Save I discovered these cinnamon sugar tortilla chips entirely by accident one lazy afternoon when I had half a pack of flour tortillas sitting in my pantry and absolutely nothing else that felt dessert-worthy. My air fryer had just been gathering dust, so I thought, why not? Twenty minutes later, the kitchen smelled like a cinnamon roll factory, and I was standing there with golden, crispy chips that tasted like someone had bottled autumn spice and crunch. Now they're my go-to when I need something fast that actually feels special.
I remember making a batch for a friend's game night and watching people unconsciously eat their way through the entire basket while barely touching the snack mix I'd also put out. They were so gone I had to laugh—something about warm, cinnamon-scented chips hitting the table just works. That's when I realized these weren't just a pantry rescue; they were a secret weapon.
Ingredients
- Flour tortillas (6 medium, 8-inch): The base of everything—pick ones that are soft and pliable, not dried out or cracked. They'll fry up lighter and crisper if they're fresh.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons, melted): This carries the cinnamon sugar to every surface and creates that beautiful golden edge. Melting it first makes brushing incredibly easy and even.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): White sugar works best here because it caramelizes just enough without overpowering; brown sugar tends to burn in the air fryer.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons): Don't skimp or use old cinnamon from the back of the cabinet—fresh cinnamon tastes warm and alive, stale cinnamon tastes like dust.
- Salt (pinch): A tiny pinch makes the sugar taste sweeter and the cinnamon more complex; it's the secret most people miss.
Instructions
- Get your air fryer ready:
- Preheat to 350°F and let it run for the full three minutes—this matters because a truly hot basket means crisping happens fast instead of the chips sitting and steaming. You'll hear a gentle hum when it's ready.
- Mix the magic coating:
- Combine sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl, stirring until the salt disappears into the mixture. The salt dissolves and distributes the cinnamon more evenly than if you just sprinkle things separate.
- Butter every surface:
- Use a pastry brush to paint both sides of each tortilla generously with melted butter—this is not the time to be shy. The butter holds the cinnamon sugar in place and browns into crispy edges.
- Cut into wedges:
- Stack your tortillas and slice them into six wedges each like a pizza; you'll get about 36 chips total. A pizza cutter makes this faster and cleaner than a knife, though both work.
- Coat generously:
- Sprinkle both sides of each wedge with the cinnamon sugar mixture, really pressing it on so it sticks to the butter. Some will fall into the basket, and that's okay—it caramelizes into little pockets of sweetness.
- Arrange in the basket:
- Lay chips flat in a single layer without overlapping; they need air circulation all around to crisp evenly. You'll likely need two batches, and that's fine—reheat the first batch in the oven at 300°F while the second batch finishes.
- Air fry with a flip:
- Cook for five to seven minutes, stopping halfway through to flip them over with tongs so both sides turn golden. You're looking for that cinnamon sugar to caramelize slightly and the edges to curl up just a tiny bit.
- Cool and crisp up:
- Transfer to a wire rack (this keeps the bottom from getting soggy from steam), and let them cool for a few minutes. They'll continue crisping as they cool, so don't eat them straight from the air fryer or they'll feel slightly soft.
Save The real magic moment came when I served these to my niece, who usually pushes sweets aside, and she came back asking if I'd made them special or if they were store-bought. That question made me smile because the answer is they're special because they're simple, made with actual attention, and served warm with someone you want to share with.
Serving Ideas That Actually Work
These chips shine on their own, warm from the air fryer with nothing but a cold glass of milk, but they're also the perfect vehicle for dipping. A bowl of chocolate sauce transforms them into something almost decadent, while whipped cream makes them feel dessert-fancy without any actual fuss. I've served them with a fruit salsa made from diced strawberries, a splash of lime, and a tiny bit of honey, and that combination is honestly where they stop being a snack and become something guests actually remember.
Making Them Work for Dietary Choices
The beauty of this recipe is how easily it bends to what you need. If dairy isn't your thing, coconut oil or any plant-based butter works identically—honestly, coconut oil adds a subtle sweetness that's kind of lovely. Whole wheat tortillas create a nuttier flavor and add fiber, though they brown slightly faster, so watch them and pull them at five minutes instead of seven. Even if you're gluten-free, most gluten-free flour tortillas are sturdy enough for this, though you might need to reduce the cook time by thirty seconds since they're often thinner.
Why This Works in Your Kitchen Right Now
The reason I come back to this recipe constantly is that it requires almost nothing in the way of equipment or special ingredients—no stand mixer, no waiting for dough to rise, no fancy chocolate tempering. Your hands, a pastry brush, and an air fryer are genuinely all you need. It's the kind of recipe that reminds you that some of the best kitchen moments are the ones where you're improvising with what's already there, and somehow it turns out better than if you'd planned it.
- Make these when you have guests and want something that feels homemade but arrives on the table in under twenty minutes.
- Double the cinnamon sugar mixture if you like a heavier coating, or dial it down if you prefer subtle seasoning.
- Leftovers stay crispy in an airtight container for up to two days, though honestly they're rare in my house.
Save These chips are proof that sometimes the most memorable food doesn't come from elaborate recipes or precious ingredients—it comes from fifteen minutes, a hot air fryer, and the willingness to turn a half-empty pantry into something worth sharing. Make them this week.
Questions & Answers
- → What type of tortillas work best for this snack?
Medium 8-inch flour tortillas provide the ideal size and texture for crispy, evenly cooked chips.
- → Can I make a vegan version of these chips?
Yes, substitute the melted butter with melted coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative.
- → How do I achieve an even coating of cinnamon sugar?
Brush both sides of each tortilla wedge with melted butter before generously sprinkling the cinnamon sugar mixture on both sides.
- → What is the best way to cook these chips evenly?
Arrange the tortilla wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket and flip halfway through the 5-7 minute cooking time.
- → Can these chips be served with dips?
Absolutely, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, or fruit salsa complement these cinnamon sugar chips beautifully.