How to Make Tortilla Chips at Home

Rise & Puff tortilla puffing up in a beige pan on the stove, cooked to golden brown perfection.

You know that sound, the crisp crunch of a perfect tortilla chip breaking in half. A quick dip into salsa. A swipe through guacamole. That satisfying, salty snap that makes every bite feel like a small celebration.

That’s the beauty of homemade tortilla chips: simple, fast, and dangerously easy to love. With Rise & Puff tortillas, you can turn everyday tortillas into a batch of restaurant-worthy chips in minutes. Whether you bake, air-fry, or go the classic fry route, they crisp up beautifully every time.

In this blog, we’ll show you exactly how to make tortilla chips from tortillas, with the same joy and crunch you get from your favorite Mexican restaurant, only fresher.

Why Make Tortilla Chips at Home

Store-bought chips are fine, until they’re not. Half the time, they taste a little stale, too salty, or too greasy. You crunch through a few handfuls and wonder why they all taste like the bag they came in.

Homemade tortilla chips, though, are something else entirely. Warm, crisp, and perfectly salted, you can actually taste the tortilla itself: that nutty, toasty flavor hiding under the crunch.

And here’s the best part: you control everything, the oil, the salt, the texture, the flavor. You can make them barely golden or deep amber, lightly salted or dusted with chili-lime.

Rise & Puff tortillas are made with clean, simple ingredients and that signature flaky softness that transforms beautifully when heat hits the surface. Perfect for nachos. Perfect for dips. Perfect for eating straight off the tray before anyone else gets a chance.

Choosing the Right Tortillas

Perfectly puffed tortilla from Rise and Puff cooking on a non-stick pan.

Think of tortillas like your canvas: the better the base, the better the chip.

Flour tortillas turn into light, airy chips with a subtle buttery flavor; they practically melt when you crunch into them.
Corn tortillas go the classic route, crisping into that deep, hearty texture that stands up to chunky guac or spicy salsa.

The secret? The secret? Start with Rise & Puff tortillas if you want clean, perfectly crisp chips every time.

Can’t decide which one to try first? Peek at our tortilla shop and grab a pack of both. Because honestly, you’ll want to test them side by side.

Step-by-Step: Turning Tortillas into Chips

Ready? Let’s make snack magic:

Step 1: Cut and Coat

Grab your Rise & Puff tortillas and slice them into triangles. Lay them flat, brush lightly with oil (or spray them if you want to go lighter), and sprinkle a little salt. If you’re feeling fancy, add chili powder, paprika, or lime zest right now so it bakes in.

Step 2: Pick Your Crunch Style

Baked Tortilla Chips: Lay them on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’ll puff up, turn golden, have a crispy texture, and smell absolutely divine.
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips: Cook at 350°F for 6-7 minutes. They’ll come out light, bubbly, and unbelievably crisp. The best part? You can make a new batch before the first one even cools.
Fried Tortilla Chips: Heat neutral oil in a skillet until shimmering. Drop in a few triangles at a time. Fry for about 2-3 minutes, turning once. Drain on paper towels and resist the urge to eat them all before they cool.

Step 3: Cool and Season

Let them rest for just a minute (they keep crisping as they cool).
Then season while they’re still warm: salt, chili, or even a dusting of garlic powder.

Rise & Puff Tip: Don’t overcrowd your tray or fryer. Chips need space to breathe. Space = crispness.

Flavor Twists to Try

Fresh tortilla from Rise and Puff puffing up perfectly on a hot skillet.

Homemade chips are like blank canvases: they’ll take on any flavor you throw at them.

Chili-Lime: Toss with chili powder and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Smoky Paprika: Add depth and warmth, perfect with hummus or black bean dip.
Garlic-Parmesan: Because salty and cheesy never fail.
Cinnamon-Sugar: The dessert version no one expects, served with a caramel or chocolate dip.

Every flavor works because Rise & Puff tortillas hold onto seasoning so well, they crisp on the outside but stay delicate enough for the spice to cling to every bubble.

And if you’ve got leftover tortillas lying around, this is the perfect way to give them a new life. Less waste, more crunch.

Baked vs. Air-Fried vs. Fried: The Crunch Showdown

Alright, time to pick a winner (though spoiler: they’re all winners).

Baked chips are light, crisp, and have that toasted flavor that makes them feel elevated.
Air-fried chips are fast, golden, and extra crunchy, perfect for quick snacking.
Fried chips? Pure joy. Rich, golden, and restaurant-level crispy.

Each method brings its own personality, and our Rise & Puff tortillas are flexible enough to master them all. You really can’t go wrong; it’s all about what kind of snack mood you’re in.

Storage and Freshness Tips

If you somehow have leftovers, keep them crisp like this:

Let them cool completely.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature with a small piece of parchment or
paper towel to absorb moisture.
They’ll stay crunchy for up to five days.

Since Rise & Puff tortillas are made from clean, simple ingredients, your chips will hold that real-tortilla taste, even a few days later.

Bringing It All Together: Snack Smart with Rise & Puff

You start with a few tortillas, a drizzle of oil, and somehow end up with a bowl full of warm, crunchy happiness.

And when those tortillas are Rise & Puff, you can rest assured they’re made from clean ingredients and contain no preservatives. Pile them under melted cheese. Eat them straight from the tray while pretending you’ll “save a few for later

Explore our Tortilla Collection to grab your base and have all the reasons you’ll need to keep making “just one more batch.”