Air-Fryer Tortilla Strips: Quick, Easy, And Crunchy!

Air fryer tortilla strips are a quick and easy snack that can be made in under 10 minutes. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried tortilla strips and can be used as a crunchy topping on soups and salads or eaten as a snack on their own. The strips can be seasoned with a variety of spices, from traditional salt to bold chili lime or even sweet cinnamon sugar. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make tortilla strips in an air fryer, as well as some tips and tricks to ensure perfect results every time.

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 tortillas or flour tortillas. Corn tortillas will give your strips a more golden colour, whereas flour tortillas offer variety. You can also choose between yellow or white corn tortillas, but this is mostly a matter of preference as you'll be cutting them into strips anyway.

Tortilla size is also a matter of personal preference. Smaller tortillas are easier to cut into even strips, but larger tortillas will give you more interesting shapes. If you're cutting your tortillas into thin strips for potato stick-like snacks, or for topping soups and salads, you may want to stick to smaller tortillas. If you're cutting your tortillas into wedges or triangles for more of a traditional tortilla chip shape, larger tortillas can work well.

When choosing tortillas, it's also important to consider the thickness. Thicker tortillas will take longer to cook and may need to be cooked at a higher temperature to get crispy. If you're short on time, look for thinner tortillas.

Finally, consider the ingredients in the tortillas. If you're looking for a gluten-free option, corn tortillas are a better choice. If you're looking for a more authentic Mexican flavour, corn tortillas are again the way to go. For a softer, more bread-like texture, flour tortillas are the way to go.

Once you've chosen your tortillas, you can move on to the next step: cutting them into strips or wedges. For strips, use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the tortillas into thin, even strips. For wedges, cut the tortillas into quarters or eighths. You can also get creative with shapes, such as triangles or curls, depending on your preference.

Cutting the tortillas

Firstly, decide on the type of tortilla you want to use. Corn tortillas, including yellow or white corn varieties, are commonly used, but you can also opt for flour tortillas if you prefer. The choice of tortilla can impact the final texture, with corn tortillas known for their crispiness.

Next, gather your tools. You can use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter for this task. A sharp knife will give you more precision when cutting the tortillas. If you're cutting multiple tortillas at once, it's a good idea to stack them neatly on top of each other to ensure uniformity in the strips.

Now, let's move on to the cutting techniques. There are two popular ways to cut the tortillas:

• Thin Strips: For delicate crunchiness, cut the tortillas into thin strips about 1/2-inch wide. You can cut them both vertically and horizontally to create a lattice pattern. Stacking and cutting them together can speed up the process.
• Tortilla Wedges: For a classic chip shape, cut the tortillas into quarters or eighths. This will give you triangular tortilla wedges.

Feel free to experiment with different cutting sizes and shapes to find your preferred level of crunchiness. Thinner strips will result in a delicate crunch, while thicker cuts will provide a more substantial bite. You can also try cutting the tortillas into curly, wild shapes for a fun presentation.

Remember to aim for uniformity in the size and thickness of the strips to ensure even cooking in the air fryer. Once you've cut the tortillas to your desired shape and size, you're ready to move on to the next steps of coating them with oil and seasoning before placing them in the air fryer.

Seasoning the tortilla strips

For a spicy kick, try using chilli-lime seasoning or sprinkle on some garlic powder, chilli powder, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat.

Simply sprinkle your chosen seasoning over the tortilla strips after you've coated them in oil and before you place them in the air fryer. You can also add more seasoning after cooking if you prefer.

Air-frying the tortilla strips

Preparation:

First, gather your ingredients: tortillas (corn or flour), a light spray of oil, and a pinch of salt. You can use any size tortilla, but larger ones will make fun, curly shapes. Stack the tortillas and cut them into thin strips, either vertically and horizontally or into triangular wedges, for a classic chip shape. The key is to keep the thickness uniform for even cooking.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to between 325-400°F. Place the tortilla strips in a medium-sized bowl and drizzle or spray them with oil. Toss the strips to ensure they are evenly coated, and then sprinkle with salt. You can also add other seasonings like chili-lime, cinnamon sugar, or garlic powder to experiment with different flavours.

Place the strips in the air fryer basket, spreading them out evenly with minimal overlap. Air fry for 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on the strips as they can burn quickly.

Serving:

Your tortilla strips are ready when they are golden brown and crispy. They are now ready to be served. Enjoy them as a crunchy snack on their own, or use them as a topping on salads, soups, or Mexican-inspired dishes. They are best enjoyed fresh and warm, as they can lose their crunch when stored.

Tips:

For a sweet treat, sprinkle the tortilla strips with cinnamon sugar and serve over vanilla ice cream. You can also dip them in guacamole, salsa, or hummus.

So, there you have it! A simple, tasty, and versatile snack that can be made in a matter of minutes with your air fryer.

Storing the tortilla strips

Storing tortilla strips is simple. Once the strips have cooled to room temperature, place them in an airtight container. You can store them at room temperature for up to five days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to stock up, you can also store them in the freezer in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container. When you're ready to eat them, move them to the refrigerator to thaw, then heat them in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds.

It's important to keep the tortilla strips in a cool, dry place. Heat and humidity can cause them to become stale quickly, so avoid storing them in places like the pantry or kitchen counter.

If you're storing store-bought tortillas before making the strips, you can keep them in the pantry or cupboard for up to two weeks, as long as the packaging is intact with no tears or holes.

Frequently asked questions