Cool Ranch Doritos at Home
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Cool Ranch Doritos are one of my go-to road trip snacks. I love how each crunchy chip is loaded with bold and zesty flavor. I was shocked when I learned that there is no blue seasoning naturally occurring in the world and that the blue specks on Doritos are actually just blue dye (in addition to other dyes and artificial ingredients). I set out to create the same bold flavor coating on crunchy tortilla chips with more natural ingredients. It only takes a few ingredients and in about 30 minutes you can have your own tangy ranch corn chips!
It’s worth taking the time to fry your own chips. Not only are they fresh and perfectly crispy, the best way to get the ranch powder to adhere is to sprinkle it on just after they come out of the oil. If you’re a fan of homemade snacks you won’t want to miss my homemade cheez-it crackers!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Store-bought at home. Brings back the iconic flavor of Cool Ranch, made with pantry spices.
- No additives. This is fun DIY project made with ingredients you can control (meaning no dyes or additives, just simple ingredients).
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Corn tortillas – Corn tortillas are cut into triangles and fried until crispy. While I provide instructions for air frying your chips, you can fry them in oil for the best, restaurant quality. While homemade corn tortillas will make the best chips, if using store bought, look for corn tortillas made with nixtamalized corn (this means it’s been treated with calcium hydroxide).
- Ranch seasoning – In addition to spices like dried dill, mustard powder, parsley, chives, garlic powder, and onion powder, the ranch seasoning gets its signature tang from buttermilk powder.
- Other spices – While the store bought product uses tomato powder for an umami punch, I use a more readily available paprika to add mildly smokey notes. I also add extra garlic and onion powder even though there is already some in the ranch seasoning packet.
- Nutritional yeast – Instead of powdered Cheddar cheese I use nutritional yeast to add that cheesy, nutty flavor.
- Lemon zest – Rather than adding citric acid to brighten the spice mix I add in some freshly grated lemon zest. Make sure you are only grating the top yellow part and not the bitter pith – this also helps to keep the spice mix from getting any moisture.
- Sugar – A tiny bit of sugar balances the salt and enhances the flavor of the other spices.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How to air fry tortilla chips
Air frying chips still makes them very crispy and enjoyable. One of the downsides to air frying the chips is you can’t fit as many in at a time and it takes longer to get them crispy. I prefer to quickly re-crisp any stale chips to revive them. To air fry chips, heat the air fryer to 350ºF (180ºC). Brush the tortilla wedges with oil, then working in batches, add a few to the basket in a single layer. Cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Swaps and substitutions
- Swap the cool ranch seasoning for nacho cheese made from a blend of Cheddar cheese powder, buttermilk powder, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, and sugar and salt blended together.
- Try adding the cool ranch spice mix over popcorn for a fun snack!
How to Make Cool Ranch Doritos at Home (Step-by-step)
Add the ranch seasoning, nutritional yeast, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon zest and sugar to a spicy grinder or mortar and pestle and grind until the powder is super fine. Set aside until ready to use.
Fill a heavy bottomed pot with enough oil to reach 2” (5cm) up the side. Set a cooling rack over a paper towel lined baking sheet. Heat oil over medium heat to 350°F (180ºC). Working a few tortilla pieces at a time, add to the skillet and fry on both sides, about 30 seconds total. Do not add too many at a time or it will crowd the pan.
Remove the chips to the cooling rack to drain and repeat with the remaining chips.
Add the chips to a large bowl and Immediately sprinkle with 3 tablespoons (28g) of the seasoning blend. Toss to combine and serve.
How to Serve Cool Ranch Doritos
- Crush over taco salads for extra flavor.
- Enjoy as a snack straight from the bowl.
- Use as nacho chips with queso or salsa.
How to store homemade tortilla chips
Homemade chips can go stale quickly at room temperature or if stored in paper. To keep the chips crispy, store them in a resealable airtight container in a cool, dry place. Wait for them to cool completely before storing them.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! As long as just use gluten-free corn tortillas the recipe is naturally gluten free.
Yes! But I prefer to fry the chips then use the air fryer to quickly re-crisp any stale chips to revive them. To air fry chips, heat the air fryer to 350ºF (180ºC). Brush the tortilla wedges with oil, then working in batches, add a few to the basket in a single layer. Cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Absolutely! Store in an airtight container and season just before serving for best flavor. Wait for them to cool completely before storing them.
Crush over taco salads for extra flavor, enjoy as a snack straight from the bowl or use as nacho chips with queso or salsa!
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this Cool Ranch Doritos recipe give a few of my other homemade snack foods a try and follow me on Instagram for more updates:
Tried it? Loved it? Tweaked it? Leave a review below and tell me how making these cool ranch Doritos went – I’m all ears (and always hungry).
Cool Ranch Doritos at Home
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Ingredients:
- 1 (1-ounce) ranch seasoning packet
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 10 (6- inch) small corn tortillas, cut into 6 wedges
- Vegetable oil, as needed for frying
Instructions:
- Add the ranch seasoning, nutritional yeast, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon zest and sugar to a spicy grinder or mortar and pestle and grind until the powder is super fine. Set aside until ready to use.
- Fill a heavy bottomed pot with enough oil to reach 2” (5cm) up the side. Set a cooling rack over a paper towel lined baking sheet. Heat oil over medium heat to 350°F (180ºC). Working a few tortilla pieces at a time, add to the skillet and fry on both sides, about 30 seconds total. Do not add too many at a time or it will crowd the pan.
- Remove the chips to the cooling rack to drain and repeat with the remaining chips.
- Add the chips to a large bowl and Immediately sprinkle with 3 tablespoons (28g) of the seasoning blend. Toss to combine and serve.
Notes:
Nutrition:
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A good, clean alternative for store bought Doritos! They were gone within two days 🤭
Love to hear it!