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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.
Cool Ranch Doritos at Home
Table of contents
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.
How to Make Cool Ranch Doritos at Home
Step 1: Mix the seasoning powder.
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.
Step 2: Fry tortilla chips.
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.
Step 3: Drain.
Remove the chips to the cooling rack to drain and repeat with the remaining chips.
Step 4: Toss with spice mixture.
Add the chips to a large bowl and Immediately sprinkle with 3 tablespoons (28g) of the seasoning blend. Toss to combine and serve.
Tips and Tricks for This Recipe
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.
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.
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:
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.
Nutrition:
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A good, clean alternative for store bought Doritos! They were gone within two days 🤭
Love to hear it!