Tortilla chips are one of the most popular chips used for dipping. Many people like to have tortilla chips with salsa, bean dip or with nachos. Tortilla chips are served as a side dish with many Mexican dinners.
Now you may be thinking; “The bag of tortillas has fewer ounces than the bag of chips.” While this may be true, you will find you can make just as many chips with the tortillas than in the bag. You will also find you will be able to control the saturated fat and the type of oil the chips are fried in.
Not only can you season them the way you want, it will also save you money. Compare the price and ounces of a bag of tortillas to a bag of corn chips. You will find the price and ounces of tortillas to be cheaper over the bag of chips. You will be spending half the money for the same amount of chips.
Tortilla Choices
Flour or corn tortillas can be used to make tortilla chips at home. The tortillas can be bought in any grocery store in a variety of sizes and packaged counts. Depending on how many people will be served with the homemade tortilla chips will decide on the amount of tortillas needed.
The most commonly used tortilla sizes are six and 8 inches in diameter. These tortillas are often used for tacos, fajitas, and burritos. In restaurants that make their own corn chips, they often use the 6-inch tortillas.
You can use the flour or corn tortillas for making your own tortilla chips. Any brand will work for your homemade chips. You can also use the blue corn tortillas if you wish to do so.
Seasoning Choices for Tortilla Chips
By making your own chips at home you can season them the way you want as well. There are many Mexican style seasonings available on the market today. These seasonings can be found on the spice isle, specialty isle or any Mexican specialty shop in your area.
You can use taco, ranch dressing, chili, burrito, Cajun, tex-mex, garlic, onion, and many other types of seasonings. Each of these seasonings will need to be in the powder form.
Items Needed to Make Your Own Homemade Tortilla Chips
Bag of tortillas. The tortillas can be any size and count. You will need to remember the more tortillas there are, the more chips the bag will make.
Frying oil. Any oil can be used for frying the tortillas.
Frying basket or wired scoop. You will need this to take the chips out of the oil once they are finished cooking.
Paper towels and large plate or platter. You will need the paper towels to catch the excess oil once they are removed from the fryer or pan.
Fryer or large pot. You will need to have either item filled enough to fry the tortillas.
Large brown paper bag. You will need the bag to season your chips if you prefer anything other than salt.
Salt and other seasonings. You can use plain table or kosher salt to season your tortilla chips. You can also use any seasonings that suits your tastes.
Storage container. You can also store left over chips in an air tight container. It is best to eat the chips within a day or two of making them.
Making the Tortilla Chips
Heat the oil to 350 to 400 degrees.
While the oil is heating, cut the 6 and 8-inch tortillas into quarters. If you are using the larger tortillas, cut them into eighths. You can also cut them into strips if you prefer.
Fry the tortillas until lightly browned or until puffed up.
Remove from the oil and drain.
Season the chips by sprinkling salt over them while still slightly damp with oil so the salt will stick to the chips. You will need to do the same with the other seasonings by placing them in the brown paper bag with an eight to a quarter teaspoon of seasoning.
Place the warm or cooled chips in a bowl.
You can also eat your tortilla chips with salsa or bean dip. You can also make nachos with your tortilla chips. Any time you wish to replenish your homemade tortilla chips, you can easily fry a new batch.
You can also bake them in the oven at 400 degrees until lightly browned and crisp. This method shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
