Air Fryer Pita Chips (In 10 Minutes!)

24 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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?

Homemade pita chips in a blue floral bowl with feta dip, lemon halves, Greek salad and salt just visible at the sides, all on a mottled blue background.

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

Overhead image of all ingredients needed to make homemade air fryer pita chips, including Greek style pita, olive oil, dried herbs and paprika, lemon juice and salt.

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.

Collage of 2 images showing closeup of someone pouring dried herbs and paprika into olive oil, and then stirring it together with a pink silicone pastry brush.

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.

Collage of 2 images showing someone cutting Greek style pita bread into 6 segments and then painting them with flavored oil with a pink brush, all on a grey and white patterned plate.

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!)

Collage of 2 images showing someone turning over homemade pita chips on a grey and white plate and then painted with flavored oil and someone is grinding over salt.

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!

Collage of 2 images showing pita chip segments from above in a small air fryer basket, first uncooked and then cooked.

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:

Check out my Mediterranean food category for so many more serving ideas!

Someone scooping up some Greek spicy feta dip in an oblong shaped plate with black and white edge with a homemade pita chip, with more pita chips in the background.

Recipe FAQ

How long do homemade pita chips keep and how do I store them?

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.

Can I also make pita chips in my regular oven?

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.

Can you also make air fryer pita chips from tortillas?

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.

Are pita chips Greek?

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

  • Halloumi fries make the most incredible easy appetizer ever. I’ve literally never met anyone who doesn’t love them.

Or either check out this list of 21 easy Greek appetizers or see all my easy party food.

IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, LET ME KNOW HOW YOU GET ON BY LEAVING A COMMENT AND RATING BELOW… AND DON’T FORGET TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ALL MY NEW RECIPES BY EMAIL!

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Homemade pita chips in a blue floral bowl with feta dip, lemon halves, Greek salad and salt just visible at the sides, all on a mottled blue background.
No ratings yet

Air Fryer Pita Chips (In 10 Minutes!)

Just made a dip? You're only 10 minutes away from having these easy Mediterranean style air fryer pita chips to go with it! Easily customize with different herbs and spices, and make them a day or 2 ahead if you like. Perfect for a quick and easy appetizer, snack or party food option!
Prep: 4 minutes
Cook: 6 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 to 2 (easily scale up for more people)

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.

Notes

Bread: I like Greek style pita, but Lebanese bread, regular or whole wheat pita, naan bread or any other flat bread also can work well.
Brushing the pita bread with oil: You can either do this before or after cutting the bread into wedges. It doesn’t make much difference!
Also you can either brush the pita before putting it in the air fryer, or after. I prefer before to keep the air fryer a little cleaner!
Storage: Let the pita chips cool completely. Then store at room temperature for 1 to 2 days. Some claim that homemade pita chips can last up to a week, but I find that they are best eaten on the day they’re made or the day after. Sometimes they crisp up even more the second day!
Variations: Substitute the paprika and herbs for different flavors. Ideas: garlic or onion powder and parmesan, cumin, cajun spices, za’atar, just salt and pepper, cinnamon and sugar.
How to serve: My favorite way to serve these quick air fried pitta chips is with dips such as tsatziki or tyrokafteri (Greek spicy feta dip). They also go really well with soups, salads, casseroles or stews or on the side as part of a Mediterranean mezze or classic Mediterranean style meal. 

Nutrition

Calories: 407kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 21g, Sodium: 302mg, Potassium: 99mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 0.2g, Vitamin A: 531IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 2mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Helen Schofield

Don't expect to find anything fussy or complicated here. Just QUICK, EASY & (mostly!) HEALTHY recipes from the Mediterranean and beyond. ENJOY!

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

24 Comments

  1. 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!

  2. 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.

    1. 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. 🙂