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The 10 Best Potato Chip Brands in 2022, Reviewed

Mark Stock
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There aren’t many snacks more American than potato chips, if any. Frankly, there’s just something downright intoxicating about a baked and flavored spud wafer. So much so it’s the snack we’re always reaching for, whether we’re stone-cold sober and looking for some nibbles or a little tipsy and in need of some salt.

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Chips play many roles as well, from vessels for dipping into chunky salsa to standalone options, dusted with a unique or trending flavor (are we still obsessed with Sriracha?). What’s known is that each option here goes great with a nice cold one. And they don’t even necessarily need to be potato-based, as recent sweet potato and taro entries suggest.

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When you’re wandering through the massive chip aisle at your local grocery store or online, put the following on your radar.

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Best Overall: Kettle Brand

Kettle Brand Chips Jalapeno Bag
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When you’re the best overall chip, you have an amazing selection of flavors and an ideal level of crunch, each and every time. Kettle excels on all fronts, from simple and satisfying options like sea salt and New York cheddar to more complex batches like pepperoncini and fiery Thai.

Best Flavor: Fox Family Chips

Fox Family Chips Bag
Amazon

Maine’s Fox Family Chips is immediately recognizable with its space-age metallic bags. Inside, you’ll find big flavor, with quality potato shining through every bite. When you’re working with good base ingredients, you don’t have to dress things up much, as Fox’s straightforward but delicious lineup proves.

Thickest Chip: Burt’s Thick Cut

Burt's Thick Cut Guinness Chips
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sometimes a good thick chip is a must as it can stand up to any number of dips, sauces, and spreads. Burt’s makes a burly trip, one that almost never breaks no matter how badly you abuse the bag. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, the brand has teamed up with breweries like Guinness and distilleries like Jim Beam for collaborative batches.

Best Tortilla Chip: Xochitl Sea Salt Mexican Style White Corn Chips

Xochitl Sea Salt Tortilla Chips Bag
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The tortilla category is perhaps the most saturated within the wide galaxy of chips. We endorse Xochitl because the chips are as good solo as they are buried in a mountain of nachos. Even better, the company is minority-run and uses promising ingredients like sustainable palm oil and non-GMO items.

Best Throwback Chip: Doritos Cool Ranch

Doritos Cool Ranch Chips Bag
Amazon

You can’t properly embrace 90s culture without this iconic chip in the blue bag (actually introduced in the 80s). No, we’re not entirely sure what the recipe is, but the result is a wondrous mix of tomato, onion, and cheese flavors.

Best BBQ: Grippo’s

Grippo's BBQ Chips Bag
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Having spent more than a century cooking up chips, Grippo’s has its barbecue recipe dialed in. The Cincinnati outfit’s chips are an ideal blend of sweet, smoky, and salty, practically pulled straight off the grill.

Best Sweet Potato Chip: Terra Sweet Potato Chips

Terra Sweet Potato Chips Bag
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A fair warning: Once you crack a bag of these sweet potato chips, it’s nearly impossible not to polish off the whole thing. Terra’s chips are as eye-catching as they are satisfying. The standard sweet potato version is tasty but it’s hard to top the sweets and beets, which incorporate the root vegetable.

Most Iconic: Fritos

Fritos Chips Original Bag
Amazon

If you like corn and crunch, you’re likely a fan of Fritos. And while the chips are great on their own, what with their reliable crispiness and salty kick, they’re even better poured atop a steaming bowl of Texas-style chili.

Best for Dipping: Santitas Tortilla Chips

Santitas Tortilla Triangles Chip Bag
Amazon

These perfect triangles are programmed for dipping. They rarely snap, pack plenty of texture, and have enough flavor to cut through even the spiciest salsa, densest hummus, or heartiest bean dip.

Healthiest Chip: Hawaiian Chip Company Taro

Hawaiian Chip Company Taro Chips Bag
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Taro chips are dynamic and healthier than your traditional chip and quite popular in Hawaii especially. This batch from the sunny American archipelago is made naturally, with no cholesterol or sugar and just a pinch of salt.

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Mark Stock
Mark Stock
Contributor
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
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