Air Fryer Pita Chips (In 10 Minutes!)
on Feb 23, 2023
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Pita chips are one of the easiest appetizers, snacks or party foods – and you can make them in just a few minutes in your air fryer! For a healthy, crunchy, and economical chip to dunk in your dip, all you need is your favorite pita bread, olive oil and spices… and of course your air fryer.
The only problem is choosing which easy dip to make to go with your chips. Will it be Greek tsatziki sauce, spicy feta dip, hummus, or all 3?
Why you’ll love them
✔ SO quick and easy to make. Prepare in just a couple of minutes, then throw them into the air fryer for around 4 minutes on each side for a fresh, crunchy snack – around half the time compared to a regular oven!
✔ Easy to make your own. Just add a little salt, dried herbs and paprika, or customize to your heart’s content with different herbs and spices (plenty of ideas below!).
✔ Great way to use up leftover pita bread. Especially if it’s starting to go stale.
✔ Tend to be healthier than store-bought chips, and certainly more economical, too!
✔ Easy to make just a small batch when you need a quick snack fast.
Ingredients
Pita bread: I really like to use Greek style pita bread for my air fried pita bread. Just because I love Greek recipes and I tend to make Greek dips to go with my chips!
However, any pita bread works, including whole wheat pita. In fact, you can use any kind of flat bread, including naan bread (also see this air fryer naan bread pizza recipe!), Lebanese bread and, of course, tortillas.
If the pita bread is slightly stale, that’s fine. In fact, you might find you get even crispier and more delicious air-fried pita chips with this.
Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil, just because that’s what I have and love. However, you really can use any kind of oil you like. Melted butter would be very yummy, too!
If you prefer, you can use olive oil spray, then sprinkle over the flavorings afterwards.
Dried herbs: I usually keep things simple and go for either dried oregano (Greek style!), Italian seasoning or mixed dried herbs. Really, though, you can use any kind of dried herbs you like.
Paprika: I love to add paprika for a little color and spice. Feel free to skip or replace with another spice such as cumin, cayenne pepper (go easy!), Cajun spice, black pepper, garlic or onion powder or za’atar spice.
Salt: I usually grind a little salt all over my pita chips after brushing with the flavored oil. Of course, any kind of salt is fine.
Lemon juice: This is purely optional, but I really like squeezing just a little fresh lemon juice into the oil mixture for a hint of zesty flavor. Vinegar would have the same effect, but do go easy!
How to make pita chips in your air fryer
First, while your air fryer is preheating, mix together the olive oil, herbs, and paprika and lemon juice if using.
Then slice each piece of pita bread into wedges, like slices of a pizza. I find slicing into 6 is about right, but of course it depends how big your pita bread is. And perhaps what size you want the pita chips to be!
You can just use a sharp knife, like I do, or a pizza cutter if you prefer.
Next, ‘paint’ the pita triangles all over with the flavored oil. I usually do this with a large pastry brush like the one you see in the photo below.
Turn over, and continue brushing the oil onto the other side…
Don’t forget to grind over plenty of salt! (Now it will stick easily to the bread!)
Put the unbaked pita chips into the air fryer in a single layer and air fry for around 4 minutes. Then turn the chips over (use kitchen tongs or a fork) and air fry for another 4 minutes until browned and crisp.
If using a lighter weight pita bread you can simply shake the air fryer basket instead of turning each individual pita chip!
Enjoy while you air fry another batch! 😉
Helen’s top tips
- If you’d like to keep the pita chips on the lighter side, brush them very lightly with the oil. They’ll still be delicious!
- There are 2 ways to brush the pita bread segments with the oil. Either paint the individual pieces (it doesn’t take long!). Or, if you prefer, brush the whole pita with the oil first and then slice it afterwards.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Lay the pita chips in 1 layer so that they cook evenly. Air fry the chips in batches if necessary.
- Cook time can vary according to the exact brand of air fryer you have. Keep a closer eye on your chips the first time you make them. 6 to 8 minutes is roughly what to expect.
- Let cool before serving. They’ll crisp up more as they cool!
- In some air fryers, light weight foods such as pita bread can fly around in the air fryer basket while cooking. An air fryer rack to place over the food will stop this happening.
Variations
Type of bread
What kind of bread is best for air fryer pita bread? As already mentioned in the ingredients section above, there’s a wide variety of bread you can use to make healthy baked pita chips in your air fryer!
I prefer Greek style pita bread for big, thick crunchy pita chips that are perfect for scooping up Mediterranean style dips.
But regular pita bread is absolutely fine, either white or whole wheat. Other flatbreads can be great, too!
Seasonings
These pita chips can be seasoned however you like! Here are some more ideas.
Garlic and parmesan. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Sprinkle over some parmesan before air frying.
Za’atar. A delicious Middle Eastern spice blend that makes a perfect flavoring for pita chips!
