Make quick and easy homemade Doritos (corn tortilla chips) in an oven or air fryer – They’re crisp, crunchy, and loaded with flavor but MUCH healthier and made with REAL ingredients!
Super Crunchy Homemade Doritos (Tortilla Chips)
Whether you have dietary restrictions, are looking for healthier alternatives, or trying to save money – it’s surprisingly quick and easy to make homemade versions of some of your favorite snacks! When it comes to salty, savory snacking, I’ve already shared a recipe for potato chips. Now it’s the turn of crunchy homemade Doritos.
Honestly, this baked Doritos recipe (air fryer method also included!) is so simple to prepare! Just chop corn tortillas, add just a little oil, toss them in your desired seasonings– I’ve included several spice mix ideas below for you to choose from, then cook them.
Once cooked and cooled, these homemade tortilla chips are super crunchy, made with just a handful of simple and inexpensive pantry ingredients, a fraction of the fat, yet still taste AH-MAZING – perfect for satisfying savory snack cravings in under 25 minutes.
Plus, unlike family-sized sharing bags of Doritos that are so easy to mindlessly crunch on while watching TV until it’s empty, by learning how to make tortilla chips at home, you can control the portion amount. They’re perfect for game nights, Cinco de Mayo, and regular snacking.
If you’re looking for even more simple savory vegan snacks/ appetizers, check out my recipes for air fryer zucchini chips, crispy chickpeas, or cheesy garlic breadsticks!
What Are Doritos Made Out Of?
Depending on where you’re based and the flavor variety, the ingredients found in store-bought Doritos can change. However, they’re all made with a base of:
Corn (whole maize kernels), vegetable oils, and salt. Flavored varieties typically contain several flavorings, often including MSG, maltodextrin, artificial flavors, artificial colors, and often some form of dairy/non-vegan ingredients, like cheese, whey, buttermilk, lactose… All together, about 30 ingredients…
Luckily, it’s easy to make healthy Doritos with whole ingredients like corn tortillas, just a little oil, and whole herbs and spices. The ingredients I’ve used include:
- Corn tortillas: I used 6-inch organic corn tortillas, though regular work too.
- Avocado oil: Or another neutral cooking oil, like light olive oil.
- Seasoning: For this Dorito seasoning, I’ve made slightly spicy cheesy tortilla chips with a simple mixture of pantry spices.
- Sea salt
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Nutritional yeast (to replace Parmesan cheese for vegan cheesy element)
Alternative Homemade Dorito Seasoning Options
- Lightly salted: Only use kosher/sea salt and nothing else.
- Garlic & herb: Garlic powder, dried mixed herbs (or just rosemary/thyme), + salt or a ready-made garlic and herb spice blend with extra salt to taste.
- Ranch: Make/buy vegan dry ranch seasoning. Optionally add extra salt and garlic/onion powder. Add smoked paprika for extra smokiness.
- Other seasoning blends: i.e., BBQ seasoning, Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, Tajin (chili and lime), etc.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Yes, you can even make sweet ‘churro’ tortilla chips with cinnamon sugar!
Please read the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information.
How to Make Tortilla Chips (Homemade Doritos)
- First, preheat the oven to 360F/180C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Then, cut the corn tortillas into 6 (or 8) even-sized triangles. I used scissors, but a pizza cutter or sharp knife will work, too.
Pile several tortillas together to make this process quicker.
- Transfer them to a medium bowl, add the oil, and toss well to evenly coat.
- Meanwhile, mix the seasoning blend in a separate small bowl before sprinkling it over the tortillas. Use your hands to gently rub it into the tortillas.
- Transfer the tortilla chips to the baking sheet in a single layer and bake for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway for the most even cooking.
Keep an eye on them after 10 minutes, so they don’t burn.
- Remove the homemade tortilla chips from the oven and allow them to cool down completely. They’ll crisp up as they cool (best done in a single layer to avoid steaming) until they’re perfectly crunchy homemade Doritos. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
This version needs to be cooked in batches. Carry out steps 1-4 above, then spread the chips in a single layer in your air fryer basket and air fry for about 8-10 minutes (flipping halfway) at 350F/175C. While one batch cools, cook the next one.
How to Store Homemade Tortilla Chips?
First, make sure they’re FULLY cool before you store them. Any residual heat can cause steam, which will soften the nacho chips. Once cool, store them in an airtight container (I use a Ziplock bag) at room temperature for up to a week.
They may soften slightly towards the end, but you can usually bring back some extra crunch with an extra few minutes in the oven (or air fryer).
