Making Tortilla Strips Using Corn Tortillas
Do you have left over corn tortilla shells after you have eaten your meal and wonder what to do with them? Do you ever want to put some tortilla strips on your salad or soup but after looking at the price in the store decided that you really didn’t need them that badly?
Both of these has happened to me several times until I discovered I could make them on my own for a fraction of the cost or use the leftover shells, so they didn’t go to waste. They are going to cost around $1.75 for a 3–4-ounce package. Once I realized that I could buy a 10-count pack of 4-inch yellow corn tortillas for around $2.75 and make my own strips in a matter of a few minutes and have a lot more than 3-4 ounces, that is what I am going to do. When I am doing my meal planning for the week I can either use all the tortilla shells to make into strips and store the extra in an airtight container or I incorporate them into another meal. Making tortilla strips using corn tortillas is a simple, very budget friendly and delightful process that adds a crunchy texture to various dishes such as soups, salads, and casseroles.
Here is the step-by-step guide that I use to help me create these tasty strips at home.
1. Gather your ingredients and equipment. You will need corn tortillas, vegetable oil (such as canola or sunflower oil), salt, and any additional seasonings you prefer. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) if you prefer baking, or heating oil in a large skillet over medium heat if you prefer frying. To prepare the tortillas, stack them up and use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to slice them into thin strips, about 1/4 inch wide and 2-3 inches long.
2. Cooking your strips. If you are frying them, add the tortilla strips to the hot oil in small batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Fry them for about 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the strips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Immediately sprinkle with salt and seasonings while they are still hot.
If you are baking them, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the tortilla strips in a single layer on the baking sheet. Lightly brush or spray them with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt and any other seasonings you like, such as chili powder or paprika. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy, turning them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crisping.
3. Regardless of how you cooked them they need to completely before serving or storing them in an airtight container. Enjoy your homemade tortilla strips as a crunchy topping or a standalone snack!
***Notes: I use these a lot when I am meal prepping lunches for the week. One thing I suggest is keeping the strips separately from your salad/soup until you are ready to eat. This helps to ensure that your strips will be crispy when you eat your meal.