The salted, lime-infused crunch of a favorite store-bought tortilla chip is easy to recreate at home with a short list of ingredients and in minimal time.
My family adores the store-bought “hint of lime” tortilla chips. As I was making my Tex-Mex Chopped Salad one evening, which includes a crunchy element on top, I realized I never thought to buy the necessary tortilla chips at the grocery store.
I did, however, have corn tortillas and decided to make my own.
Not only is this an easy task, the results are quite good. When made with tortillas, the resulting chips will be slightly heartier and crunchier than the store-bought variety because of the typical thickness of soft tortillas. My family enjoys the extra crunch–plus the sturdier chips are less likely to break when plunged into a dip of choice.
The quick process includes brushing the tortillas with a mixture of lime juice, zest, olive oil, and two simple seasoning. The tortillas are then cut into wedges and baked.
The first time I made these, the lime flavor was more subtle than I preferred. After some experimentation, I found that a quick second brush of the lime mixture when the chips are done cooking but still hot adds the punch of flavor I was hoping for. Lime zest was not in the original recipe either, and it effectively ratchets up the lime flavor without additional tartness.
For a chili-lime twist, try sprinkling a bit of chili powder over the tortillas before cutting into wedges. A light sprinkle of cumin is tasty too.
Time to make Classic Guacamole–or Easy One Avocado Guac!
After brushing with the lime-olive oil mixture, the soft tortillas are cut into wedges and placed in an even layer on a large baking sheet. (No need to grease.) I can just fit six tortillas on my sheet, and they will shrink slightly once baked.
The key to flavor success with these “hint of lime” tortillas chips is a quick second brush as soon as the chips come out of the oven. I quickly brush just the top side and don’t worry about covering every corner. The lime-olive oil mixture is quickly absorbed, so the baked chips are not at all greasy.
The simple appearance belies the crisp crunch, hint of salt, and punchy flavor of lime.
Baking tips:
- Older tortillas that have been stored in the refrigerator can become damp from condensation. In this case, the tortillas will likely require a few extra minutes to crisp.
- The chips will continue to crisp as they cool. Don’t be tempted to bake until they are very crisp and golden brown throughout, as they may be too crunchy for you once cooled.
- Dark-colored baking sheets will cook and brown food quicker than light-colored sheets. This, as well as typical variances from one oven to the next, will account for slight differences in baking times. With this and other recipes, always check a few minutes early and add time as needed.
- 6 corn tortillas
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) lime juice plus the zest of half the lime
- 2 teaspoons (10ml) olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
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Preheat oven to 350℉.
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Mix the lime juice and zest, olive oil, salt, and garlic powder in a small bowl and brush over both sides of each tortilla, brushing all the way up to the edges. Reserve the remaining lime mixture.
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Cut each tortilla into 6 wedges (you may stack them to make quicker work of this) and arrange the wedges in a single layer on a large baking sheet. (No need to grease.)
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Bake for 12-17 minutes or until you see the slightest hint of golden brown in spots. You don’t want them to be too brown, and the chips will further crisp as they cool. (Note: I’ve made this recipe many times and the cook time varies based on freshness of tortillas–moisture levels vary over time–and whether a dark or light baking sheet is used.) At this point, remove the chips from the oven, and if you’d like a more pronounced lime flavor, immediately give the top side a light brush with the reserved lime mixture. The warm chips will quickly absorb it.
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Serve with salsa or guacamole or crush and use as a Tex-Mex salad topper.
If doubling the recipe, rotate the baking sheets halfway though the cook time or use the convect mode of the oven, reducing the temperature to 325℉.
For a slightly different flavor, you can dust the tortilla wedges with ground cumin and/or chili powder after the first brush of the lime/oil mixture.
Due to the typical thickness of purchased corn tortillas, these tortilla chips turn out slightly thicker and heartier than many store-bought varieties. We think this is a plus when dipping into salsa, guacamole, and other dips.
I’ve used sprouted corn tortillas (as in this photo from 2012), which were very good, albeit a touch crunchier in texture. Color will also vary based on type of corn used for the tortillas–these used a yellow corn instead of the more traditional white.
Hello well after seven minutes in the oven they were as soft as when I put them in. So I will be cooking them longer. Not sure if I did something wrong.
Hi Jayme, All ovens vary a little, so while they could take longer, the tortillas should have dried and crisped at least a little within that timeframe. It’s definitely not a problem to keep cooking until the tortillas are crisp (which hopefully you did!), but perhaps your oven is running a little cool? If you have any lingering questions or they didn’t ultimately crisp up, feel free to let me know and we can troubleshoot further.
I will definitely make these.
My printer is busy printing your recipes.
Grocery list is also on my table 🙂
Blessings
Bonnie, You are so sweet to let me know and I hope you enjoy all of them! ❤️
Hi Ann, I remember this recipe from some time ago, yet I never did make them! I am bringing an appetizer to a friends house in a couple of weeks and thinking I will make these to bring with some salsa.
Sounds delicious! It’s late afternoon and I could use some right about now…with your salsa, of course!
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HI Ann, and again, I have not made these yet but plan on it this weekend. I have some small corn tortillas I got at Whole Foods so I am using some of them for this recipe. YUM!
I love the flavor and crunch of these, Mary Lou. I’m happy you will be trying!
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Revisiting this and thinking, I never did make them but oh I am going to! Think I will use the wonderful avocado oil I have from you..
🙂
They’re gonna be delicious: )
I love lime tortilla chips and these are even better since they don’t have any strange ingredients! I’m off to pin these thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for pinning, Serena, and so glad you like!
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Wow these look so yummy! I have to try them . Love lime flavor in Mexican cooking.
I love the lime flavor, too, Mary Lou! I’m glad I forgot to buy the chips at the store that day so I could give these a try: )
Oh these are definitely being made and possibly this weekend since I still have corn tortillas left. They look delish! New follower from Thursday’s Treasures!
I hope you like and am glad you found me through Thursday’s Treasures!