Air Fryer Corn Tortillas: Achieving The Perfect Crispiness

Corn tortilla chips are a tasty snack, but they can be greasy and messy to make at home. Luckily, air fryers offer a healthier, less messy way to make crispy corn tortillas. You can make them with just corn tortillas, oil or cooking spray, and salt. You can also experiment with different seasonings, such as chipotle seasoning, cinnamon, or nutritional yeast. The process is simple: cut the tortillas into triangles, add oil and seasoning, and then cook in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes. You can also make taco shells by bending the tortillas and placing them in a muffin pan in the air fryer.

How to cut tortillas into triangles

To cut tortillas into triangles, start by laying a tortilla on a cutting board. Using a knife or a pizza cutter, cut from the middle of the tortilla down to the edge. You can also use a pizza cutter to make the process smoother and faster. Imagine the tortilla divided into four equal parts or quarters. Each of these quarters will be folded individually to form a triangle.

After cutting the tortilla in half, cut the halves into thirds to create six equally-sized triangles. You can also cut the tortilla into four or eight pieces, depending on the size of the tortilla and your desired triangle size. Once you have cut the tortilla into the desired number of pieces, you can proceed to the next steps of making crispy corn tortillas in an air fryer.

If you are using the tortillas for a wrap, you can fill each quadrant with different ingredients. For a crunchwrap supreme, you can put shredded lettuce and tomatoes in one quarter, sour cream and tortilla chips in another, shredded cheese and ground beef in the third, and just cheese in the last quarter.

After adding your desired fillings, it's time to fold the wrap. Start from the bottom left quarter and fold it up over the top left quarter. Then, fold it over to the top right quarter, and finally, fold it down to the bottom right quarter. You can enjoy the wrap as is, or grill it in a panini press or pan for a crispy texture.

How to season tortillas

While tortillas are delicious on their own or as a vessel for other foods, seasoning them can add an extra layer of flavour. Here are some tips on how to season your tortillas:

Choosing the Right Tortilla

The first step to ensuring your tortillas are packed with flavour is to choose the right type. Corn tortillas are most common in Guadalajara, Jalisco, while flour tortillas are more common in the northern Mexican states. Corn tortillas tend to turn out crispier, but flour tortillas are softer and more pliable, making them perfect for folding and wrapping. You can also experiment with different types of corn or flour, such as spelt flour or whole wheat flour.

Preparing the Dough

The key to delicious tortillas is in the dough. Dissolving the salt in warm water before adding it to the dough is essential, especially if you are using coarser salt. The right ratio of masa to water is crucial – the dough should not be too wet or too dry. It should be just right so that it doesn't stick to your hands. Let the masa sit for about 10 minutes before shaping and pressing your tortillas. You can also add fat to your dough, such as oil, lard, butter, or shortening, to make your tortillas softer and more pliable.

Seasoning

When it comes to seasoning, you can experiment with different spices to enhance the flavour of your tortillas. Onion powder, garlic powder, dry ground mustard, and ground white pepper are all great options. You can also try adding different kinds of seeds, spices, or dried ground chillies. If you want to stick to more traditional flavours, simply add salt and luke-warm water to your masa.

Cooking

Cooking your tortillas correctly is crucial to bringing out their flavour. Use a heavy skillet over medium to medium-high heat. When the tortilla starts to puff up with bubbles and the bottom has some brown spots, it's time to flip it. Cook the other side until it's browned in places and the tortilla looks dry around the edges. Transfer the cooked tortilla to a dishcloth and keep it covered while you cook the rest.

Serving

Freshly made, warm tortillas are the best. Serve them immediately after cooking to enjoy the optimal flavour and texture. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. They will stay fresh for a day or two at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze your tortillas. Reheat room-temperature or cold tortillas in a skillet until they are warm and pliable again.

How to cook tortillas in an air fryer

Air-fried tortilla chips are a healthy, crispy snack and are easy to make. You can use corn or flour tortillas, but corn tortillas tend to turn out crispier. You will also need oil or a spray oil, and salt to taste. Some recipes suggest using a pastry brush to brush the oil onto the tortillas, while others suggest cutting the tortillas into triangles first and then spraying them with oil.

Method

First, apply a little oil to the tortillas and then cut them into wedges or triangles. You can do this with a sharp knife or a pizza cutter. If you are using a spray oil, you can spray the tortillas after cutting.

Next, lay the tortilla pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, checking on them once or twice to make sure they aren't overlapping, and shaking the basket if needed. They are done when they are golden brown and crispy.

Remove the tortilla chips from the air fryer and let them cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool. You can serve them with salsa, guacamole, or cheese sauce.

How to store air-fried tortillas

Once you've made your crispy corn tortillas in the air fryer, it's important to store them correctly to maintain their freshness and crispiness. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store your air-fried tortillas:

Allow Them to Cool Down

Before storing your tortillas, make sure they have cooled completely. Place them on a wire rack to cool down to room temperature. This step is crucial as storing warm tortillas can lead to moisture buildup, making them soggy.

Choose the Right Container

For optimal freshness, store your air-fried tortillas in an airtight container or a zip-top bag. Using airtight storage will help keep the tortillas crisp and fresh for a longer period.

Store at Room Temperature

Unlike some other foods, tortillas should not be refrigerated or frozen. Store your air-fried tortillas at room temperature in a cool, dry place. The pantry or kitchen cabinet is usually ideal.

Consume Within the Recommended Time

Even with proper storage, air-fried tortillas have a limited shelf life. For the best quality and taste, consume them within one to two weeks. After opening the container, try to finish the tortillas within a week to ensure maximum crispiness.

Keep Them Dry

Avoid exposing the tortillas to moisture, as it can make them soggy. If you live in a humid environment, consider adding a desiccant packet to the storage container to absorb excess moisture.

Revive Stale Tortillas

If your tortillas lose their crispiness over time, you can revive them by placing them back in the air fryer for a few minutes. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry for about 2 minutes to restore their crispness.

How to use tortillas to make taco shells

Using an air fryer to make taco shells is a great way to get crispy, golden brown shells without the use of oil. You will need corn tortillas, and optionally, cooking spray and coarse salt to taste.

First, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your tortillas. Cut each tortilla into six to eight triangles, depending on their size. You can use a pizza cutter to make this process easier.

If you are using cooking spray and salt, lightly spray the tortillas with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. You can also brush the tortillas with oil on both sides and sprinkle with salt, if desired.

Next, place an upside-down mini muffin pan into the air fryer basket. Bend the tortillas into a taco shell shape and position them in the indents of the muffin pan to hold their shape.

Air fry the tortillas on the lowest rack of the preheated air fryer until they are golden brown and crispy, which should take around three minutes. Then, remove the muffin pan from the air fryer basket and flip the tortillas. Place them directly into the basket and air fry for an additional minute, or until the bottom sides are crispy and golden brown.

Your taco shells are now ready to be filled with your favourite taco fillings!

Frequently asked questions