Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

These air fryer tortilla chips are perfectly crisp and crunchy plus, they are made in under 8 minutes. Make them any time the craving for healthy tortilla chips strikes!

One of the first things I remember learning how to make in my adult life was healthy tortilla chips.  My aunt came down to visit me in college after I’d had a minor medical procedure.  When all she could find in the fridge were bottles of alcohol and a couple of bags of 99 cent corn tortillas, she proceeded to teach me how to bake my own tortilla chips.  It blew my mind that you could make something so simple at home.  I’d never thought in a million years you could make something like your own chips. At this point, cooking to me still consisted of opening the top of an easy mac container, adding water, and microwaving. 

Throughout college and grad school, I made my own tortilla chips at least once a month.  It felt like such a treat to make something so easy for myself, and I liked that because they were baked instead of fried, I could eat 2x as much for the same amount of calories.  The memories of making healthy tortilla chips for so many years came flooding back the other day after I posted my Air Fryer Tortilla Strips recipe.  I realized I hadn’t made my healthy tortilla chips since before having kids, so after my success with the tortilla strips, I decided to make air fryer tortilla chips!  

These air fryer tortilla chips are perfectly crisp and crunchy, and they only take 6-8 minutes to make!  There are some pros and cons to using the air fryer vs. baking them the way my aunt taught me.  First, the air fryer doesn’t heat your house as an oven does. It also creates more evenly crisp chips and doesn’t take quite as long.  The downside is always and forever in all air fryer recipes that if you want to make a lot at one time, you’ll have to work in batches.  You can only make two corn tortillas into chips at a time in a large air fryer.  You can do 4-6 or more on a sheet pan or multiple sheet pans in the oven.  

How to Make Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

First, cut your tortillas into triangles.  I made each tortilla into eight triangles, but you could make bigger chips if you want! After preheating your air fryer, you’ll spray the bottom of your air fryer with your preferred oil.  I use my Misto with avocado oil in it.  Then, you’ll place your tortilla triangles in a SINGLE layer at the bottom of your air fryer.  The size of your air fryer will determine how many you can do at one time.  And, I guess it should be noted that I only have a basket air fryer, not a rotisserie-style, so I’m not sure how many or the adjustments for that type of air fryer.  However, I did test this recipe using the Instant Pot tray silicone insert I got off Amazon for my Instant Pot Vortex (because its nonstick coating had worn down), which worked great. I just couldn’t fit as many chips.  

Respray the tortillas and salt.  Then you cook for 6-8 minutes.  At the four-minute mark, I flipped them over.  Sometimes I flipped over each tortilla, but most of the time, I just shook it hard to make sure most of the chips got jostled and flipped around.  The key is to check on them every minute or two after that.  They kind of remind me of soft-baked cookies. You want to take them out just before you think they are ready.  If you let them go until they are really golden brown, they will be too hard and have a burnt taste.  Taking them out right when you see the first edges crisp to golden brown is perfect because they will crisp up further as they cool down. 

Swaps and Substitutions

I used cheap corn tortillas—the bag of 100 for like 99 cents.  But, honestly, you could follow this same process with a regular flour tortilla or even a grain-free tortilla.  I would just check on them at the 4-minute mark and watch them from there.  

As for the oil, I like avocado oil because it’s a neutral, high heat cooking oil.  But, you could also use canola oil cooking spray or any other high heat cooking oil.  

How to Store Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

The key to storing these is making sure they are COMPLETELY cool before transferring them to a container.  If they are completely cool, an air-tight container in a cool, dry place (not the fridge) will make them last at least two weeks.  I usually put mine in a gallon size ziplock bag or stasher bag.  

What to Serve with Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

• Homemade Salsa (Spicy or Regular)
• Super Spicy Guacamole
• Easy Guacamole
• Hot & Spicy Chipotle Dip 
• Lightened Up Spinach Artichoke Dip

More Fun Air Fryer Recipes To Try

• Air Fryer Tortilla Strips 
• Air Fryer Quesadilla
• Air Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi
• Air Fryer Sweet and Spicy Dry Rub Wings
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chicken Nuggets
• Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
• Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (No Breading)
• 20 Minute Air Fryer Fish Tacos
• Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma
• Air Fryer Turmeric Cauliflower

Tag me if you make these! I love to see what you guys make! You can tag me on Insta @hungryhobbyRD and Facebook @hungryhobby!