Air-Fryer Corn Tortillas: The Perfect Cooking Time

Corn tortillas are a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in an air fryer in a variety of ways. You can make corn tortilla chips, tostadas, or tacos by frying the tortillas for a few minutes. The exact cook time depends on the desired crispness and the specific air fryer being used, but generally, it ranges from 3 to 10 minutes at temperatures between 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This cooking method offers a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and the tortillas can be seasoned and topped to suit individual preferences.

Air fryer corn tortilla chips

To make the chips, you will need an air fryer, a sharp knife, and the following ingredients: corn tortillas, olive oil or avocado oil (or a spray oil), and salt. You can also add seasonings like paprika or chili powder to taste.

Start by slicing the tortillas into 6-8 equal pieces, depending on their size. You can use a pizza cutter to make this process easier. Then, brush or spray both sides of the tortillas with oil and sprinkle with salt and any other desired seasonings. Place the tortillas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap, as this will ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.

Cook the tortillas at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You can also cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 minutes on each side if you prefer a crispier texture. Keep a close eye on the tortillas during cooking, as different air fryers may vary in temperature and cooking time. Once the tortillas are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool.

These corn tortilla chips can be served with your favorite dips like guacamole, salsa, or cheese sauce. You can also top them with refried beans, cheese, and other toppings to make delicious nachos or tostadas. Enjoy!

Air fryer tostadas

Ingredients:

• Corn tortillas (any size)
• Olive or avocado oil (regular bottled oil or spray oil)
• Salt (optional)
• Refried beans
• Cheese
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. guacamole, salsa, chicken, etc.)

Instructions:

• Prepare your corn tortillas by brushing or spraying both sides with oil. You can also rub the oil into the surface of the tortilla.
• Sprinkle salt on the tortillas, if desired.
• Place the tortillas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cook the tortillas for 6-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process.
• Remove the tortillas from the air fryer and add refried beans and cheese on top.
• Place the tortillas back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, keeping a close eye on them to ensure they don't burn.
• Plate the tostadas and add any desired toppings. Enjoy!

Tips:

• The tortillas may curl up slightly while cooking. To prevent this, place something heat-safe on top to weigh them down.
• If you prefer your tortillas with a crispy, golden brown texture, you can increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the tortillas in the oven. Follow the same preparation instructions, but instead, place the tortillas on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, flip, spray, and salt them before baking for another 5 minutes or until crispy.
• For a healthier option, you can replace the oil with a spritz of water before air frying.

Air fryer tacos

Ingredients:

• Corn tortillas (soft, yellow or white)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Taco fillings of your choice (e.g. ground beef, chicken, refried beans, cheese, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, etc.)
• Taco seasoning
• Water

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas

To make the tortillas pliable and less likely to crack, wrap them in a damp paper towel or dish towel and heat them in the microwave for about 30 seconds to one minute. This step is especially important if you are using corn tortillas.

Step 2: Fill and Fold the Tortillas

Place your desired fillings on the tortillas, being careful not to overfill. A typical taco filling includes meat, such as ground beef or chicken, and cheese. You can also add other ingredients like refried beans, salsa, or diced vegetables. Fold the tortillas in half to form a taco shape.

Step 3: Air Fry the Tacos

Brush the outside of the tacos with olive oil or spritz them with cooking spray. This step will ensure that your tacos become crispy and golden during the air frying process. Place the tacos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them.

Step 4: Cook the Tacos

Set the air fryer temperature to between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the tacos for about 6-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. Check on the tacos occasionally to ensure they don't burn, as cooking times may vary.

Step 5: Add Toppings and Serve

Once the tacos are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and sprinkle with salt and cilantro immediately, so they stick to the tacos. You can also add other toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or hot sauce. Serve the tacos while they're still warm and crispy, and enjoy!

Tips and Variations:

• If you prefer a softer taco shell, reduce the cooking time or air fry at a lower temperature.
• If you want extra crispy taco shells, increase the cooking time by a minute or two.
• You can make air fryer tacos with flour tortillas or pre-made hard taco shells as well. Simply heat them in the air fryer until warm and crispy.
• For a vegetarian option, fill your tacos with beans, cheese, and your favorite vegetables.
• Store leftover tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until warm.

Air fryer taco shells

Ingredients

• Corn tortillas
• Cooking spray or olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: onion soup mix, buffalo wing mix, red pepper flakes, or chipotle chilli powder

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until warm and pliable.
• Fill each tortilla with your desired filling, such as meat and cheese, and fold over to form a taco.
• Spray the outside of the tortilla with cooking spray or brush with olive oil.
• Place the tacos in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd the basket.
• Air fry at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
• Carefully remove the tacos from the air fryer and sprinkle with salt and pepper, or your desired seasoning.
• Top with your favourite toppings, such as sour cream, salsa, avocado, or hot sauce.

Tips

• Check the tacos after 2 minutes, as the fan may shift the tortilla.
• If using an air fryer with racks, you can place the tortilla over the rack, hanging down to air fry.
• If you don't have a taco mold, you can use aluminum foil to make small tents to lay the tortillas over as they cook.
• If you have leftover tortillas, you can cut them into chip shapes and air fry until crispy to make homemade tortilla chips.
• Store leftover tacos in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Oven-baked corn tortilla chips

Baked corn tortilla chips are a healthier alternative to the traditional fried variety. They are also easy to make and can be seasoned in a variety of ways. Corn tortillas are gluten-free and higher in fibre and whole grains compared to flour tortillas.

Ingredients

• Corn tortillas
• Olive oil (or avocado oil, canola oil, or any other oil)
• Spices (cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, or chilli powder)

Method

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Line two baking trays with foil.
• Using a pizza cutter, slice the tortillas into 6-8 triangles.
• Place the triangles in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
• Sprinkle your chosen spices over the tortillas.
• Toss the triangles well, ensuring they are evenly coated with oil and spices.
• Spread the tortillas out in a single layer across the two baking trays.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until browned.
• Leave to cool slightly before serving.

Tips

• If you want to ensure your chips are crispy, avoid overlapping them on the baking tray.
• If your chips lose their crispness, place them back in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
• Get creative with your seasoning! Try cumin and smoked paprika, or spice things up with cayenne or chilli powder.

Frequently asked questions