Making Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips is incredibly simple and quick. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own batch of delicious crispy treats. We’ve broken down each step to ensure clarity and success, even for beginner bakers.

1. Preheat Your Oven to 350°F (175°C): Start by preheating your oven to the correct temperature. This is crucial for ensuring the tortilla chips bake evenly and become perfectly crispy without burning. Oven temperatures can vary slightly, so using an oven thermometer to verify the temperature is always a good idea, especially for baking. While the oven preheats, you can prepare the tortillas and cinnamon sugar mixture.
2. Prepare the Tortillas: Stack the flour tortillas on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut each tortilla into your desired shape. For classic tortilla chips, cut each tortilla into 6 or 8 triangles by first cutting it in half, then in quarters, and then again into eighths if desired. Alternatively, you can cut them into strips for longer chips or even use cookie cutters to create fun shapes for a more whimsical presentation, especially if you are making these with kids. Cutting the tortillas into smaller, uniform pieces ensures even baking and crispness. Once cut, set the tortilla pieces aside.
3. Melt the Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl or a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter. If microwaving, heat it in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted. If using a saucepan, melt it over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once melted, let the butter cool slightly for a minute or two. This prevents the butter from being too hot when you brush it onto the tortillas, which could make them soggy.
4. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: In a shallow bowl or plate, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. If you are using vanilla extract and salt, add them to the sugar-cinnamon mixture now. Whisk or stir the mixture thoroughly until the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar. This ensures that each chip will be coated with a consistent and flavorful cinnamon sugar blend. A shallow dish or plate is ideal for this step as it makes it easier to coat the tortilla chips evenly.
5. Brush the Tortillas with Melted Butter: Take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This makes for easy cleanup and prevents the chips from sticking to the baking sheet. Arrange the cut tortilla pieces in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overlapping. Using a pastry brush or even the back of a spoon, lightly brush the top side of each tortilla piece with the melted butter. You don’t need to soak them in butter, just a light, even coating is sufficient. The butter will help the cinnamon sugar mixture adhere and contribute to the crispy texture.
6. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Immediately after brushing with butter, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously and evenly over the buttered tortilla pieces. You can gently press the sugar mixture into the tortillas with your fingers to help it stick better. Make sure each chip is nicely coated with the sweet spice blend. If you prefer a more intensely flavored chip, you can even coat both sides. To do this, after coating one side, carefully flip the chips and repeat the butter brushing and cinnamon sugar coating on the other side. However, coating just one side is perfectly sufficient for a delicious result.
7. Bake to Crispy Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 8-12 minutes, or until the tortilla chips are golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them as baking times can vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your tortillas. They can go from perfectly golden to burnt quickly, so start checking for doneness around the 8-minute mark. The edges should be lightly browned, and the chips should feel firm to the touch when they are done.
8. Cool and Crisp Up: Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips cool completely on the baking sheet. As they cool, they will crisp up further. Resist the urge to move them while they are still hot as they are delicate and can break easily. Allowing them to cool completely on the baking sheet ensures maximum crispiness. If you want them to cool even faster and crispier, you can transfer them to a wire rack to allow air to circulate around them.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Once completely cooled and crispy, your Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips are ready to be served! Enjoy them immediately for the best crispness and flavor. They are delicious on their own as a snack or dessert, or you can serve them with dips like chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or even fruit salsa for a more elaborate treat. Store any leftover chips in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crispness.