Air Fryer Tortilla Strips: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a fantastic way to make tortilla strips, offering a fast, tasty, and healthier alternative to fried corn chips. They are a great snack on their own, or as a crunchy topping on salads and soups. You can use corn or flour tortillas, and cut them into thin strips or triangles. You can also season them with salt, or cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat. The strips are then sprayed with oil and cooked in the air fryer for around 3-4 minutes at 325-400°F.

Choosing the right tortillas

The first step to making tortilla strips in an air fryer is to choose the right tortillas. You can use either corn or flour tortillas, depending on your preference. Corn tortillas will give you a gluten-free option, while flour tortillas will provide a different texture and taste. You can also choose between yellow or white corn tortillas for variety.

When selecting your tortillas, look for fresh, good-quality tortillas. Stale tortillas can be used, but they may not yield the best results. If you want to make a large batch of tortilla strips, choose larger tortillas, usually the 10-inch size. These larger tortillas will give you more strips and are perfect for snacking and dipping.

For a fun presentation, choose different coloured tortillas, such as yellow and white, to add some visual appeal to your dish. You can even experiment with making your own tortillas from scratch if you're feeling adventurous!

When cutting your tortillas, you can create thin strips for a potato stick-like snack or thicker strips for a heartier bite. You can also cut them into triangle wedge shapes for a more traditional tortilla chip shape. Stacking and folding the tortillas before cutting will help you achieve even strips.

Remember, any size tortilla will work, so feel free to experiment with different sizes and varieties to find your perfect combination.

Cutting the tortillas

Firstly, decide on the size of your tortillas. Any size will work, but larger tortillas, such as 10-inch ones, tend to create fun, curly shapes. If you are using smaller tortillas, you can stack them on top of each other to make cutting easier. For larger tortillas, it is recommended to fold them in half before cutting to ensure a more even cut.

Next, grab a sharp knife or a pair of kitchen shears. If using a knife, carefully stack the tortillas and cut them into thin strips, both vertically and horizontally. You can cut them to your desired thickness, but a thickness of around 1/4-inch is often recommended for dipping, and thinner strips can be made for potato stick-like snacks or to top soups and salads. You can also cut the tortillas into triangle wedge shapes for more traditional tortilla chips.

If you are using kitchen shears, cut the tortillas into long, 1/2-inch wide strips. This will give you longer, crunchier strips. You can also experiment with different shapes, such as triangles, for variety.

Once you have cut your desired number of tortillas, it is time to move on to the next step of preparing the tortilla strips for the air fryer. Remember to handle the sharp knife or shears with care throughout the cutting process.

With these simple steps, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy tortilla strips in your air fryer!

Adding oil and seasoning

Choosing the Right Oil

You can use olive oil or vegetable oil for your tortilla strips. Olive oil is a great option for a rich and fruity flavour profile. If you prefer a more neutral taste, vegetable oil is a suitable alternative. You can also use an oil spray, which is convenient for ensuring even distribution.

Drizzling or Tossing with Oil

If using liquid oil, place your tortilla strips in a medium-sized bowl and drizzle the oil over them. Gently toss the strips with tongs or a spoon to ensure each piece is evenly coated. This technique helps the oil cling to the strips and promotes a crispy texture.

Seasoning Options

When it comes to seasoning, salt is a classic choice and enhances the flavour of your tortilla strips. You can use coarse salt or regular table salt, depending on your preference. For variety, you can also experiment with different seasonings like chili-lime, cinnamon sugar, or even a sprinkle of cumin or paprika for a smokier flavour.

Combining Oil and Seasoning

After coating your tortilla strips with oil, it's time to add the seasoning. Sprinkle your chosen seasoning over the oiled strips, and then toss them again to ensure an even coating. Make sure to taste a strip to check the seasoning and adjust as needed.

Air Fryer Settings

Once your tortilla strips are seasoned and coated in oil, it's time to cook them. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 325°F and 400°F. Place the strips into the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning. If you're cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the strips in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Final Thoughts

Air fryer settings

The settings you use for your air fryer tortilla strips will depend on the type of air fryer you have, the type of tortillas you are using, and the level of crispiness you want to achieve.

For corn tortilla strips, set your air fryer to 325-360° Fahrenheit (around 160-180° Celsius) and cook for 3-4 minutes. If you are using flour tortillas, increase the temperature to 400° Fahrenheit (around 200° Celsius) and cook for 3-5 minutes.

For corn tortillas, you can also try the "bake" setting on your air fryer, setting the temperature to 350° Fahrenheit (around 180° Celsius) and cooking for 20-25 minutes, flipping the tortilla strips halfway through.

Regardless of the type of tortilla, keep a close eye on them during the cooking process, as they can go from perfectly toasted to burnt very quickly.

If you are cooking in batches, you may need to adjust the cooking time for subsequent batches, as the air fryer may already be hot from the previous batch.

Additionally, if you are cooking without oil, you may need to experiment with different settings and temperatures to get the desired results without burning the tortilla strips. Some suggestions include using the "bake" setting, cooking at a lower temperature, and adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer to create steam and prevent burning.

Storing the tortilla strips

Storing tortilla strips

Once you've made your tortilla strips, you'll want to make sure you store them properly to keep them fresh and crispy. Here are some tips to help you store your tortilla strips:

Room temperature storage:

• Allow the tortilla strips to cool completely before storing.
• Place the cooled tortilla strips in an airtight container.
• Store the airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days.
• The tortilla strips will begin to lose their crispiness over time, so it's best to eat them within the first few days.

Freezing:

• If you want to store the tortilla strips for longer, you can freeze them.
• Spread the tortilla strips on a baking sheet in a single layer and place them in the freezer until frozen solid.
• Transfer the frozen strips to a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Label the container with the date and use within 3 months for best quality.
• To thaw, remove the desired portion from the freezer and let them come to room temperature or gently reheat in the air fryer.

Storing in a baggie:

• If you plan to eat the tortilla strips within a day or two, you can store them in a baggie.
• However, they will lose their crispiness as they cool and become chewier.
• To maintain maximum crispiness, it's best to eat them fresh or store them in an airtight container.

Moisture control:

• Tortilla strips tend to absorb moisture from their surroundings, which can make them soggy.
• If you're using them as a topping for soups or salads, add them in small amounts as you eat to prevent them from getting soggy.
• You can also reheat the tortilla strips in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore some crispiness if they have lost their crunch.

Pre-cut storage:

• If you want to cut down on prep time, you can cut the tortillas into strips and store them uncooked until you're ready to fry them.
• Place the cut tortilla strips in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for a few days or in the freezer for longer periods.
• This way, you can quickly grab a handful and fry them whenever you're craving a crunchy snack.

Frequently asked questions