In general, homemade foods are often cheaper than their store-bought alternatives. However, when it comes to tortilla chips, the homemade version isn’t that much cheaper than store-bought tortilla chips. If you are able to find a good price on tortillas, then homemade tortilla chips may be worth your time and effort.
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In this week’s episode of You Can Do This, we’re pitting homemade tortilla chips against store-bought versions. While you might roll your eyes and say, “Well of course homemade fried chips taste better,” the question is also, “Is it more cost effective?” And crucially, is the time spent making them actually worth the effort compared to just grabbing a bag off the shelf?
The answer is based on how much you value taste. The homemade chips made of fried corn tortillas have a texture and corn flavor that I have yet to find in a conventional store-bought chip. And since you’re actually using tortillas, homemade chips tend to be thicker — which means they’re more equipped to handle dips and toppings without snapping. Chips fry fast, so the work here is actually minimal at best.
But the real question here is economics. What if I told you that corn tortillas are around half the cost per ounce than standard store-bought chips? What if I then told you to factor in the price of frying oil, which then puts it over the price of store bought, but that oil IS reusable: Does it then still matter? If you have fry oil already, then the cost stays the same. Like I said, it comes down to a matter of taste. As the vehicle for America’s favorite condiment, salsa, this question has plagued me for years.
Are Homemade Tortilla Chips Worth It? — You Can Do This!
FAQ
Is it worth making your own tortilla chips?
Can you make tortillas cheaper than buying?
How much does it cost to make tortillas at home?
Are homemade tortilla chips healthier than store-bought?
Can you make homemade tortilla chips?
You can make homemade tortilla chips in two ways: deep fried or baked. Both are delicious and offer different pros and cons. While fried chips take a little more effort, they’ll give you that fresh-from-the-fryer crunch and will resemble the chips you’ve probably had in restaurants.
What are the healthy alternatives to chips?
Starchy foods like potatoes when cut into thin slices and fried in oil, they retain a lot of oil and calories, hence making the chips energy dense and calorie dense food. Healthy alternative for chips are: 1) Home made sweet potato chips. 2) Pop corn. 3) Crunchy cucumber pieces. 4) Carrot pieces. 5) Healthy fruits like apple. 6) Mixed nuts. 7) Kale chips.
Are baked tortilla chips healthier than fried tortilla chips?
Baked tortilla chips are a lot healthier for you than fried tortilla chips because they use a lot less oil and grease. If you are trying to eat low-carb, then pork rinds or baked parmesan crisps are a better choice for you. Here are some questions readers frequently ask me about homemade tortilla chips.
Are homemade tortilla chips good for nachos?
Homemade tortilla chips make the perfect base for nachos because they’re sturdier than most store-bought brands. Start with a base layer of chips and sprinkle on plenty of cheese and all your favorite toppings. Chicken or taco seasoned ground beef, hearty pinto beans, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, sour cream, queso—you get the picture.