Crispy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Recipe

Crunchy Homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Recipe To Enjoy

Crisp and golden, these homemade air fryer tortilla chips deliver a restaurant-quality crunch right in your kitchen.

The perfectly seasoned tortilla chips in an air fryer guarantee a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried snacks.

Salt, spices, and a touch of olive oil create an irresistible flavor profile that elevates your chip game.

Each batch emerges with a delightful golden-brown color and satisfying crackle that makes snacking an absolute joy.

These chips pair wonderfully with salsa, guacamole, or your favorite dip.

Ready in mere minutes, they’re a quick and delicious treat that will impress everyone at your next gathering.

Dive into this simple recipe and transform your snack time forever.

Gear You’ll Need to Make Crispy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

  • Air Fryer: Essential for creating crispy chips without excess oil.
  • Sharp Knife: Perfect for cutting tortillas into even triangles.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for slicing tortillas.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Helps toss tortilla pieces with oil and seasonings.
  • Tongs or Spatula: Useful for arranging and flipping chips in the air fryer basket.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt and optional seasonings.

How to Make Tortilla Chips in the Air Fryer

  • Warm Up Your Kitchen Companion

Get your air fryer ready by setting the temperature to a toasty 350F (175C). This little machine will transform ordinary tortillas into crunchy delights.

  • Slice and Prepare

Grab your tortillas and cut them into triangle shapes just like you’d slice a pizza. Each tortilla will become a batch of crispy goodness.

  • Season and Coat

Drizzle olive oil over your tortilla triangles and sprinkle with salt. Feel free to add your favorite spices for an extra flavor kick.

  • Create Crispy Layers

Carefully place the tortilla pieces in your air fryer basket, making sure they aren’t overcrowded. You might need to work in batches to ensure maximum crunchiness.

  • Transform and Crisp

Air fry the tortilla pieces for 5-7 minutes. Halfway through, give the basket a good shake to ensure even browning. Watch as they turn golden and irresistible.

  • Cool and Enjoy

Let the chips rest for a moment after cooking. They’ll continue to crisp up and become perfectly crunchy. Serve with your favorite dip and watch them disappear!

Tips for Flavoring or Salting Your Chips

  • Try corn, flour, whole wheat, or even spinach tortillas for unique flavor profiles and added nutritional variety.
  • Reduce oil by using a light olive oil spray or brush instead of pouring oil, cutting down on unnecessary calories while maintaining crispiness.
  • Make gluten-free versions using corn tortillas, or create low-carb options with alternative low-carb tortillas for keto and paleo diets.
  • Keep chips fresh by storing in an airtight container at room temperature for 23 days, ensuring maximum crunchiness and preventing moisture absorption.

Serve These Chips with Dips, Salads, or Alone

  • Salsa Fiesta Dip Station: Create a vibrant spread with homemade salsa, guacamole, and creamy queso for a fun, interactive snacking experience that lets everyone customize their chip enjoyment.
  • Movie Night Munchies: Pair these crispy air fryer tortilla chips with movie theater-style nacho toppings like melted cheese, jalapeños, and chili for an epic game night or movie watching treat.
  • Mexican-Inspired Appetizer Platter: Arrange chips alongside mini bean taquitos, pico de gallo, and cilantro-lime crema for a stunning party appetizer that showcases authentic flavors and textures.
  • Breakfast Nachos Twist: Top warm chips with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon bits, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of hot sauce for a morning twist that transforms ordinary breakfast into a delicious adventure.

Store Air Fryer Chips Without Losing Crunch

  • Slice multiple tortillas at once on a cutting board to save time. Weekend meal preppers can cut and season a week's worth of chips in just 15 minutes, storing uncooked triangles in sealed containers.
  • Keep homemade chips in an airtight container at room temperature for 37 days. Place a paper towel inside the container to absorb extra moisture and maintain crispiness.
  • Mix different seasonings in separate batches and label containers. Experiment with chili powder, ranch seasoning, or garlic salt to create variety without complex preparation.
  • Freeze uncooked seasoned tortilla triangles in flat layers between parchment paper. When craving crispy chips, transfer directly from freezer to air fryer, adding 12 extra minutes to cooking time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 5

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips – What to Grab

For Base Ingredients:
  • Corn Tortillas: Fresh tortillas create the perfect crispy foundation with a satisfying crunch and traditional Mexican flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Helps achieve a golden, evenly cooked texture while adding a subtle rich undertone to the chips.
For Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Salt: Enhances the natural corn flavor and provides a classic seasoning that makes these chips irresistibly tasty.
  • Optional Seasonings (Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder): Adds excitement and personalized flavor profiles to elevate the basic chip experience.
For Optional Serving Companions:
  • Salsa, Guacamole, Queso: Delicious dipping options that complement the homemade chips and transform them into a complete snack experience.
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Crispy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Recipe

Crispy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 12 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Crispy, golden air fryer tortilla chips bring Mexican street food magic right to your kitchen. Homemade, healthier, and irresistibly crunchy, these chips will elevate your snack game and make you the star of any gathering.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 corn tortillas (small)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 0.5 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1 pinch chili powder (optional)
  • 1 pinch cumin (optional)
  • 1 pinch garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Slice corn or flour tortillas into triangular wedges, ensuring even sizing for consistent cooking.
  2. Seasoning: Drizzle olive oil over tortilla pieces, then sprinkle with salt and desired spices, gently massaging to coat evenly.
  3. Arrangement: Position tortilla triangles in a single, uncrowded layer within the air fryer basket, allowing maximum air circulation.
  4. Cooking: Set air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and program for 5-7 minutes, pausing midway to redistribute chips for uniform browning.
  5. Crisping: Remove chips when they transform to a golden-brown hue and emit a delicate crunch, understanding they’ll further solidify during cooling.
  6. Serving: Transfer chips to a wire rack or serving platter, allowing residual heat to enhance their crispness before pairing with salsa, guacamole, or preferred dipping companion.

Notes

  • Arrange tortilla triangles in a single layer without overlapping to ensure even crispy texture and prevent soggy chips.
  • Experiment with different spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, or smoked paprika to create unique flavor profiles matching your taste preferences.
  • Check chips at 4-minute mark since air fryer temperatures vary; golden brown color indicates perfect crispiness without burning.
  • Allow chips to cool completely before storing in airtight container to maintain crunchiness for 23 days at room temperature.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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