Crispy Homemade Tortilla Strips That’ll Make You Ditch Store-Bought Forever

Let’s Talk About Tortilla Strips (Because, Obviously)

Okay, picture this: You’re halfway through your favorite Netflix binge, you’ve got soup simmering or guac chilling in the fridge, and you suddenly realize… you forgot the tortilla strips. Panic. Betrayal. Chaos. Do you:

1. Cry?
2. Settle for soggy croutons?
3. Make your own crispy, golden tortilla strips in 10 minutes and become a snack legend?

If you picked #3, welcome to your new personality trait.

Why You Need These Crispy Tortilla Strips in Your Life

First off, they’re crunchy AF. Second, they take less time to make than it does to scroll through TikTok for dinner ideas. Third? These babies level up everything — soups, salads, chili, nachos, even ice cream if you’re chaotic like that.

Plus, they’re:

• Cheap (budget babes, unite)
• Customizable (spicy? cheesy? lime-dusted? Yes, yes, and heck yes.)
• Straight-up addictive

Oh, and let’s not ignore the fact that people will think you’re some kind of culinary wizard. You’re welcome.

Ingredients You’ll Need (Nothing Weird, Promise)

• 6 small corn tortillas (day-old works best)
• 2 tbsp neutral oil (canola, vegetable, avocado)
• ½ tsp salt
• Optional spice flex: chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, lime zest, garlic powder

Substitutions:

• Corn tortillas = flour tortillas (but they’ll be a little softer)
• Oil = olive oil (slightly different taste but works)

Tools & Kitchen Gadgets Used

Link these babies with your Amazon affiliate account and watch the snack money roll in:

• Sharp knife or pizza cutter (for perfect strip vibes)
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowl
• Tongs
• Baking sheet OR air fryer
• Parchment paper (if baking)
• Paper towels (for draining, if frying)

Step-by-Step: Tortilla Strip Glory

Method 1: Bake 🌮

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Stack tortillas and slice into thin strips (about ¼ inch wide). Pretend you’re a chef on Chopped.
3. Toss strips with oil, salt, and any optional spices in a bowl.
4. Spread them out like social distancing champions on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway. Watch like a hawk – they go from golden to burnt in a blink.

Method 2: Air Fry (aka cheat code)

1. Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
2. Slice and toss strips in oil, salt, and spice magic.
3. Air fry in a single-ish layer for 5-7 minutes, shaking halfway through.
4. Brag on Instagram while they cool.

Method 3: Fry (Because YOLO)

1. Heat ½ inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Carefully fry strips in batches for 1-2 minutes until golden.
3. Transfer to paper towels. Sprinkle with salt while still hot.

Calories & Nutritional Info (per serving ~12-15 strips)

• Calories: 120-150
• Fat: 6-8g
• Carbs: 15g
• Protein: 1-2g
• Gluten-Free: Yep, if using corn tortillas
• Vegan: Naturally, unless you cheese ’em up

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding the pan/air fryer: Hello, soggy strips.
• Skipping the oil: This is not the time for diet culture.
• Using flour tortillas without adjusting: They’re softer, cook quicker, and burn faster. Be vigilant.
• Forgetting to flip: Uneven crunch is a crime.

Variations & Customizations (Get Weird With It)

• Spicy Kick: Add cayenne, chipotle powder, or Tajín.
• Cheesy Strips: Toss with finely grated parmesan or nutritional yeast post-bake.
• Lime Zest Fiesta: Zest a lime over freshly fried strips. You’re welcome.

FAQ About Tortilla Strips (Yes, We Stalked Google)

1. Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn? Yep! Just watch them closely; they crisp up faster and can burn quickly.

2. Can I make tortilla strips ahead of time? Totally! Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Crunch insurance, basically.

3. How do I keep tortilla strips crispy? Cool completely before storing. No lid until they’re room temp. Moisture = enemy.

4. Can I freeze homemade tortilla strips? Not ideal. They lose the crisp. But you can freeze uncooked strips.

5. What are tortilla strips used for? Soup topping, salad crunch, snacking straight from the bowl at midnight.

6. Are tortilla strips gluten-free? If you use 100% corn tortillas, yep. Always double-check the label.

7. Can I season them after baking? You can, but seasoning sticks best to oil-coated pre-baked strips. Trust.

Final Thoughts (Let’s Get Crunchy)

So… now that you’re a certified tortilla strip master, are you ever going back to the sad, overpriced bagged version? Didn’t think so.

Snap a pic, send it to your group chat, and let them marvel at your snack wizardry. Or better yet, make them jealous with your crunchy garnish game. Sharing is optional.

Make it. Crunch it. Repeat.