Air-Fried Pita Chips: A Quick, Crunchy Delight

Air Fryer Pita Chips are a quick and easy snack that can be made in just a few minutes. They are a healthier alternative to store-bought chips and can be seasoned with your favourite spices and herbs. All you need is pita bread, olive oil, and spices of your choice. You can also add other ingredients like sumac, garlic powder, onion powder, za'atar, or cinnamon sugar. The pita chips can be served with dips such as hummus, salsa, or bean dip, or enjoyed on their own as a tasty snack.

Choosing the right pita bread

When making pita bread chips in an air fryer, the type of pita bread you choose will determine the thickness and crispiness of your chips. Here are some tips for choosing the right pita bread:

• Pita Pocket Bread: The pocket-style pita bread is ideal for making pita chips as it bakes faster and results in crispier and lighter chips. Its thinner layers allow for more even baking. If you want to make thicker chips, you can use the thicker, soft pita pockets and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Flatbread: Lebanese flatbread, also known as Lebanese pita bread, is a great option for pita chips. It typically takes 6-8 minutes to crisp up in an air fryer. You can also use Greek pita, which takes closer to 10 minutes.
• Whole Wheat Pitas: If you prefer whole wheat pita bread, you can certainly use it for your chips. Just keep in mind that the baking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the pita.
• Naan Bread: While naan bread is not traditionally used for pita chips, you can experiment with it if you'd like. Keep in mind that the thickness of naan bread varies, so you may need to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
• Freshness: For the best results, use fresh pita bread. However, if your pita bread is slightly stale or drying out, don't worry! Stale pita bread can actually result in crispier and more delicious chips.

In summary, the key to choosing the right pita bread is considering the thickness of the bread and how it will affect your desired level of crispiness. Fresh pita bread is best, but slightly stale pita bread can also work well. Experiment with different types of pita bread and adjust your cooking time to find the perfect combination for your pita chips.

Seasoning options

The seasoning options for pita bread chips are endless. You can go savoury or sweet, depending on your taste and what you plan to serve the chips with.

For savoury, you can use dried herbs like oregano, Italian seasoning, parsley, thyme, rosemary, or mixed dried herbs. You can also use spices like paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, Cajun spice, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or za'atar. If you want to add a tangy, citrusy note, sumac is a great option. For a nuttier flavour, sprinkle on some sesame seeds. You could also try a seasoning blend like everything but the bagel seasoning, or ranch seasoning.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a cinnamon sugar mixture for a sweet option.

For a simple, basic savoury flavour, you can stick to olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Oil options

The type of oil you use for your pita bread chips is important, as it will help to ensure your chips are crispy and delicious.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a popular choice for this recipe, as it has a good flavour for drizzling over the pita bread and can help the seasonings stick. You can use extra virgin olive oil, or a regular variety.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is a good substitute for olive oil, and will add a similar flavour to your pita chips.

Coconut Oil

If you want to use coconut oil, it is best to use a refined variety, as unrefined coconut oil has a low smoke point and a strong flavour.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is another option with a neutral flavour, and a high smoke point, which is ideal for the air fryer.

Other Options

You can also use vegetable oil or melted butter for your pita chips. If you want to avoid using oil, you can spritz the pita bread with water to help the seasonings stick.

How to cut the pita bread

There are a few different ways to cut pita bread into triangles for air frying. You can cut the pita bread before or after adding the flavoured oil. You can use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to slice the pita bread.

One method is to first cut the pita bread in half, and then cut each half into thirds or quarters, so that you end up with either six or eight wedges. You can also cut the pita bread into triangles like you would slice a pizza, cutting the pita into eight triangles.

Another method is to first cut the pita bread in half, and then make three cuts into each half, so that you end up with eight wedges.

For a thinner pita bread, such as Lebanese pita, you can cut each pita into eight to twelve pieces.

How long to cook the pita chips

The cooking time for pita chips in an air fryer depends on the type of pita bread and the desired crispness.

Lebanese pita bread will take 6-8 minutes to crisp up, while Greek pita will take closer to 10 minutes. For a softer chip, you can air fry the pita for 6 minutes, and for a crispier chip, you can air fry for up to 10 minutes. The pita chips will continue to crisp up as they cool, so it is important to keep this in mind when adjusting the cooking time.

For pocket pita bread, it is recommended to cut the pita into wedges before air frying. This ensures that all the pieces are evenly coated with oil and seasonings. The cooking time for pocket pita chips is around 12-15 minutes, depending on the desired crispness. It is important to shake the air fryer basket or toss the pita chips gently every few minutes to ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions