If you're in the market for a crispy, salty, dippable snack, my favorite recipe for Homemade Air Fryer Corn Tortilla Chips has you covered! Not only are these air-fried tortilla chips absolutely scrumptious, but they’re also wholesome, nutritious, 100% plant-based, AND budget-friendly. Plus, they’re the perfect vehicle for all your favorite dips, making them the ideal snack for any occasion.
Wondering what to serve with these delectably crispy air fryer tortilla chips? They’re delightful for dipping into my vegan queso dip, layering up with toppings for my sheet pan nachos, or adding some crunch to your Chipotle-style burrito bowl!
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Friends, I'm so excited to share this delicious recipe for homemade air fryer corn tortilla chips with you all today. If you haven't jumped on the air fryer bandwagon yet, summer is a perfect time — it'll keep your kitchen cool and your dinnertime hot!
These air-fried tortilla chips are not only healthier than their deep-fried counterparts, but they're also super easy to make. So, let's dive right in and learn how to make tortilla chips in an air fryer! 🌽🌮
Recipe Ingredients
Before we begin, let's gather all the ingredients you'll need for your air fryer chips:
- Corn Tortillas - The star of the show — after all, you can't air fry tortilla chips without tortillas! You can use either store-bought or homemade, but just be sure they're nice and fresh, and not too thick.
- Oil - A little oil goes a long way in achieving that perfect crunch. A neutral, high smoke point oil like avocado or grapeseed oil works best for making tortilla chips in the air fryer.
- Garlic Powder - Just a touch of savory allium goodness takes these air fryer corn chips to whole new flavor heights.
- Cumin - Cumin brings a warm, earthy flavor to your air fryer corn tortilla chips. It's the secret ingredient that makes even a plain, dip-free chip taste like a bite from your favorite Mexican restaurant. If you only have whole cumin seeds on hand, you can grind them up in a clean coffee/spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
- Smoked Paprika - This spice adds a subtle smoky taste to your air fried tortilla chips. Feel free to swap in ground chipotle chilis for similar smokiness with a spicy kick.
- Chili Powder - This yummy spice blend (made from a mix of cumin and several varieties of chili peppers) brings a mild heat and gorgeous color to your homemade tortilla chips. Feel free to use sweet paprika, or go bold with some spicy cayenne or hot paprika instead.
- Salt - Because everything, especially snack food, needs some seasoning.
- Lime Juice (Optional) - If you’re a fan of those “Hint of Lime” Tostitos, this one’s for you. Best of all? You can get that zippy flavor without any weird artificial ingredients — fresh lime is all you need!
Recipe Steps
It’s so easy to make homemade tortilla chips air fryer-style. Here’s how it’s done:
Whisk together the oil and spices in a small bowl.
Stack the tortilla on top of one another and slice into 6 wedges.
Working in batches, place a single layer of the tortilla chips in the air fryer basket. Use a brush to coat each side of the tortillas with the oil/spice mixture. Air fry the tortilla chips at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Transfer the tortilla chips to a wire rack to cool slightly before eating, and repeat the process for the remaining tortilla chips
Optional Add-Ins/Variations
There are endless ways to customize your air fryer corn chips. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips: Swap out the savory spices for a blend of cinnamon and sugar for a sweet treat that will have your taste buds dancing!
- Try Alternate Seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different seasoning combinations to create your own air fryer tortilla chips recipe. Some options include taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, or even a simple blend of salt and pepper.
- Crispy Air Fryer Tortilla Strips: Cut your tortillas into thin strips instead of triangles for a fun twist on the classic chip shape. These strips are perfect for adding some crunch to your favorite salads, fajita bowls, or soups.
- Air Fryer Flour Tortilla Chips: If you prefer flour tortillas over corn, simply follow the same steps and adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Air Fryer Tortilla Chips No Oil: Monitoring your fat intake? Simply spray the tortilla wedges with cooking oil to help the seasoning blend stick. For an even healthier option, you can skip the oil altogether and just use water. Just keep in mind that the texture may be slightly different from the oiled version, but the taste will still be fantastic!
Pro Tips
Here are the tricks I've learned for achieving the perfect air fryer nacho chips every time:
- Avoid too much overlap & work in batches. Overlapping chips can lead to uneven cooking. Make sure each chip has its own space to crisp up nicely.
- If you line the air fryer basket for easy cleanup, make sure you're not blocking the vents which can prevent proper air circulation, leading to uneven cooking. Womp, womp.
- Brushing the oil instead of tossing the chips in it will give you more even distribution. This ensures every chip has just the right amount of oil and seasoning to make them crave-worthy.
FAQ
The ideal time for air frying tortilla chips is 5-7 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Keep a close eye (and your nose) on them, as cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your tortillas and your air fryer's settings. If they start getting too dark or you start to smell something burning, it's time to pull them!
You sure can! Simply follow the same steps and adjust the cooking time as needed. Air-fried flour tortilla chips are just as tasty as their corn counterparts, but have a flakier consistency! I particularly like using them to make churro-flavored chips. YUM.
Absolutely! Simply bake your chips on a parchment-lined sheet pan instead. Bake at 375°F for 8-12 minutes until they're golden brown. Note that since you won’t have the benefit of convection fans, they may take a bit longer to bake using this method. That said, you’ll also be able to cook more at a time, so maybe it’s a wash?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Making these corn tortilla chips air fryer-style is seriously addictive, and it's easy to see why:
- Made With Only 7 Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of these ingredients in your pantry, meaning crispy deliciousness is never far from reach.
- Wholesome & Nutritious: Corn tortillas are a good source of fiber, and air frying instead of deep frying means fewer calories and less fat. Hooray for health!
- Versatile: You can easily customize your air fryer chips recipe with your favorite seasonings or enjoy them plain. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination!
- Budget-Friendly: Using this air fryer chips recipe is a cost-effective alternative to store-bought chips.
So there you have it, my friends! I hope you enjoy making (and devouring) these scrumptious homemade air fryer corn tortilla chips as much as I do. Happy air frying! 😊
Let me know if you try out these air fryer tortilla chips, and if you do, I would love it if you left a rating and review below! Make sure you are also following along on Instagram and Pinterest for more food inspiration.
Pairing Ideas
These air fryer tortilla chips are the perfect base for scooping delicious sauces and dips with, here are some ideas for what you can pair these with:
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Description
These air-fried tortilla chips are quick to make, nutritious, 100% plant-based, AND budget-friendly. Plus, they’re the perfect vehicle for all your favorite dips, making them the ideal snack for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 tablespoon oil of your choice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional: juice from 1 lime
Instructions
- Whisk together the spices in a small bowl.
- Stack the tortilla on top of one another and slice into 6 wedges.
- Working in batches, place a single layer of the tortilla chips in the air fryer basket (a little overlap is ok). Use a brush to coat each side of the tortillas with the oil/spice mixture. Air fry the tortilla chips at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
- Transfer the tortilla chips to a wire rack to cool slightly before eating. They will crisp up even more as they cool.
- Repeat the process for the remaining tortilla chips
- Serve with salsa, guacamole, vegan nacho cheese, or even use these tortilla chips as part of this sheet pan nachos recipe or burrito bowl recipe!
Notes
I personally have the air fryer lid attachment for my Instant Pot, and I love it! It's a space saver, but still crisps and fries like a traditional air fryer.
