Air-Fried Spiced Tortilla Chips with Lime and Cilantro

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Homemade tortilla chips air-fried until shatter-crisp, tossed with zesty lime and fresh cilantro for a vibrant snack. This mexican ready in about 18 minutes turns corn tortillas, avocado oil, chili powder into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 180 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Cut each tortilla into 8 wedges and place in a bowl. Brush evenly with 1 tbsp avocado oil.
  2. Step 2: Sprinkle wedges with 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp cumin, and 1/4 tsp salt. Toss to coat completely.
  3. Step 3: Arrange in a single layer in air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes at 375°F, shaking basket halfway, until golden and crisp. Immediately toss with 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Air-Fried Spiced Tortilla Chips with Lime and Cilantro take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Air-Fried Spiced Tortilla Chips with Lime and Cilantro?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Air-Fried Spiced Tortilla Chips with Lime and Cilantro?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Air-Fried Spiced Tortilla Chips with Lime and Cilantro for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Air-Fried Spiced Tortilla Chips with Lime and Cilantro?

Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes