Air-Fried Corn Chips: Quick, Easy, And Crunchy!

Corn chips are a great snack, and even better when they're homemade. If you're looking to make corn chips in an air fryer, you'll need corn tortillas, cooking spray or oil, and salt. Some recipes suggest seasoning with lime juice or cinnamon sugar.

Cut the tortillas into triangles or chip-sized wedges, then spray or brush with oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the tortillas in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 350-400°F for 3-8 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to prevent sticking. For extra crispy chips, return them to the air fryer for an extra minute or two. Enjoy your homemade corn chips!

Choosing the right tortillas

The first step to making corn chips in an air fryer is to choose the right tortillas. You can use either corn tortillas or flour tortillas, but corn tortillas will give you a crispier chip. Look for the taco size, which is easy to cut into chip-sized wedges. You can also use burrito-sized tortillas if you prefer. If you are using corn tortillas, cut them into fourths or triangles. For flour tortillas, cut them into sixths or triangles.

When it comes to seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt, or get creative with seasonings like Cajun seasoning, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon sugar, or ranch seasoning. You can also brush the tortillas with lime juice before cooking, but be aware that this may make them soggy.

Once you have your tortillas cut and seasoned, it's time to cook them! Place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Cook at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-8 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Flip them over halfway through the cooking time and give them another light spray of cooking spray if needed.

Your corn chips will continue to crisp as they cool, so don't worry if they are not perfectly crispy right out of the air fryer. Store them in an airtight container or plastic bag and they will stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Cutting the tortillas

Firstly, gather your tortillas. You can use either corn or flour tortillas, depending on your preference. Corn tortillas will result in slightly crispier chips. For the best results, opt for the taco-sized tortillas, as they are the ideal size for cutting into chip-sized wedges.

Now, it's time to decide on your cutting method. You can use a sharp knife, a pizza cutter, or kitchen shears. If you're confident in your knife skills, a sharp knife will do the trick. Simply stack a few tortillas and slice them like a pie, aiming for six to eight triangles per tortilla. Alternatively, a pizza cutter can be a quick and efficient way to cut your tortillas. This method also allows you to cut through multiple tortillas at once. If you want to be extra precise, kitchen shears offer a great option. Here's how:

• Fold the tortilla in half, creating a giant unfilled taco shape.
• Fold the tortilla in half again, so it is now in quarters.
• Cut along the folded seams, keeping the tortillas stacked.
• Finally, cut the stack of quartered tortillas in half, creating the perfect chip-sized pieces.

Once you've cut your tortillas, it's time to move on to the next steps of making your corn chips. Remember, the cutting process is essential to achieving the right shape and size for your chips, so take your time and choose the method that works best for you.

Seasoning the tortillas

Choosing the Right Tortillas

Select the tortillas that are suitable for making chips. Corn tortillas are typically preferred over flour tortillas as they yield crispier chips. Go for the taco-sized tortillas, which are easy to cut into chip-sized wedges. You can also use larger burrito-sized tortillas if you want bigger chips.

Cutting the Tortillas

Before seasoning, cut the tortillas into the desired shape and size. You can use a sharp knife, a pizza cutter, or kitchen shears. Cut each tortilla into six to eight triangles, or fold and stack them before cutting to save time.

Oil and Spray

Lightly spray or brush both sides of the tortilla triangles with oil. Avocado oil or olive oil spray are good choices as they add flavour and crispness without using too much oil. You can also use cooking spray or brush the tortillas with melted butter if you prefer.

Salting and Seasoning

Now comes the fun part – seasoning! You can simply sprinkle salt over the oiled tortillas, or get creative with other seasonings. Here are some seasoning ideas to try:

• Salt and pepper: Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the tortillas for a classic savoury taste.
• Smoky Southwestern: Sprinkle smoked paprika, cumin, and chilli powder on both sides for a spicy kick.
• Ranch: Toss the tortillas in ranch seasoning before air frying for a creamy, tangy flavour.
• Cinnamon sugar: For a sweet treat, toss the warm tortillas in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
• Cilantro lime: Toss the tortillas with fresh lime zest and chopped or dried cilantro for a fresh, zesty flavour.
• Cajun seasoning: Sprinkle cajun seasoning on the tortillas for a spicy, bold flavour.
• Chili powder: Add some heat with chili powder, or combine it with cayenne pepper for extra spice.

Feel free to experiment with your favourite herbs, spices, and seasonings to create your own unique flavour combinations.

Air Frying

Once you've cut, oiled, and seasoned your tortillas, it's time to air fry! Place the tortillas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Air fry at 350°F for 5-8 minutes, checking and shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. Your tortillas will transform into crispy, golden chips right before your eyes!

So, there you have it – a step-by-step guide to seasoning tortillas for air fryer corn chips. Get creative with your seasonings, and don't be afraid to try out new flavour combinations. Happy frying!

Cooking the tortillas

The first step is to cut the tortillas into wedges or triangles. You can use a pizza cutter, kitchen scissors, or a sharp knife to do this. You can cut them into sixths or eighths, depending on the size of the tortilla and your desired chip size.

Once the tortillas are cut, it's time to add some oil or cooking spray. You can brush the tortillas with oil using a pastry brush or basting brush, or you can mist them lightly with avocado or olive oil spray. Make sure to coat both sides of the tortillas.

After the tortillas are coated in oil, it's time to season them. Sprinkle each tortilla with salt, or any other desired seasonings, on one or both sides. You can also add seasonings after cooking if you prefer.

Now it's time to cook the tortillas in the air fryer. Place the wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 5-8 minutes, checking on them occasionally and giving the basket a shake to ensure they don't stick together. If your air fryer requires preheating, add a minute or two to the cooking time.

Once the tortillas are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a wire rack to cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas until they're all cooked.

Your homemade tortilla chips are now ready to be enjoyed! You can serve them with your favourite dips, salsas, or turn them into nachos.

Storing the tortillas

Storing your tortillas correctly is essential to keeping them fresh and tasty. The primary enemy of tortilla freshness is air, so minimising air exposure is key. Here is a comprehensive guide to storing your tortillas:

Storing Flour Tortillas

Flour tortillas are best stored in the refrigerator or freezer to extend their shelf life.

Refrigeration

• Ensure the tortillas are at room temperature before storing.
• Keep the tortillas in their original packaging or place them in a resealable plastic bag.
• Make sure the packaging is airtight to prevent moisture loss and freezer burn.
• Store the wrapped tortillas in the refrigerator, where they will last up to 3 months.

Freezing

• Keep the tortillas in their original packaging or double up with a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag if the original bag has been opened.
• Remove as much air as possible before sealing the package.
• Label the bag with the date.
• Place the tortillas in the freezer, where they can maintain their quality for up to 6 months.

Storing Corn Tortillas

Corn tortillas can be stored using the same methods as flour tortillas.

General Tips for Maintaining Tortilla Quality

• Minimise air exposure by using airtight packaging such as aluminium foil, plastic wrap, or resealable bags.
• When thawing frozen tortillas, allow them to defrost slowly in the refrigerator or at room temperature to retain their texture and prevent excessive moisture loss.
• Heat tortillas before serving to enhance their taste and texture. You can quickly warm them in a dry skillet, microwave, or wrap them in foil and place them in a preheated oven.

Storing Air-Fried Tortilla Chips

Once you've turned your tortillas into delicious air-fried tortilla chips, they can be stored in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks but should not be frozen or refrigerated.

Frequently asked questions