Air-Fryer Magic: Tortilla Bowls Made Easy

Air fryers are a fantastic way to make crispy, delicious tortilla bowls without the need for deep frying. They are healthier, simple to make, and perfect for a quick meal. You can use flour tortillas, or even try corn tortillas, to create a fun edible bowl for your taco salad. The process is straightforward: heat and soften the tortilla, place it in a heat-safe bowl, and then cook it in the air fryer. You can also use aluminium foil to shape the bowls. With just a few minutes of cooking, you'll have a crispy, golden tortilla bowl ready to fill with your favourite taco ingredients!

Choosing the right air fryer

Air fryers are a versatile and convenient kitchen appliance, but how do you choose the right one for your needs? Here are some factors to consider when selecting an air fryer:

Types of Air Fryers

There are two primary types of air fryers: those with baskets (or drawers) and those with mesh trays or racks. Basket air fryers are the most common type, featuring a tub that slides out for easy food placement. They come in digital and manual varieties and often include preset buttons for specific foods. Mesh tray air fryers, on the other hand, cook food on a flat or shallow receptacle, similar to a countertop toaster oven, and usually have clear glass doors. Some models even offer multiple racks for cooking a full meal simultaneously.

Capacity

Air fryer capacity typically ranges from 2 quarts to over 5 quarts. When choosing an air fryer, consider the number of people you'll be cooking for regularly. A 2- or 3-quart air fryer is suitable for one or two people, while a 5-quart model can comfortably feed a family. If you're cooking for a crowd, look for roomier models or consider cooking in batches.

Advanced Features

Some air fryers offer additional settings such as dehydration, baking, and rotisserie cooking, allowing them to function as multi-cookers. Preset buttons for specific foods and indicators for when to check on your food can also be helpful. Many models also have a "keep warm" function to maintain the temperature and crispness of your food.

Price

Air fryers can range in price from $30 to $400, but most models fall between $100 and $260. You don't have to break the bank to get a high-performing air fryer, as even basic models can deliver good results.

Size

When it comes to size, consider both your counter space and the size of the air fryer's cooking chamber. Air fryers are designed to fit neatly on your countertop, but larger models may take up more space. Additionally, a smaller cooking chamber can result in more efficient cooking, as the hot air has less distance to travel and loses less heat.

Warranty

Warranties for air fryers can vary significantly, ranging from as short as 60 days to up to three years. Be sure to consider the warranty length when making your purchase, as it can provide peace of mind and protection for your investment.

Controls, Noise, and Ease of Cleaning

Other factors to evaluate when choosing an air fryer include the ease of use of the controls, the noise level during operation, and how easy it is to clean. Look for air fryers with intuitive buttons, dials, or touchpads, and check reviews to ensure the model you're considering isn't overly loud or difficult to clean.

When choosing the right air fryer, consider your budget, the features you need, and the size that best suits your countertop and cooking needs. Whether you opt for a basic basket-style air fryer or a more advanced oven-style model, you're sure to enjoy the convenience and versatility of this popular kitchen appliance.

Selecting the right tortilla size

The tortilla size you choose will depend on the size of your air fryer. If you have a small air fryer, you will need to use smaller tortillas, typically 8-inch tortillas (taco size). If your air fryer is on the larger side, you can opt for 10-inch tortillas (burrito size). Using a tortilla that is too big for your air fryer will result in an unevenly cooked tortilla bowl or, worse, a tortilla that gets stuck in your air fryer.

For an 8-inch tortilla, you will need a 6-inch bowl and a 3-inch bowl to form the tortilla bowl. For a 10-inch tortilla, use an 8-inch bowl and a 6-inch bowl. It is important to ensure that your bowls are oven-safe and that they fit snugly inside your air fryer, with enough space to fit the tortilla between them.

When placing the tortilla in the bowls, it is normal to have some folds in the tortilla, especially with the larger-sized tortillas. This is nothing to worry about, as it will not affect the final result. However, you want to avoid having too much tortilla hanging over the edges of the bowls, as this can cause the tortilla to cook unevenly and affect the overall shape of your tortilla bowl.

