Pin My kids discovered these by accident one afternoon when I was testing air fryer recipes and ran out of savory ideas. They watched the tortillas transform from pale and floppy into golden, crispy shards and asked if they could eat them straight from the basket. That first bite—cinnamon sugar shattering between their teeth, butter making everything ridiculously indulgent—and suddenly I had created something they'd beg for every weekend.
Last month I made a double batch for my daughter's study group, and three teenagers who claimed they weren't dessert people devoured them while doing calculus homework. One kid asked for the recipe before leaving, which felt like winning some invisible cooking lottery.
Ingredients
- Flour tortillas (6 medium, 8-inch): These are your base—look for ones that are pliable but not too thick, since thin ones crisp up faster and won't burn as easily.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons, melted): The butter carries all the flavor and helps the cinnamon sugar stick, so don't skip it even if you're tempted.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): This is where the sweetness comes from, so use real sugar rather than substitutes if you want them to caramelize properly.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons): Quality cinnamon makes a real difference here—the good stuff smells like fall and tastes warm instead of dusty.
- Salt (pinch): Just a tiny bit to make the sweetness pop and balance the flavors.
Instructions
- Warm up your air fryer:
- Set it to 350°F and let it preheat for 3 minutes while you gather your ingredients. This temperature is the sweet spot—hot enough to crisp the chips without browning them too fast.
- Make your cinnamon sugar blend:
- Whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl so the spice distributes evenly. Uneven seasoning is disappointing, so take 30 seconds to do this right.
- Butter your tortillas:
- Use a pastry brush to coat both sides of each tortilla evenly—this is what makes them stay crispy and helps the coating adhere. Don't overthink it; just make sure every inch gets touched.
- Cut them into chips:
- Stack the tortillas and cut them into 6 wedges each like you're slicing a pizza. A sharp knife or pizza cutter works best, and you'll end up with about 36 chips.
- Coat generously with cinnamon sugar:
- Sprinkle both sides of each wedge with the mixture—don't hold back here, because these chips only taste as good as their coating. Shake off excess if it's falling off in chunks, but otherwise load them up.
- Arrange and air fry:
- Lay the chips in a single layer in your air fryer basket. You'll probably need two batches, and that's fine. Fry for 5–7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they're golden and crispy to the touch.
- Cool before serving:
- Transfer them to a wire rack so steam doesn't make them soggy. They'll keep crisping up as they cool, which is the magic trick.
Pin My husband once tried to make these without flipping them halfway and ended up with chips that were crispy on bottom and chewy on top. He learned the hard way, and now he's the one who sets the timer to flip them. It's become this small ritual between us.
Storage and Keeping Them Crispy
These chips are best the day you make them while they're still at peak crispness, but they'll stay decent in an airtight container for up to 2 days. If they start to soften, you can pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes to revive them. Humidity is their enemy, so keep them sealed up tight.
Ways to Serve Them
The beauty of these chips is how flexible they are once they're made. I've served them plain as a snack, with whipped cream and fresh berries for something fancy, alongside chocolate sauce for dipping, or even with a fruit salsa made from diced strawberries and a squeeze of lime. Your guests will eat them however you put them down.
Variations Worth Trying
Once you master the basic recipe, small changes open up new territory. Use brown sugar mixed with cinnamon for deeper, molasses-forward sweetness, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cinnamon sugar for something spicy that sneaks up on you.
- For a vegan version, swap the butter for melted coconut oil or plant-based butter and nobody will notice the difference.
- Whole wheat tortillas will give you extra fiber and a slightly nuttier flavor, though they brown a bit faster so watch them carefully.
- If you want them less sweet, use 3 tablespoons sugar instead of 1/4 cup and they'll taste more like a sophisticated snack than pure dessert.
Pin These chips prove that the best desserts don't need to be complicated—they just need butter, sugar, and a little warmth. Make them once and you'll understand why everyone asks for them.
Recipe Q&A
- → How do I make the chips crispy?
Brushing the tortilla wedges with melted butter and air frying at 350°F ensures a golden, crunchy texture.
- → Can I use whole wheat tortillas?
Yes, whole wheat tortillas can be used for added fiber, providing a slightly nuttier flavor.
- → Are there vegan alternatives to butter for this dish?
Plant-based butter or melted coconut oil serve as excellent vegan substitutes for the melted butter.
- → What dipping options complement these chips?
Chocolate sauce, whipped cream, or fruit salsa are delightful accompaniments enhancing the sweet flavors.
- → How long should I air fry the tortillas?
Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway to ensure even crispiness and a golden finish.