Tortillas are a staple food in many cuisines around the world. They can be used for making tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more. Tortillas are commonly made from corn or wheat flour and are best when served warm and soft. An air fryer provides a convenient way to quickly heat up and crisp tortillas before serving. Here is a look at using an air fryer to warm tortillas and some tips for the best results.
Quick Answer
Yes, tortillas can absolutely be heated up in an air fryer. Air fryers use convection heat and air circulation to quickly warm up foods. An air fryer is a great choice for heating tortillas in just 1-2 minutes with a crispy texture.
Advantages of Using an Air Fryer for Tortillas
There are several benefits to using an air fryer rather than more traditional methods for heating tortillas:
- Speed – Air fryers can heat tortillas in just 1-2 minutes, much faster than the oven.
- No flipping – Tortillas can be placed in the air fryer basket and heated evenly without having to flip halfway.
- Crispy texture – The circulating hot air gives tortillas a crispy, crunchy texture.
- No oil needed – Air fryers don’t require adding oil to get a crisped tortilla.
- Small batches – It’s easy to quickly heat just a few tortillas as needed in an air fryer.
The quick cook time makes an air fryer the ideal appliance for heating up a just few tortillas to serve immediately. You don’t have to wait for the oven to preheat or cook a whole batch.
Best Practices for Heating Tortillas in an Air Fryer
Follow these tips for the best results when using an air fryer for tortillas:
- Preheat air fryer – Allow the air fryer to fully preheat before adding tortillas for fastest heating.
- Cut in quarters – Cut tortillas into quarters so they have more surface area exposed to the hot air.
- Single layer – Arrange tortilla quarters in a single layer in the air fryer basket, not stacked.
- Brush with oil – Lightly brushing tortillas with oil helps promote even browning and texture.
- 1-2 minutes – Most tortillas only need 1-2 minutes in a preheated air fryer.
- Check frequently – Periodically check tortillas and remove once warm and lightly crisped.
- Cover to steam – After air frying, wrap tortillas in a clean towel to steam and soften as needed.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for heating tortillas in an air fryer:
- Cut tortillas into quarters using a knife or pizza cutter.
- Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
- Once preheated, lightly brush both sides of the tortilla quarters with oil.
- Arrange tortilla quarters in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Air fry tortillas for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently for doneness.
- Remove tortillas once lightly browned and crisped around the edges.
- Wrap tortillas in a clean kitchen towel to steam for 30 seconds if a softer texture is desired.
- Enjoy tortillas immediately while warm.
How Long to Cook Tortillas in an Air Fryer
Most tortillas will be done heating in an air fryer within 1-2 minutes. However, exact air fryer cook times can vary based on:
- Tortilla thickness – Thicker tortillas may take slightly longer.
- Tortilla size – Smaller quartered pieces will cook faster than larger pieces.
- Preheat – Allowing the air fryer to fully preheat first results in faster heating.
- Quantity – Avoid overcrowding the air fryer, which increases cook time.
- Air fryer wattage – More powerful air fryers heat up quicker.
Given these factors, the best technique is to begin checking tortillas at 1 minute, and then cooking longer if needed for your exact air fryer model and size of tortillas. Continue cooking just until tortillas are warmed through and have begun to crisp and brown at the edges, without burning.
Air Fryer Tortilla Tips
Keep these additional tips in mind for the best air fryer tortilla results:
- Don’t overcrowd – Allow space between tortillas for air circulation.
- Use parchment – Lining the air fryer basket with parchment can help prevent sticking.
- Different oils – Olive, avocado, coconut, and vegetable oil all work well for brushing.
- Add flavor – Brush tortillas with garlic butter or spices before air frying.
- Soften after – 30 seconds wrapped in a towel steams for a softer texture.
- Store extras – Cooled leftovers can be stored in a zip top bag for later use.
Common Air Fryer Tortilla Questions
Can you put a whole tortilla in an air fryer?
It’s best to cut tortillas into quarters or smaller pieces rather than air frying a whole tortilla. Cutting them exposes more surface area to the hot circulating air for quick, even heating and crisping. Air frying a whole intact tortilla is more likely to result in uneven cooking.
Do you have to flip tortillas in an air fryer?
No, you do not have to flip or turn tortillas when cooking them in an air fryer. The hot air circulates all around the food, cooking both sides at once. Simply arrange the tortilla quarters in a single layer and allow the air fryer to heat them through evenly on both sides.
Can I stack tortillas in an air fryer?
It’s best not to stack tortillas on top of each other when air frying. Stacking can prevent air circulation, leading to uneven cooking. Arrange tortillas in a single layer with a little space between them for the most efficient, even heating.
Can You Reheat Leftover Tortillas in an Air Fryer?
Yes, leftover tortillas can easily be reheated in an air fryer. Simply place any unused cooled tortillas in a zip top bag and store in the fridge or freezer. When ready to reheat, arrange tortilla quarters in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Reheat at 300°F for 1-2 minutes until warmed through and crisped.
Troubleshooting Air Fryer Tortillas
Tortillas are not getting crispy
- Allow air fryer to fully preheat before adding tortillas.
- Brush tortillas lightly with oil before air frying for crisping.
- Cut tortillas into smaller pieces to expose more surface area.
- Don’t overcrowd air fryer – allow space between tortillas.
Tortillas got too dark or burnt
- Reduce air fryer temperature to 300°F.
- Cook tortillas for less time, checking frequently after 1 minute.
- Avoid brushing tortillas with too much oil.
- Make sure air fryer is fully preheated before adding tortillas.
Tortillas stuck to air fryer basket
- Brush basket lightly with oil or use parchment paper.
- Allow air fryer to fully preheat before adding tortillas.
- Don’t overcrowd air fryer basket.
Uneven cooking of tortillas
- Cut tortillas into same size quarters or pieces.
- Arrange in single layer, not stacked or overlapping.
- Allow enough space between tortillas for air circulation.
- Brushing tortillas with oil promotes even browning.
5 Delicious Air Fryer Tortilla Recipes
Here are 5 great recipes for putting your air-fried tortillas to delicious use:
1. Air Fryer Chicken Tacos
Top warm air fried tortillas with shredded chicken, pico de gallo, avocado, and yogurt sauce for an easy weekday dinner.
2. Air Fryer Breakfast Quesadilla
Fill a tortilla with cheese, eggs, and bacon, then air fry until perfectly melted and crispy.
3. Air Fryer Southwest Chicken Rolls
Smother air fried tortillas in green chile sauce and scatter with spiced chicken, corn, beans, cheese and more.
4. Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Air fry cut tortilla wedges with oil and salt for homemade crispy tortilla chips in minutes.
5. Air Fryer Chimichangas
Stuff air fried tortillas with your favorite fillings from ground beef to veggie mixes, then air fry until golden brown.
Conclusion
Heating tortillas in an air fryer yields lighter, crispier tortillas in record time. Simply preheat the air fryer, cut tortillas into quarters, lightly brush with oil and air fry for just 1-2 minutes. Pay attention to overcrowding and frequently check for doneness. Then enjoy your warm tortillas in tacos, quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and more. Reheating leftover tortillas in the air fryer is also a great way to revive them to be as good as new.