Wirecutter - Our favorite chips

Michael Murtaugh

Wirecutter Staff

Chips are arguably the most delicious, addictive way to enjoy potatoes. (Or corn! Or kale!) Whether you prefer the satisfying crunch of a kettle-cooked snack or the melt-in-your-mouth classic texture of a Pringle, you can’t go wrong with a bag of chips.

Feeling snacky? Try one of these flavor-packed chips that our staffers love—guaranteed to have you licking your fingers and reaching for just one more. If your favorites didn’t make this list, let us know here; there’s always room in the pantry for another bag.

Frito Lay

Are Doritos the most sophisticated, nuanced chips out there? No. But do they deliver during a midnight hankering for something crunchy and flavorful? Absolutely. While I like all the flavors, I am partial toward Nacho Cheese—it’s the type of salty, in-your-face flavor that coats your tongue in the best way.

I am at times overcome with a ravenous craving for convenience-store junk food, and at those times, Whole Foods’s fancy whole-grain puffs simply won’t do. No, this craving is one that is insatiable until I am sitting cross-legged with an open bag of artificially flavored Doritos in my lap, crunching away happily.

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—Brittney Ho, newsletter coordinator

Late July Snacks

I’ve been known to eat chips and salsa for dinner (why not?!) and my favorite anchor to that meal is Late July’s restaurant-style chip. They’re ultra-thin and crispy but strong enough to house a hefty scoop of pico or guac. If you’re like me, and you’re often too lazy to pour the salsa into a bowl, these chips are grippable and hold up great if you’re digging deep in the jar. Sure, “dipper” style chips might theoretically hold more dip in their bowl-like center, but they’re harder to maneuver once you’re actually in the jar. I also love that these maintain a satisfying crunch when made into quickie nachos: just top with shredded cheese and microwave for 30 seconds.

—Catherine Kast, supervising editor

Kettle Brand

My go-to is usually a bag of plain potato chips and french onion dip, but I’ve recently gravitated toward Kettle Brand Jalapeno Potato Chips. I eat an entire bag in one sitting. I love their subtle kick and the way the chips pop and crunch in my mouth. They’re a little more expensive than regular potato chips, so buying them often feels like a little splurge.

—Amari Pollard, social and community manager

Salt and vinegar chips often leave a weird taste and feeling in my mouth. These ones do not. Also, that kettle crunch is wonderful, and Kettle Brand always has the most folded chips. I really like to make fresh popcorn then pour a bag of these into the bowl and shake them up for the best movie-night snack.

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—Jasmine Khoury, software engineer

Trader Joe’s

My girlfriend introduced me to Trader Joe’s Elote Corn Chip Dippers. They’re criminally delicious—imagine Fritos Scoops with a mildly spicy seasoning. The elote chips are great alone, with salsa, or even in turkey sandwiches. They’re always a hit at parties and picnics. 10/10.

—Stuart Faith, analyst

These chips were so raved-about when I was writing our “Favorite Things From Trader Joe’s” story from 2021 that I simply had to try them. I love the tangy-salty-sweet flavor. I pair them with Trader Joe’s Hatch Valley Salsa (also from the same story!), and I’m in heaven.

—Rose Maura Lorre, senior staff writer

Old Dutch Foods

I had never heard of Old Dutch before moving to Minnesota, where the company is based, but I’ll be forever grateful that they found a way into my life. These chips are light and airy, perfectly crispy, and have a nice crunch, too. I also like that the flavors don’t taste grossly artificial like chips from other companies. When I need to pick up a quick party snack, the salty, herby Sour Cream & Dill flavor is always my go-to (Mesquite BBQ and Sweet Onion are close second-bests).

—Alexis Allston, off-platform strategist

Miss Vickie’s

If you haven’t layered a handful of these into a turkey avocado sandwich, have you truly lived? They’re right on par with Tim’s Jalapeño Chips, but I’ve never done a side-by-side comparison, and Vickie’s are the ones I’ve had most recently, so the memory is fresh in my mind. Everything about the chips is perfectly engineered: just the right thickness and crunch, plus that balance of spicy, savory, and just a touch of sweetness.

—Marilyn Ong, supervising editor

Pringles

These flavor-packed chips sure are addictive! Pringles Pizza Crisps are tangy, tomatoey, and a little cheesy with a satisfying crunch, and they transport me back to junior high when I would inhale a snack pack of pizza-flavored Pringles after tennis practice. Plus, who can resist recreating the classic duck bill silhouette?

—Kelsey Dang, senior researcher