini tortilla bowls, perfect for appetizers or smaller portions.
• Use fresh, pliable tortillas that will easily fold into the bowl shape without cracking.
• Ensure the tortilla doesn't overlap the edges of the bowl, so it cooks evenly.
• Keep an eye on your tortilla bowl during the final minutes of cooking to avoid burning.

Filling ideas for tortilla bowls

Once you've made your tortilla bowls in the air fryer, it's time to fill them with delicious ingredients! Here are some ideas for fillings to get you started:

Taco Salad

Fill your tortilla bowls with all your favourite taco salad ingredients. Some suggestions include romaine lettuce, mixed greens, avocado, guacamole, ground taco-seasoned meat, salsa, cilantro, and sour cream. You can also add in some extra veggies, such as tomatoes, or a protein of your choice.

DIY Tostadas

Set out various fillings and let everyone make their own tostadas. Some filling ideas include refried beans, shredded chicken or beef, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.

Burrito Fillings

Fill your tortilla bowls with all your favourite burrito fillings. You can go for traditional options, such as seasoned meat, rice, beans, and cheese, or get creative with ingredients like grilled vegetables, roasted sweet potatoes, or sautéed spinach.

Shrimp Tacos

For a seafood twist, try filling your tortilla bowls with shrimp tacos. You can pair the shrimp with avocado crema and your favourite taco toppings, such as lettuce, cheese, and salsa.

Chicken Taco Bowls

Fill your tortilla bowls with a zesty green salsa chicken filling. You can also add in some rice, beans, and your choice of toppings, such as cheese, sour cream, or guacamole.

High-Protein Breakfast

You can also use your tortilla bowls for a high-protein breakfast. Fill them with ingredients such as scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, bacon, avocado, and cheese. You can also add in some roasted potatoes or vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

Best tortillas for tortilla bowls

You can make tortilla bowls with either corn or flour tortillas. Corn tortillas are a healthier option, being higher in fibre, lower in carbs, sodium and calories, and gluten-free. However, flour tortillas are easier to shape and are also a good option for those who don't enjoy corn tortillas.

For corn tortillas, it's important to first heat them before moulding to avoid tearing. You can do this by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30-45 seconds, or by warming them in an oven.

For flour tortillas, you can use either 8- or 10-inch tortillas, depending on the size of your air fryer. If you have a small air fryer, stick to 8-inch tortillas.

When it comes to moulding your tortillas, you can use oven-safe bowls, or the underside of a muffin tin. For flour tortillas, you will need to create a ''mould'' to shape the tortilla while it cooks. For corn tortillas, you can simply drape them over the muffin tin.

To get the best results, it's important to find bowls that are the proper size for your tortillas. You don't want too much extra tortilla hanging over the edges of the bowls.

Now, let's get into the step-by-step process of making tortilla bowls with both corn and flour tortillas.

Corn Tortilla Bowls

• Preheat your oven to 375°F.
• Wrap corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-45 seconds to soften.
• Spray tortillas with cooking spray and add salt (optional).
• Drape the tortillas over the underside of a muffin tin to form a bowl shape.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the tortillas are crispy and golden brown.

Flour Tortilla Bowls

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Lightly spray or brush both sides of a flour tortilla with oil.
• Place the tortilla, oil side down, into a bowl and use your hands to press it into a bowl shape.
• Spray the tortilla with oil again and place an inner bowl on top of the tortilla to weigh it down and keep its shape.
• Air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes.
• Remove the outer bowl and air fry for another 3-4 minutes to brown the outside of the tortilla bowl.
• If you want additional browning, remove the inner bowl and air fry for another minute.
• Flip the tortilla bowl over to avoid it flying around in the air fryer.

Best air fryers for tortilla bowls

Tortilla bowls are a fun and delicious way to serve up taco salads, tostadas, and more. And the good news is that you can make them in an air fryer! Here are some of the best air fryers to help you achieve the perfect tortilla bowl:

• Cosori XL 5.8 qt Air Fryer: This air fryer is ideal for making tortilla bowls as it has a large capacity basket that can accommodate both taco-size and burrito-size tortillas. The bigger basket size also means you can cook more food at once, making it perfect for feeding a crowd. It's a popular choice and receives excellent reviews for its ability to cook crispy, delicious tortilla bowls.
• Philips 2.75 qt Viva Air Fryer: While this air fryer is on the smaller side and may not fit the larger burrito-size tortillas, it's still a great option for making taco-size tortilla bowls. It's a good choice if you're cooking for one or two people and don't need the extra capacity of the Cosori XL.
• Hamilton Beach Air Fryer Oven: This air fryer oven offers a spacious 2.5-liter capacity, making it suitable for cooking tortilla bowls. It has a digital interface and programmable features, allowing you to easily adjust cooking times and temperatures for perfect results.

When choosing an air fryer for making tortilla bowls, consider the size of the basket and whether it can accommodate the tortillas you plan to use. Also, keep in mind that some air fryers have unique features, such as digital controls or preset programs, which can enhance your cooking experience.

In addition to the air fryer itself, you'll need a few other pieces of equipment to make tortilla bowls. These include oven-safe bowls (stainless steel or glass) to create the "mold" for your tortilla bowls, avocado oil spray (or another type of spray oil) to give your tortillas a flaky crisp texture, and, of course, your choice of flour or corn tortillas.

How to store tortilla bowls

You can store tortilla bowls in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to freeze them, place them in airtight freezer bags and they will last for up to three months. However, they are more likely to break when frozen, so be careful.

It is recommended that you use your tortilla bowls on the same day that you make them. If you do have leftovers, cover them and leave them on the counter for one to two days.

Frequently asked questions