Why did my chips come out chewy instead of crispy?

The oil was likely not hot enough. When the oil temperature is too low, the chips absorb more oil and cook more slowly, resulting in a chewy texture rather than a crisp one. Always use a thermometer to maintain 350°F, and make sure chips are completely dry before frying.

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?

While you technically can fry flour tortillas, they create a completely different product—more like a crispy flatbread than a traditional tortilla chip. Corn tortillas are strongly recommended for authentic flavor and texture, as they contain the natural corn taste that makes tortilla chips so distinctive.

How do I know when the chips are done frying?

Perfect chips will be lightly golden around the edges (not deep brown) and will feel firm, not flexible, when lifted with tongs. They might not look fully done when you remove them from the oil, but remember they continue to crisp up as they cool. If they're too dark, they'll taste bitter.

Is there a way to make these healthier?

Absolutely! You can bake these chips instead of frying. Brush both sides of each tortilla lightly with oil, cut into triangles, arrange in a single layer on baking sheets, and bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until crisp. You'll get a lighter chip with less oil, though the texture will be slightly different from fried.

Homemade Fried Tortilla Chips Recipe

Name: Homemade Fried Tortilla Chips Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 9 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 15 yellow or white corn tortillas; Peanut oil or other oil, for frying; 3/4 teaspoon fine salt

Description

Crispy, golden, and delicious—these homemade fried tortilla chips are the perfect combination of crunch and flavor! Made with just a few simple ingredients, they’re a much tastier alternative to store-bought chips. Perfect for dipping in salsa, guacamole, or queso, this recipe ensures that your snacks or party platter will be a hit. Easy to customize and make in batches, these chips are a must-try for any occasion!

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

15 yellow or white corn tortillas
Peanut oil or other oil, for frying
3/4 teaspoon fine salt

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Instructions

Heat the Oil
Heat your oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed skillet with at least 3 inches of oil until it reaches 350°F. This temperature helps ensure your chips fry evenly and turn crispy without absorbing excess oil.
Cut the Tortillas
Stack 5 tortillas on top of one another and cut them into 6 equal triangles to create tortilla chips. Repeat this step until all the tortillas are cut into pieces.
Fry the Chips
Add about 10 tortilla triangles at a time to the hot oil. Stir them gently to ensure they brown evenly on both sides. Fry for about 3-4 minutes or until they are crispy and lightly golden around the edges.
Soak Excess Oil
Once fried, place the chips on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess oil. This ensures they remain crispy without being oily.
Season the Chips
Transfer the chips to a large bowl and sprinkle with fine salt. Toss them to coat evenly. Fine salt sticks best to the chips, adding just the right amount of seasoning.
Cool and Serve
Arrange the seasoned chips in a single layer on a wire rack set over a sheet tray. Repeat the frying and seasoning process for the remaining tortilla pieces. Once cooled, serve with your favorite dips, like salsa or guacamole, or use them in your favorite recipes.

Notes

Nutrition information does not account for the oil absorbed during frying.
This recipe makes a large batch, but you can easily scale it down or up to suit your needs.
Customize your seasoning by adding spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, or garlic powder for a unique flavor twist.
Using peanut oil is recommended as it has a high smoke point and results in cleaner, crisper fried chips.
These chips are best stored at room temperature in an airtight container but do not freeze well.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 dozen chips
Calories: 150
Sugar: 0g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg