Crunchy baked tortilla chips without oil you can make in your oven or air fryer. We're not using any fat or oil to cook these chips. And, yes, they get really crunchy! Jazz it up with five different tested seasoning options, too.
Want to save this post?
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you quick & simple plant-based recipes every week!
Baked corn tortilla chips are super crunchy, low calorie, oil-free and a healthy appetizer for your next game day, super bowl party or potluck.
Use them to scoop up queso, guacamole, pico de gallo, vegan chile con queso, salsa fresca, spinach artichoke dip or bean dip. They are also a great plant-based, vegan snack to pack in a school lunch box or take with you when you're running errands.
🎙 What people say about this recipe
"Thank you for this very simple recipe. We love these chips! Besides snacking on them as is, we also crumble them up as salad “croutons”. Looking forward to using them as a garnish for soup. Sometimes I cook them on a much lower temp to avoid burnt corners, turn the oven off and let them get extra crispy as the oven cools. Our go to seasoning is garlic and onion powder. Looking forward to trying the cinnamon sugar ones."
- Holly
"Love this recipe. I could not find baked tortilla chips with low or no salt no matter where I looked. I got so discouraged, but now I am happy to have your recipe for baked tortillas so that I can make them myself. Thank you so much! 💕"
- Mardena
🧄 Very useful ingredient notes
- Corn tortillas - find the thinnest store-bought corn tortillas you can find. They bake up crunchier and faster the thinner they are. Look for the standard size (about 5-6 inches across in diameter) in the Mexican or Hispanic foods section of your grocery store. And, make sure they are oil-free by checking the ingredient list (most are).
📋 Substitutions and variations
Here are some substitution options for the ingredients:
- Mini corn tortillas - Use street taco corn tortillas instead, which are about ⅔ the size of traditional corn tortillas instead. They can be cut in half, for half-moon shapes (pictured below with the everything bagel seasoning on them). Or, cut them into fourths for small chips.
- Flour, multigrain or flavored wrap tortillas - Use non-corn tortillas instead, but keep in mind that most flour tortillas are made with oil and are higher in calories than corn tortillas. And, the larger burrito style wrap tortillas will be larger pieces when cut.
- Homemade tostada shells - make air fryer tostada shells using whole corn tortillas, regular sized or mini
- Lime juice - use water in a spray bottle or brushed on to help the seasonings and salt stick, instead of the lime juice.
- SOS-free - make this recipe salt-free by omitting the salt or using no salt seasonings
Try one of these tasty seasoning options for these healthy tortilla chips:
- Salted Lime Chips - imagine you're at Chipotle by adding fresh lime juice and salt to the chips immediately when they come out of the air fryer. Do not add before baking, the lime loses its flavor and makes the chips stick to the pan.
- Chili Lime Seasoning - whether using Tajín or Trader Joe's Chili Lime, it's a delicious addition. Spritz chips with water, then sprinkle seasoning on halfway through cooking. If you add it at the beginning, it begins to burn by the end when the chips are done, because the seasoning is very fine.
- Taco Seasoning - Spicy and flavorful, an excellent seasoning for corn chips. Spritz chips with water, then sprinkle seasoning on halfway through cooking. If you add it at the beginning, it begins to burn by the end when the chips are done, because the seasoning is very fine.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning - Garlicky and salty, a surprising favorite in our house. Since the seasoning pieces are large, this can be added before baking. Spritz chips with water first, to help the seasoning stick.
- Cinnamon Sugar - A sweet option, sprinkle cinnamon sugar to the chips that have been wet with a spray of water first. These taste best when using flour tortillas, but can be used to season corn tortillas also. To take these over the top and give them crispy sopapilla vibes, drizzle with agave nectar (or maple syrup/honey) and powdered sugar.
Looking for a homemade fat-free baked pita chips recipe? I've got one! Give it a try, they're just as easy and crunchy as these oil-free tortilla chips.
