Crispy and Easy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Recipe in 15 Minutes

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips take just 15 minutes and deliver the crispiest, golden chips you’ve ever tasted. It’s my go-to air fryer recipe when I need a quick snack or a crunchy side for salsa and guac—minimal effort, maximum deliciousness.

Traditional tortilla chips can take a lot more time and oil to make, but this method? It’s a total game-changer. The air fryer works its magic while you save time and get perfectly crispy results without the greasy mess. Whether it’s game day, movie night, or just a busy Tuesday, you’ll love how easy these are to whip up!

Why These Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Are a Game-Changer

• Time-saving: Making tortilla chips in the air fryer takes only 10-15 minutes from start to finish compared to traditional deep-frying methods, which can take 30 minutes or more.
• Healthy option: You’re using just a light spray of olive oil instead of dunking the chips in cups of oil.
• Perfectly crispy: The air fryer ensures every chip has that ideal crunch, without being soggy or oily.
• Hands-off cooking: Flip once halfway through, and the air fryer does the rest.
• Simple cleanup: No big pots of grease to clean—just a quick rinse of the air fryer basket.

Equipment You’ll Need for This Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

The star of the show here, of course, is your air fryer. If you don’t already own one, I can’t recommend it enough—this thing is a lifesaver. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Air fryer: Any model of air fryer will work for this recipe, but I recommend one with a basket large enough to lay a batch of chips in a single layer. Look for models with a 350°F setting.
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter: For cutting tortillas into even pieces (a pizza cutter makes it fast and easy!).
• Tongs: These make flipping the chips halfway smoother and safer.

Pro Tip: When using your air fryer, preheat it for about 2 minutes to ensure consistent cooking results.

Simple Ingredients for Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

This recipe is all about simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Small tortillas: Corn or flour tortillas work equally well. Corn gives a heartier crunch while flour offers a lighter texture—use whichever you love!
• Olive oil cooking spray: This keeps your chips crispy without overloading on oil. Avocado oil spray can also work great for higher smoke points.
• Coarse salt: Kosher salt or flaky sea salt adds the perfect savory finish. Skip the table salt for this recipe as it may over-salt the chips.

Shortcut Tip: Store-bought mini tortillas are a great time-saver if you want smaller, bite-sized chips!

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Recipe Details

• Servings: 36 chips
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Equipment: Air fryer
• Difficulty: Easy

Complete Ingredients for Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

• 6 small tortillas (corn or flour)
• Olive oil cooking spray
• Coarse salt

How to Make Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

1. Slice each tortilla into 6-8 equal pieces, like you’re cutting a pizza.
2. Lightly spray each piece with cooking spray on both sides, then sprinkle with coarse salt.
3. Place the chips in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Avoid overlapping to ensure even crispiness.
4. Set your air fryer to 350°F and cook the chips for 3 minutes.
5. Flip the chips using tongs, spray lightly with cooking spray again, and add more salt if desired. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the chips are nicely browned and crisp.
6. Carefully remove the chips to a plate or cooling rack. They’ll crisp up even more as they cool!

Want to make oven-baked tortilla chips instead? Lay your prepared chips in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 7 minutes. Flip, spray, salt (optional), and bake for another 5 minutes or until crispy.

Jake’s Tips for the Best Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

• Cut evenly: Slicing the tortillas into uniform triangles ensures every chip gets crispy at the same time.
• Don’t overcrowd: Overlapping chips won’t crisp up properly. Cook in batches if needed.
• Light oil application: Too much oil will make chips greasy instead of crunchy.
• Cool completely: Chips firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to dig in straight from the air fryer.
• Storage advice: Store leftover chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep them crispy.

Easy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Variations

• Spicy Chips: Sprinkle chili powder or cayenne on the chips before air frying for a kick of heat.
• Cheesy Flavor: Dust grated Parmesan over the chips while they’re still warm.
• Garlic & Herb: Add garlic powder and Italian seasoning for a savory twist.
• Sweet Cinnamon Crunch: Swap salt for cinnamon sugar to make a sweet treat.

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips FAQs

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?

Yes, flour tortillas work great and give a softer, lighter crunch compared to corn tortillas.

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

While not mandatory, preheating your air fryer for 2 minutes can help the chips cook evenly.

Can I make these tortilla chips without oil?

Technically yes, but a small amount of cooking spray ensures they crisp up beautifully. Without it, the chips might turn dry or unevenly cooked.

How thin should I cut the tortillas?

Keep them whole but slice evenly into 6-8 triangles for the best balance of size and crispiness.

This recipe truly makes the ultimate crunchy, golden Air Fryer Tortilla Chips. Whether you’re serving them with salsa, guacamole, or just munching them plain, you’ve got a winner. So, what’s your favorite kitchen hack? Let me know in the comments below!