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Canola oil and corn oil are both practical choices for frying corn tortillas. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) lists both among oils recommended for deep frying, and a Bobby Flay recipe uses canola oil for homemade corn tortillas. The available guidance establishes that both are suitable; it does not establish a universal winner for flavor or crispness.
Which oil should you choose?
| Oil | What the sources establish | What that means for your tortillas |
|---|---|---|
| Canola | USDA FSIS recommends it for deep frying; Bobby Flay’s Food Network recipe uses it to fry corn tortillas. USDA FSIS guidance; Food Network recipe. | A recipe-backed, everyday option. The recipe is not a controlled comparison proving it makes tortillas crispier than another oil. |
| Corn | USDA FSIS recommends it for deep frying. Its chart gives corn oil an approximate smoke point of 410°F. USDA FSIS guidance. | A suitable option, but the cited guidance does not show that it makes tortillas taste more like corn or turn out crispier. |
Choose between them based on what you have, the flavor you prefer, and the product’s own frying directions. Neither source demonstrates a tortilla-specific sensory advantage.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Crisco Pure Canola Oil, 64 Fluid Ounce | $7.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Crisco Pure Canola Oil, 1 Gallon | $12.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Crisco Pure Canola Oil, 1 Gallon (Pack of 2) | $25.30 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Amazon Grocery, Canola Oil, 48 Fl Oz | $4.17 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Crisco Pure Canola Oil, 40 Fluid Ounce | $4.97 | Buy on Amazon |
What the smoke-point figures do—and don’t—tell you
USDA FSIS lists approximate smoke points of 435°F for canola oil and 410°F for corn oil. These are reference figures from its chart, not a guarantee for every bottle or formulation, and they are not results from a tortilla crispness test. FSIS explains that when oil reaches its smoke point, it begins to break down and may develop an unpleasant odor or taste. If the oil smokes or smells unpleasant, stop using it.
A recipe-based frying method
Bobby Flay’s Food Network recipe offers a concrete example using canola oil: fry tortillas one at a time, turn once, and cook until crispy—about 30 seconds. That is the recipe’s timing, not a guaranteed result for every tortilla, pan, or home setup. The recipe does not compare oils under controlled conditions.
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#1 Best Overall
- A flavorless, versatile oil with a light texture
- Use it for cooking, frying, or baking, or in dressings and marinades
- 0g Trans Fat Per Serving
- Canola Oil Is a Cholesterol Free Food With 14g Of Total Fat Per Serving
- Kosher
Hot-oil handling and cleanup
- Use an appropriate utensil to remove tortillas from hot oil; avoid plastic utensils that may melt.
- Handle fried food carefully because it may remain very hot.
- Let oil cool before cleaning up.
- If you keep used frying oil for reuse, refrigerate it.
USDA FSIS also discusses food thermometers for checking the internal temperature of meat, poultry, and seafood; that guidance does not make a thermometer a tortilla-frying requirement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What commercial tortilla specifications say
A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service specification describes taco shells and tostada shells as deep-fried in non-animal-fat cooking oil or FDA-approved fat replacers. That is commercial product-standard language, not a home recipe recommendation or evidence that one household oil produces better tortillas.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A flavorless, versatile oil with a light texture
- Use it for cooking, frying, or baking, or in dressings and marinades
- 0g Trans Fat Per Serving
- Canola Oil Is a Cholesterol Free Food With 14g Of Total Fat Per Serving
- Kosher
Rank #4
- One 48-fluid-ounce bottle of Canola Oil
- Some of your favorite Happy Belly products are now part of the Amazon Grocery brand! Although packaging may vary during the transition, the ingredients and product remain the same. Thank you for your continued trust in our brands
- 0g trans fat
- A cholesterol free food
- Amazon Grocery has all the favorites you love for less. You’ll find everything you need for great-tasting meals in one shopping trip.
Rank #3
- The information below is per-pack only
- A flavorless, versatile oil with a light texture
- Use it for cooking, frying, or baking, or in dressings and marinades
- 0g Trans Fat Per Serving
- Canola Oil Is a Cholesterol Free Food With 14g Of Total Fat Per Serving
Rank #2
- A flavorless, versatile oil with a light texture
- Use it for cooking, frying, or baking, or in dressings and marinades
- 0g Trans Fat Per Serving
- Canola Oil Is a Cholesterol Free Food With 14g Of Total Fat Per Serving
- Kosher
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
