Keto Chips: Air Fryer Magic In 10 Minutes Or Less

Cravings for crunchy, salty snacks are hard to ignore, especially when adapting to a keto diet. Luckily, you can make your own keto-friendly tortilla chips at home using an air fryer. This method is healthier than deep-frying, and the chips can be customised with seasonings and dips of your choice.

Choosing the right keto tortillas

When making keto tortilla chips in the air fryer, the type of tortillas you use is crucial. Here are some tips and options to help you choose the right keto tortillas for your chips:

Store-Bought Keto Tortillas

If you prefer the convenience of store-bought tortillas, there are several keto-friendly options available. Here are some popular brands to consider:

• Mr. Tortilla: These tortillas are highly rated for their taste and low-carb content (1 gram net carb per tortilla). They are also vegan and made with avocado oil, which is great for keto.
• Hero Bread Tortillas: These tortillas have 0 grams of net carbs and receive high ratings for their taste and texture. However, they are more expensive and can only be purchased online.
• Mission Carb Balance Soft Taco Flour Tortillas: With 2 grams of net carbs, these tortillas have a great flavour and texture. They hold up well when used in recipes and are widely available at stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Target.
• La Banderita Carb Counter: These tortillas have 2 grams of net carbs and are available at Kroger and Target. However, they may have a doughy texture and can become stiff when cooked.
• Don Pancho Carb Control Wraps: With 3 grams of net carbs, these tortillas taste better when cooked and crisp up nicely in recipes. However, they contain vegetable oil shortening and sucralose.
• Olé Xtreme Wellness High Fiber Carb Lean: These tortillas have 4 grams of net carbs and are soft and a little chewy. They are widely available at stores like Kroger, Walmart, and Target.
• Kroger Low Carb Flour Tortillas: With 6 grams of net carbs, these tortillas from Kroger offer a good texture and flavour. However, they contain sucralose.

Homemade Keto Tortillas

If you want to make your own keto tortillas from scratch, there are several recipes available online. Here are some key considerations:

• Ingredients: Most keto tortilla recipes use alternative flours like almond flour, lupin flour, coconut flour, or cauliflower. These flours are low in carbs and gluten-free, making them suitable for a keto diet.
• Texture and Taste: When choosing a recipe, look for tortillas that are soft, pliable, and taste like traditional corn or flour tortillas. Some recipes may use xanthan gum or psyllium husk as a binder to improve texture and flexibility.
• Cooking and Storage: Keto tortillas can be cooked in a skillet or pan and stored in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to one month.

Tips for Choosing the Right Keto Tortillas

When selecting keto tortillas for your air fryer chips, consider the following:

• Carb Content: Choose tortillas with a low net carb count to fit your keto diet. Compare the nutrition labels and aim for options with fewer total carbs and a higher fibre content.
• Ingredients: Look for tortillas with clean ingredients that align with your dietary goals. Avoid tortillas with excessive additives, vegetable oils, or artificial sweeteners.
• Taste and Texture: Opt for tortillas that have a pleasant flavour and a soft, pliable texture. This will ensure your chips turn out crispy and delicious.
• Availability: Consider the convenience of purchasing tortillas. If you prefer store-bought options, check the availability at your local stores or online. If you're making them from scratch, ensure you have access to the required ingredients.

Oil and seasoning options

When making keto chips in an air fryer, you can use a variety of oils and seasonings to add flavour and crispness to your chips. Here are some options to consider:

Oils

• Avocado oil: This oil has a mild flavour and a high smoke point, making it a good choice for air frying.
• Olive oil: A common kitchen oil that can be used in an air fryer, but be aware of its lower smoke point.
• Coconut oil: A suitable option for coating zucchini chips, but it needs to be melted first if it's in solid form.

Seasonings

• Salt: Flaky sea salt is recommended for homemade chips, but kosher salt or Himalayan salt can also be used. If using finer salt, reduce the amount to avoid over-salting.
• Garlic powder: A common ingredient in seasoning blends, adding a savoury punch to your chips.
• Onion powder: Another flavour-enhancing powder that pairs well with garlic powder.
• Chilli powder: Adds a kick of heat to your chips.
• Cayenne pepper: For those who like it spicy, a dash of cayenne will do the trick.
• Ranch seasoning: Combine dried parsley, chives, onion and garlic powder, dried dill, salt and pepper for a creamy, herby flavour.
• BBQ seasoning: A blend of smoked paprika, brown sugar substitute, salt, granulated garlic, mustard powder, and chilli powder.
• Cinnamon sugar: A sweet option for those with a sweet tooth; combine cinnamon with a keto-friendly sweetener.
• Taco seasoning: A quick and easy way to add Mexican-inspired flavours to your chips.
• Cheese: Sprinkle grated cheddar or parmesan cheese on your chips before air frying for a crispy, cheesy treat.
• Lime juice: A squeeze of lime juice over your chips will add a zesty kick, especially when paired with guacamole.

