National Tortilla Chips Day Date in the current year: February 24, 2024

Tortilla chips should not be confused with corn chips; although these two snacks are pretty similar, there is a difference we shouldn't ignore. Tortilla chips are made using corn that has been treated with lye (nixtamalized). As a result, they have a milder flavor and aroma than corn chips made from regular corn. Corn chips also tend to be smaller, thicker, and saltier than tortilla chips.

Rebecca Webb Carranza is the person commonly credited with popularizing tortilla chips. She and her husband owned the El Zarape Tortilla Factory in Los Angeles and were among the first to automate the production of tortillas in the 1940s. Their tortilla manufacturing machine occasionally produced misshapen tortillas that Rebecca put to good use.

Instead of throwing the misshapen tortillas out, she cut them into triangles, fried and sold at the factory store for a dime a bag. Tortilla chips quickly became a popular snack in the Los Angeles area, but it wasn't until the 1970s that their popularity outside of California began to grow.

Grab a bag of your favorite tortilla chips and serve them with a dip, such as chile con queso, guacamole or salsa, or make some nachos to celebrate National Tortilla Chips Day with your family or friends.