Make the BEST Crispy Homemade Tortilla Chips with this easy recipe! You only need oil, corn tortillas, and salt to make this restaurant staple. And yes - they're way better than the store-bought stuff.
Crispy Homemade Tortilla Chips
Making your own crispy homemade tortilla chips is one of those basic skills you'll wish you had all your life.
I know, it's super easy and convenient to grab a bag of tortilla chips from the grocery store, but there's something about freshly made tortillas that can't be beat.
This recipe yields chips like the ones you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant. You can tell when they're freshly made, just popped out of the fryer, still glistening with oil and perfectly warm with granules of salt clinging to every nook and bubble.
You can make them at home the same way!
Homemade Tortilla Chips Ingredients
NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements is listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Corn tortillas
- Oil - Use a high heat vegetable oil, like canola oil, avocado oil, or peanut oil.
- Salt - I love a good flaky sea salt.
How to Make Tortilla Chips - the Recipe Method
There are two ways to make homemade tortilla chips - frying and baking.
How to FRY tortilla chips:
Prep the Tortillas. Slice the corn tortillas into 6 wedges each, or whatever chip size you'd like.
This recipe works with any color tortilla chips - white, yellow, blue, even homemade corn tortillas.
Heat the oil. In a wide pot, the hot oil should measure 350°F/176°C. Don't let it boil or smoke. The oil is ready when a small piece of tortilla sizzles when placed into the pot.
Fry up those chips! Next, slice the tortillas into 6 wedges. Working in batches, set the tortilla triangles in a single layer in the hot oil.
Fry them in the oil in batches for a couple minutes per side, flipping the chips here and there with tongs, until they begin to turn golden brown.
Drain and salt. Finally, remove and drain the excess oil on a paper towel lined plate. They're essentially deep fried.
Dash them with sea salt or a squeeze of lime juice or lime zest while they're hot!
How to BAKE tortilla chips:
Prepare. Preheat oven to 350°F. Then, simply slice the tortillas into 6 wedges and spread them out on a baking sheet. Brush both sides with oil.
Bake the chips. Bake them at 350°F about 5 minutes, salt them, then flip and bake another 5-10 minutes, until they brown up slightly and begin to crisp. Finally, sprinkle with salt and enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Stale tortillas are best. Stale chips are slightly better because they are dryer, and the moisture can sometimes interfere with the frying or baking process.
- Slice them how you like them. You can either slice your tortillas into wedges, or cook them whole for different applications. I cook mine whole for recipes like tostadas.
- Stay away from olive oil. It's best to use a neutral oil with a higher smoking point. Canola oil is great, though you can use any neutral oil, like grapeseed oil, avocado oil or vegetable oil. If your oil starts to smoke, remove it from the heat and let it cool a bit.
Fried Vs. Baked Tortilla Chips
I personally prefer fried tortillas, as they are much crispier, though you can bake them or air fry them for a healthier version that does not include the oil. You will still achieve crispiness, though they will be drier.
You can also microwave your chips, about a minute or so per side, though I've never been satisfied by microwaved or air fryer tortilla chips.
Can You Make Tortilla Chips with Flour Tortillas?
Yes, you can make crispy baked or fried tortilla chips with flour tortillas. Just follow the exact same directions in the recipe cards, but use flour tortillas.
I personally prefer using corn tortillas, but the process works the same.
How to Store Tortilla Chips
Homemade tortilla chips are best when eaten right away, straight out of the oven or the frying pot. After a bit of cooling time, of course. However, you can store them in a paper bag for a few days and they will retain their crispiness. Just fold the top of the bag down to keep them fresher.
I have also placed leftover tortilla chips into a sealable baggie and kept them in the pantry. Sealed, of course. They were still crispy and flavorful a few days later. They do eventually go stale, though.
How to Serve Homemade Tortilla Chips
How can I count the ways! Do I even need to make suggestions? I know you already LOVE corn tortilla chips! Come on! What's not to love?
But just in case you DO need ideas, here are a few links to help you out.
Oh yes! I DO love my homemade tortillas. Be sure to pull out this recipe for your next party or game day celebration. Everyone loves a bagful of crunchy chips. Especially with all of your awesome homemade dips and homemade salsa recipes!
If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
How to Make Tortilla Chips (Homemade Tortilla Chips Recipe)
Ingredients
- 12 corn tortillas (white, yellow, or any color corn tortillas)
- 1.5 cups vegetable oil or other neutral, high heat oil (Use on 1 tablespoon oil for baked tortilla chips)
- Salt to taste (flaky sea salt is best)
Instructions
FOR FRIED TORTILLA CHIPS
- Add the vegetable oil to a wide pot and heat to medium (should measure 350 degrees F/176 C). Do not let it boil or smoke. You know it’s ready when you add a crumb of tortilla and it sizzles up.
- Slice the tortillas into 6 wedges each and fry them in the oil in batches a couple minutes per side, flipping here and there with tongs, until they begin to slightly brown.
- Remove and drain them on a paper towel lined plate. Dash them with salt while they are hot.
FOR BAKED TORTILLA CHIPS
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 C).
- Slice the tortillas into 6 wedges and layer them on a baking sheet. Brush them with the oil.
- Bake for 5 minutes. Flip and generously salt them down. Bake another 5-10 minutes, until they begin to brown nicely.
- Remove, cool a bit, and blast them once more with salt. Enjoy.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Knut says
What about airfryer, would that work?
Mike Hultquist says
This should work fine in an air fryer. I'll have to test that out for best times, but only a few minutes should do it. Just don't overcook them.
Ga says
Hi Mike,
I’m desperate for a recipe to make tortillas from scratch.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks heaps
Ga
Mike Hultquist says
I have a post here: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/cooking-with-chili-peppers/how-to-make-homemade-corn-tortillas/
Cyndi says
Excellent web site. I love your recipes and have made fermented peppers ️ and hot sauce from the recipes.
Dave KIrk says
The baked tortilla chip recipe is excellent and extremely easy. I use an oil mister/sprayer to control the amount of EVOO. And I spray the tortillas before cutting them. Best if you make your own tortillas.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent! I appreciate the comments, Dave! Glad you enjoyed them.