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Crispy, crunchy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips are beyond easy to make at home and need just a few basic ingredients. Plus, they’re naturally gluten free. Serve them with salsa, guacamole, homemade dips and more!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: Mexican
- Primary Cooking Method: Air fryer
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
I’m not usually a salty snack girl, and typically skip the potato chips and pretzels. But I cannot stop when it comes to tortilla chips. And homemade tortilla chips are just beyond. Forget the greasy store-bought bag, you will love how simple and satisfying it is to make your own chips!
You’ll use naturally gluten free corn tortillas to handily make this recipe gluten free, and because they’re tortilla chips in air fryer, you’ll be able to cook them without turning on the oven. My kids gobble these up as soon as they come out of the air fryer, and I love them with dips, as a garnish, for making nachos, and just to nibble on. Here’s why you’ll love tortilla chips air fryer:
- Versatile. I love how you can change up the flavors so easily depending on what you’re in the mood for. Make them spicy, plain, with cheese, or even a sweet version! I’ve included some suggestions lower down in this post to inspire you.
- Quick. In less than 15 minutes you’ll have a hot, fresh batch of crispy chips – only 5 minutes of that time is prep work!
- Did I mention, fresh? Nothing beats the taste of fresh chips. Another bonus is because you’re making them yourself you can control what goes into them. You won’t have to worry about any cross-contamination or odd ingredients.
What You’ll Need
Just four simple ingredients are needed to make tortilla chips in air fryer. Scroll down for some variation ideas once you get the hang of making these. Check the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient amounts.
- Corn Tortillas: To keep these chips naturally gluten-free, make sure your package of corn tortillas is labeled gluten free and contains only corn.
- Oil Spray: My spray of choice is avocado oil, though you could use vegetable or corn oil spray in a pinch. Do not use a nonstick cooking spray, as this has propellants that can leave a residue in your air fryer.
- Chili Powder: For a bit of heat. Omit this if you prefer plain tortilla chips.
- Salt
Can I Use Flour Tortillas?
Yes, you can use this method to make tortilla chips with flour tortillas, although if you are keeping gluten free you will need to stick to corn tortillas only or make homemade gluten free tortillas. The only change you would make if you want to make this recipe with flour tortillas is to substitute flour tortillas for the corn tortillas. If you use larger flour tortillas, note that you may need to adjust the amount of salt and batches you will place in the air fryer.
How To Make Tortilla Chips in Air Fryer
Here’s a look at how to make air fryer tortilla chips. Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.
- Prep. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F and cut the tortillas into quarters. Spray the cut tortillas with oil spray, then season them with chili powder and salt.
- Add to the air fryer. Place about half of the cut tortillas in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook. Fry the chips for about four minutes – flip them after two minutes – until golden brown and crispy.
- Cool. Remove the chips from the air fryer and cool slightly, then sprinkle with more seasonings if you wish.
Tips & Variations
To make perfectly crisp and crunchy air fryer tortilla chips, follow my tips below. And, if you want to branch out into other flavors, I’ve included some suggestions for that as well.
- Use oil spray. An oil spray helps give them the perfect crispy texture. For the air fryer, I recommend an avocado oil spray versus olive oil or cooking spray due to the higher smoke point (it also won’t leave a residue in the air fryer). A light coating is enough to achieve crispiness – you don’t want to drench the tortillas in oil.
- Pick up a fresh package. Be sure to use fresh tortillas for the best results. Check the expiration on the package before you begin this recipe.
- Check the tortillas frequently. Air fryers can vary, so keep an eye on the tortillas while they’re cooking to prevent burning.
- Cook in a single layer. Cook the tortillas in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. This will help you achieve maximum crispiness.
- Add more spices. Feel free to experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, cumin, paprika, or even a sprinkle of lime zest for a tangy twist. On the flip side, if you want plain tortilla chips, skip the chili powder and just add salt to taste.
- Cheesy tortillas. Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese before air frying the tortillas.
- Make them sweet. For a sweet treat, sprinkle the tortillas with cinnamon sugar and leave off the chili powder and salt.
- Cut strips. If you want a topping for a Taco Salad or to add crunch to any bowl of greens, cut your tortillas into thick or thin strips. If you cut them thin, check them frequently.
Proper Storage
While air fryer tortilla chips are the best on the day they’re made, they will stay relatively fresh for a few days if stored properly. Here’s how:
- Room temperature – Place leftover tortillas in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freezer – Freeze any extra tortillas by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a sealable freezer bag. Place them in the air fryer to reheat them for a few minutes until crispy, with no need to defrost the chips.
Ways To Serve Them
Chips and dip is the best snack! Whip up a batch of homemade salsa or guacamole, or try some of these other options:
- With dips. Hot or cold, it doesn’t even matter! Homemade tortilla chips are perfect with appetizer dips. Dip them into my Cheesy Mexican Dip or Mexican Street Corn, or scoop up big bites of Barbecue Chicken Dip with chips.
- Hummus. One of my favorite nibbles is fresh tortilla chips and hummus. You can make my Homemade Hummus, which is always a hit, or try my sweet-salty Maple Walnut Sweet Potato Hummus recipe.
- As a garnish. You can sprinkle bits of air fryer tortilla chips over a Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad or Ground Beef Taco Skillet for a bit of crunch.
- Make nachos! Tortilla chips in air fryer are the perfect base for nachos! My Sheet Pan Nachos with Chicken and Black Beans is a great way to showcase these chips. Or, pile them high with easy Instant Pot Pinto Beans for a hearty snack.
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Ingredients
- 12 corn tortillas
- Oil spray
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Cut the tortillas into quarters or desired shapes and spread them out in a single layer on a cutting board, sheet pan, or another prep surface.
- Lightly spray both sides of the corn tortillas with oil spray. This helps them get that perfect crispy texture. Sprinkle the chili powder and a pinch of salt evenly over the tortillas.
- Place about half of the cut tortillas in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping to ensure even cooking, working in batches, if needed.
- Cook at 370°F for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning, and add another 1-2 minutes to the cooking time, if needed; they should be golden brown and crispy.
- Once done, remove from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. For extra flavor, sprinkle a bit more salt or chili powder immediately after cooking, if desired. Enjoy them as a snack or serve with your favorite dip!
Notes
- Oil spray helps give them the perfect crispy texture. For the air fryer, I recommend an avocado oil spray versus olive oil or cooking spray due to the higher smoke point and so that it does not leave a residue in the air fryer. A light coating is enough to achieve crispiness. Avoid drenching the tortillas in oil.
- Be sure to use fresh tortillas for the best results.
- Check Frequently: Air fryers can vary, so keep an eye on the tortillas to prevent burning.
- Single Layer: Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. This will help you achieve maximum crispiness.
- Other Spices: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, cumin, paprika, or even a sprinkle of lime zest for a tangy twist.
- Cheesy Tortillas: Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese before air frying.
- Cinnamon Sugar: For a sweet treat, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar instead of chili powder and salt. Storage and Freezing Tips:
- Store leftover tortillas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freeze any extra tortillas by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until crispy.
Did you make this?
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