How To

How to Make Tortilla Chips from Scratch

Contributor
By Annie Mueller
eHow Contributing Writer
(16 Ratings)
Make Tortilla Chips from Scratch
Make Tortilla Chips from Scratch

If you already have a great salsa recipe, whip up a big batch and have it ready. It will be gone as soon as these chips are cool enough to handle.

From Quick Guide: Spreads
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Masa Harina corn flour
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Vegetable shortening or oil
  • A deep fryer or a deep saute pan
  1. Step 1

    Get your Masa Harina and other supplies. Masa Harina can be found at most larger grocery stores, or you can buy it Mexican markets or order it online. See Resources below for a link to an online seller.

  2. Step 2

    Mix about 3 cups of the masa with about 1/2 tablespoon of salt and enough water to make a thick dough. You can stir in a little vegetable oil, if you want, but that is optional. Taste the dough and add more salt if needed, but don't get the dough extremely salty. You'll be sprinkling salt on the surface of the chips later.

  3. Step 3

    Divide the dough into small 2-inch balls.

  4. Step 4

    Using wax paper and a tortilla press or a couple of heavy pans, press the dough balls into rounds as flat as you can get them.

  5. Step 5

    Heat up a saute pan or skillet until very hot; fry each tortilla until lightly browned, about 30 seconds per side.

  6. Step 6

    When cool enough to handle, cut each tortilla into wedges.

  7. Step 7

    Turn on the deep fryer, or heat up at 3 inch of vegetable oil or shortening in your deep saute pan.

  8. Step 8

    Fry the tortilla wedges in small batches. Don't overcrowd. Keep a very close eye on them; it doesn't take long to get them crispy and golden. Flip them if you need to. When done, remove each batch to a pan with coated with paper towels so they can drain.

  9. Step 9

    Sprinkle the tortilla chips with salt. Bring out the salsa, turn on some merengue music, and eat up.

Tips & Warnings
  • For an easier version that's not quite from scratch, buy large flour tortillas and follow the process from step 6 onward. You can do the same with corn tortillas, if you prefer.
  • Be very careful with the deep fryer and/or hot oil in the saute pan. It's easy to get burned. The oil will be popping. Be sure all children and pets are a safe distance away, and don't wear big sleeves or loose clothing that could get dragged through the oil. Wear oven mitts when handling the hot pans, and use tongs to move the chips around in the fryer.

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