Homemade Tortilla Chips – Half the Calories, Twice the Flavor!
I'll admit it... I have a weakness for tortilla chips. 😄 Doritos have always been one of my favorites, especially on road trips. Give me a bag of Spicy Nacho Doritos and a Diet Pepsi, and I'm one happy traveler!
When Amy and Josh were little, our 10-hour drive to Grandma's house was a pretty big adventure. Since sweets and junk food weren't an everyday thing at our house, road trips meant everyone got to pick a few special treats.
Amy's choice was always a Butterfinger, Ranch Doritos, and a Mountain Dew. Josh? Well... Josh kept things simple. 😂 He wanted a Snickers bar, another Snickers bar, and... you guessed it... a Snickers bar!
The funniest part was that Josh swore Snickers bars were his "power." If he had a big test at school or something he was nervous about, he'd try to convince me he needed one because it helped him sit still and get a good grade. I still don't know how a candy bar was supposed to calm down a hyperactive kid, but somehow, in Josh's mind, it worked every single time!
These days, we still love chips, but we've learned a few tricks to make them a little lighter without giving up all the crunch. These homemade tortilla chips have become one of our favorites because they're crispy, flavorful, and about half the calories of many store-bought chips. That's definitely something worth celebrating!
Key Takeaways
- Homemade tortilla chips are easy to make and have fewer calories than store-bought options.
- You can make them with just corn tortillas and salt, or add olive oil if desired.
- Extra Thin yellow tortillas work best for crispy chips, while White Corn tortillas offer a milder flavor.
- A serving of 24 homemade chips contains about 120 calories, compared to only 11 store-bought chips with 150 calories.
- These homemade chips pair well with salsa, guacamole, and nachos.
Back to our love of Doritos... 😄
When Amy and I decided to lose weight, we knew a few of our favorite indulgences needed a little makeover. Doritos were definitely at the top of the list, and let's just say... giving them up wasn't exactly our favorite part of dieting!
The funny thing is, we didn't give up everything. We found lower-sugar wines that we actually enjoy, and we've spent years creating lighter versions of our favorite recipes. We don't believe you have to give up the foods you love—you just have to find a way to enjoy them with a little less guilt.
That's exactly how these homemade tortilla chips were born. They're crispy, full of flavor, and satisfy that tortilla chip craving for about half the calories of many store-bought chips. Turns out, you really can have your chips and eat them, too!
Homemade Tortilla Chips
Who knew making your own tortilla chips could be this easy? 😄 They're crispy, delicious, and one of our favorite ways to satisfy a chip craving without all the extra calories that come with many store-bought versions.
The best part? You only need two ingredients: corn tortillas and a little salt. That's it! If you'd like, you can lightly brush the tortillas with olive oil before baking or air frying, but we usually skip it. The salt sticks just fine, and leaving off the oil saves a few extra calories.
Want to have a little fun with the flavor? Try using seasoned salts like Tabasco®, bourbon, garlic, lime, or even smoked salt. It's an easy way to change the taste without adding much effort.
One quick tip before you get started: homemade corn tortillas are wonderful for soft tacos, but they usually don't get as crispy as store-bought corn tortillas. For the crunchiest homemade chips, we recommend using store-bought taco shells.
Simple ingredients, less guilt, and plenty of crunch... that's a win in our book!
The Best Tortillas for Homemade Chips
If you can find extra-thin yellow corn tortillas, grab them! They're our favorite because they crisp up beautifully without needing olive oil and have a rich, delicious corn flavor.
Not a fan of salt? No problem! These tortillas have plenty of corn flavor on their own, so they're still delicious without it.
If your grocery store doesn't carry the extra-thin variety, regular yellow corn tortillas work just fine. Just keep in mind they'll need a few extra minutes to crisp up and are usually a little higher in calories.
White corn tortillas are another option, but they have a milder flavor. We prefer yellow corn tortillas because they give these homemade chips that classic corn chip taste we all love.
How to Make Homemade Tortilla Chips
Making homemade tortilla chips is surprisingly easy, and once you've done it a couple of times, you'll probably never need to look at the recipe again. 😄
Step 1: Preheat the oven.
