Tiffany Haney
Air fryer pita chips are a quick, easy, and healthy snack that can be made in just a few simple steps. Requiring only a few ingredients and seasonings of your choice, these chips are a perfect vegan alternative to potato chips and pair well with a variety of dips such as hummus, bean dips, and salsa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Pita bread, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, za'atar, cinnamon sugar, lemon pepper seasoning, Italian seasoning, umami blend, cayenne pepper, rosemary, thyme, sesame seeds |
| Cut pita into | Triangles, wedges |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, refined coconut oil, sunflower oil, extra virgin olive oil |
| Temperature | 320-325°F |
| Time | 10-12 minutes |
| Storage | Airtight container, room temperature, up to 1 week |
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right pita bread
Type of Pita Bread
The type of pita bread you choose will impact the texture and cooking time of your pita chips. Flatbread-style pita, such as Lebanese pita bread, is recommended for air fryer pita chips. It ensures evenly cooked chips and takes about 6-8 minutes to crisp up. You can also use thick pita pockets, which will take closer to 10 minutes. Pocket pita bread is ideal for crispy and airy pita chips.
Thickness
The thickness of the pita bread will determine the cooking time and the final texture of your chips. Thicker pita bread will take longer to cook and result in a more substantial chip that can stand up to thicker dips. Thinner pita bread, such as pocket pita, can be split into halves to create a thinner layer that bakes faster and results in crispier chips.
Ingredients and Quality
When choosing pita bread, consider the ingredients and their quality. Look for pita bread made with simple, natural ingredients, and avoid those with too many additives or preservatives. If you want to make healthier chips, opt for whole wheat pita bread. You can also make your own pita bread to ensure the freshest and highest quality ingredients.
Freshness
For the best results, use fresh pita bread. Stale or dried-out pita bread can be used, but it may affect the texture and taste of your chips. Fresh pita bread will give you a crispier and more pleasant crunch.
Availability and Convenience
Consider your availability and convenience when choosing pita bread. If you have the time, making homemade pita bread ensures the freshest and most customizable option. However, if you're short on time, store-bought pita bread is a suitable alternative. Look for pita bread that is readily available and fits your schedule.
Remember, the key to making great pita chips is getting the right pita bread. By considering the type, thickness, ingredients, freshness, and your personal preferences, you can choose the perfect pita bread for your air fryer pita chips.
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Oil options
When making air fryer pita chips, you can use any oil you like, but some oils are better suited to the air fryer than others.
The best oils to use in the air fryer are those with a high smoke point that won't burn at high temperatures. Avocado oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, extra light olive oil, and light olive oil are all good choices for air frying. These oils have smoke points ranging from 450 to 570 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want to use olive oil, opt for a refined olive oil, also known as light or extra light olive oil, as it has a higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil. However, if you are cooking at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, you can use regular virgin olive oil, which has a smoke point of 410 degrees Fahrenheit.
Other oils with high smoke points include ghee (clarified butter) at 485 degrees Fahrenheit, coconut oil (refined) at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and grapeseed oil at 420 to 421 degrees Fahrenheit.
It's important to note that the smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which it begins to break down and emit smoke. Using an oil with a smoke point below your cooking temperature will result in a burnt smell that can affect the taste of your food.
When preparing pita chips in an air fryer, you will want to lightly coat the pita wedges with oil before placing them in the air fryer basket. A small spray bottle or a bowl to toss the pita wedges in oil are both good options for ensuring an even coating.
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Seasoning options
The seasoning options for air fryer pita chips are endless! You can go savoury with spices and herbs, or sweet with cinnamon sugar. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Savoury
- Za'atar
- Lemon pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Umami blend
- Cayenne pepper
- Rosemary and thyme with sea salt
- Garlic powder and cracked pepper
- Sesame seeds
- Parsley, thyme, oregano, and garlic powder
- Chili powder and cumin
- Chili powder, cumin, and cinnamon
- Salt and pepper
- Onion powder
- Ranch
- Sumac
- Black pepper
- Cajun
- Paprika
- Tajin
- Old Bay
- BBQ rub
- Lemon pepper
- Cayenne
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
Sweet
Cinnamon sugar
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Step-by-step instructions
Ingredients:
- Pita bread (white or whole wheat pita pockets)
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Parsley
Optional ingredients:
- Sumac
- Za'atar
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Cayenne pepper
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sesame seeds
- Cinnamon sugar
Utensils:
- Air fryer
- Knife
- Bowl
- Spoon or rubber scraper
- Pastry brush (optional)
- Cut the pita pockets into equal triangles, or wedges, about 1.5 inches in size. Each pita should be cut into 8 triangles.
- Place the pita wedges in a large bowl.
- Mix the oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and parsley in a small bowl and drizzle over the pita wedges. Toss with your hands or a spoon to ensure the pita wedges are coated evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 320-325°F.
- Place the pita wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook for 6-10 minutes at 325°F, shaking the basket halfway through. The pita chips are done when they are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the air fryer and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. They will crisp up further as they cool.
Storage:
Once cooled, store the pita chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If they start to soften, you can refresh them by heating in the air fryer at 250°F for 1-2 minutes.
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Storage tips
Once you've made your air fryer pita chips, you'll want to make sure they stay fresh and crispy. Here are some storage tips to keep your pita chips in top condition:
- Allow the pita chips to cool completely before storing them. If you store them while they're still warm, they will lose their crispiness and become soggy.
- Store the pita chips in an airtight container or a freezer bag. This will keep them fresh and crispy.
- Room temperature is best for storing pita chips. They can be kept in a pantry or on a shelf.
- Pita chips can be stored for up to a week. Most sources suggest they will stay fresh for 3-5 days, but one source suggests they will last for up to 7 days.
- If your pita chips start to soften, you can refresh them by putting them back in the air fryer at 250ºF for 1-2 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time depends on the type of pita and the desired crispness. Generally, it takes around 10-12 minutes, but thinner pita chips will take less time, and thicker pita chips will take longer.
Flatbread-style pita is recommended over pita with a built-in pocket, as the latter can cause some chips to burn. Thick pita pockets are better for dipping, while thin flatbreads cook quicker.
Olive oil is recommended, but any oil that works at medium or high heat will do, such as avocado, vegetable, or sunflower seed oil.
You can season your pita chips with salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, onion powder, rosemary, thyme, cayenne, paprika, cinnamon, or Italian seasoning.
Once cooled, store the pita chips in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to a week. If they start to soften, you can refresh them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 250°F.
