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

Making tortilla chips in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a healthy snack. It's also a great way to use up leftover tortillas. You'll only need a few basic ingredients: tortillas, oil, and salt. You can use corn or flour tortillas, and olive oil or another neutral-tasting oil such as avocado or vegetable oil. Brush or spray the tortillas with oil, sprinkle with salt, cut into triangles, and air fry for 5-7 minutes. You can also get creative with seasonings like chili powder, paprika, or cinnamon sugar.

Choosing the right tortillas

The first step to making tortilla chips in an air fryer is to choose the right tortillas. You can use either corn tortillas or flour tortillas, but corn tortillas will give you a crispier result. Look for yellow or white corn tortillas, which are the most common, or try spinach flour tortillas for a fun twist of colour. You can also use gluten-free or whole wheat tortillas if you prefer.

The size of the tortillas is also important. Smaller tortillas, around 5 or 6 inches in diameter, are ideal for making chips. This is because you will need to cut the tortillas into triangles, and smaller tortillas are easier to handle and will give you more evenly-sized chips. However, you can use any size tortilla and simply cut them into chip-sized wedges.

If you are using store-bought tortillas, check the ingredients list. Corn tortillas are typically gluten-free and vegan, as they are just made from ground corn. Flour tortillas, on the other hand, usually contain lard or another type of fat and can be high in sodium. If you are making your own tortillas from scratch, you can control exactly what goes into them and how big they are.

Once you have chosen your tortillas, you are ready to start making your chips. Cut the tortillas into triangles, brush or spray with oil, and add your choice of seasonings. Then, simply air fry in batches for a few minutes until golden and crispy!

Using oil or cooking spray

The first step to making tortilla chips in the air fryer is to apply a little oil to the tortillas. It's much easier to do this before you cut them into wedges. You can mist them lightly with avocado or olive oil spray, or brush the oil on with a pastry brush or baster brush. Don't worry about covering every bit of the tortilla; a light coating will do.

If you're using cooking spray, you can spray the tortillas after cutting them into wedges.

If you're using oil, sprinkle each tortilla with salt, on one or both sides. If you're using cooking spray, you can add salt after spraying the wedges.

Next, cut the tortillas into wedges. You can slice them like a pie, so you get six to eight triangles per tortilla. Stack the tortillas on top of each other and cut them all at once, or cut three or four at a time if your knife isn't very sharp. A pizza cutter or kitchen scissors will also work.

Arrange the wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer. They probably won't all fit in one batch, but that's okay because they cook quickly.

Air fry at 350°F for five to seven minutes, checking them occasionally and giving the basket a shake to prevent sticking. You can also flip them over halfway through the cooking time and give them another light spray of oil or cooking spray.

Once they're golden brown and crispy, remove them from the basket and let them cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool.

Tips

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the chips in the oven. Follow the same preparation steps, then arrange the wedges on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake at 350°F for seven minutes, flip them over, give them another light spray of oil or cooking spray, and then bake for another two to five minutes, or until they're crisp and golden brown.
• To add extra flavour to your chips, try sprinkling on some Cajun seasoning, chili powder, or cayenne pepper. For a sweet variation, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Seasoning options

The great thing about making your own tortilla chips is that you can season them exactly as you like. You can keep it simple with just salt, or add a little ground chipotle chilli pepper for a kick. Here are some other seasoning options to try:

Spicy Chipotle

Add ground chipotle chilli pepper and a little more salt to your olive oil for a spicy kick.

Zesty 'Cheese'

For a cheese flavour without the cheese, try nutritional yeast and smoked paprika with olive oil and a little salt.

Salt and Vinegar

Add white vinegar and salt to your olive oil for a classic salt and vinegar flavour.

Chili Lime

Add lime juice, chilli powder, and a little salt to your olive oil for a tangy, spicy kick.

Maple Cinnamon

For a sweet option, add maple syrup, cinnamon, and coconut sugar to your olive oil. This variation cooks a little quicker than the others, so keep an eye on it.

Greek

Oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder will give your chips a Greek flavour.

Cool Ranch

Try ranch seasoning or Italian herbs for a cool ranch flavour.

Cajun

Cajun seasoning will add a kick to your chips.

Cinnamon Sugar

Sprinkle on some cinnamon and sugar for a sweet option.

Other Options

You can also try any of the pre-made spice blends from Trader Joe's, or experiment with your own combinations. The popcorn seasonings sold in little bottles also work great and come in many flavours.

Avoiding sogginess

To ensure your tortilla chips are crunchy and not soggy, it is important to ensure that there is no moisture on the tortillas. One way to do this is to pat the tortillas dry with paper towels before adding oil and air-frying.

The amount of oil used can also impact the crispiness of your tortilla chips. While you can brush the tortillas with oil, it is easier to control the amount of oil used if you spray them with avocado oil or olive oil spray. This method also results in a lighter layer of oil on the tortillas.

When air-frying, it is important to ensure that the chips are in a single layer with pockets in between to allow air to circulate properly. Overlapping chips may prevent them from getting extra crispy. If your air fryer tends to circulate air in a way that makes the chips fly around the basket, you can place an air fryer rack or trivet on top.

Finally, if you find that your tortilla chips are not as crispy as you would like, you can always put them back into the air fryer for another minute or two.

Storing your tortilla chips

Use an Airtight Container: Store your tortilla chips in an airtight container or a zip-top bag. This helps maintain freshness and keeps the chips from going stale. Make sure to remove as much air from the bag as possible before sealing.

Room Temperature Storage: It is recommended to store your tortilla chips at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze them as this can affect their texture and taste.

Optimal Storage Time: Homemade tortilla chips have a relatively short shelf life compared to store-bought chips. They will typically stay fresh for up to one to two weeks when stored properly.

Revitalize Stale Chips: If your chips start to taste stale, you can crisp them up again by placing them in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple of minutes. This trick can help extend the lifespan of your chips.

Storage for Bulk Chips: If you have a large quantity of tortilla chips, consider dividing them into smaller portions in multiple airtight bags. This will help maintain freshness and reduce the chances of the chips going stale before you finish the entire batch.

By following these simple storage tips, you can enjoy your homemade tortilla chips for longer and minimize waste. Remember, fresh ingredients and proper storage are key to ensuring the best taste and texture for your air-fried tortilla chips.

Frequently asked questions