Out of every bag on the shelf, this potato chip reigns supreme.
Key Takeaways
- Chefs say the best potato chips deliver a sturdy crunch, balanced saltiness, and a clean ingredient list—ideally just potatoes, oil, and salt.
- All three experts named Cape Cod Chips as their top pick, praising the kettle-style texture, deep potato flavor, and reliable quality.
- Beyond snacking straight from the bag, these chips shine as sandwich toppers, salad crunch, crispy coatings for proteins, or paired with dips for an easy upgrade.
Potato chips are a delicious snack to indulge in every once in a while—even for registered dietitians! However, not all potato chips are worth buying when it comes to taste, quality, and ingredients. Some lack the crunch you crave, others are too oily, and some are packed with unnecessary mystery ingredients.
Even chefs—who could easily make potato chips at home—often opt for the convenience of store-bought options, particularly with so many high-quality brands available today. So, we asked three chefs what they look for in a top-tier store-bought potato chip—and which brand they prefer. Surprisingly, all three named the same one.
Meet Our Expert
- Erin Clarke, cookbook author of Well Plated Every Day and founder of WellPlated.com
- Mark McShane, chef and food safety expert at Food Hygiene Certificate
- Clara Park, chef, Food Network Chopped Champion, and founder of culinary school eat cetera philly
What to Look for When Buying Potato Chips
The chefs we interviewed agreed on a few must-haves when it comes to store-bought chips.
“Crunch is king! I want a chip that is truly crisp, satisfyingly salty, and not overly greasy, with a clean potato flavor. I also pay attention to thickness, because a sturdier chip holds up better for dips and is more pleasurable to munch on,” shares Erin Clarke, cookbook author of Well Plated Every Day and founder of WellPlated.com.
Mark McShane, chef and food safety expert at Food Hygiene Certificate, agrees adding: “A good chip should have a clean crunch, no greasy residue, and a fresh aroma.” Though, he also takes stock of ingredients. “I appreciate brands that use just potatoes, oil, and salt without unnecessary additives,” he explains.
Clara Park, chef, Food Network Chopped Champion, and founder of culinary school eat cetera philly, looks for delicious flavor, crunch, and clean ingredients as well.
The Best Grocery Store Potato Chips, According to Chefs
With these criteria in mind, these three chefs all agree that Cape Cod Chips are the very best.
“Cape Cod is my number one. The kettle-style crunch is so satisfying, the chips feel extra fresh, and they have that perfect level of salt that makes them hard to stop eating,” says Clarke. McShane echoes this, sharing, “Cape Cod Chips have a wonderful golden color and deep potato flavor, and I love their sturdy texture.” And with only three ingredients—potatoes, vegetable oil, and salt—it’s hard to argue with the clean quality of this brand.
While Clarke and McShane opt for the classic Original Sea Salt Cape Cod Chip, Park reaches for their Sea Salt and Vinegar variety. “Cape Cod Sea Salt and Vinegar chips are a solid workhorse of a chip that goes with anything and makes everything better,” she explains.
But the brand also offers several other flavors, including Malt Vinegar, Sweet Mesquite Barbeque, Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper, Dark Russet, Sour Cream and Onion, and Original Lightly Salted—as well as Less Fat, Infused, and Waved options. Most grocery stores nationwide conveniently carry this brand, with most bags costing anywhere between three and five dollars for ultimate accessibility.
Other honorable chip brand mentions from these chefs include Kettle Brand and Trader Joe’s Rustic Potato Chips as they, too, offer that same irresistible crunch, short ingredients lists, delicious potato-forward flavor, and unbeatable accessibility across the U.S.
Enjoying Potato Chips at Home
As you might imagine, these chefs don’t just snack on potato chips straight from the bag—they use their culinary prowess to creatively incorporate them into many of their favorite recipes.
“I love them as a crunchy topping. Crushed chips are amazing on a turkey sandwich, sprinkled over a salad in place of croutons, or used as a quick breading for baked chicken tenders or fish. They are also perfect with dip night, especially paired with French onion dip or a simple Greek yogurt ranch dip,” shares Clarke.
McShane also loves to serve chips with a homemade caramelized onion Greek yogurt dip or inside a sandwich—as well as in other recipes. “I’ll sometimes crush them and use them as a crunchy coating for baked chicken or fish, which adds texture and a savory punch,” he says.
Park was also full of creative ideas. “My chef hack is to go the route of FX's The Bear by way of Ferran Adria, and make a potato chip omelet. I did a cooking demo for Valentine's Day for couples and they learned to make the potato chip omelet. It was so good they were literally making them the next day and texting about it! Potato chips pack crunch, saltiness, umami notes, and texture in one bite. Potato chips are also a great way to enjoy caviar. You can serve them with crème fraîche or sour cream and your favorite kind of caviar for an elegant and tasty snack,” she adds.
Read the original article on Real Simple
