30 Most Popular Potato Chips, Ranked
There’s something about exploring the potato chip aisle that is both daunting and exciting all at once. The flavors, textures and cooking methods range so greatly that no two flavors or brands are exactly alike — which can make it hard to decide on just one bag, especially if you’re planning to share with others in your household who might have different tastes or opinions on what makes a great chip.
That said, recent research out of Nutritionix might have settled the great chip debate for good. The branded food database released a list of the most popular potato chip brands and flavors — and the results might inspire you to try something new on your next trip down the snack aisle.
We rounded up the definitive list of the 30 most popular potato chips — and exactly what makes them so well-loved. From bacon and cheddar to sour cream and onion, the most popular chips offer quite the spectrum. Did your favorite flavor make the cut?
30. Original Potato Crisps
Brand: Munchos
Munchos original potato crisps are extremely divisive snacks: You either absolutely love them or you can’t stand them.
The processed chip offers a unique texture due to the fact that they’re made from dehydrated potatoes, while the super salty coating offers an almost tangy taste.
29. Cheddar & Bacon Potato Skins
Brand: T.G.I. Friday’s
Striking the perfect balance of cheese, bacon and potato, the T.G.I. Friday’s cheddar and bacon potato skins come as a great alternative to the real deal.
The chips also offer a little bit more substance and texture than other big-name chip brands thanks to the thick-cut potato.
28. Sea Salt & Vinegar
Brand: Kettle
The Kettle brand of sea salt and vinegar chips were made to satisfy those with a taste for tang. The salty and sour flavor profile packs a serious punch thanks to the light and airy texture of the kettle-cooked potato.
Plus, the short-ingredient list appeals to those looking for a slightly healthier alternative to traditional potato chips.
27. Kettle-Cooked Original Reduced Fat
Brand: Cape Cod
You don’t need a full fat snack to feel satisfied — and fans of the kettle-cooked original reduced fat by Cape Cod know that all too well.
The reduced fat original flavor packs the exact same crunch and satisfying flavor as the full-fat version. But it has 40 percent less fat and no added artificial ingredients.
26. Kettle-Cooked Sea Salt & Vinegar
Brand: Cape Cod
Sea salt and vinegar will always reign supreme when it comes to tangy and satisfying flavor — but the Cape Cod kettle-cooked variety couples that tanginess with a satisfying and light crunch.
The ultra-thin chip was conceptualized and created right in Hyannis, Maine, and offers a clean ingredient list.
25. Cheddar & Sour Cream
Brand: Ruffles
Ruffles’ cheddar and sour cream chips are ultra flavorful — made even better by the rippled texture for which Ruffles is known.
The thick-cut chip might be high in calories, but the combination of cheddar and tangy sour cream keeps chip fiends reaching for more.
24. Kettle-Cooked Original Potato Chips
Brand: Lay’s
Lay’s kettle-cooked original chips have become a well-loved classic in the kettle chip aisle thanks to its delightful crunch and ultra-thin-cut potato.
The homestyle taste was created to rival other kettle-chip brands back in the early 2000s and has stuck around ever since.
23. Aged Cheddar & Black Pepper
Brand: Lay’s
Looking for something a little spicy and savory? Lay’s aged cheddar and black pepper chips have become popular over the years for offering just that.
The slight kick from the black pepper is rounded out with the umami-packed aged cheddar for a satisfying medley of flavor in each bite.
22. Sea Salt
Brand: Pop Chips
Pop Chips have been having a moment in the snack world for the last couple of years — and for good reason. The low-calorie snack is super satisfying, especially the sea salt flavor.
A serving is just 120 calories — which is about half that of a typical bag of potato chips.
21. Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut Sea Salt
Brand: Kirkland Signature
Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand does a lot of snacks and other products well — and the krinkle cut sea salt chip is no exception.
This decadent combination of real sea salt and hand-cut kettle chip offers serious value (and excellent taste) for the price.
20. Stax Sour Cream & Onion
Brand: Lay’s
Lay’s Stax was originally created to rival the thin and crispy style of Pringles chips. The chips are slightly more processed than typical Lay’s chips — but the slightly mulchy texture has become a well-loved alternative to more thin-cut chips.
The sour cream and onion flavor packs a seriously creamy yet tangy punch and will keep you reaching for another handful.
19. Jalapeno
Brand: Jimmy John’s
American franchise Jimmy John’s might be known first for its sandwiches — but the fast food retailer has also made a name for its potato chips.
The jalapeno flavor is surprisingly spicy, offering just enough kick to satisfy spice fiends.
18. Stax Original
Brand: Lay’s
Lay’s Stax original chips are always a crowd pleaser thanks to the satisfying Pringles-inspired crunch and slightly salty taste.
The thin chips offer an interesting texture that sets them apart from most other chip brands on the list.
17. Original
Brand: Ruffles
Ruffles’ original potato chips are delicious in their own right — but they’re also one of the best chip brands and flavors to pair with a chip dip.
The rippled edges scoop up dips and sauces super well without losing their signature crunch.