🔪 Instructions
Step by step instructions for how to make this easy recipe. The most challenging part is making sure you add your seasonings at the right time and watching them at the end of cooking, so they don't burn. These chips can be baked in the oven or air fryer.
This is how you cut the tortillas into chips.
Stack all of the tortillas on top of each other and, using a long knife, cut them in half down the middle.
We want six equal pieces, so cut at a diagonal, like you would a pizza.
Make final cut, so you have 6 wedges.
Now, you have 36 unbaked chips (6 tortillas, cut into 6 pieces each).
How to make tortilla chips without oil in an air fryer
How many chips you can cook at once and how long it will take depends on the type and size of your air fryer.
With my Ninja Foodi, I can fit 5 cut-up corn tortillas on my basket in one layer. With a pod-style air fryer, you'll have to break it up into 2 batches, most likely.
Add chips to air fryer in a single layer, if possible. Don't overcrowd the tray or basket.
Air fry at 375 degrees F for 5 minutes. Check on them and shake the basket every 60 seconds afterwards. They are done when they are lightly golden, crispy and not bendable.
If you choose to season your chips, some seasonings are best to add before baking, some during and some at the end. Refer to the recipe card for specific instructions for adding various seasonings.
For example, if using fresh lime juice, it's best to add it immediately after the chips are done air frying or baking.
How to bake tortilla chips without oil in the oven
Arrange cut tortilla pieces on a baking sheet in one layer. Do not overlap the pieces. Bake at 400°F (no fan) for 7 minutes and then check them.
If they are still bendable or soft in the middle, continue baking and check on them every 2 minutes. They will continue to crisp up a little after they’re done baking, but they should be golden brown and firm straight out of the oven.
⭐️ Expert tips
- Watch the chips closely toward the end of the cooking time! They go from golden brown to burnt pretty fast, especially in the air fryer.
- Don't add the fresh lime juice at the beginning of cooking, it loses a lot of its lovely flavor that way.
🥡 Make ahead and storage tips
These oil free tortilla chips can be made ahead of time, except for the variety using fresh lime juice.
For all other chips using dry seasonings, be sure to allow the cooked chips to cool completely, then store in a a zip-top bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
❓ FAQ
Yes! They will get crispy and crunchy without oil. See below for instructions.
Yes! I don't know about you, but my favorite chips are the ones that curl up or fold over on themselves because they're so crispy and munchable. Well, these chips kinda separate and create layers sometimes, depending on the corn tortillas you use. That makes them extra crunchy and munchable!
Don't overcrowd the sheet pan or air fryer basket! The cut tortillas should not overlap each other. They can be close to each other as they will shrink and curl up a bit while they bake, but shouldn't overlap. Keep them in a single layer. Six corn tortillas that have been cut into six triangles each just fit a large baking tray. That will give you 36 chips.
No. While I normally advise using a silicone baking mat to keep things from sticking, that is not necessary here. These oil-free tortilla chips do not stick, as they have very little water content to them. In fact, if you use one, it will slow down the baking process and make it take much longer to get these crunchy baked corn chips done and ready for some dip!
🗺 Cultural influences
Tortilla chips are now enjoyed the world over, but they originate from Mexican culture. According to Wikipedia and Mayan Mexican, the triangle-shaped tortilla chip was popularized by Rebecca Webb Carranza in the 1940s.
She took misshapen corn tortillas, cut them into triangles, fried them and sold them for 10 cents a bag in Los Angeles.
Today, you will find countless brands and varieties of tortilla chips sold in stores to choose from as a vessel for your salsas and dips.
Love this recipe?
Please rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment below, so I know which recipes you like the best. This helps me know what to make more of!
📖 Recipe
Baked Tortilla Chips (no oil)
Equipment
Ingredients
OPTIONAL Seasonings (choose one)
- salt for salted chips
- fresh lime juice and salt for salted lime chips
- chili lime seasoning for chili lime chips
- taco seasoning for taco chips
- everything bagel seasoning for everything chips
- cinnamon sugar for cinnamon sugar chips (best with flour tortillas, but will also work with corn)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F / 205°C. If using air fryer, you can skip this step.