In addition to the tortilla size, the type of tortilla you use is also important. Flour tortillas are the most commonly used and are said to yield better results. Corn tortillas can also be used, but they may not hold their shape as well.

Picking the right bowls

First, determine the size of your tortillas. Are you using taco-sized (8-inch) or burrito-sized (10-inch) tortillas? This will dictate the size of the bowls you need. For taco-sized tortillas, you'll typically need a smaller bowl, around 6 inches in diameter, as the outer bowl, and a 3-inch or 3.5-inch bowl as the inner bowl. For burrito-sized tortillas, opt for an 8-inch bowl as the outer bowl and a 6-inch bowl as the inner bowl.

Second, choose oven-safe bowls made from materials like stainless steel or glass. These materials can withstand the heat of the air fryer without warping or melting. Avoid using plastic or wooden bowls, as they may not be heat-resistant.

Third, consider the shape of your air fryer basket when selecting bowls. If you have a round air fryer basket, you can choose bowls that are a similar shape and size. However, if your air fryer basket is square or rectangular, you may need to use heavy-duty aluminium foil to create a mould for your tortilla bowls, as mentioned in some sources.

Additionally, it's important to ensure that your chosen bowls fit comfortably inside your air fryer with enough space for air to circulate. You don't want the bowls to be too close to the heating element, as this can affect cooking performance and even cause damage to your air fryer.

Lastly, it's a good idea to have multiple sets of bowls in different sizes, especially if you plan on making tortilla bowls regularly. This will allow you to experiment and find the perfect setup for your tortillas and air fryer.

Remember, the goal is to find bowls that will help shape your tortillas into crisp and stable bowls without any unwanted folds or air bubbles. By selecting the right bowls, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and impressive tortilla bowls in your air fryer.

Spraying the tortilla

Firstly, you will need to choose an oil to use in your spray. Avocado oil spray is a popular choice, but you can also use olive oil or a non-stick cooking spray.

Once you have your oil, you will need to spray it onto both sides of the tortilla. Be sure to spray evenly and lightly coat both sides. You don't want to drench the tortilla, as this will affect the texture and taste of your bowl.

After spraying, you will place the tortilla into your chosen mould. This could be a heat-safe bowl, or aluminium foil shaped into a bowl. The spray will help the tortilla stick to the mould and hold its shape.

Once your tortilla is in the mould, you will place a smaller bowl on top, to act as a weight and keep the tortilla in place. The spray will help the bowls stick together, ensuring your tortilla doesn't slip or move around during cooking.

Finally, the spray will help your tortilla bowl turn a beautiful golden brown. The oil will help the tortilla cook evenly and give it a nice, crispy texture.

So, spraying the tortilla is a key step in achieving the perfect tortilla bowl! It ensures your bowl holds its shape, cooks evenly, and turns a delicious golden colour.

Filling the tortilla bowl

Now that you have your tortilla bowls ready, it's time to fill them with delicious ingredients! The beauty of tortilla bowls is that they are highly customisable and versatile, so you can fill them with just about anything you like. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Filling Ideas:

• Lettuce
• Ground beef or taco-seasoned meat
• Chicken (shredded or rotisserie)
• Beans (refried or regular)
• Cheese (cheddar, Monterey jack, Tex Mex, or a Mexican blend)
• Tomatoes
• Avocado or guacamole
• Sour cream
• Green onions
• Salsa or pico de gallo
• Rice
• Corn
• Black beans
• Olives
• Jalapenos
• Bell peppers

Tips for Filling the Tortilla Bowls:

• If you're making these for a group, you can set up a taco bar with all the fillings and let everyone build their own bowls.
• For a vegetarian option, simply omit the meat and add more beans or other plant-based proteins.
• If you want to prepare these ahead of time, it's best to keep the fillings separate from the tortilla bowls to prevent them from getting soggy. Store the bowls at room temperature and fill them just before serving.
• Get creative and experiment with different ingredients and flavour combinations!

Frequently asked questions