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What is Tortilla and Tortilla Chips? Types and Ingredients Explained

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Tortillas have become a go-to-food item for many people. Whether you are in the market for a snack or a full blown meal, tortillas are the way to go. 

These thin, delicious flat unleavened pancake made of maize flour are not only preferred for their sumptuous tastes but also for their high nutritious value, thanks to the wide variety of ingredients that comprise them. 

Tortillas form the basis of many cuisines including enchiladas and tacos and they can be served and eaten hot or cold.

These can be baked on a griddle then the tortillas can be used as an envelope for other delicacies such as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas among many others. 

Chilaquiles Rojos made by tortilla chips

Origin of Tortilla

Tortillas originate from Latin America and they are usually prepared using masa harina or or in most cases simply using wheat flour.

Types Of Tortillas

There are different varieties of tortillas. They include:

  • Chilaquiles – Chilaquiles are corn tortillas divided into quarter pieces then fried to form the base for a dish. Once fried, mole is poured over these crispy quarters.
  • Enchiladas – Enchiladas are simply corn tortillas that have been rolled in a filling and then dipped in chili pepper sauce.
  • Enfrijoladas – These are tortillas that have been drenched into pureed and creamy beans. After which, they are folded into quarters then served with more black bean sauce.
  • Entomatadas – These types of tortillas are fried in oil then dipped into tomato sauce, garlic paste, onions, salt, chile Serrano and oregano.
  • Gorditas – Gorditas are made with masa then stuffed with meat as well as cheese and any other fillings as per the preference of the person serving.
  • Quesadillas – Quesadillas are tortillas stuffed with cheese then grilled.
  • Sicnronizadas – These sandwiches made by using ham, Oaxaca cheese, refried beans, and chorizo as fillers for the sandwich.
  • Sopes – Sopes are also known as picadita. It is basically a tortilla sandwich with meat and vegetable toppings.
  • Tacos – These are made by folding a tortilla which is filled with various mixtures and fillers including chicken, beans, and marinated minces.
  • Tacos dorados – This is a rolled-up tortilla that contains meat fillings.
  • Taquitos – Taquitos are a folded tortilla that is filled then deep fried.
  • Tlayudas – This is a partially fried or toasted tortilla topped with a spread of refried beans, greens, avocado, pork lard, and meat as well as salsa and Oaxaca cheese.
  • Tortilla chips – These are wedges made from tortillas which are then deep fried.
  • Tortilla soup – This is soup made of tortilla pieces dipped into paste of tomato, epazote, onions, garlic and chile de arbol.
  • Tostadas – This is a bowl-shaped tortilla that is deep fried or toasted. It can also be filled with various toppings that can be vegetarian, non-vegetarian or a mixture of both.

What Are Tortilla Chips?

Tortilla chips are wedge-shaped snacks made from tortillas. These chips are either fried or baked.

Stale tortillas can be deep-fried or toasted to make a shell known as tostada which can be filled with vegetarian or beef toppings.

Tortilla chips are available in different colors: they can be blue, red, yellow, or white; depending on the preference of the person preparing the chips. 

Masa is one key ingredient of tortilla chips. It is a corn paste that has been drenched in lime and water to break the bonds in the hulls. The kernel is then ground into flour.


Other ingredients used in this preparation is frying oil for frying tortilla chips, salt and additive seasonings according to the preference of the person preparing the chips. Commercial manufacturers use preservatives, acidulants, gums, emulsifiers, and commercial food-grade preservatives to improve shelf life.

Ingredients Of Tortilla And Tortilla Chips

These ingredients are the basic of a tortilla, you require all of those to form a complete yummy tortilla:

  • 2 cups of all-purpose flour and another extra half a cup for kneading and dusting.
  • Half a table spoon of salt.
  • 350 milliliters of water at room temperature.
  • Three tablespoons of extra virgin oil (butter of lard can be used in place of extra virgin oil)

Butter makes the tortilla smooth during the preparation of the dough. Salt is meant to add flavor and water helps in making of the dough.

Use the tortillas to make tortilla chips. And to prepare tortilla chips, you will require the following:

  • 1 cup of canola
  • Tortillas
  • Kosher salt

Kosher salt is iodine-free and the particles are fine and can be refined. The kosher salt can be used to flavor the tortilla even further.

A Word About Canola Oil

Canola oil, commonly referred to as Canola, is a derivative oil that is extracted from canola seeds which come from the canola crop.

Canola is the preferred choice for preparing tortilla chips because it is considered to be the best blend of good health and fats – this is due to its low saturation in fat and its zero content of trans fat and cholesterol.

Canola also contains omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-6 is vital for the development of the brain especially in children and omega-3 fats shield the body against heart attacks and strokes. 

In addition, canola has a large content of mono saturated fats which are important in in averting coronary diseases.

Bottom Line

Preparing tortillas and tortilla chips is easy especially when you have all the ingredients.

Preparation only takes a few minutes and in addition, tortillas can be used as a base for other meals so go ahead and make yourself one today.

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