Cutting and cooking methods

The first step to making keto chips in an air fryer is to cut your chosen base into chip-sized pieces. This can be done with a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors. For tortilla chips, cut the tortillas into triangle shapes, similar to how you would cut a pizza. For zucchini chips, slice the zucchini as thinly as possible.

Once you have cut your base, it's time to prepare it for cooking. For tortilla chips, you can brush both sides of each chip with oil and add your desired seasonings. For zucchini chips, place the slices in a bowl and toss them with olive oil and a pinch of salt until each slice is coated.

Now you are ready to cook your chips! For tortilla chips, preheat your air fryer to between 325°F and 375°F. Place the tortilla triangles in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and golden brown.

For zucchini chips, preheat your air fryer to 132°C (270°F). Place the zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Cook for 15 minutes, checking on them at the 10-minute mark.

Once your chips are crispy and golden, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool before serving. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, keto-friendly chips!

Dips and toppings

There are endless possibilities for dips and toppings to go with your keto chips.

For a classic take, you can dip them into cucumber salsa, keto guacamole, or a simple low-carb salsa. You can also enjoy them with cut veggie sticks, a dill veggie dip with cream cheese, or a jalapeño ranch dip.

If you're serving at a party, add them to an extensive dip spread, including easy crab dip, hot spinach dip, and queso keto cheese dip.

For a more filling lunch option, serve low-carb tortilla chips with a protein-packed layered taco dip with ground beef or keto buffalo chicken dip.

Some other dip ideas include Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip, Creamy Homemade Hummus, and One Pan Enchilada Skillet.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also make your own toppings to sprinkle over the chips before baking or air frying, or while the chips are still warm after frying. Here are some ideas:

• Ranch: Combine dried parsley, dried chives, onion and garlic powder, dried dill, salt, and pepper.
• Onion: Combine onion powder, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and sea salt.
• BBQ: Combine smoked paprika, brown sugar substitute, sea salt, granulated garlic, mustard powder, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
• Cheesy: Combine nutritional yeast, salt, and garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Combine a keto-friendly sweetener and cinnamon.
• Taco: Use a keto taco seasoning.
• Cheesy delight: sprinkle grated cheddar or parmesan cheese on your tortilla triangles before air frying.
• Spicy fiesta: add a dash of chili powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper.
• Zesty lime: Squeeze fresh lime juice over your chips.
• Everything bagel: sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic flakes, and onion flakes or onion powder onto your tortilla chips.

If you're in the mood for something sweet, you can dust some cinnamon sugar over your chips and dip them in a Ricotta Cannoli Dip!

Storing your keto chips

Choosing the Right Container

Use an airtight container to store your keto chips. This will help maintain their freshness and keep them from going stale. You can use a sealed container or even a Ziploc bag to ensure no air gets in.

Storage Temperature

It is recommended to store your keto chips at room temperature. Keeping them in a cool, dry place will help extend their shelf life. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator or freezer, as this can affect their texture and make them lose their crispness.

Ensuring Crispness

Before storing your keto chips, ensure they are completely cool. Storing warm chips in an airtight container can trap moisture and ruin their crunch. If your chips do lose their crispness, you can easily restore them by popping them back into the air fryer for a few minutes.

Storage Duration

Homemade keto chips can be stored for up to a week or even longer. They will stay fresh and crispy for at least a week when stored properly. However, it is recommended to consume them within a few days for the best taste and texture.

Storing Different Types of Keto Chips

Different types of keto chips may have specific storage requirements. For example, cheese crisps can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container, similar to potato chips. On the other hand, some chips, such as pepperoni chips, are best made fresh and consumed immediately.

Storing Dips

When serving your keto chips with dips, it is important to consider the storage requirements of the dip as well. Some dips, like guacamole, may need to be refrigerated, while others, like salsa, can be stored at room temperature. Always refer to the specific instructions for your chosen dip to ensure food safety.

Frequently asked questions