Preheat your oven to 400°F while you prepare the tortillas. A hot oven helps the chips crisp up quickly instead of drying out.
Step 2: Cut the tortillas.
Stack several tortillas together and cut them in half, then into quarters, and finally into eighths. This gives you perfectly sized tortilla chips in just a few quick cuts.
Belly Laugh Living Tip: Don't worry if every chip isn't exactly the same size. Some of our best chips have been the "odd ducks." They'll still disappear just as fast!
Step 3: Arrange the chips.
Line a baking sheet with non-stick aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Arrange the tortilla pieces in a single layer so they crisp evenly instead of steaming each other.
Step 4: Season the chips.
Lightly sprinkle the chips with salt or your favorite seasoned salt. Remember, you can always add a little more later, but you can't take it away.
Step 5: Bake.
Bake for 5 minutes, then flip the chips over. Return them to the oven for another 4 minutes, or until they're lightly golden and crispy.
Our Tip: Keep a close eye on them during the last couple of minutes. Tortilla chips have a sneaky habit of going from perfectly golden to "Oops!" in no time. 😂
Every oven bakes a little differently, so don't worry if yours need an extra minute or two. Once you take them out of the oven, they'll continue to crisp up as they cool.
Now comes the hardest part... waiting long enough so you don't burn your fingers grabbing the first chip! 😄
More Chips. Fewer Calories. Sounds Like a Win! 😄
Here's our favorite part...
When you make your own tortilla chips, you don't just save calories—you get to eat more chips!
- 11 store-bought chips: About 150 calories
- 24 homemade chips: About 120 calories
Now that's a trade we'll happily make any day of the week.
The best part? They only take about 9 minutes to bake, and there's something about warm, freshly made tortilla chips that's hard to beat. Crispy, flavorful, and perfect for satisfying that chip craving.
Pile them high with your favorite salsa, homemade guacamole, or a big plate of nachos, and you've got a snack that's every bit as satisfying as the bagged version.
These chips are great with salsa, Guacamole, and Nachos. Check out our Guacamole recipe and Nachos recipe.
TIPS:
💙 Stack 5 or 6 tortillas before cutting. It saves time, and the chips still come out nice and even.
💙 If one batch gets eaten before dinner... we promise not to tell anyone. 😂
💙 We almost always make a double batch because somehow they disappear before we finish making the salsa.
One More Road Trip Story... 😄
If you're wondering whether we ever eat Doritos anymore... the answer is absolutely!
We've just changed what counts as a road trip. 😂 A quick run to the grocery store doesn't qualify, but a long drive? That's still Dorito territory!
Those road trips gave us some of our favorite family memories, and we still laugh about them today. Doritos, Butterfingers, and Diet Pepsi still make an appearance once in a while—just in moderation. And yes... Josh still gets a giant Snickers bar from Santa every Christmas. Some traditions are just too good to give up!
Here are some other recipes to try
Now that you've got a batch of warm, crispy homemade tortilla chips, it's time to find something delicious to dip, scoop, or pile on top! Here are a few of our favorite recipes that pair perfectly with them.
How to Make Homemade Tortilla Chips (24 Chips for Just 120 Calories!)
A Few Things We Use
Ingredients
- 6 Corn Tortillas Extra Thin
- 1 Teaspoon Salt Add more to taste.
- Olive Oil If desired - Spray chips with olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Take a stack of tortillas and cut them into triangular shapes. Cut the stack in half, then quarters, and finally into eighths. This will give you perfectly-sized chips that are ready to be baked to crispy perfection.
- Use non-stick foil on the baking sheet. Place the chips in a single layer on the baking sheet and sprinkle them with salt. Bake for 5 minutes and check for crispiness. Flip them halfway through the baking process to ensure even cooking.If the chips are not crispy enough, put them back in the oven for an additional 4 minutes. It's important to watch them because they can quickly turn brown. Additionally, every oven is different, so the cooking time may vary. Once you remove them from the oven, they will continue to crisp up a bit.
- Enjoy them with your favorite salsa.
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