How to make homemade tortilla chips right in the microwave! All you need is 3 simple ingredients for a quick & healthy snack made in less than 5 minutes!

Me and tortilla chips have a thing. A once-I start-I-sure-as-hell-ain't-gunna-stop...thing.
It's a problem, but I'm not at a point in my life that I'm ready to change it. What do I do instead? Find a way to make my own in 5 minutes so I can have them hot and fresh whenever I damn well please. Like I said, it's a problem.
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Ingredients
- corn tortillas
- cooking spray or oil
- salt
Instructions
Cut 3 corn tortillas into quarters. Spread evenly on a large plate, and coat with cooking spray or a thin coating of vegetable oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and turn tortillas over. Repeat process of cooking spray and salt, and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Remove plate carefully (using a pot holder), flip chips, and microwave for additional minute, or until crispy. Carefully remove plate & serve with favorite dip.

Variations
If you want to take them TO ANOTHA LEVELLLL! Here's some flavor combos that would make a mighty fine chip:
- Squeeze of lime juice + salt + chili powder for a little somethin' festive.
- Cinnamon + sugar (instead of salt) for a little somethin' sweet.
- Chili powder + a pinch of cayenne for a little somethin' spicy.

Pro Tips:
- Don't go too far while these are cooking. They go from soggy to burnt VERY quickly, so keep a close eye on them.
- The plate is going to be EXTREMELY hot after they're done cooking. Use caution & a pot holder to remove the plate from the microwave.
- A drizzle of lime juice & chili powder right after they finish cooking is my FAVE combo.
FAQs
Can you make homemade tortilla chips with flour tortillas?
I haven't tried with flour tortillas, but have made them with pita bread, and would imagine flour tortillas would work just as well.
How long do these tortilla chips last?
If kept in an airtight container, they will last for up to a week. After that, they start to turn chewy, or will do the same if not stored properly.
Are homemade tortilla chips healthy?
Since these chips aren't fried, they can be a healthier alternative to traditional tortilla chips. You also are in control of how much salt you add, and can control how much sodium they contain. PLUS they are thicker & can hold extra guac LIKE. A. BOSS.

Money-Saving Tips for these Homemade Tortilla Chips:
- Buy in bulk. Purchasing the bigger packages of corn tortillas tend to give you more for your money. Find more recipes below to use with your tortilla chips so you can make more!
- Buy store brands. Utilizing store brands for cooking sprays and salt can be more cost effective without sacrificing flavor or quality.
more appetizer recipes:
Seven Layer Burrito Bowl Dip
5 Minute Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce
Homemade Pita Chips
Did you make this recipe? Leave me a comment & a rating to let me know how it turned out!

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Homemade Tortilla Chips in the Microwave
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
All you need is 3 simple ingredients for a quick & healthy snack made in less than 5 minutes!
Ingredients
- 3 corn tortillas, cut into quarters
- cooking spray
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Lay cut tortillas evenly on a plate, doing your best not to overlap.
- Spray evenly with cooking spray, and sprinkle with salt.
- Flip tortillas over, and repeat.
- Microwave on high for 3 minutes.
- Remove plate from microwave with oven mitts (plate will be very hot!)
- Flip chips, and return to microwave for additional minute, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Remove plate carefully with oven mitts, and serve chips with favorite dip immediately.
Notes
- Chips are best served immediately, but can be kept in a cool, place in a resealable container overnight.
- Standby when chips are cooking to make sure they do not burn.
- Let plate cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. It will be very hot out of the microwave.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: appetizer
- Method: microwave
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 chips
- Calories: 82
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 298
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: corn, tortilla, chips, appetizer, snack, gluten free, vegetarian, vegan
Make it a great day!
Potato chips or tortilla chips?
What's your favorite chip dip?
Abbey Sharp
This is crazy how easy this recipe is and I don't even have to turn on the stove! Definitely must try!
Deborah Brooks
I have made baked chips before but have not tried to make them in the microwave before. Interesting idea!
Nicole from Fitful Focus
This is such a genius idea! I had no idea it was so easy.
Kalee Dillard
I like both types of chips, but I try to keep them in moderation. I love how easy and tasty these are to make!!
★★★★★
Natalie
Oh wow.. We love tortilla chips. Didn't know I can do it in microwave. This is really great! I do oven baked tortilla chips but this is much easier. Thanks for recipe!
★★★★★
nupi
so happy. Did not know microwave was possible. I will do this more often now. thank you so much
★★★★★
Garry the platypus
it is good and tastes better than any other recipe i have tried!!
★★★★★
Rachel
This was a lifesaver when I forgot to get tortilla chips! Works perfectly well with all kinds of things, even fancy gluten free wraps. 🙂
★★★★★
Emily Cooper
So happy to hear it Rachel! Thank you!! 🙂
Phillip
I made the tortilla chips similar to yours except I did not cut them into pieces, they were whole tortillas. I added no oil and it worked fine.
★★★★★
E.
Really great and easy. In my microwave it only took 2-1/2 minutes no flipping needed. YMMV.
Thank you!!
★★★★★
Nicolette S
I had a late night snack craving for chips and salsa but I had no chips!!! Usually I buy chips or make them from corn tortillas for tostada meals but never for snacks. So why I never thought of this amazing idea is beyond me but I’m so grateful. This recipe saved the night. 😉 I got to make some chips so I could get a quick snack in before bed time. It was healthy too. I used avocado spray oil and salt. Once it was crispy I dashed with Tabasco sauce. That was it. Super delicious, quick and easy and healthy! Thanks so much!
★★★★★
Kristi Ambrose
You can also do it with almond flour tortillas. I have a pretty strong microwave, it took JUST under 3 minutes.
★★★★★
Emily Cooper
So good to know Kristi, thanks so much for sharing!