When I shared my Cool Ranch Baked Tortilla Salad Bowls a few weeks ago, you probably knew this was next. After dialing in a homemade Cool Ranch seasoning for those bowls, I couldn’t resist going the rest of the way and making Homemade Cool Ranch Doritos.
Cool Ranch Doritos and I have a long history. I remember a time before they existed, and I clearly remember the first time I tried them in the 1980s. They delivered the crunch, flavor, and convenience I wanted in a chip—until I started paying attention to the long ingredient lists, artificial colors, and the price tag. Once I realized I could recreate that flavor at home, I set out to make chips that tasted very close to the originals but without unnecessary additives and without paying a premium.
Buying store-bought bags at full price can sting—especially when they disappear within minutes of opening. Making your own requires a few pantry investments up front, but most of the specialty items are multi-purpose and last a long time when stored properly in a cool, dark place. White cheddar cheese powder and dried tomato powder are the main purchases that might feel like a splurge, but they add huge utility: use them on popcorn, in dips, in baked goods, or to boost soups and pasta dough.
Many of you likely already have dry ranch dressing mix, smoked paprika, granulated garlic and onion, and popcorn salt—so the main new purchases are the cheese powder and tomato powder. These ingredients stretch a long way and are useful in many recipes, so consider them pantry staples rather than single-use items.
Cook’s Notes:
- You can use homemade dry ranch dressing mix to keep the seasoning gluten-free if needed.
- Choose an oil you prefer for frying: peanut oil, lard, canola, or vegetable oil all work. You only need a couple of inches of oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot.
- Use corn tortillas you enjoy eating plain—the fresher, the better.
- Popcorn salt is ideal because it’s very fine and adheres well. If you don’t have it, pulse regular salt in a blender until finely powdered.
- Whisk the spice mix thoroughly to remove lumps before storing or using.
- To cut tortillas, stack about 10 and cut into six wedges. The recipe scales easily; plan batches of roughly 20 chips in the oil for even frying.
- No dedicated deep fryer required—use a heavy, high-sided pot. Remember oil rises as it heats and when you add chips, so choose a pot with enough headspace.
- Long-handled tongs are very useful for stirring, retrieving, and tossing chips with seasoning.
- Have two bowls ready: one lined with paper towels for draining, and a large heat-safe bowl for seasoning and tossing.
- Don’t let the chips sit too long after draining; leaving a little oil on the chips helps the seasoning stick as they cool slightly in the mixing bowl.
Whether you eat them plain or with your favorite hot sauce, warm homemade Cool Ranch Doritos deliver familiar flavors on a sturdier, freshly fried chip. They disappear fast—so be prepared to make more than one batch if you want to have leftovers.
I made a batch, and they vanished at warp speed. Fortunately, they’re quick to make again, so I had enough to hand out the next day—and earned my reputation as a popular mom.
Use this to make Homemade Cool Ranch Doritos:
- Dry ranch dressing mix (commercial or homemade)
- White cheddar cheese powder
- Smoked paprika
- Granulated garlic
- Granulated onion
- Dried tomato powder
- Popcorn salt (or finely powdered regular salt)
- Deep fryer or a heavy, high-sided pot with a few inches of oil
- Long-handled tongs
Homemade Cool Ranch Doritos
Rebecca Lindamood
5
20
25
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cool Ranch Seasoning Mix:
- 1/4 cup dry ranch dressing mix
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons white cheddar cheese powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried tomato powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- 1 teaspoon finely powdered salt popcorn salt
For the Cool Ranch Doritos:
- 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot peanut, lard, canola, or vegetable
- Desired number of corn tortillas, cut into wedges
- Cool Ranch Seasoning Mix
Instructions
To Make the Cool Ranch Seasoning Mix:
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Whisk all seasoning mix ingredients together in a small bowl until lump-free. Transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store indefinitely at room temperature in a dark place. Whisk briefly before each use if it has settled.
To Make the Cool Ranch Doritos:
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Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Line a bowl or plate with paper towels for draining and have another large heat-safe bowl ready for seasoning.
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When the oil is hot, add about 20 tortilla wedges one at a time. Fry, stirring frequently with long-handled tongs, for 2½–3½ minutes or until crisp. Transfer them to the paper towel-lined plate, then immediately move them to the large bowl while still hot. Sprinkle about 2 teaspoons of the Cool Ranch Seasoning Mix over the batch and toss to coat. Repeat with remaining wedges. Taste and add more seasoning if desired.
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Serve the chips the day you make them for best texture. If needed, refresh leftover chips in a hot oven on a baking sheet for a few minutes to crisp them back up.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 13g
Protein: 1g
Sodium: 115mg
Potassium: 61mg
Fiber: 1g
Nutritional information is an estimate. Calculate nutrition using the actual ingredients you use with your preferred calculator.
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This post was originally published on March 24, 2014.