Making store bought tortillas puff up into delicious homemade tasting tortilla chips is easy with just a few simple tricks. The key is to dry out the tortillas so they become crispy when baked. Follow these steps and you’ll have restaurant-quality tortilla chips from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Why Make Homemade Tortilla Chips?
There are several benefits to making your own tortilla chips at home:
- It’s inexpensive – Store bought tortillas are an affordable base ingredient
- Customizable – You control the ingredients and flavors
- Healthier – You can use healthier oils and limit salt
- Fresher – Homemade chips taste far better than packaged varieties
- Impressive – Great for entertaining guests or as an appetizer
The best part is how simple it is! With the right techniques, you can transform plain tortillas into delicious homemade tortilla chips.
What You Need
To make crispy tortilla chips, you only need a few basic ingredients:
- Corn or flour tortillas
- Oil – Vegetable, avocado, coconut, etc.
- Salt
- Seasonings (optional) – Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, etc.
And supplies:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooking spray or brush
- Salt shaker
That’s it! Now let’s get into the easy steps for making crunchy homemade tortilla chips.
How to Make Tortilla Chips Step-By-Step
Follow these simple instructions for baked tortilla chips that beat any store bought version:
Step 1: Prep the Tortillas
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. While the oven heats up, prepare your tortillas:
- For corn tortillas – Stack 5-10 tortillas and slice into 6 wedges
- For flour tortillas – Cut each tortilla into 8 triangles
Step 2: Dry Out the Tortillas
The key step is to dry out the tortillas. This removes moisture so they bake up ultra crispy. Do this by:
- Arrange tortilla wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet
- Place in oven and bake for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway. They may puff up a bit.
- Remove once the tortillas are dried but not browned. They will still be pliable.
Step 3: Brush on Oil
To achieve the signature crispy texture of tortilla chips, you need to add oil. Once the tortillas are dried, take them out and:
- Brush or spray both sides with a thin coating of oil. Vegetable, avocado, coconut, and olive oil all work well.
- Use about 1 tsp oil per 5-10 tortillas. Too much oil will lead to greasy chips.
Step 4: Sprinkle on Salt
Salt is another must for that classic salty crunch. Simply sprinkle a pinch of salt over both sides of the tortillas. Feel free to add other spices like:
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Nutritional yeast
Step 5: Bake Until Crispy
Return the seasoned tortillas to the baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway, until browned and crispy.
Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. Remove promptly once crisp.
Step 6: Let Cool and Serve
Transfer the freshly baked tortilla chips to a serving platter or bowl. Let cool for 5 minutes before digging in so they become extra crunchy.
For the best texture, enjoy the same day. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for a week.
Tips for Making the Best Homemade Tortilla Chips
Follow these tips and tricks for the crispiest tortilla chips:
- Cut uniform pieces – Even sizes leads to even baking.
- Dry thoroughly – This removes moisture for maximum crunch.
- Use fresh tortillas – Avoid stale tortillas that are hard to cut.
- Brush lightly with oil – Too much oil leads to greasy chips.
- Flip midway – Ensures both sides get evenly browned.
- Season generously – Don’t be shy with salt and spices.
- Watch closely – Burnt chips happen quickly.
- Let cool before eating – Allows them to crispen as they cool.
Common Questions
What is the best oil for tortilla chips?
The most common oils used for tortilla chips are:
- Vegetable oil – Neutral flavor great for chips
- Olive oil – Adds a delicious rich flavor
- Avocado oil – Healthy oil with a high smoke point
- Coconut oil – Imparts a subtle tropical flavor
How long do homemade tortilla chips last?
Tortilla chips are best fresh the day they are made. However, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. The chips may lose a bit of their crispness over time.
Can I flavor the tortilla chips?
Absolutely! Get creative with flavors like:
- Chili and Lime
- Garlic Parmesan
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Everything Bagel
- BBQ
Sprinkle seasonings over the tortillas before baking or use flavored oils.
What is the baking time and temperature?
The recommended baking guidelines are:
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Dry tortillas for 5-10 minutes
- Brush with oil
- Bake seasoned tortillas for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway
Keep an eye on them as baking times can vary based on your oven.
Can I microwave tortilla chips?
It’s best not to microwave store bought or homemade tortilla chips. The microwave will make them rubbery and soggy instead of nice and crispy.
How can I make tortilla chips without an oven?
You can pan fry tortilla chips on the stovetop instead of baking them. Just add about 1/4 inch oil to a skillet over medium heat. Fry the tortilla wedges a batch at a time until crispy and golden brown. Drain on a paper towel lined plate.
Substitutions and Variations
Tailor the tortilla chips to your taste with these fun options:
- Tortillas – Try both corn and flour tortillas or alternate layers
- Oils – Use olive, avocado, coconut, vegetable, etc.
- Seasonings – Play around with different spices like cumin or chili powder
- Sweet chips – Coat with cinnamon and sugar or cocoa powder
- Healthy chips – Use whole grain tortillas and minimal oil
The possibilities are endless for creating your own signature tortilla chips!
Serving Suggestions
Homemade tortilla chips are great for:
- Nachos – Top with cheese, beans, salsa, etc.
- Taco salad – Crush up chips to use instead of lettuce
- Chilaquiles – Toss tortilla chips with sauce and eggs
- Appetizer – Serve with salsa and guacamole
- Snack – On their own or with hummus or bean dip
You really can’t go wrong with a bowl of freshly baked crispy tortilla chips!
Conclusion
Whipping up homemade tortilla chips is easy with just a few ingredients and simple steps. The secret is drying the tortillas before baking so they come out ultra crispy. Letting them cool entirely before eating helps them retain that signature crunch.
Flavor and top these crunchy chips however you like. You can impress guests with nachos or tacos made with homemade chips. Store leftovers in an airtight container for snacking all week long.
With this easy recipe, you can say goodbye to boring store bought chips and hello to fresh, crispy tortilla chips anytime.