Prepare your own crisp and crunchy tortilla chips from home! They’re great for salsa, guacamole, and any other dip you can think of.
It seems like every time I eat tortilla chips, I can’t stop thinking about how good they are. It’s sometimes hard to believe just how amazing they taste. Believe it or not, those triangle-shaped chips of deliciousness have been around since the 1940s. Somehow, it was only recently that I discovered how easy and satisfying it can be to make my own fried tortilla chips at home, allowing me to not just enjoy tasty chips but also enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Making these homemade tortilla chips isn’t as hard as you might think. It’s actually easy to give yourself a delightful snack or appetizer without that much effort. Most of the work is simply cutting up corn tortillas into triangles. Once fried, they come out salty, crunchy, and tasting better than the chips you might buy from the store.
In my opinion, there’s no point to tortilla chips if they aren’t salted. I know you can buy unsalted tortilla chips at the grocery store, but to me, they just taste like they are missing their essence. In addition to sea salt, these fried tortilla chips are seasoned with smoky and earthy paprika, which provides a pop of color as well.
Are Fried Tortilla Chips Healthy?
While they taste good, fried tortilla chips are not the healthiest snack. Since they are deep-fried in oil, there’s more fat and calories in these tortilla chips than in homemade tortilla chips that are baked or cooked in an air fryer. Also, these chips don’t offer much in terms of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, the nutritional profile of these tortilla chips isn’t particularly health-forward. But hey, everything in moderation!
An Excellent Use For Your Stale Tortillas
For the best results when cooking fried tortilla chips, you don’t want to use fresh tortillas. Rather, you want tortillas that are already going stale or that you dry out on purpose. To create dry tortillas, I suggest leaving the tortillas out overnight or just putting them in the microwave for 30 seconds if you don’t have the time to do that. It’s also crucial to season the chips immediately after taking them out of the skillet when they’re still warm. This will ensure the seasoning sticks to the chips.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
After the chips have cooled, if you don’t eat all of them, place the leftovers in a resealable bag or airtight container. At room temperature or in the fridge, the chips will remain good for up to 2 days.
Serving Suggestions
Salsa and guacamole are the natural pairings you think of when you think of tortilla chips. If you don’t want store-bought dips, I would recommend making Easy Fresh Mango Salsa or this recipe for the best homemade guacamole ever. I’m also a big fan of Healthy Spinach Dip with these chips. However, my personal favorite dip has to be Chili Con Queso.
If you’re looking for a Mexican main to serve with these chips, look no further than these lentil quesadillas or this quinoa casserole. For dessert, why not try bionicos (aka Mexican fruit bowls)?
Ingredients
- Oil for frying such as canola or vegetable oil
- 8 corn tortillas cut into 6 wedges each
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F. Ensure there’s enough oil to cover the bottom of the skillet by about 1/4 inch.
- Once the oil is hot, fry the tortilla wedges in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the skillet. Fry until they are golden brown and crisp, about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer the chips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- While still warm, sprinkle the chips with a mixture of sea salt and paprika.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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