Frying Tortillas: Air Fryer Tips And Tricks

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook with really good results. They can be used to make tortilla chips, which are healthier than store-bought options as they require less oil. Corn tortillas are the best option for making tortilla chips as they turn out crispier than flour tortillas, which can end up a little chewy. The process is simple: brush or spray the tortillas with oil, season them with salt or other spices, cut them into triangles, and then air fry them in batches for around 5-7 minutes.

Choosing the right tortillas

When it comes to choosing tortillas for your air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the type of tortilla you want to use. Corn tortillas and flour tortillas are the two most common options, and both can be used in an air fryer. Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free and will give you that classic corn chip taste, whereas flour tortillas can sometimes end up a little chewy and may burn quickly, so they'll need a bit more attention during cooking.

If you opt for corn tortillas, you can choose between white or yellow corn varieties. Yellow corn tortillas are the preferred choice for many, as they have a superior flavour and crispier texture. White corn tortillas usually take a minute or two longer to cook than yellow corn tortillas.

Once you've selected the type of tortilla you want to use, make sure you have the right amount. As a guide, a typical recipe for air fryer tortilla chips uses about six 5- or 6-inch tortillas.

In addition to the type and amount of tortillas, you'll also want to consider the thickness of the tortillas. Thicker tortillas may require a slightly longer cooking time to ensure they're cooked through and crispy.

Lastly, when choosing tortillas for your air fryer, it's important to check that they are suitable for your specific air fryer model. Some air fryers may have specific requirements or recommendations for the type of tortillas that work best.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right tortillas for your air fryer, ensuring delicious and crispy results every time.

Oil and seasoning

The oil you use for your tortillas is important. Olive oil and extra virgin olive oil are good choices, but other oils with a high smoke point, like avocado oil or vegetable oil, will also work. You can also use a spray oil, but make sure to apply a light coating to the tortillas.

When it comes to seasoning, you can keep it simple with just fine sea salt, or kosher salt. If you want to spice things up, you can add ground chipotle chilli pepper or other seasonings like smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, cinnamon, or coconut sugar.

• Classic: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Spicy chipotle: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chilli pepper, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Zesty 'cheese': 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Salt and vinegar: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Chili lime: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 teaspoon chilli powder, 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Maple cinnamon: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar

To prepare, simply stir together the oil and seasonings in a small bowl. Then, brush a very light coating of the mixture on both sides of each tortilla. You can also mix the oil and seasonings and then brush them onto the tortillas for more even coverage. Just be sure to use a thin coating—you don't need to drench them.

Keep in mind that the amount of seasoning you use may vary depending on your taste preferences. You can always add more if needed!

Cutting the tortillas

Now that you've got your tortillas, oil, and seasonings ready, it's time to cut the tortillas into chip-sized pieces. Here's a step-by-step guide to cutting tortillas for air frying:

• Stack the Tortillas: Start by stacking the tortillas on top of each other. This will allow you to cut them all at once, ensuring evenly sized pieces. If your tortillas are different sizes, stack tortillas of similar sizes together.
• Cut into Wedges: Using a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors, cut the stack of tortillas into wedges. You can cut them into triangles or rectangles, whichever shape you prefer. Aim for about 6-8 wedges per tortilla, depending on the size.
• Slice like a Pie: For triangles, slice the tortillas like a pie, so you get wedges that resemble pizza slices. If you prefer rectangular chips, simply cut the tortillas into strips, then cut the strips into the desired chip length.
• Single Layer in Air Fryer: Once cut, carefully place the tortilla pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overlapping the pieces as much as possible. If needed, cook the tortillas in batches to ensure they cook evenly.

By following these steps, you'll have perfectly cut tortilla pieces ready for air frying. Remember to handle the tortillas with care to avoid breaking or tearing them. Now, let's move on to the cooking process and see how long you should fry tortillas in your air fryer.

Air fryer settings

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier fried foods without the mess of grease splatters. When making tortilla chips in an air fryer, the settings you will need to use depend on the type of air fryer you have, the type of tortillas you are using, and your desired level of crispiness. Here are some general guidelines to help you get started:

• Temperature: Set your air fryer to 350°F (176.6°C). This temperature will help you achieve crispy tortilla chips without burning them.
• Timing: Air fry your tortillas for 4 to 7 minutes. The exact timing will depend on the thickness of your tortillas and your desired level of crispiness. For flour tortillas, air fry for about 5 minutes. For corn tortillas, which turn out crispier, air fry for 6 to 7 minutes. Check on your tortillas occasionally during the cooking process and give the air fryer basket a shake to ensure they aren't sticking together.
• Preheating: Some air fryers require preheating, while others do not. If your air fryer has a preheat setting, use it. If not, simply turn on your air fryer and wait about 5 minutes before adding your tortillas.
• Batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your tortillas in batches to ensure even cooking. Arrange the tortillas in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap as much as possible.
• Oil: A light coating of oil will help your tortillas crisp up and enhance the flavour. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or a cooking spray. Brush the oil onto both sides of the tortillas or use a spray oil.
• Salt and Seasonings: Before cooking, sprinkle your tortillas with salt and any desired seasonings. You can also season your tortillas after cooking. Sea salt or kosher salt is recommended, as table salt tends to absorb into the tortilla rather than staying on the surface.
• Cutting: Cut your tortillas into triangles or wedges before placing them in the air fryer. You can use a sharp kitchen knife, a pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors. Stack multiple tortillas and cut them all at once to save time.
• Serving: Once your tortillas are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool. Serve with your favourite dips or use them as a base for nachos.

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 and Sauces

• Salsa
• Cheese sauce
• Guacamole
• Queso
• Chipotle dip
• Jalapeño dip
• Rotel sausage dip
• Crack corn dip
• Boat dip
• Mango guacamole
• Creamy refried bean dip with cream cheese
• Restaurant-style salsa
• Pico de gallo
• Spicy chipotle salsa
• Creamy guacamole
• Tangy salsa verde
• Citrus salsa with fresh grapefruit, orange, and lime

Toppings

• Chicken salad
• Nachos with mango guacamole and chipotle barbacoa or Mexican chicken
• Chicken fajitas
• Burritos
• Mexican vegetable soup
• Chicken fajitas
• Mexican chicken
• Chili
• Chicken soup
• Taco soup
• Refried beans
• Black bean dip
• Chili with creamy queso
• Chicken salad
• Keto ground beef taco
• Quesabirria
• Butter bean hummus
• Choriqueso
• Baked salsa chicken and rice

Drinks

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

Other Suggestions

• Use as a scoop for dips
• Use as a base for nachos
• Add as a garnish to soups
• Make tortilla bowls or crispy tortilla shells
• Make sweet dessert tortilla chips by brushing the tortillas with oil, maple syrup, and a pinch of cinnamon, and serve with cream cheese dip

Frequently asked questions