How to Make Crispy Tortilla Strips

Crispy Tortilla Strips can be made in 15 minutes and make a crunchy topping for soups and salads. It’s a great way to use up a few leftover corn or flour tortillas.

Remember Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup from earlier this week? Well the best part about that soup (and many other Tex Mex-inspired soups) is the toppings! Most soups benefit from something crunchy on top and Crispy Tortilla Strips are really easy and cheap to make yourself. 

Here’s how to do it in a few easy steps:

1. Slice Tortillas into Thin Strips

Set tortillas on a cutting board and slice into thin strips. The strips will not shrink as they cook, so be sure to slice them to the size you’ll want them in soups or salads. You can use as many tortillas as you want. (Be sure to give yourself some wiggle room because you’ll want to snack on a few as soon as they come out of the oven!)

2. Spread out on a Sheet Pan

Transfer the tortillas to a sheet pan. They should easily fit in a single layer, with plenty of open space. Leaving open space on the pan will help the tortillas to brown and crisp up. Use a second pan if needed.

3. Toss with Oil

Drizzle tortilla strips with oil. I prefer a neutral oil like avocado or grape seed. Extra virgin olive oil works too. There is no need to be precise about the measurement of oil here, but I use about 1 tsp for each tortilla. Just drizzle the oil over top of the tortillas so that each strip has been touched by oil. Use your hands to toss the tortilla strips so that the oil evenly coats them.

4. Bake for 10 Minutes

Bake the tortilla strips at 350°F until deep golden brown and crisp, stirring every few minutes. This should take 10 to 12 minutes, but don’t be afraid to let them go a bit longer until they are very crunchy.

5. Store in an Airtight Container

Let the tortilla strips cool completely and then store them in an airtight container for up to a week.

Corn or Flour Tortillas

You can make these tortilla strips using either corn or flour tortillas. The instructions are the same, but with either type, be sure to keep an eye on the tortilla strips as they cook. Depending on the thickness of the tortillas, the cook time may vary slightly.

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