Air-Fryer Nacho Chips: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making nacho chips in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a tasty snack with minimal oil and just a few simple ingredients. You can use either corn or flour tortillas, and there are various seasoning options to choose from, such as salt and vinegar, spicy chipotle, or zesty cheese. The chips are ready in just a few minutes and can be stored for up to two weeks.

Choosing the right tortillas

The first step to making delicious nacho chips in an air fryer is to choose the right tortillas. You can use either corn or flour tortillas, but corn tortillas are generally preferred as they produce a crispier and more flavourful chip. Look for tortillas that are around 6 inches in diameter, as these are the perfect size for making chip-sized wedges.

If you opt for corn tortillas, you can choose between white or yellow corn tortillas, both of which will give you great results. When selecting your tortillas, avoid those advertised as "soft", as these may contain additional fats or dough conditioners that will increase the cooking time. Instead, choose tortillas with a shorter ingredient list.

For those with dietary restrictions, you can also find gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan tortilla options. Whole wheat tortillas are a great option for those looking for a high-fibre snack.

Once you've selected your tortillas, you'll want to cut them into wedges before placing them in the air fryer. You can cut them into 6-8 pieces, depending on the size of your tortillas. Stack the tortillas on top of each other and use a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors to slice through them, making it easier and faster to cut them all at once.

Oil and seasoning

Oil is an important ingredient in this recipe as it helps to create the perfect crispy tortilla chips. It also ensures that the seasoning sticks to the chips. You can use any neutral-tasting oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. A light coating of oil on both sides of the tortillas is enough; you can use a brush or spray to apply it.

When it comes to seasoning, you can go wild and experiment with different flavours. You can use kosher salt, or any other large, coarse-style salt. Other popular seasonings include nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and cinnamon. You can also try pre-made spice blends, such as ranch seasoning or Trader Joe's spice blends.

Cool Ranch

About 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning

Spicy

• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon of paprika

Greek

• 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon of onion powder

Classic

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt

Spicy Chipotle

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground chipotle chili pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt

Zesty 'Cheese'

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 teaspoons of nutritional yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt

Salt and Vinegar

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon of white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt

Chili Lime

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt

Maple Cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon of maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of coconut sugar (Note that this variation cooks a little quicker than the other flavours)

Cutting the tortillas

Firstly, it is important to apply a light coating of oil to the tortillas before cutting them. This helps to create a crispy texture and ensures that your chosen seasonings will adhere to the chips effectively. You can use a brush or spray to apply the oil, ensuring that both sides of the tortillas are covered.

Next, it's time to cut the tortillas into wedges or triangles. Stack the tortillas on a cutting board, and use a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors to slice them. Aim for about six triangles per tortilla, but don't worry if they aren't all perfectly equal in size. You can cut them like a pie, or slice the tortilla into quarters and then cut each quarter into triangles.

Once you have a stack of cut tortillas, they are ready to be seasoned and placed in the air fryer. However, remember that the tortillas should be cut into a similar size so that they cook evenly in the air fryer. If your tortillas are different sizes, consider cutting them into larger or smaller wedges to ensure uniformity.

When it comes to seasoning, you have endless options. A classic choice is to sprinkle each side of the tortilla wedges with salt, but you can also experiment with other seasonings like chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or even a cinnamon-sugar mixture for a sweet variation. Feel free to get creative and use your favourite spices!

Finally, arrange the tortilla wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap too much. If your air fryer basket is small, you may need to cook the chips in batches. Now, they are ready to be cooked!

Air frying

Ingredients and Preparation:

• You will need tortillas (corn or flour), olive oil or cooking spray, and salt. Some recipes also suggest using spices or seasonings like chili powder, paprika, or cinnamon for extra flavour.
• Before cutting the tortillas, apply a light coating of oil to both sides, either by brushing or spraying. You can also add salt at this stage.
• Cut the tortillas into triangles or wedges. You can stack them and cut them all at once, or cut them individually with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
• Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F.
• Arrange the tortilla pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's important to avoid overcrowding so that the hot air can circulate and cook the chips evenly. You may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry the chips for 5-7 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure they don't overlap or stick together. You may need to adjust the timing based on your air fryer model.
• Remove the chips from the air fryer and let them cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool down.

Storage:

Air fryer nacho chips can be stored in an airtight container or bag at room temperature. They will stay fresh for about 5-14 days, depending on the recipe.

Storing and reheating

Once your nacho chips are ready, let them cool down completely before storing them. This is when the tortilla crisps to create a traditional chip texture. You can store them in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature. Do not freeze or refrigerate. They should stay fresh for about 5 days.

If you would like to serve the chips warm, you can reheat them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350°F. If they lose some crispness, crisp them back up in the air fryer for a minute or two.

Frequently asked questions