Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Homemade tortilla chips take a few minutes per batch in the air fryer and use a fraction of the oil of deep frying. Corn tortillas are brushed lightly with oil, cut into wedges and crisped until golden and crackly. Season them with plain salt or lime and chili, and serve them warm with salsa, queso or guacamole.
Published
- Prep Time
- 10 mins
- Cook Time
- 20 mins
- Total Time
- 30 mins
- Servings
- 48 chips
How do you make Air Fryer Tortilla Chips?
Brush 8 corn tortillas (15 cm / 6 inch) lightly on both sides with 1 tbsp oil, cut each into 6 wedges and toss with 1/2 tsp salt. Air fry in a single layer at 180°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes per batch, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp. Cool on a rack for a few minutes; the chips crisp up more as they cool.
- Total time
- 30 mins
- Calories
- 140 per serving
- Protein
- 3 g
- Yield
- 48 chips
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Method
- Air frying
Ingredients
Optional lime chili seasoning
Equipment
Air fryer · Pastry brush · Large bowl · Wire rack
Quick Directions
Oil the tortillas
Brush or spray both sides of each tortilla very lightly with oil.
Season
Spread the wedges out in a large bowl, sprinkle with the salt, plus the lime zest and chili powder if using, and toss with your hands, separating any that stick together.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
Cool and serve
Tip the chips onto a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes; they crisp up further as they cool.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to make the perfect air fryer tortilla chips.
Oil the tortillas
Brush or spray both sides of each tortilla very lightly with oil. Stack them and cut the stack into 6 wedges, like a pizza.
Season
Spread the wedges out in a large bowl, sprinkle with the salt, plus the lime zest and chili powder if using, and toss with your hands, separating any that stick together.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Arrange a batch of wedges in a single layer with as little overlap as possible. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until golden at the edges and crisp. Watch the last minute closely; they go from golden to dark quickly.
Cool and serve
Tip the chips onto a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes; they crisp up further as they cool. Repeat with the remaining wedges and serve with salsa or a warm dip.
Recipe Tips
- Slightly dry, day-old tortillas crisp faster and more evenly than very fresh ones.
- Don't crowd the basket. Overlapping chips steam and stay chewy in the middle.
- Check that the tortillas are made from 100% corn and labelled gluten-free; some are made with a blend of corn and wheat flour.
- If a few chips are still bendy after cooling, return them to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes.
Variations
- Lime and chili chips: toss the wedges with 1 tsp lime zest and 1/2 tsp chili powder along with the salt.
- Cinnamon sugar chips: skip the salt and toss the hot chips with 1 tbsp sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon.
- Flour tortilla chips: use 6 flour tortillas (20 cm / 8 inch) and air fry for 4-5 minutes per batch. They are not gluten-free.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 140 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbs | 22 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.5 g |
| Fibre | 3 g |
| Sugar | 0.5 g |
| Sodium | 310 mg |
Estimated from the listed ingredients; values vary by brand.
Related Recipes
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge
- Chips don't need refrigerating. Once they are completely cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Reheat
- Re-crisp chips that have softened in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 1-2 minutes.
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips FAQs
What temperature do you air fry tortilla chips at?
Air fry corn tortilla chips at 180°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. A hotter setting browns the edges before the centres turn crisp.
Do you need oil to make tortilla chips in the air fryer?
A little oil gives the best colour and crunch and helps the salt stick. You can skip it, but the chips will be drier and paler, and you will need a light mist of water to make the seasoning stick.
Why are my air fryer tortilla chips chewy?
Chewy chips are usually crowded or underbaked. Cook them in a single layer, let them cool fully on a rack, and return any bendy ones to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes.
Are homemade tortilla chips gluten-free?
Chips made from 100% corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free. Check the label, since some tortillas are made with a blend of corn and wheat flour.
Disclaimer
- Nutrition information is an estimate based on the listed ingredients. It changes with the brands, portion sizes and swaps you use.
- Read ingredient labels for allergens and for diet claims such as gluten-free or vegan. Products and their ingredients can change.
- Cooking times are a guide, since ovens, air fryers and slow cookers all run differently. Use a food thermometer and cook meat, poultry and fish to the safe internal temperatures in government food safety guidance.
- This recipe is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, a health condition or a special diet, check with a qualified health professional.
