Air Fryer Tortilla Strips: The Secret To Perfect Crispiness

Air fryers are a fantastic kitchen appliance that can cook a wide variety of foods, from wings to tortilla strips. In fact, you can make tortilla strips in an air fryer in under 10 minutes! They're a great, healthier alternative to deep-fried tortilla strips and can be seasoned with a variety of spices, from traditional salt to bold chili lime or even sweet cinnamon sugar.

Choosing the right tortillas

Tortilla Type: You can use either corn tortillas or flour tortillas for making tortilla strips. Corn tortillas are the traditional choice and will give you a crispier texture. Yellow or white corn tortillas are both suitable, and you can choose any size as you will be cutting them into strips. If you prefer a softer texture, go with flour tortillas, but keep a close eye on them while cooking to prevent burning.

Tortilla Size: The size of the tortillas is not as important as you will be cutting them into strips or wedges. However, smaller tortillas, such as taco-sized tortillas, may be easier to work with and will require less cutting.

Tortilla Thickness: Look for tortillas that are not too thick. Thinner tortillas will crisp up better in the air fryer and give you that delicate crunch you are aiming for.

Ingredients: Check the ingredients list on the tortilla packaging. For corn tortillas, the main ingredient should be ground corn or corn flour. You can also find tortillas made with wheat flour or a combination of corn and wheat flour. Avoid tortillas with a long list of artificial ingredients or preservatives.

Freshness: Choose fresh tortillas that are soft and pliable. Avoid tortillas that are dry, brittle, or cracked, as they may not cook evenly in the air fryer. Look for tortillas with a longer shelf life to ensure freshness.

Brand: Different brands of tortillas can vary in quality, so it may be worth trying out a few different options to find your favorite. Some popular brands known for their tortilla products include Mission, Old El Paso, and Guerrero.

Storage: To ensure the tortillas stay fresh until you are ready to use them, check the packaging for storage instructions. Many tortillas can be stored at room temperature, but some may require refrigeration after opening.

By selecting the right tortillas and following the air fryer cooking instructions, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy tortilla strips!

Preparing the tortillas

Choosing the Right Tortillas:

Start by selecting the type of tortillas you want to use. You can choose between corn tortillas and flour tortillas. Both options are readily available in stores, or you can even make them from scratch if you're feeling adventurous. Corn tortillas tend to result in crispier strips, but flour tortillas are also a great choice.

Cutting the Tortillas:

Once you have your tortillas, it's time to cut them into strips. You can cut them into thin strips, approximately 1/2-inch wide, for a delicate crunch. Alternatively, you can cut them into quarters or eighths to create a classic chip shape. Stack the tortillas and use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to slice through them, ensuring uniformity for even cooking.

Oil and Seasoning:

After cutting, place the tortilla strips in a medium-sized bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil or avocado oil, and gently toss to coat all the strips evenly. You can also use a cooking spray for a lighter coating. Then, sprinkle your desired seasoning onto the strips. Coarse salt is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with other seasonings like chili-lime, garlic powder, or even cinnamon sugar for a sweet twist.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to around 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the seasoned tortilla strips into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with minimal overlapping. Overlapping is okay, as it helps keep the strips in place during cooking. Air fry the tortillas for 3 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on the strips, as they can burn quickly.

Your tortilla strips are now ready to be enjoyed! You can serve them as a crunchy snack, use them to top salads or soups, or even dip them in salsa, cheese sauce, or guacamole.

Adding seasoning

For a classic version, use fine sea salt. Flaky sea salt or kosher salt will also work. If you want to add a little heat, you can use ground chipotle chilli pepper. You can also try a combination of olive oil, lime juice, and chilli powder for a chili-lime flavour. Alternatively, a sprinkle of garlic powder and chili powder with a squeeze of lime juice will give your tortilla strips a delicious Mexican twist.

If you're feeling adventurous, there are several other seasoning options to explore. For a zesty 'cheese' flavour, combine olive oil, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, and fine sea salt. For a salt and vinegar flavour, use olive oil, white vinegar, and fine sea salt. A maple cinnamon flavour can be achieved with olive oil, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and coconut sugar.

Don't be afraid to experiment and create your own unique seasoning blends!

Cooking the tortilla strips

The cooking process for tortilla strips in an air fryer is relatively simple and quick, with most recipes requiring under 10 minutes of cooking time. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Cut the tortillas: Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to slice the tortillas into your desired shape and thickness. You can cut them into thin strips or triangular tortilla wedges. For strips, slice the tortillas into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch wide strips. For wedges, cut the tortillas into quarters or eighths. Stacking the tortillas before cutting can make this process faster and ensure uniformity.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or avocado/olive oil spray. This will help crisp up the tortilla strips.
• Season the tortilla strips: Place the cut tortillas in a medium-sized bowl and drizzle or brush them with olive oil or avocado oil. Toss the strips to ensure they are evenly coated. Then, sprinkle your desired amount of salt or other seasonings onto the strips and toss again. You can also season the strips after cooking.
• Arrange the tortilla strips: Place the seasoned tortilla strips into the air fryer basket. It is okay if they overlap slightly, as this can help them stay in place during cooking. Arrange them in a single layer if possible to ensure even cooking.
• Air fry: Set the air fryer temperature to between 325-380 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on your air fryer model. Cook the tortilla strips for 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on the strips after the halfway mark, as they can burn quickly. If they are not crispy enough, continue cooking and check every minute until done.
• Serve: Remove the tortilla strips from the air fryer and let them cool. They will continue to crisp up as they cool. Serve them as a topping for salads, soups, or Mexican-inspired dishes, or enjoy them as a snack with your favorite dip.

Tips for cooking tortilla strips:

• Oil: Using oil or an oil spray helps achieve a crispy texture. If you prefer not to use oil, you can brush the tortillas with lime juice before cooking, but this may result in soggier strips.
• Salt and seasonings: You can season the tortilla strips with salt, chili powder, garlic powder, or other seasonings of your choice. Feel free to experiment with different flavors!
• Tortilla type: You can use either corn tortillas or flour tortillas. Corn tortillas tend to result in crispier strips, while flour tortillas may be slightly chewier.
• Storage: Let the tortilla strips cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container or bag. They should stay crisp for a couple of days.

Storing the tortilla strips

Storing tortilla strips is simple and will ensure they stay fresh and crispy for longer.

Firstly, it is important to let the tortilla strips cool down completely before storing. Then, place the tortilla strips in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. You can also use a paper bag. Store the tortilla strips at room temperature for up to five days.

It is not recommended to store tortilla strips in the freezer or refrigerator as this can make them soggy. If you are storing tortillas before they are cut into strips, refrigeration is recommended, but only for up to two weeks.

Frequently asked questions