How to Make a Bag of Tortilla Chips 10x Better

Tortilla chips are a simple snack, but there are so many fun ways to enjoy them, and I've been doing a lot of experimenting since needing to be gluten-free. Of course, you can go with the classics and dip your chips into creamy guacamole or try different salsas for a variety of flavors.

One of my favorite ways to dress up those chips is to dip them in a quick and easy DIY queso, which is just melted cheese with a bit of milk and seasonings stirred in. The warm, gooey cheese is perfect for dipping!

And if you're getting ready for a Super Bowl party, you know there's nothing better than nachos. I like to top my chips with shredded cheese, black beans and jalapeños then pop them under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly. It's a perfect (and easy!) appetizer.

But what if there were a way to upgrade the chips themselves instead of just the dips and toppings? I saw this "homemade Doritos" hack on Instagram a while back on cookbook author and content creator Nikki Dinki Siegert's (@nikkidinki) Instagram and knew it would come in handy someday. Her recipe is for DIY Doritos, but I also got some hot tips on how to make that bag of chips a whole lot better.

Related: 12 Popular Tortilla Chips, Ranked Worst to Best

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Fire Up Your Oven

Store-bought tortilla chips are great straight from the bag, but if you want to elevate them with almost zero effort, the oven is your best friend.

Just spread the chips in a single layer on a sheet pan and bake at 350° for about 5 minutes. They’ll come out warm, lightly toasted on the edges and extra crispy—the perfect way to bring life back into chips that are starting to go stale or that have been sitting in a bag for a while.

Related: 22 Game Day Snacks and Appetizers To Make for Super Bowl Sunday

Turn Up the Flavor With Some Seasonings

Want to take it up even more? Siegert likes to use a combo of paprika, kosher salt, garlic powder and dried lime zest for a little citrusy hit. To make the dried zest, she grates the skin of a lime onto a microwave-safe plate and zaps it until it's dry, which takes a little more than a minute. Grind the spices and lime zest together an use that blend on fresh-from-the-oven chips.

If you need more inspo, sprinkle a little chili powder, garlic powder or onion powder (or all three) over the chips before popping them in the oven. Then, as soon as they come out, finish them with a squeeze of fresh lime for a tangy kick or a spritz of jalapeno juice for a spicy bite. For a smart shortcut, I'd like to try dusting the chips with taco seasoning.

Related: The Best 45 Low-Carb Appetizers for The Super Bowl

Fry Them Up

For the ultimate upgrade, fry corn tortillas. Just cut corn tortillas into wedges and heat a little oil in a pan. Quickly fry the chips until they're light golden, about 30 seconds per side. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. If you're not in the frying mood, you can also spritz the tortilla wedges with cooking spray and bake them in the oven until crispy.

These small changes make a huge difference, giving your chips that fresh, restaurant-style flavor that everyone craves. The best part? You barely had to try.

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