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What is National Tortilla Chip Day?

National Tortilla Chip Day is an unofficial food holiday that celebrates one of America’s favorite snack foods – tortilla chips! This crunchy, savory snack has become a staple at parties and get-togethers across the country. But when did tortilla chips first come about and how did they become so popular? Keep reading to learn more about the origins and traditions of National Tortilla Chip Day!

When is National Tortilla Chip Day?

National Tortilla Chip Day is celebrated annually on March 24th. This food holiday always falls on the same date each year.

What is the history of tortilla chips?

Tortilla chips have a long and storied history in Mexican cuisine. For centuries, locals in Mexico would cut and fry leftover corn tortillas into crisp wedges known as totopos. These early tortilla chips were often eaten as a snack with salsa, guacamole, beans, or other dips.

The very first commercial tortilla chip factory opened in Los Angeles in the 1940s by Rebecca Webb Carranza. Rebecca and her husband used hometown connections in Mexico to obtain an authentic tortilla press and perfect their tortilla chip recipe. The mass-produced tortilla chips were a hit, and the new snack quickly grew in popularity across California.

In the 1950s, major food companies like Fritos began producing packaged tortilla chips to sell in grocery stores across the United States. Flavor innovations like nacho cheese tortilla chips brought even more fans. By the 1990s, tortilla chips became a standard part of the American snack food diet.

How popular are tortilla chips today?

Tortilla chips are now one of the most popular snack foods in America. According to Statista, in 2020 retail sales of tortilla and tostada chips totaled over $7.2 billion dollars! This makes tortilla chips the second highest selling snack chip category behind potato chips.

The biggest consumers of tortilla chips are households with children under the age of 18. Additionally, tortilla chips are most popular in the West and Southwestern United States, especially in cities with a large Latino population.

State Annual Sales of Tortilla Chips (in millions)
California $1,068
Texas $721
Arizona $278

This table shows the top 3 states for tortilla chip sales annually, with California topping the list at over $1 billion per year.

Common tortilla chip brands

Today there are countless brands and flavors of tortilla chips, but some of the most popular include:

  • Tostitos – Known for their crispy tortilla chips and bold flavors like Hint of Lime and Queso Blanco
  • Doritos – One of the most famous tortilla chip brands, with Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch as fan favorites
  • Santitas – Santitas tortilla chips are made with white corn and are thinner than traditional yellow corn chips
  • Mission – Mission tortilla chips come in a wide variety of flavors like Guacamole and Garden Salsa
  • Calidad – Calidad makes authentic Mexican-style yellow corn tortilla chips
  • Food Should Taste Good – This brand makes tortilla chips out of black beans, flax seeds, blue corn, and more

Popular tortilla chip flavors

While traditional salted tortilla chips are still beloved, some of the most popular tortilla chip flavors include:

  • Nacho cheese
  • Guacamole
  • Restaurant style
  • Jalapeño
  • Honey Dijon
  • Sweet Chili
  • Habanero
  • Cheddar
  • Lime
  • Buffalo/hot wings

Spicy flavors like jalapeño and habanero are increasingly popular, as are sweeter flavors like honey mustard and sweet chili. Many brands offer variety packs that contain multiple daring and delicious flavors.

How are tortilla chips made?

Authentic tortilla chips start with just a few simple ingredients:

  • Stone ground corn – Either white or yellow corn
  • Water – To help bind and shape the dough
  • Calcium hydroxide – Also known as cal, helps aid the nixtamalization process
  • Salt – For flavor

Corn kernels are first cooked and soaked in a solution of cal and water, which helps soften the hull and nutritions. The kernels are then stone ground into masa dough before being pressed into thin tortillas. Finally, the tortillas are cut into wedges and fried in oil until perfectly crispy.

For flavored tortilla chips, seasonings and powdered flavors are often added to the chips before frying. After frying, they may be dusted with additional seasoning as well.

Nutrition facts for tortilla chips

Here are the basic nutrition facts for a 1 ounce or about 15 chip serving of plain salted tortilla chips:

Calories 140
Fat 7g
Carbs 18g
Protein 2g
Sodium 170mg

Tortilla chips are high in carbohydrates and sodium, with most of the fat coming from the oil they are fried in. Flavored tortilla chips or dip pairings like cheese and guacamole can increase the fat, carbs, and sodium.

Are tortilla chips gluten-free?