- Stack all of the tortillas on top of each other and, using a long knife, cut them into sixths to make little triangles (cut them like you would cut a pizza).6 corn tortillas
- Spread slices on a large baking sheet in one layer. For air fryer, add half the slices to your air fryer basket. Do not overlap the slices. Don't crowd the sheet pan or air fryer basket.
- Optional Seasoning Step: If using cinnamon sugar, everything bagel seasoning or just salt (no lime), add your seasoning BEFORE baking. To do so, spritz top of tortilla chips with water (you can also lightly brush water on, if you don't have a spray bottle) and sprinkle on your chosen seasoning.salt, everything bagel seasoning, cinnamon sugar
Air Fryer Instructions
- Air fry at 375°F for 5 minutes.
- Optional Seasoning Step: If using chili lime seasoning or taco seasoning (or other similar-sized seasoning powder), add at this point. To do so, spritz top of tortilla chips with water to help it stick (you can also lightly brush water on, if you don't have a spray bottle) and sprinkle on your chosen seasoning.chili lime seasoning, taco seasoning
- Check on your chips and shake the basket (if you have a basket-type air fryer) every 60 seconds. The chips are done when they are golden brown, crispy and not bendable.
- Optional Seasoning Step: If using fresh lime juice and salt, add at this point. To do so, squeeze lime juice on top of tortilla chips and sprinkle on salt. Enjoy!fresh lime juice and salt
Oven Baked Instructions
- Bake at 400°F (no fan) for 7 minutes and then check them.
- Optional Seasoning Step: If using chili lime seasoning or taco seasoning (or other similar-sized seasoning powder), add at this point. To do so, spritz top of tortilla chips with water to help it stick (you can also lightly brush water on, if you don't have a spray bottle) and sprinkle on your chosen seasoning.
- If they are still bendable or soft in the middle, continue baking and check on them every 2 minutes. They will continue to crisp up a little after they’re done baking, but they should be firm straight out of the oven.
- Optional Seasoning Step: If using fresh lime juice and salt, add at this point. To do so, squeeze lime juice on top of tortilla chips and sprinkle on salt. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Note: this recipe was updated on August 19, 2022 to include several tested seasonings for these homemade tortilla chips.
Mardena Weitz says
Love this recipe. I could not find baked tortilla chips with low or no salt no matter where I looked. I got so discouraged, but now I am happy to have your recipe for baked tortillas so that I can make them myself. Thank you so much! 💕
Abi Cowell says
Mardena, I'm so happy to hear this! 🤩 They really are super easy to make at home and you have total control over the salt level. Thank you so much for writing me! 😁
Alyssa Danielle says
Love the concept but they are sadly not fat free because there is fat in the corn tortillas ☹
Abi Cowell says
Hi Alyssa, thank you so much for the feedback.
Most corn tortillas have very few ingredients and no added oil (unlike most wheat/flour tortillas). So any fat (which is negligible) is naturally occurring in the corn masa itself. Plant-based doctors who encourage whole foods plant based no oil diets recommend corn tortillas as a good option for tacos for this very reason. I hope that helps explain why I am comfortable calling these fat free tortilla chips.
Have a great day!
Abi
Karen LaVine says
Thanks for posting this simple recipe. I can't believe how easy it was. These will be perfect to go with hummus and tabouleh. (FYI: 18 small corn tortillas cut into 6ths and baked fills one quart zip lock bag.)
Abi Cowell says
You're welcome! Thank you for that helpful measurement, too. Happy cooking!
Aleyna says
Hello there Abi thank you so much for sharing this great recipe with us . I am a living in a country that those maxican markets is really not a thing so there is no place that ı could buy that corn tortillas so I wanted to make my own but the flour that is used for making the tortillas is also not sold in here what ı am saying do you have a idea what ı could alternatively use for making that tortillas also sorry for the grammar mistakes if I made any I am not a native speaker .
