If you’re looking to bring something truly magical and delicious to your next holiday gathering, I can’t recommend Snowflake Tortilla Chips with Queso enough. These delightful, delicate snowflake-shaped chips transform simple flour tortillas into a festive, crunchy masterpiece that pairs perfectly with a warm, creamy queso dip. It’s a snack idea that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, promising a show-stopping addition to your Christmas party or any cozy get-together. Everyone will love snapping off the corners and dipping into that rich, cheesy goodness—pure holiday joy on a plate!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Snowflake Tortilla Chips with Queso lies in its simplicity, with just a few pantry staples coming together to create an unforgettable snack. Each ingredient plays a key role in bringing texture, flavor, and a festive touch to the dish.
- Flour tortillas: The perfect canvas for those intricate snowflake designs and the base for your crispy chips.
- Cooking spray: Helps create that golden, crispy texture without excess oil.
- Sea salt: Sprinkled on top to enhance flavor and give a satisfying salty crunch.
- Queso dip: Smooth, warm, and cheesy—the ideal partner for dipping your snowflake chips.
- Kitchen scissors: Sharp and precise, these are your tools for crafting beautiful snowflake edges.
- Parchment-lined baking sheet: Ensures even cooking and easy cleanup.
How to Make Snowflake Tortilla Chips with Queso
Step 1: Fold Your Tortillas
Begin by folding each flour tortilla into quarters, just like you would fold a paper snowflake. This simple fold is the foundation for creating those delicate cutout patterns that will give your chips their festive look.
Step 2: Create the Snowflake Pattern
Using a pair of sharp kitchen scissors, carefully snip small shapes along the folded edges. Think triangles, diamonds, or little notches—this is your chance to get creative and make each tortilla chip unique. Just like crafting real snowflakes, every cut adds charm.
Step 3: Prepare for Baking
Unfold your newly designed snowflakes and arrange them flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Give them a light misting with cooking spray to help them crisp up beautifully. Don’t forget to sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on each one to enhance flavor.
Step 4: Bake to Crispy Perfection
Pop the baking sheet into a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake for about 6 to 8 minutes until your snowflake chips turn crisp and acquire a delicate golden hue. Keep a close eye so they don’t burn—they should be sturdy yet light enough to snap easily.
Step 5: Serve with Warm Queso Dip
Once baked, transfer your chips to a festive serving platter and place a bowl of warm queso dip right in the center. Watching everyone dip and crunch is as delightful as the taste itself!
How to Serve Snowflake Tortilla Chips with Queso
Garnishes
For an extra pop of color and flavor, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or finely diced jalapeños over the queso dip. A dusting of smoked paprika on the queso can add a smoky warmth that perfectly complements the salty chips.
Side Dishes
These chips and queso pair wonderfully with vibrant sides like a fresh avocado salsa, tangy pico de gallo, or even a bowl of black bean soup. They also make a great appetizer alongside a charcuterie board piled high with cured meats and cheeses.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the snowflake chips like a festive tower around your queso bowl for a visually stunning centerpiece. You can even use colorful tortilla varieties—like spinach or tomato-flavored—to make your snowflakes pop with different hues. Get creative with small bowls of complementary salsas or guacamole on the side as well.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover Snowflake Tortilla Chips with Queso (though I doubt it!), store your chips in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crisp. The queso dip is best refrigerated in a sealed container and consumed within 3 days.
Freezing
The chips themselves freeze well if sealed tightly, though they are quick and easy enough to make fresh when needed. I don’t recommend freezing the queso dip since the texture changes upon thawing, but you can freeze homemade queso base before adding any fresh dairy.
Reheating
To revive any day-old chips, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and heat in a 350°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes until they regain that crispness. For leftover queso, gently warm it on low in a saucepan, stirring until smooth again.
FAQs
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
While flour tortillas are ideal for crafting those delicate snowflake shapes because of their pliability, corn tortillas can be used, but they might be a bit trickier to fold and cut without cracking. If you want extra crunch, give corn tortillas a try!
What kind of queso dip should I use?
Any warm, melty queso works beautifully—whether it’s a classic Velveeta-based dip, a homemade blend of cheeses and peppers, or even a vegan queso. The key is a smooth, creamy texture that clings to the chips perfectly.
How can I make the chips more festive?
Use colored tortillas, sprinkle various seasonings like chili powder or garlic salt, or add edible glitter dust for a fun holiday sparkle that catches the eye and the taste buds alike.
Are these chips gluten-free?
Standard flour tortillas do contain gluten, but if you want a gluten-free version, look for gluten-free flour tortillas or try the recipe with corn tortillas, which are naturally gluten-free.
Can I prepare these ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! You can make and bake the snowflake chips a few hours ahead and store them airtight until ready to serve. Prepare your queso dip just before guests arrive to serve it warm and fresh.
Final Thoughts
If you want to bring a little extra sparkle and flavor to your snack game, Snowflake Tortilla Chips with Queso are the perfect way to do it. They’re festive, fun, and incredibly tasty—plus they add a dazzling homemade touch without any fuss. Trust me, once you make and share these at your next party, they’ll quickly become a beloved tradition. So grab those kitchen scissors and tortillas, and let the chip crafting begin!
PrintSnowflake Tortilla Chips with Queso
Transform simple flour tortillas into festive snowflake-shaped chips perfect for holiday gatherings. These delicate, crispy chips pair wonderfully with warm, creamy queso dip, making them an elegant and customizable addition to your Christmas party snacks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For Snowflake Tortilla Chips
- Flour tortillas (6-inch size, 8 tortillas)
- Cooking spray (olive oil or vegetable oil spray, as needed)
- Sea salt (to taste)
For Queso Dip
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (such as cheddar or a blend)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground chili powder or cayenne (optional, for a mild kick)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the tortillas: Fold each flour tortilla into quarters, similar to folding a paper snowflake.
- Create snowflake patterns: Using sharp kitchen scissors, carefully snip small shapes along the folded edges to design delicate snowflake patterns.
- Unfold and arrange: Unfold the tortillas and place them flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Season the chips: Lightly mist the tortilla snowflakes with cooking spray and sprinkle evenly with sea salt.
- Bake the chips: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the chips for 6–8 minutes, or until they are crisp and lightly golden around the edges.
- Prepare the queso dip: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened. Add shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt. Stir until cheese is fully melted and the dip is creamy and smooth.
- Serve: Place the warm queso dip in a festive bowl and arrange the snowflake tortilla chips around it. Enjoy as a fun and festive snack at your holiday party.
Notes
- Use sharp kitchen scissors for precise and clean snowflake cuts.
- Experiment with different types of cheese or add jalapeños for a spicy queso variation.
- These chips are best served fresh and warm for optimal crispness.
- Store leftover chips in an airtight container to maintain crunchiness.
- To speed up prep, you can pre-make the queso dip and reheat gently before serving.