Serving Recommendations
Enjoy these homemade Doritos in all the same ways you would the branded kind:
- As a snack alone or with dips (salsa, guacamole, vegan cheese sauce, etc.)
- In sandwiches and wraps for crunch
- Make nachos
- For crunch in salad and burrito bowls
- At picnics and BBQs, to serve with burgers, hotdogs, etc.
FAQs
Can I use flour tortillas?
While it’s possible to make tortilla chips from flour tortillas, they’re denser and won’t become as crispy as corn tortillas, AND they aren’t going to taste like classic Doritos. They also require slightly less cooking time (to avoid burn).
Can I make homemade tortilla chips without oil?
While possible, they won’t be as crunchy, and the oil also helps the seasonings adhere. To reduce calories, you could use a 1kcal cooking spray instead.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Don’t overcrowd them: The corn tortilla chips need to be in a single layer for the air to flow and help them become crispy, crunchy – like regular Doritos.
- Don’t overbake: They’re meant to still be slightly soft when you take them out of the oven, so they can firm up properly while they cool.
- Leave them to fully cool: The nacho chips will firm up as they cool. Do this in a single layer. Otherwise, residual heat can cause steam and turn them soft (i.e., if left all piled up in a bowl).
- Experiment with flavors: When you make this homemade Doritos recipe, the sky is the limit. Have fun experimenting with different flavors, herbs, spices, and seasoning blends.
More Vegan Snack Recipes
- Mushroom ‘chicken nuggets’
- Buffalo cauliflower wings
- Yuca fries
- Arepas (multiple fillings)
- Baked vegan spring rolls
- Easy bruschetta recipe
- Vegan empanadas
You might also enjoy browsing through my list of 32 vegan Superbowl snacks.
If you try this homemade Doritos recipe (tortilla chips), I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan #elavegan—I love seeing them.
Homemade Doritos (Tortilla Chips)
Ingredients
- 4 organic corn tortillas
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil
- ¾ tsp chili powder
- ¾ tsp smoked paprika
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
Instructions
- You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.First, preheat the oven to 360F/180C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Then, cut the corn tortillas into 6 (or 8) even-sized triangles. I used scissors, but a pizza cutter or sharp knife will work, too. Pile several tortillas together to make this process quicker.
- Transfer them to a medium bowl, add the oil, and toss well to evenly coat.
- Meanwhile, mix the seasoning blend in a separate small bowl before sprinkling it over the tortillas. Use your hands to gently rub it into the tortillas.
- Transfer the tortilla chips to the baking sheet in a single layer and bake for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway for the most even cooking. Keep an eye on them after 10 minutes, so they don’t burn.
- Remove the homemade tortilla chips from the oven and allow them to cool down completely. They'll crisp up as they cool (best done in a single layer to avoid steaming) until they’re perfectly crunchy. Enjoy!
Notes
- Have fun experimenting with different flavors, herbs, spices, and seasoning blends (see examples in the blog post).
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
David Noel
Michaela, this was fantastic! I made it exactly how you have it posted. I had a few corn tortillas to use up and so glad I came across this recipe. I also made your vegan cheese sauce and that too was awesome! Thank you for sharing such delicious and easy recipes!
Ela
You are very welcome, David. 🙂
Jen
I made these but the flavor is missing the main part that makes us want to lick it off the chip. I think that’s a cheddar cheese and sweet onion component. So onion powder should be added and also a cheddar cheese powder.
Linda Stremmel
So easy and much healthier than store bought and the cost savings is unbelievable.
I made the first batch with the recipe here but omitted smoked paprika as I dot. Like that flavor.
Today I used 1 tbs plus a bit more of store bought ranch dip/dressing for a batch of 8 tortillas and they were divine
Keeping for lots of future munching needs!
Ty!
Ela
Thanks for your feedback, Linda!! 🙂
Debbiel
I made these yesterday and they turned out great! Look and tasted just like Doritos I put them in a sealed baggy and when I ate one today it was totally stale. What did I do wrong? I baked them for 13 minutes. Should it be for longer? Shorter? Definitely lost their crispness.
Ela
Hey, this didn’t happen to me, so I am not sure. Maybe bake them a minute or two longer next time? Or store them in the fridge. 🙂
Sandra Dee
I haven’t made these yet, but when i have stale-ish tortilla chips, a quick spin in the microwave (10-20 seconds or ao on high or clise) crisps them right ip as well as freshens the flavor. Maybe give that a try.
Liz
Thse chips look delicious. Can they be made oil-free?
Ela
Hi Liz, please check the FAQs where I answered this question. 🙂