16. The Original
Brand: Jimmy John’s
Jimmy John’s original chip flavor gained popularity as a super easy side to go with a sandwich — and the obsession has continued since then.
The original chip offers the perfect crispy texture and a slightly salty flavor profile.
15. Kettle-Cooked Sea Salt & Vinegar
Brand: Lay’s
Lay’s kettle-cooked sea salt and vinegar flavor offers pretty much everything you’d want in a late-night snack. They’re light and airy, thin cut and offer a nice tang with just the right amount of saltiness to satisfy a savory craving.
The kettle-cooked variety is also a particularly good option for those hoping to score a slightly less greasy snack.
14. Cheddar & Sour Cream
Brand: Lay’s
Lay’s cheddar and sour cream is one of those decadent and indulgent flavors that you can easily gobble down in one Netflix sitting.
The combination of sweet and slightly salty cheddar with tangy sour cream packs a serious punch in the umami department.
13. Salt & Vinegar
Brand: Jimmy John’s
Jimmy John’s salt and vinegar flavor gained popularity for its light crunch and tangy punch.
The crunchy, salty chips are cooked in 100 percent peanut oil and have no cholesterol, which makes them a popular option for those looking for a slightly healthier snack.
12. Kettle-Cooked Jalapeno Cheddar
Brand: Lay’s
Kettle-cooked chips don’t equate to less flavor or satisfaction — and the proof is in the pudding with Lay’s kettle-cooked jalapeno cheddar chips.
This sweet and spicy kettle-cooked chip is a hit with spice fiends and cheese aficionados alike for its creamy and zesty tang and airy texture.
11. Baked! Original
Brand: Ruffles
Ruffles’ Baked! originals are a great option for those looking for a slightly healthier alternative to traditional Ruffles chips.
The oven-baked crisps offer 70 percent less fat than most potato chips — yet the rippled texture makes these potato chips taste just as decadent and satisfying as traditional chips.
10. Thinny Chips
Brand: Jimmy John’s
Jimmy John’s Thinny Chips are just 130 calories per serving — which is about half of a regular potato chip calorie count — and also count for 50 percent less fat than regular chips.
That’s not to say the ultra-thin chip isn’t as tasty as traditional potato snacks. In fact, the airy texture and solid crunch are surprisingly satisfying.
9. Kettle-Cooked Original
Brand: Cape Cod
Cape Cod’s kettle-cooked original chips are well-loved for their crunchy and super-light texture that is perfect for dipping into sour cream- or cream cheese-based dips.
The slightly salty chips are also great for pairing with sandwiches or burgers.
8. Barbecue
Brand: Pop Chips
If you haven’t tried Pop Chips’ barbecue flavor yet, you’ll want to run out and pick up a bag immediately. These health-conscious chips may be trendy, but they are equally delicious.
The savory snack will satisfy any craving for salt, but the best part is that they’re only a fraction of the calories of most major chip brands and flavors.
7. Sour Cream & Onion
Brand: Pringles
Pringles’ sour cream and onion is super satisfying thanks to the combination of slightly sweet tang and savory onion flavors.
The classic Pringles texture offers something a little different from baked or fried chips because of the dehydrated processed potato recipe.
6. Barbecue
Brand: Lay’s
Lay’s barbecue chips are a classic for a reason. They’re light and airy, just a little oily and packed with surprisingly sweet and savory flavors.
The barbecue flavor is much less heavy than many other barbecue chips — which make them a great option for those who crave Canadian ketchup chips as well.
5. Oven-Baked Original
Brand: Lay’s
Lay’s oven-baked original chips have had a serious upswing in popularity over the past few years — and for good reason.
The original chip flavor offers just enough of a salty tang to satisfy your craving while the oven-baked recipe is much healthier than fried chips.
4. Baked! Cheddar & Sour Cream
Brand: Ruffles
Ruffles’ Baked! cheddar and sour cream chips offer 65 percent less fat than regular potato chips — which makes them a super attractive alternative for those looking for a healthier snacking option without sacrificing flavor.
The cheddar and sour cream flavor is both creamy and tangy with the same great rippled texture that Ruffles are known (and loved) for.
3. Original
Brand: Pringles
There’s nothing that’ll satisfy a craving for Pringles more than the real deal. The classic stackable potato chip offers a slightly more mulchy texture than most chips on the market.
Andthe best part is the sealable lid, which keeps them fresh and crispy between snacking.
2. Oven-Baked Cheddar & Sour Cream
Brand: Ruffles
Ruffles’ oven-baked cheddar and sour cream flavor takes everything you love about a decadent Ruffles chip and makes it ever so slightly more healthy.
The flavorful cheddar and sour cream is just as umami-packed, but each bag is 50 percent less fat and significantly less calories than the original Ruffles chip.
1. Original
Brand: Lay’s
Let’s be honest: Nothing compares to Lay’s original chips — they’re a classic for a reason! The slightly oily and salty chip is perfect on its own but also goes great with chip dip, sour cream or salsa.
The brand also uses specially selected potatoes to ensure every single chip looks and tastes both uniform and delicious.