Cinnamon sugar. The wild card option, but the kids will love them! Skip the herbs and spices, of course, and add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the olive oil instead. Sprinkle sugar over the chips before air frying instead of salt.
Don’t forget to serve with a chocolate dipping sauce (check out the one in this post)!
How to serve
So once you’ve got your perfect homemade pita chips, how are you going to devour them?
You can always just stuff them into your mouth by themselves, of course, but here are some other ways to enjoy them:
- On a cheese platter with these beautiful mini cranberry cheese balls.
- With a trio (or more!) of Greek style dips. A simple homemade tsatziki sauce, tyrokafteri (spicy feta cheese dip), hummus with pine nuts or melitzanosalata (eggplant dip) are all very delicious, and surprisingly quick and easy to make.
- With other favorite simple dips. How about a fresh tomato salsa, pesto, classic Italian marinara sauce, a simple guacamole, or french onion dip? The first 3 in particular are perfect if you need to keep your appetizer or snack vegan!
- To serve on the side with dinner. Dip into chili, tomato soup (or any kind of soup!) or have on the side of any casserole, pasta or one pan dinner.
- To serve on a mezze platter or as part of any Mediterranean themed dinner. As well as serving with the above mentioned dips, pita chips go perfectly with a Greek village salad, baked Greek eggplant, moussaka, Greek baked feta dip, Greek oven baked fish and more.
Check out my Mediterranean food category for so many more serving ideas!
Recipe FAQ
Once baked, pita chips can keep well for a day or two if stored in an airtight container. Make sure you wait until they are properly cooled to store them. The chips can even be more crunchy and delicious the next day. However, after a couple of days they can start to taste stale.
Absolutely! In fact if you want to make a really large batch this might be a better option. Simply preheat the oven to 375F/200C and bake on a lined baking pan for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Remember to turn over half way through.
Yes, you can. Since tortillas are thinner than pita bread, however, the air frying time will be slightly shorter. I’d start with around 2.5 minutes on each side, and increase the cooking time by a minute or two if still not crisp enough at that point.
No, not really, but pita chips are a popular snack food in Greece! Also, they’re absolutely delicious made with Greek style pita bread! Air fried pita chips are also perfect for dunking into Mediterranean style dips such as tyrokafteri (hot feta cheese dip), tsatziki or hummus, or for serving on the side with a classic Greek salad. So they go perfectly with a Greek style dinner!
Equipment
You will, of course, need an air fryer for this recipe! You do not, however, need a fancy one. Any will work – it’s more down to how large you would like it to be for your household’s needs.
Personally, I like this affordable Cosori XL air fryer with a basket, or this oven style air fryer. This Philips Essentials air fryer is also a pretty good deal!
More quick & easy appetizers
- This baked feta with tomatoes, feta and olives is like a warm Greek salad. It makes another perfect easy crowd pleasing appetizer.
- These crispy mushroom filo triangles are ridiculously delicious, and perfect for making ahead.
- Halloumi fries make the most incredible easy appetizer ever. I’ve literally never met anyone who doesn’t love them.
- Try these crispy Greek zucchini fries for dipping instead (or as well as your pita chips!).
Or either check out this list of 21 easy Greek appetizers or see all my easy party food.
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Air Fryer Pita Chips (In 10 Minutes!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pita bread, I like Greek style pita bread, but regular, whole wheat, naan bread, Lebanese bread or any flat bread works.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs, Mixed herbs, Italian seasoning, oregano, or any herbs you like.
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 squeeze lemon juice, optional
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat air fryer to 160C / 320F.
- Cut each pita bread into 6-8 wedges. You can use a knife or a pizza cutter for this. I start by cutting in half then in thirds or in 4. Alternatively, you can cut the bread after you've added the flavored oil.1 pita bread
- Whisk together the olive oil, dried herbs, paprika and lemon juice in a small bowl.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried herbs, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 squeeze lemon juice
- Using a pastry brush, ‘paint’ each wedge of pita bread with the olive oil mixture. Flip over, and paint on the other side as well.
- Sprinkle with salt to taste.salt
- Air fry the pita bread slices for 6 minutes, turning half way through. Air fry for another 2 minutes if still not golden brown and nice and crispy (the exact time needed will depend on your brand of air fryer).
- Let cool for a few minutes (the pita chips will crisp up more as they cool). Make more batches if you like. Then serve with tzatziki or tyrokafteri dips or hummus, or on the side with more delicious Mediterranean style dishes.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Well these probably wouldn’t last more than a day around my house anyway, so that wouldn’t be a problem for me 😉 These look delicious, Helen! Craving some right now!
🙂
After watching your video I need to go out and buy some more pita bread! This is how I’ve made my chips in the past and I love that generous olive oil coating – it must make them taste even better. They look so divine.
Hi Jessica! I’m going to be making these all the time now. Just so quick and easy. Hope you give them a go with the Greek flavourings. 🙂