Who isn't familiar with a tortilla chip? Although invented in Los Angeles in the late 1940s, tortilla chips are considered to be Mexican food. A tortilla chip is made from a tortilla - corn tortillas are usually used, but some folks prefer chips made from flour tortillas. The tortillas are cut into wedges which are then fried or baked (for a more healthy alternative). Gourmet food shops are likely to also carry tortilla chips made from more exotic cornmeals - such as blue or white.
Nothing could be better than homemade tortilla chips! They usually disappear faster than the homemade salsa. Better yet, you have total control over the level of salt and spices.
Before getting started, you need to make two decisions.
Fried Tortilla Chips: Get out a sharp knife or pizza wheel and cut each of your tortillas into pizza-shaped wedges. To speed things up, stack the tortillas in groups of three or four and cut at one time.
Fry your wedges in vegetable oil over medium-high heat for about a minute until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to pull the chips out , then place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain. While the chips are still hot, salt to taste.
Baked Tortilla Chips: Lightly brush both sides of your tortillas with your preferred oil - either vegetable or olive (another option is to spray your baking sheets with a nonstick spray like Pam). Before baking you will need to cut your tortillas into wedges and season. There are two ways of getting the job done - your seasoning for the chips is a major factor.
Place the wedges in a single layer on your baking sheets. Bake for 10-to-15 minutes in a 350 degree oven, until the chips are crisp and light-golden brown. Flip the chips over halfway through the baking time. When baking your chips for the first time, keep a careful eye on them during the last 5-7 minutes as ovens cook differently - they burn easily.
Suggested Seasonings for Your Baked Tortilla Chips: Corn chips are great with just a little salt or seasoning salt. Flour tortilla chips also work well with salt.....but try them with sugar to satisfy that sweet tooth.
More Variations for Your Homemade Tortilla Chips
Nothing could be better than homemade tortilla chips! They usually disappear faster than the homemade salsa. Better yet, you have total control over the level of salt and spices.
Before getting started, you need to make two decisions.
- First, do you want corn tortilla chips or flour tortilla chips? Corn tortilla chips are great with spicy foods like salsas and bean dips. Flour tortilla chips are better with sweet dishes such as fruit salsas or a cream cheese dip.
- Second, are you going to fry your chips or bake them? Among those that preferred baking their chips, reasons for the preference related to health and ease.
Fried Tortilla Chips: Get out a sharp knife or pizza wheel and cut each of your tortillas into pizza-shaped wedges. To speed things up, stack the tortillas in groups of three or four and cut at one time.
Fry your wedges in vegetable oil over medium-high heat for about a minute until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to pull the chips out , then place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain. While the chips are still hot, salt to taste.
Spice, then Slice: Once your tortillas are coated with the oil, sprinkle them lightly with your selected seasoning(s)/topping(s). Get out a sharp knife or pizza wheel and cut each of your tortillas into pizza-shaped wedges. (Depending on what you've sprinkled on the tortillas, it might not be possible to stack them in groups of three or four and cut at one time.) Place the wedges in a single layer on your baking sheets.
Slice, then Spice: Get out a sharp knife or pizza wheel and cut each of your tortillas into pizza-shaped wedges. To speed things up, stack the tortillas in groups of three or four and cut at one time. Place the wedges in a single layer on your baking sheets,then sprinkle lightly with your selected seasonings.
Place the wedges in a single layer on your baking sheets. Bake for 10-to-15 minutes in a 350 degree oven, until the chips are crisp and light-golden brown. Flip the chips over halfway through the baking time. When baking your chips for the first time, keep a careful eye on them during the last 5-7 minutes as ovens cook differently - they burn easily.
Suggested Seasonings for Your Baked Tortilla Chips: Corn chips are great with just a little salt or seasoning salt. Flour tortilla chips also work well with salt.....but try them with sugar to satisfy that sweet tooth.
- Salt (table salt or sea salt)
- Chili powder
- Salt & chili powder
- Salt, chili powder & onion powder
- Chili powder, garlic powder & cumin
- Cumin, chili powder & salt
- Cumin, oregano & paprika
- Paprika, cayenne & chili powder
- Salt, red pepper, cumin & curry
- Chili powder, salt, crumbled dried oregano & Monteray Jack cheese
More Variations for Your Homemade Tortilla Chips
--Brush the top of each chip with fresh lime juice; then lightly sprinkle with chili powder and salt. (Slice, then Spice Method)
--If you love hummus, consider substituting pita bread for your tortillas..........and making pita chips. Yum!
Gourmet tortilla chips, anyone?
Gourmet tortilla chips, anyone?
--Crush 1 or 2 cloves of garlic and mix with olive oil before lightly brushing the tortillas. Sprinkle the chips lightly with salt and bake.
--Finely chop fresh herbs of your choice (such as cilantro, dill, basil, parsley) with olive oil before lightly brushing the tortillas and baking.
Feeling like a sweet treat?
--Lightly brush flour tortillas with butter before baking. Once they've cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
--Lightly brush flour tortillas with butter, lightly sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, then bake.
--For the chocoholics out there, lightly brush flour tortillas with butter before baking. Once they've cooled, sprinkle with a mixture of powdered sugar and chocolate milk powder.
--Lightly brush flour tortillas with butter before baking. Once they've cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
--Lightly brush flour tortillas with butter, lightly sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, then bake.
--For the chocoholics out there, lightly brush flour tortillas with butter before baking. Once they've cooled, sprinkle with a mixture of powdered sugar and chocolate milk powder.
