Air Fryer Tortillas: The Perfect Heating Time

Tortillas are a versatile food that can be used as a wrap for tacos or burritos, or eaten on their own with dipping sauces. They are a staple in many parts of the world, including Mexico, Central America, and South America. One of the reasons for their popularity is that they are easy to reheat. Unlike bread, tortillas remain soft and pliable after being reheated, making them ideal for quick meals or snacks. There are several ways to reheat tortillas, including using a skillet, microwave, oven, or air fryer. When using an air fryer, the process is simple and only requires an air fryer, some oil (optional), and corn tortillas. The temperature and time depend on the type of tortilla and the desired crispness, but generally, corn tortillas take around 10-15 seconds to reheat and up to 5 minutes to become crispy shells.

Heating soft tortillas in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to heat soft tortillas, keeping them hot, fresh, and pliable. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect soft tortilla using an air fryer.

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, you will need to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 250 degrees Fahrenheit for soft tortillas. This is an important step, as it ensures the tortillas are added to a hot basket, helping to achieve even heating.

Step 2: Prepare the Tortillas

When using an air fryer, it is best to wrap the tortillas in foil. You can heat up to six tortillas at a time, but be sure not to overcrowd the basket. For even cooking, it is important that the tortillas are not overlapping or crammed too tightly together.

Step 3: Air Fry the Tortillas

Place the wrapped tortillas into the air fryer and cook for 3-4 minutes. The tortillas are ready when they are heated through.

Tips for the Best Results

• Adjust the time according to your preference. If you like your tortillas extra crispy, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket. Adequate space allows for better air circulation, ensuring even heating.
• For corn tortillas, a light brush of oil on each side can help achieve a crispy texture.

Heating hard tortillas in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, producing delicious results. They are also a healthier option and can be used to heat tortillas.

How to Heat Hard Tortillas in an Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a good temperature to aim for when heating tortillas, although some sources suggest 380 or 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next, brush your tortillas with a small amount of oil. Avocado or avocado oil works great, but it is not essential. This will help to crisp up the tortillas.

Now, place your tortillas in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping or crowded, as this will affect the cooking. For hard shells, you can place them in an even layer. For soft shells, wrap them in foil first.

Cooking time will vary depending on the type of tortilla and your desired crispiness. For soft corn tortillas, 10-15 seconds on each side should suffice. For hard shells, 2 minutes is a good starting point, but you can increase the time for extra crispiness.

Once the tortillas are heated through and have reached your desired level of crispiness, remove them from the air fryer and enjoy!

Tips for Heating Tortillas in an Air Fryer

• Do not overcrowd the basket. This will ensure adequate air circulation and even cooking.
• Adjust the time according to your preference. If you like extra crispy tortillas, simply increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
• If you are making soft tacos, do not forget to wrap the tortillas in foil before placing them in the air fryer.
• For hard shells, you can use aluminium foil to create a "tent" and help the tortillas hold their shape.

Reheating tortillas in an air fryer

How to Reheat Tortillas in an Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While your air fryer is preheating, wrap your flour tortillas in foil. You can also brush your corn tortillas with oil, and create a "tent" with aluminium foil to act as a taco mould.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place your tortillas in the basket, ensuring they are not overlapping or crammed too tightly together. For soft tortillas, reheat for 10-15 seconds on each side. For corn tortillas, this should take just a few seconds on each side. For hard taco shells, place them in the basket in a single layer and heat for 2 minutes.

If you want to crisp up your tortillas, it may take up to 5 minutes for corn tortillas to become crispy, and 6-7 minutes for tostadas.

Tips for Reheating Tortillas

• If using a microwave, cover tortillas with a damp paper towel or kitchen towel to keep them moist and prevent them from drying out.
• Only heat tortillas for a few seconds at a time to avoid overcooking them.
• If using an oven or stovetop, warm tortillas slowly to prevent them from hardening or burning.

Making corn tortillas in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Corn tortillas
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Optional seasonings: garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, chili flakes, cinnamon, sugar, lime juice, etc.

Utensils

• Sharp pizza cutter or knife
• Pastry brush (optional)
• Air fryer

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/175°C.
• Cut the tortillas into triangles using a sharp pizza cutter or knife.
• Brush or spray the tortilla triangles with olive oil or cooking spray.
• Place the tortilla wedges into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
• Sprinkle the tortilla pieces with salt or your desired seasonings.
• Air fry at 350°F/175°C for 6-8 minutes, turning the tortillas halfway through.
• Allow the tortillas to cool for a few minutes. They will continue to crisp as they cool.

Tips:

• Corn tortillas are ideal for air fryer tortilla chips as they crisp up better than flour tortillas.
• Season the tortillas before frying for extra flavour.
• These tortilla chips are best when freshly made, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for a few days.

Making flour tortillas in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon oregano (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt (optional)
• Water

Method

• Mix together your flour and salt, then add your water and olive oil and stir until well incorporated.
• Transfer the mixture to a cutting board that is lightly floured.
• Knead about 15 times using the palms of your hands, folding it in half each time. Add a bit of flour to the board if the mixture is too sticky.
• Allow the dough to rest for 10-15 minutes.
• Cut the dough into 4-6 equal pieces and shape each one into a ball.
• Use your palms to flatten the dough as much as possible. If you want thinner tortillas, put the flattened piece between two pieces of wax or parchment paper and use a rolling pin to flatten into a thin circle (without it being so thin that it gets holes in it).
• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
• If you want to add seasonings, do so now, adding them to both sides of the tortilla and patting gently with your hand so they stick.
• Spray the inside of your air fryer basket with non-stick spray and put in 1-2 tortillas at a time without them overlapping.
• Cook for 2 minutes, flip, then cook for another 2 minutes or until they're as browned as you'd like them.

Tips

• You can use any brand of hot air machine you have at home. A larger basket is nice but typically you will only cook one tortilla at a time since you want them to be flat.
• To get the tortillas to not stick, place a ball of dough into a piece of parchment paper and roll it out. Peel the top and bottom off and spray the basket so the dough doesn’t stick.
• If you want to make taco shells, follow the directions above and then shape the tortillas into taco shells while they are still warm.

Frequently asked questions