DIY Tortilla Chips

Skip the store-bought bag! Making homemade tortilla chips is a fun and delicious way to enjoy crispy snacks. Here’s a simple recipe for making them:

Ingredients:

• Corn tortillas
• Cooking oil (vegetable or canola oil)
• Salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Stack the corn tortillas on a cutting board and cut them into desired chip size. You can cut them into triangles, strips, or any shape you prefer.
3. Pour enough cooking oil into a frying pan or skillet to reach a depth of about ½ inch (1.3 cm). Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches around 350°F (175°C).
4. Carefully place a few tortilla pieces into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the tortillas for about 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the chips from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
5. Sprinkle the freshly fried tortilla chips with salt while they are still hot, if desired. Alternatively, you can omit the salt and season them later with your favorite spices or seasonings.
6. Repeat the frying process with the remaining tortilla pieces until all of them are cooked.
7. Once all the tortilla chips are fried, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until the chips become crisp and slightly golden.
8. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the chips cool completely. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
9. Once cooled, serve the homemade tortilla chips with salsa, guacamole, or your favorite dips.

Note: If you prefer baked tortilla chips, you can skip the frying step. Instead, cut the tortillas into desired shapes, brush them with a small amount of oil, sprinkle with salt or desired seasonings, and bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes or until crispy and golden.

Enjoy your homemade tortilla chips as a tasty snack or as a crunchy accompaniment to your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes! —Vita Daily