Traditional tortilla chips made from corn are naturally gluten-free. However, some flavored tortilla chips may contain gluten from seasonings, so it is important to check labels carefully if avoiding gluten.

Are tortilla chips vegan?

Plain tortilla chips made from corn, water, and salt are vegan. However, some brands may use animal derived ingredients like milk or cheese in flavored tortilla chips, so vegans should read ingredients lists closely.

How are tortilla chips eaten?

There are endless ways to eat and enjoy tortilla chips! Here are some of the most popular ways to serve them:

  • Nachos – Top tortilla chips with cheese, beans, salsa, guacamole, and other favorite nacho toppings.
  • Taco salad – Crush tortilla chips and use them as the base for taco salads.
  • Chilaquiles – A popular Mexican breakfast dish of fried tortilla chips bathed in salsa or mole sauce.
  • Appetizer – Serve chips alongside guacamole, salsa, queso dip, or other dips.
  • Taco shell – Soft corn tortilla chips can be shaped into edible taco shells.
  • Casserole topping – Crush chips and use them to make a crispy topping for casseroles.
  • Snack – Enjoy plain, salted tortilla chips on their own or with fresh pico de gallo or other simple dips.

Popular tortilla chip pairings

Some of the most iconic pairings with tortilla chips include:

Salsa

No tortilla chip pairing is more classic than salsa. Tomato-based Mexican salsas, like pico de gallo, have the perfect balance of acidity, spice, and freshness to complement the oiliness of tortilla chips.

Guacamole

Creamy, green guacamole is another beloved tortilla chip dip. The rich avocado pairs perfectly with the crunch of a tortilla chip.

Queso dip

Smooth and creamy queso dip, especially spiced with peppers, onions, and spices, is an indulgent match for tortilla chips. Try queso blanco or nacho cheese flavored queso.

Beans

Hearty, protein-rich beans, especially black or pinto, make a satisfying tortilla chip topper. Their thick texture complements the chips’ crunch.

Cheese

Melty Mexican cheese, like Monterey jack, queso fresco, or Oaxaca cheese takes tortilla chips to the next level. Top chips with shredded cheese and bake until bubbly.

How to celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day

Here are some fun ways to celebrate this crunchy holiday:

  • Host a nacho bar – Set up a nacho bar with all the toppings so guests can create their perfect nacho platter on fresh tortilla chips.
  • Try new chip flavors – Pick up some new or unique tortilla chip flavors you’ve never tried before like sweet chili, black bean, mango habanero or more.
  • Make homemade salsa – Whip up a batch of fresh tomato salsa, pico de gallo, or another homemade salsa to enjoy with your chips.
  • Experiment with dips – Look up recipes for homemade dips like queso, guacamole, or chile con queso to pair with your tortilla chips.
  • Bake chilaquiles – Make chilaquiles by baking tortilla chips with green or red salsa, eggs, cheese, beans, and other favorite add-ins.
  • Host a tasting – Buy several brands and flavors of tortilla chips and host a blind chip tasting party.
  • Make dessert nachos – Top tortilla chips with sweet ingredients like chocolate, coconut, fruit, and whipped cream for dessert nachos.

Where to find deals on National Tortilla Chip Day

National Tortilla Chip Day falls close to Cinco de Mayo, so many grocery stores, restaurants, and brands offer promotions and deals. Here are some of the best places to find tortilla chip savings:

  • Grocery stores – Check weekly ads for deals on major chip brands like Tostitos and Doritos.
  • Mexican restaurants – Many Mexican chains like Chipotle, Moe’s Southwest Grill, On The Border and more offer discounts or free chips and salsa on March 24th.
  • QQest – Often posts National Tortilla Chip Day coupons on their website and app good for money off chips and dips.
  • 7-Eleven – Participating 7-Eleven stores offer buy one get one free deals on Tostitos or private label tortilla chips.
  • National brand websites – Check Tostitos, Doritos, and other major chip brands’ websites around March 24th for online coupons and promotions.

Conclusion

National Tortilla Chip Day celebrates one of America’s favorite snacks – crispy, salty tortilla chips! This food holiday traces back to the rich history of tortillas in Mexican cuisine. Today, homemade and store-bought tortilla chips are a pantry staple across the US. Americans spend over $7 billion annually on this popular snack!

Celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day on March 24th by hosting a nacho bar, trying new flavored chips, making homemade salsas and dips, or taking advantage of manufacturer coupons and promotions. Any way you crunch them, tortilla chips are a beloved snack worth celebrating.