Abi Cowell says
Hi Aleyna,
So sorry for the delay in getting back to you! Thank you for writing me. Hmmmmmmmm.... If you cannot find corn tortillas where you live, then I would suggest trying to find flatbread and then you can turn those into pita chips. I have a recipe for those here: Healthy Homemade Pita Chips (fat-free, no oil)
For corn tortilla chips, you really need corn tortillas. Another idea is to ask your grocery manager if he can stock them? Hope that helps!
- Abi
Steph says
Hello! I recently have been making changes in my diet to be more Whole Foods and plant based without using oils. What type of tortillas do you use to make your chips? Any advice on how to make the seasonings stick. Thank you in advance for your help!!
Abi Cowell says
Hi there! Good for you! I use corn tortillas from the grocery store. Here in Texas they are easy to find but I’m not sure if that’s the case where you live. White corn and yellow corn tortillas both work.
As for making the seasonings stick, I recommend brushing them with water first before cutting them. Then you can sprinkle the seasonings on, cut them and bake them! That helps them to stick for me. I hope that helps!
Elizabeth says
I love the way you make everything so easy to do by fully explaining step by step what to do. I'm newly vegan, and so far, it does feel a little overwhelming, but your site has some really good food ideas. I was looking for a good oil-free chip and dip recipe! Thanks.
Abi Cowell says
Thank you so much, Elizabeth!! 🙂
Barb F. says
Hi! I was looking to make my own oil-free baked corn tortilla chips from my bag of cornmeal. Not from getting store bought corn tortillas. Can you direct me to a recipe on how to do that? Thanks.
Abi Cowell says
I'm sorry, but I don't know of a good recipe I can recommend that uses cornmeal to make homemade tortilla chips. From what I understand, tortilla chips are made with masa harina, which is different than the cornmeal you would use to make cornbread, for example.
Holly says
Thank you for this very simple recipe. We love these chips! Besides snacking on them as is, we also crumble them up as salad “croutons”. Looking forward to using them as a garnish for soup. Sometimes I cook them on a much lower temp to avoid burnt corners, turn the oven off and let them get extra crispy as the oven cools. Our go to seasoning is garlic and onion powder. Looking forward to trying he cinnamon sugar ones.
Abi Cowell says
That's a great tip, Holly! Garlic and onion chips sound amazing. Thanks so much for taking the time to share these tips and leave a comment!
All the best,
Abi
Connie Bullock says
How many chips is a serving?
Abi Cowell says
Hi Connie, One serving would be 12 chips (which is equivalent to 2 corn tortillas). This is about 113 calories. I have just updated the recipe with this information, as well. Thank you so much for asking this question, so I could improve the recipe post. Have a great day!
- Abi
Enrique says
Hi I bake them whole and they weigh less than unbaked. Can I use the baked chips new weight to calculate the calories base on the package???
Abi Cowell says
Hi Enrique! The calories by weight on your package of corn tortillas will be for the corn tortillas before they are baked. For example, one corn tortilla weighing "x" grams will be "x" calories. However, the calories should be the same after they are baked, even though they weigh less. The water has evaporated, so they will be slightly less filling than they were before being baked. But, the calories for one corn tortilla should still be the same. So, if your package has the calories per tortilla, use that. If you weigh the baked tortilla chips, that won't be the same calories per weight as they were before they were baked. I hope that helps!
SumGy says
What might be your thoughts on making these straight from dough? (ie: uncooked tortillas)
delaney says
My husband has to watch his sodium intake, so I am finding ways to modify foods he enjoys. What an easy recipe! I found corn tortillas with 5mg/sodium per serving to use for this. I have a water bottle for spraying my hair in the bathroom (one of those constant streams) and decided to use that. I couldn't believe how crispy these get in the oven. I added garlic powder to the chips and lime at the end. Seems that in my old oven, they need to go at least 10-11 minutes.
But the smile on my husband's face when he saw that I had made these to go along with my homemade roasted garlic and tomato salsa was priceless. Thank you for this.
Abi Cowell says
Your comment made my day! This is why I do what I do, so we have options. Thank you!