Air Fryer Tortilla Chips: Timing For Crunchy Perfection

Air fryer tortilla chips are a quick, easy, and healthy snack. They are also versatile, as they can be made with corn or flour tortillas, and can be seasoned with anything from salt and pepper to cinnamon and sugar. The chips are made by cutting tortillas into triangles, brushing them with oil, and air frying them for 3-8 minutes at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. They can be served with salsa, cheese sauce, or guacamole, or used as a base for nachos.

How to cut tortillas into triangles

To make tortilla chips in an air fryer, you'll first need to cut your tortillas into triangles. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Gather Your Tortillas

Before you begin, decide on the type of tortillas you want to use. Corn tortillas will give you a crispier texture, while flour tortillas will result in a flavour closer to pita chips. You can also use spinach flour tortillas or make a combination of flour and corn tortillas.

Step 2: Prepare Your Tortillas

Place a tortilla on a cutting board. Using a sharp kitchen knife or a pizza cutter, cut the tortilla into triangles. You can do this by first cutting the tortilla in half, then cutting each half into two or three triangles, depending on the size you want your chips to be. For an 8-inch tortilla, you should end up with about 8 triangles. Repeat this process for each tortilla.

Step 3: Season Your Tortillas (Optional)

At this point, you can choose to season your tortilla triangles. Brush or spray a light layer of oil on both sides of each triangle. Then, sprinkle with a coarse salt like sea salt or kosher salt. You can also get creative with your seasonings. Try making spicy lime tortilla chips by sprinkling on some taco seasoning, or go for a zesty ranch flavour with ranch seasoning.

Step 4: Arrange in the Air Fryer

Once your tortillas are cut and seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer. Place the triangles in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overlap them too much. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Now you're ready to air fry your tortilla chips! Follow the cooking instructions provided by your air fryer, and enjoy your freshly made tortilla chips.

How to season tortilla chips

To season tortilla chips in an air fryer, you can use a variety of seasonings, including:

• 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.

You can also try:

• Spicy lime tortilla chips: Brush or spray the tortilla with oil and sprinkle with taco seasoning before cooking. After cooking, drizzle with fresh lime juice.
• Zesty ranch tortilla chips: Brush or spray the tortilla with oil before cooking and sprinkle with ranch seasoning.
• Sweet dessert tortilla chips: Brush the tortillas with oil, maple syrup, and sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon. Serve with cream cheese dip.

• In a small bowl, stir together the oil and seasonings.
• Brush a very light coating of the oil mixture on both sides of each tortilla.
• Cut each tortilla into 6 triangles.
• Working in batches, arrange the tortilla pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Transfer the chips to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Repeat with remaining tortillas.

How to cook tortilla chips in an air fryer

Ingredients and Equipment

To make tortilla chips in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:

• Corn or flour tortillas
• Oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Air fryer
• Pizza cutter or sharp knife (optional)
• Kitchen shears (optional)
• Wire rack (optional)
• Air fryer trivet or rack (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas

The first step is to cut the tortillas into chip-sized triangles or slices. You can use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut the tortillas into triangles, or you can fold and cut them using kitchen shears. Stacking the tortillas on top of each other and cutting them all at once can save time.

Step 2: Season the Tortillas

Lightly spray or brush both sides of the tortilla pieces with oil or cooking spray. Then, sprinkle them with salt or your desired seasoning. You can also mix the oil and seasonings together before brushing or spraying them onto the tortillas for more even coverage.

Step 3: Arrange the Tortillas in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned tortilla pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It is important to avoid overlapping the tortillas to ensure even cooking. If your air fryer is blowing the tortilla pieces around, you can place a trivet or rack over them to keep them in place.

Step 4: Air Fry the Tortilla Chips

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Once it is ready, place the basket of tortilla pieces into the air fryer and cook for 3-8 minutes. Keep an eye on the chips and remove any that are close to overcooking. If needed, flip the chips over and air fry for another 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Remove the cooked chips from the air fryer and place them on a wire rack to cool. The chips will continue to crisp as they cool. Once cooled, your tortilla chips are ready to serve!

Tips and Variations

• Corn tortillas are recommended for a crispier, more restaurant-style chip, but flour tortillas can also be used.
• If you prefer a more traditional seasoning, use fine sea salt. For a zesty flavour, try using spices such as ground chipotle chilli pepper, smoked paprika, or chilli powder.
• To store leftover tortilla chips, place them in an airtight container or bag at room temperature. They should stay fresh for about 5-10 days.
• If you do not have an air fryer, you can also bake the tortilla chips in the oven. Follow the same preparation steps, then bake at 350°F (180°C) for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned and crisp.

How to store tortilla chips

Now that you've made your delicious homemade tortilla chips, it's time to ensure they stay fresh and crispy. Here are some tips on how to store your tortilla chips:

• Use an airtight container: Transfer your tortilla chips from the air fryer to a glass or plastic container with a lid. If you don't have an airtight container, a Ziplock bag will also work.
• Keep them cool and dry: Store the container in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cabinet. The freezer is also an option, as it will keep your chips crispy and fresh for months.
• Use a chip clip: If you need to store the chips in their original bag, use a chip clip to seal the bag shut. Make sure to let out as much air as possible before sealing.
• Consume within the recommended time frame: Homemade tortilla chips have a shorter shelf life than store-bought ones. Aim to finish them within a week if stored at room temperature or within 5-10 days if stored in an airtight container.
• Revive stale chips: If your tortilla chips lose their crispness, preheat your oven to 400°F, spread the chips on a baking sheet, and bake for around 5 minutes until crispy again.
• Get creative: If your tortilla chips are on the verge of going stale, you can crush them and use them as a crunchy topping for soups, salads, casseroles, or even cookies!

How to prevent tortilla chips from blowing around in the air fryer

To prevent tortilla chips from blowing around in the air fryer, you can place an air fryer trivet or rack over them. This will stop them from blowing around but will still allow the air to circulate. If you don't have a trivet, you can check on the chips after a couple of minutes of cooking time and, if necessary, flip them over and move them back into a single layer.

Frequently asked questions