These Air Fryer Tortilla Strips are crispy and crunchy. You just need 3 ingredients and 10 minutes to make this easy air fryer recipe. Perfect for topping soups, stews, taco salads, and more!
Who needs to buy tortilla strips when you can make them at home in your air fryer! I love adding these to soups, stews, and taco salads--but they also make a great snack on their own!
This air fryer tortilla strips recipe is really simple. You just need a few corn tortillas (flour also works if that's all you have), oil or lime juice, and salt. But despite being so easy, they add instantly take any dish from boring to wow by bringing in that all-important crunch factor! Go make some today!
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Ingredients
Here's what you need to make air fryer tortilla strips.
- corn tortillas -- you could also use flour tortillas, but cooking times could vary.
- olive oil or avocado oil -- you can also use cooking spray, if you prefer. Lime juice can be subbed to make these oil-free.
- salt -- I use sea salt with a small to medium sized grain because it sticks to the strips better. Larger types of salt like rock salt or kosher salt probably won't adhere as well.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here are step-by-step instructions with photos.
Preheat the air fryer to 350F or 180C.
Cut the tortillas into thin strips. Then make one perpendicular cut down the center. (You can cut them into smaller pieces, but this is the size I like.)
Add the strips to a bowl. Drizzle on the oil and toss to coat the strips. Then sprinkle on the salt. Gently toss to combine.
Add the strips to the air fryer and cook for 6 minutes.
Stop halfway to shake the basket. The strips are done when they are crunchy and golden. Let cool for a few minutes and then serve.
Hint: Be sure to let the strips cool completely before storing. Otherwise they'll lose their crunch!
Variations
Here are some variations in case you decide to switch things up!
- Flour tortilla strips - You can also use flour tortillas, but the amount of oil and salt could change, depending on their size.
- Chili Lime - add a sprinkle of chili powder and a squeeze of lime juice when you toss the strips with oil and salt.
- Oil-free - Just swap the oil for a little lime juice.
Equipment
For this recipe, you need an air fryer, cutting board, knife, and mixing bowl.
All of my favorite products and kitchen tools can be found in my Amazon shop.
How to Serve
Serve these homemade tortilla strips as a topping for soups, stews, salads, and more! Add some crunch to these fajita veggies. I especially love them as a topping for taco salad or chili sin carne!
Or eat them on their own as a delicious snack! They would pair well with something like air Fryer Padrón Peppers and Buffalo Tofu as part of an appetizer spread.
Storage
Let the strips cool completely before storing. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Top tip
Be sure to let these homemade tortilla strips cool completely before storing. If they're placed in a container while they're still hot, the moisture from the heat can cause them to lose their crunch.
FAQ
Yes. However, the salt will stick better if there is another liquid. I suggest a squeeze of lime juice.
Choose the air fryer that best meets your needs. Consider things like price, size, and functionality. I personally love my Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer, because it has a bigger capacity, which better suits my family of four.
For more info, see my post What Air Fryer Should I Buy? or check out Good Housekeeping's review of the Best Air Fryers of 2023.
Related
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try these:
Air Fryer Tortilla Strips
Ingredients
- 5 corn tortillas
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350F or 180C.
- Cut the tortillas into thin strips. Then make one perpendicular cut down the center. You can cut them into smaller pieces, but this is the size I like.
- Add the strips to a bowl. Drizzle on the oil and toss to coat the strips. Then sprinkle on the salt. Gently toss to combine.
- Add the strips to the air fryer and cook for 6 minutes.
- Stop halfway to shake the basket. The strips are done when they are crunchy and golden. Let cool for a few minutes and then serve.
Notes
- I used standard corn tortillas (6 inches).
- Cooking time could vary based on the thickness of the tortilla.
- As an alternative, you could spray the strips with cooking oil. I tested the recipe once with cooking oil and you just need a few sprays (enough to coat all of the strips).
- Nutritional info is calculated for 4 servings.
Nutrition
Air Fryer and food safety tips
Here are a few safety tips for cooking with an air fryer.
- Cook food to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always use oven mitts or some protective hand covering when shaking the basket or removing food from the air fryer.
- Hot air comes out the back of the air fryer. Try to keep the back of the air fryer at least a hands length away from the wall, other ingredients, or anything else that could be damaged by heat.
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