Make the crispiest Homemade Tortilla Chips right in your own kitchen with just corn tortillas, oil, and salt. These fry up golden and bubbly just like the basket you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant - warm, salty, and dangerously addictive.
Turn Tortillas into Chips!
We're making crispy Homemade Tortilla Chips, my friends, and these are so much better than boring bag of chips! This is exactly how you do it at home.
As someone who has tested hundreds of Mexican-inspired recipes for Chili Pepper Madness over the years, I’ve learned all the small tricks that make chips truly crispy instead of chewy or oily. This method works for corn, flour, baked, or air-fried chips, so you can make them exactly the way you love them.
This recipe makes 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 flaky sea salt clinging to every chip. This is how you do it.
Why You Can Trust This Recipe
I’ve been developing and testing recipes for Chili Pepper Madness for more than 2 decades, with a focus on bold flavor and reliable technique. I’ve made homemade tortilla chips countless times, for salsa testing, party platters, recipe shoots, and general snacking. This method gives you:
- Perfectly crisp, restaurant-style chips
- Tips to keep them crispy for days
- Golden bubbles and a satisfying crunch factor
- Options for fried, baked, or air-fried chips
Ingredients Needed
NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements is listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Corn tortillas - White, yellow, blue, or homemade. Day-old tortillas fry best. Try it with my homemade corn tortillas.
- Oil - Use a neutral, high-heat oil like canola, peanut, vegetable, or avocado oil.
- Salt - Flaky sea salt sticks beautifully to hot chips.
How to Make Tortilla Chips (Fried Method – Best Results)
Prep the tortillas. Slice tortillas into 6 wedges (or 8 for thinner, lighter chips). Dry tortillas work best because excess moisture leads to chewy chips.
Heat the Oil. Heat a wide pot of oil to 350°F (176°C).
- Oil that’s too cool = soggy chips.
- Oil that’s too hot = burnt, blistered chips.
TIP: Drop in a small tortilla piece; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready.
Fry in Batches. Add the tortilla wedges in a single layer. Fry 2–3 minutes, flipping occasionally, until lightly golden and crisp around the edges.
Drain and Season. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined tray and sprinkle immediately with sea salt (or seasoning of choice). Chips crisp even more as they cool.
How to Bake Tortilla Chips (Healthier Option)
- Salt while warm.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Brush both sides of tortilla wedges with a bit of oil.
- Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake 5 minutes, flip, bake 5-10 minutes more until crisp and lightly browned.
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Lightly spray or brush tortillas with oil.
- Air fry 4-6 minutes, shaking once halfway through.
- Salt immediately.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Use older tortillas for the crispiest chips. Day-old or slightly stale tortillas are naturally drier, which helps them crisp instead of turning chewy in the oil or oven.
- Slice them however you like. Cut into wedges for classic chips, or fry the tortillas whole for tostadas, taco shells, or restaurant-style crispy rounds.
- Use a neutral, high-heat oil. Avoid olive oil. Choose canola, vegetable, grapeseed, avocado, or peanut oil for clean flavor and safer frying. If the oil begins to smoke, pull it from the heat and let it cool.
Why are my tortilla chips chewy?
- Oil wasn’t hot enough
- Tortillas were too fresh or too moist
- Frying too many chips at once (drops oil temp)
Why are my chips browning too fast?
- Oil too hot
- Using a small pot, causing temperature spikes
Why won’t the salt stick?
- Chips weren’t salted immediately while hot
- Chips were drained or patted completely dry first
Best tortillas for frying?
Corn tortillas with lower moisture content (day-old white or yellow corn tortillas are ideal.)
Seasoning Ideas
Add any of these right when the chips come out of the oil:
- Chili-lime seasoning
- Tajín
- Smoked paprika + salt
- Garlic powder + cumin
- Chipotle powder
- Ranch seasoning
- Hot honey drizzle (killer for parties!)
Storage & Keeping Chips Crisp
- Cool completely before storing.
- Keep in a paper bag for the best ongoing crispiness.
- For longer storage, seal in plastic, but add a paper towel inside to absorb moisture.
- Refresh stale chips in the oven at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.
Serving Ideas
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!
FAQs
Are tortilla chips fried or baked?
Most restaurant tortilla chips are fried. Homemade can be fried, baked, or air-fried.
Can I use flour tortillas?
Yes! They fry a little faster and crisp up beautifully.
What’s the best oil for frying tortilla chips?
Canola, peanut, or vegetable oil, anything with a high smoke point.
How do I keep tortilla chips crispy at a party?
Serve in a wide shallow bowl and avoid covering them. Steam = sogginess.
Can you fry corn tortillas without cutting them?
Yes, this makes amazing tostadas, like tostadas de tinga!
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.
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
HOW TO FRY 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.
HOW TO BAKE 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.
HOW TO AIR FRY TORTILLA CHIPS
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Lightly spray or brush tortillas with oil.
- Air fry 4-6 minutes, shaking once halfway through.
- Salt immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 11/15/25 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 4/28/17.
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.