Save to Pinterest My friend Sarah showed up to game night with these cinnamon sugar tortilla chips, and I watched them disappear faster than any other snack on the table. She swore by her air fryer method, cutting tortillas into quick wedges and tossing them with a simple cinnamon sugar mix that stuck to every crispy edge. The whole kitchen smelled like a cinnamon roll factory, and honestly, I've been making them ever since because they feel fancy but require almost no actual effort. It's the kind of dessert that makes you look like you tried way harder than you actually did.
I made these for a weeknight movie with my partner, and he actually paused the show to comment on how good they were. That moment stuck with me because he's not usually one to stop mid-scene for food. We ended up making a double batch the following weekend, and they became our go-to thing to bring to potlucks or casual hangouts. There's something about handing someone a container of warm, golden-brown chips that just works.
Ingredients
- Flour tortillas: Six 8-inch ones give you 36 chips total, which sounds like more than it actually is once people start eating. Room-temperature tortillas cut cleanly, so pull them from the pantry a few minutes before you start prepping.
- Unsalted butter: The melted kind helps the cinnamon sugar stick, and using unsalted gives you control over the final salt taste.
- Granulated sugar: This is the base sweetness, and it caramelizes slightly in the air fryer heat for extra depth.
- Ground cinnamon: Don't skimp here because it's what makes people ask for your recipe. Good quality cinnamon tastes noticeably warmer and more complex than stale stuff.
- Salt: Just a pinch, but it lifts the sweetness and makes everything taste more intentional.
Instructions
- Get your air fryer ready:
- Preheat to 350°F for about 3 minutes while you gather everything else. This temperature is the sweet spot for crisping without burning the sugar.
- Mix your cinnamon sugar:
- Combine the sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl and give it a good stir so the cinnamon distributes evenly. If you're using it immediately, you might notice the sugar gets slightly damp from the cinnamon moisture, which is totally normal.
- Butter up those tortillas:
- Use a pastry brush to coat both sides of each tortilla with melted butter. Don't overthink it, a light, even coat is all you need.
- Cut into wedges:
- Stack the buttered tortillas and slice them like you're cutting a pizza into 6 wedges, creating 36 chips total. A pizza cutter makes this faster, but a sharp knife works just fine.
- Season generously:
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on both sides of each wedge, being generous because the coating is what makes these special. You can use your hands to gently toss them in a bowl if you want even coverage.
- Air fry in a single layer:
- Arrange the wedges in the basket without stacking them, then set the timer for 5 to 7 minutes. Halfway through, flip them so they cook evenly on both sides.
- Cool and serve:
- Transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly and get extra crispy. They taste best within an hour or so of making them, warm or room temperature.
Save to Pinterest The moment I realized these were special was when my coworker brought her kids over and they asked for seconds before finishing their first handful. Kids don't lie about food, and watching them reach for more convinced me this recipe had staying power. It became the dessert I default to whenever I need something that feels indulgent without requiring any real baking skills.
Variations Worth Trying
Once you nail the basic version, the fun starts happening. I've experimented with whole wheat tortillas for earthier flavor and extra fiber, and they brown slightly faster so watch them at around the 5-minute mark. Brown sugar instead of granulated gives you a deeper, almost caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon. If you're feeling adventurous, a tiny pinch of cardamom or nutmeg alongside the cinnamon creates something that tastes unexpectedly sophisticated.
Serving Ideas That Actually Work
The beauty of these chips is how flexible they are as a dessert vehicle. Warm chocolate sauce for dipping turns them into something almost gourmet, while whipped cream and fresh berries make them feel like a grown-up dessert. My favorite move is pairing them with a bright fruit salsa because the acidity cuts through the sweetness and keeps you from feeling too full after eating way more than you intended. Serve them warm straight from the air fryer if you want maximum crisp, or at room temperature if you're prepping ahead.
Making Them Dairy-Free
If someone in your crowd can't do butter, plant-based butter works identically, and honestly the results are indistinguishable. Melted coconut oil is another solid option, though it adds a subtle coconut note that either works beautifully or doesn't depending on your vibe that day. Always check product labels because allergens hide in weird places, and it takes two seconds to verify.
- Vegan butter brands like Earth Balance or Miyoko's are my go-to for fooling even dairy-focused friends.
- Coconut oil gives these a tropical angle if you lean into it with tropical fruit dipping sauces.
- These chips are naturally vegan if you skip the butter entirely and use oil instead, which works surprisingly well.
Save to Pinterest These chips remind me why I love cooking small things with big flavor impact. They're proof that the best desserts don't require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, just a little creativity and something crispy to coat in cinnamon sugar.
Questions & Answers
- → How do I achieve crunchy tortilla chips?
Brush the tortilla wedges with melted butter before coating them in cinnamon sugar, then air fry at 350°F until golden and crisp.
- → Can I use different types of tortillas?
Yes, whole wheat tortillas can be substituted for added fiber and a nuttier flavor.
- → What’s a good alternative to butter for a dairy-free version?
Plant-based butter or melted coconut oil both work well for coating the tortillas before frying.
- → How should I serve these cinnamon sugar chips?
They pair nicely with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, or fresh fruit salsa for dipping.
- → Can I prepare these without an air fryer?
While air frying is quick and healthy, these chips can also be baked in a conventional oven until crisp.