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

Making tortilla chips in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a tasty snack. The process is simple: cut tortillas into triangles, brush or spray with oil, season, and cook in the air fryer for a few minutes. You can use corn or flour tortillas, and there are lots of seasoning options to experiment with, from classic salt to cinnamon sugar. Air fryer tortilla chips are healthier than deep-fried options, and they're also cheaper than store-bought tortilla chips.

Choosing the right tortillas

The size of the tortillas is also a factor to consider. Smaller tortillas, such as taco-sized ones, are easier to cut into chip-sized wedges. However, larger burrito-sized tortillas are also a popular choice, especially if you want to make bigger chips.

White corn tortillas, yellow corn tortillas, and flour tortillas are all suitable for making tortilla chips. If you want to add a bit of colour and variety, you can even use spinach flour tortillas.

When it comes to the number of tortillas, a typical serving size is about 6 small tortillas, but you can adjust this depending on how many chips you want to make.

In terms of brands, some people recommend juanitas for corn tortillas as they are a bit oily and crisp up nicely. For flour tortillas, you can try using a combination of flour and corn, or go for a gluten-free option if needed.

Preparing the tortillas

Next, you will need to slice the tortillas into triangles. You can do this by folding the tortillas in half and then in half again, so they are quartered, and then cutting along the folded seams. Alternatively, you can simply slice the tortillas into wedges, like a pizza. You can use a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors to do this.

Once you have your tortilla triangles, you will need to add oil and seasoning. You can brush or spray the tortillas with oil and then sprinkle with salt, or you can mix the oil and seasoning and brush the tortillas with this mixture. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or extra virgin olive oil. For seasoning, salt is the most popular option, but you can also use ground chipotle chilli pepper, smoked paprika, or cinnamon sugar for extra flavour.

Seasoning the tortillas

The first step is to prepare a seasoning mixture. In a small bowl, combine olive oil (or another neutral-tasting oil) with your desired seasonings. You can use a pastry brush or a basting brush to apply the oil mixture to both sides of the tortillas, or you can use an oil spray to spritz them lightly.

For a classic tortilla chip flavour, all you need is a sprinkle of fine sea salt. If you want to add some spice, include some ground chipotle chilli pepper. You can also experiment with other seasonings like smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, coconut sugar, or even cinnamon and sugar for a sweet treat.

If you're feeling adventurous, try one of these flavour combinations:

• Zesty 'cheese': olive oil, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, and fine sea salt
• Salt and vinegar: olive oil, white vinegar, and fine sea salt
• Chili lime: olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, and fine sea salt
• Maple cinnamon: olive oil, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and coconut sugar

After seasoning your tortillas, cut them into triangles or wedges, and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F for 5-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavour combinations!

Cooking the tortillas

The cooking process for tortilla chips in the air fryer is simple and quick. The first step is to cut the tortillas into chip-sized wedges or triangles. You can use a sharp knife, a pizza cutter, or kitchen shears for this. Stacking and cutting multiple tortillas at once can save time.

Next, apply a light coating of oil to both sides of the tortilla pieces. This can be done by misting them with avocado, olive, or vegetable oil spray, or by brushing the oil on with a pastry brush or basting brush. The oil helps with crisping and ensures that any seasonings stick to the chips.

After the tortillas are coated in oil, it's time to season them. The most basic seasoning is salt, but you can also experiment with other options like ground chipotle chilli pepper, smoked paprika, cinnamon, sugar, or lime juice.

Now you're ready to arrange the tortilla pieces in the air fryer basket. It's important to cook the chips in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crispiness, so you may need to work in batches. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook the chips for 5-8 minutes, keeping an eye on them to make sure they don't overlap or stick together.

Once the chips are golden brown and crispy, transfer them to a wire rack to cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool. Repeat the process with any remaining tortilla pieces.

Tips and Tricks

• Flour tortillas can be used, but corn tortillas are recommended for a crispier texture.
• If your tortillas are burning or still soft in the middle, adjust the cooking time as needed.
• If your air fryer has a strong fan that blows the tortilla pieces around, try placing an air fryer trivet or rack over them to keep them in place.

Storing the tortillas

If you're storing tortillas before making your chips, it's best to keep them in the fridge, at a temperature between 1-5°C. If you're storing them outside of the fridge, ensure the temperature doesn't exceed 30°C. In both cases, avoid stacking the tortillas more than twice the height of their box, as this will cause them to stick together.

Once you've made your tortilla chips, they should be stored in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. They can be kept at room temperature and will stay fresh for up to two weeks. Do not freeze or refrigerate them. If you want to serve them warm, you can reheat them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350°F.

It's important to note that homemade tortilla chips won't stay as fresh for as long as store-bought ones. They are best eaten on the same day they are made, but if stored correctly, they can last for up to two days or even five days in some cases.

Frequently asked questions