Air Fryer Corn Tortilla Chips: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer tortilla chips are a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-make snack. Requiring minimal preparation and ingredients, they are the perfect vessel for your favourite dips.

Choosing the right tortillas

The first step to making tortilla chips in an air fryer is to choose the right tortillas. You can use either corn or flour tortillas, but corn tortillas will give you a crispier chip. If you want to make your chips extra crispy, choose a smaller size, such as taco-sized tortillas. This will also make them easier to cut into chip-sized wedges.

If you are making spicy tortilla chips, corn tortillas are the better option as they are more traditional and will give you a more authentic flavour. However, if you are looking for a flavour closer to pita chips, flour tortillas are the way to go.

You can also use white or yellow corn tortillas, depending on your preference. White corn tortillas may need a little longer in the air fryer than yellow, so bear this in mind when timing your cooking.

For those on a keto or low-carb diet, there are specific tortillas you can use to keep within your dietary requirements. You can also buy tortillas suitable for those on Weight Watchers or who need to be gluten-free.

Preparing the tortillas

Ingredients:

You will need corn tortillas, oil or cooking spray, and salt. For the oil, olive oil or avocado oil is recommended due to their high smoke point, but other options such as vegetable or canola oil will also work.

Cutting the Tortillas:

Before applying any oil or seasoning, start by cutting the tortillas into chip-sized pieces. You can cut them into triangles or slices, aiming for about 6-8 pieces per tortilla depending on their size. Stacking multiple tortillas and cutting them together can speed up this process. A sharp knife, pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors all work well for this step.

Applying Oil and Seasoning:

There are two main methods for applying oil to the tortillas: spraying or brushing. If using cooking spray, lightly coat both sides of the tortilla wedges and then sprinkle with salt. If brushing, mix the oil and seasonings together first, then apply a thin coating to both sides of the tortillas. You can also sprinkle on additional seasonings like chili powder, cinnamon, or even a pinch of sugar for a sweet variation.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer if necessary. Place the tortilla pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chips in batches. Air fry at around 350°F for 3-7 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to ensure they don't burn. The chips are done when they are golden brown and crispy.

Tips:

• If your air fryer has a strong fan that blows the tortilla pieces around, try placing a metal trivet or rack over them to weigh them down.
• Flour tortillas can be used, but corn tortillas typically yield crispier results.
• For extra crispy chips, return them to the air fryer for an additional minute or two after they have cooled.
• Store leftover chips in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for about 5-10 days.

Seasoning the tortillas

Classic Salted Tortilla Chips:

A traditional approach is to sprinkle coarse salt or kosher salt on the tortillas. You can choose the amount of salt according to your preference. This simple seasoning enhances the flavour of the chips without overwhelming the natural taste of the tortillas.

Spicy and Tangy Variations:

For those who enjoy a kick of spice and tang, there are several options to explore. Before cooking, brush or spray the tortillas with oil and then experiment with these flavourful seasonings:

• Spicy Lime Tortilla Chips: Sprinkle taco seasoning on the tortillas, and after cooking, drizzle fresh lime juice over the chips.
• Zesty Ranch Tortilla Chips: Sprinkle ranch seasoning on the oiled tortillas before cooking.
• Chili Lime Tortilla Chips: Combine olive oil with chili powder and lime juice, and brush this mixture on the tortillas. You can also add a pinch of salt to this mix.
• Salt and Vinegar Tortilla Chips: Mix olive oil with white vinegar and a pinch of salt, and brush this tangy blend onto the tortillas.

Sweet Dessert Tortilla Chips:

If you're craving something sweet, you can transform your tortilla chips into a dessert option. Here's how:

• Sweeten things up with a cinnamon-sugar mix. Brush the tortillas with oil and sprinkle on a cinnamon-sugar blend. cinnamon and sugar.
• For a maple twist, brush the tortillas with oil and a drizzle of maple syrup, then sprinkle with cinnamon and a touch of coconut sugar.

Other Creative Seasoning Ideas:

You can also get creative and experiment with other seasonings and flavours:

• Cajun seasoning or chili powder for a spicy kick.
• Butter and cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat.
• Lime juice for a tangy twist.

Tips for Seasoning:

• You can brush the tortillas with oil before cutting them into wedges, making it easier to apply oil to the entire surface.
• If you prefer a lighter coating of oil, use an oil spray or avocado oil spray.
• Don't worry about coating every inch of the tortilla; a light sprinkling of seasoning will do the trick.
• Feel free to season both sides or just one side of the tortillas, depending on your preference.

With these seasoning ideas and tips, you can now create an assortment of delicious tortilla chips in your air fryer!

Cutting the tortillas

To make tortilla chips in an air fryer, you'll need to start by cutting your tortillas into triangles. You can do this by slicing the tortillas like a pie, so you get six to eight triangles per tortilla, depending on the size. Stack the tortillas on top of each other and use a sharp knife, a pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors to slice through them. You can also use a pizza cutter to make the process easier.

Brush or spray both sides of the tortillas with oil before cutting them. This will help the salt stick to the tortillas and give them a crispier texture. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or any other type of oil with a high smoke point. Sprinkle each tortilla with salt on one or both sides, according to your preference. You can also add other seasonings like taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, or cinnamon sugar.

Once your tortillas are cut and seasoned, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's important to avoid overlapping the tortillas so that they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tortillas in batches.

Cooking the tortillas

Now that you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to cook your tortillas. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare your tortillas: Brush or spray both sides of each tortilla with a thin layer of oil. You can also mix the oil with your chosen seasonings and brush it onto the tortillas for more even coverage. A light coating of oil is all you need—too much can make your tortillas chewy instead of crispy. Then, sprinkle salt on one or both sides. You can also try other seasonings like garlic salt, chilli lime, or cinnamon sugar.
• Cut the tortillas: Stack your tortillas and cut them into triangles or wedges. You can use a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or kitchen scissors. Aim for about six to eight chips per tortilla.
• Arrange in the air fryer: Place the tortilla pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's important not to overlap them so that they cook evenly. If you have a small air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry: Set your air fryer to 350°F to 360°F and cook for 4 to 7 minutes. Keep an eye on your chips and give the basket a shake halfway through to prevent sticking. Your chips are done when they are golden brown and crispy.
• Cool and serve: Let your chips cool for a bit—they'll continue to crisp up as they cool. Then, serve them with your favourite dips!

Tips for cooking tortillas in an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer for about 5 minutes before adding the tortillas, especially if it doesn't have a preheat setting.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• Use a trivet or rack to weigh down the tortillas and prevent them from blowing around in the basket.
• Don't skip the oil! It's important for getting crispy results and helping the seasonings stick.
• Keep an eye on your chips as they can burn quickly.
• For flour tortillas, reduce the cooking time to about 5 minutes and monitor closely to prevent burning.

Frequently asked questions