We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How can I Make Tortilla Chips?

Amy Pollick
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,489
Share

Nearly everyone loves crispy tortilla chips with dips, salsa, cheese -- you name it. And while there are hundreds of brands of tortilla chips on the market, they are easy to make at home. They taste better and the cook can then control such factors as sodium and fat.

The easiest way to make tortilla chips is to buy a pack of tortillas, cut them in triangles or strips and cook them until crisp. A cook can either fry the tortillas in oil or bake them. To fry the tortillas, the cook needs to heat enough vegetable oil to cover a heavy frying pan until it is frying temperature -- about 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Dip the tortillas in the oil and fry until puffy. This should take only a minute or so. Drain on paper towels.

To bake the chips, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake them about five minutes on each side in a 400 degree Fahrenheit (205 Celsius) oven, or until they are crispy and golden brown.

To make tortilla chips from scratch takes a little more time, but is not difficult. Start with about 3 cups (680 grams) of masa harina. This is a corn flour (note: NOT cornmeal!) available wherever Spanish or Latin style foods are sold. Mix the masa harina with about 2 teaspoons of salt and enough water to make a thick dough. This is not an exact science. The dough may also be mixed with a little vegetable oil to help with the browning process, but don’t overdo it. Divide the dough into balls about the size of a table tennis ball.

The next step is pressing the dough. Tortilla pressers are available for this job, or the cook can just cover the dough balls in wax paper and press them with a heavy pan, such as a cast-iron skillet. The tortillas should be very thin. The cook then heats a heavy skillet until it is very hot and fries the tortillas for about 30 seconds on each side. When the tortillas have cooled, the cook cuts them into wedges or strips and fries them in small batches according to the above directions for frying any tortilla chips. The chips can then be seasoned as desired. Salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and onion powder are all good seasoning options.

Since tortilla chips are so easy to make, they are a great choice for cooks who want more natural foods in their diet. This is also a great cooking project for older children, with the adults doing the deep frying.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Amy Pollick
By Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick, a talented content writer and editor, brings her diverse writing background to her work at WiseGeek. With experience in various roles and numerous articles under her belt, she crafts compelling content that informs and engages readers across various platforms on topics of all levels of complexity.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By mitchell14 — On Nov 14, 2010

When making tortilla chips from scratch, you can also try to make them a sweet dish by sprinkling cinnamon sugar instead of salt and pepper. You could also add lime juice to the traditional spices to give it a nice twist.

Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick, a talented content writer and editor, brings her diverse writing background to her work at WiseGeek. With...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-can-i-make-tortilla-chips.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.