Kettle Cooked BBQ Chips - A Favorite Snack With a Spicy, Smoky Twist

Kettle Cooked BBQ Chips - A Favorite Snack With a Spicy, Smoky Twist

Kettle cooked BBQ flavored chips have risen to popularity in recent years as the perfect balance of smoky and sweet with a hint of spice. This flavor combines the boldness of barbecue with the crunch of kettle cooked potato chips for an irresistible snack or party pleaser.

The Allure of BBQ Chips

Barbecue kettle chips appeal to many taste buds thanks to their complex blend of flavors. The sweet tomato base pairs nicely with notes of vinegar, molasses, mustard and honey. Smoky paprika and chili powder add depth and heat.

This robust BBQ flavor coats thin, freshly cooked potato slices for a satisfying crunch. Kettle cooking helps the chips retain a potato texture while avoiding a greasy mouthfeel.

Chips labeled as kettle cooked are fried in small batches in kettles rather than mass produced in factories. This technique gives them a homemade, wholesome sense while still packing on the flavor.

Popular Brands of Kettle Cooked BBQ Chips

Many brands now offer kettle cooked chips with a barbecue flavor. Some of the most popular options include:

• Cape Cod
• Dirty's
• Lay's
• Utz
• Ruffles
• Wise
• Whole Foods 365

Certain brands like Cape Cod focus on simple, high quality ingredients and a robust potato crunch. Other brands enhance the flavor with added seasonings and spices to deliver a spicier BBQ kick.

Ingredients in BBQ Flavored Kettle Chips

While ingredients vary somewhat between brands, most kettle cooked BBQ chips contain:

• Potatoes - Thinly sliced potatoes form the base and are kettle fried for crispness.
• Vegetable oil - The potatoes are cooked in a vegetable oil like canola, soybean, coconut or sunflower oil.
• BBQ seasoning - A blend of spices like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder and chili powder.
• Sugar - A bit of sugar balances out the smoky flavors.
• Tomato powder - Dehydrated tomato for sweetness and color.
• Maltodextrin - A food additive used as a thickener and stabilizer.
• Salt - For flavor enhancement.

Many kettle cooked BBQ varieties are made with simple ingredients to emulate homemade flavor. However some also contain preservatives, MSG, artificial colors or other additives. Check labels if avoiding certain ingredients.

Nutrition Profile of BBQ Chips

Kettle cooked chips offer some advantages over regular potato chips but are still considered a high calorie, high fat snack food.

A 1 ounce (about 15 chips) serving of kettle cooked BBQ chips contains approximately:

• 150-170 calories
• 8-10g total fat
• 1-2g protein
• 18-20g carbs
• 2g fiber
• 230-290mg sodium

The primary nutrients in BBQ chips come from the potato and oil. Potatoes provide carbohydrates, vitamin C, iron and some fiber and protein. The oils add calories and fat.

Barbecue seasoning also boosts the chips' sodium content. A 1 ounce serving accounts for about 10% of the daily value.

Are Kettle Cooked Chips Healthier?

Kettle cooked chips are often perceived as a healthier alternative to regular potato chips because they are:

• Less processed
• Cooked in smaller batches
• Crunchier with a potato texture
• Thicker cut

However, kettle chips have a similar nutrition profile to regular chips when comparing serving sizes. They are lower in fat than chips cooked in hydrogenated oils but still high in calories, fat and sodium.

The Best Occasions for Indulging in BBQ Chips

Kettle cooked BBQ chips can complement many occasions thanks to their crowd-pleasing flavor. They make a great addition to:

Parties

A bowl of barbecue chips always disappears quickly at parties. Their zesty flavor profile appeals to kids and adults alike.

Game Day

What better way to snack during a game than barbecue chips and dip? The crunch satisfies without heavy fried feel.

Movie Night

Skip the popcorn and go for BBQ chips when enjoying a movie at home. The flavors enhance the experience.

Road Trips

Toss a bag or two of kettle cooked BBQ chips in your cooler or snack bag to munch during a road trip.

Backyard Barbecuing

Complement your own grilling with the smoky BBQ taste of chips straight from the bag.

Potlucks

A few bags of chips are a no-fuss item to bring and share at a potluck gathering.

Serving Ideas for Barbecue Flavored Chips

Beyond simply eating kettle cooked BBQ chips plain, there are many tasty ways to serve them, such as:

Chip Nachos

Top corn or white corn chips with melted cheese, beans, salsa and jalapenos. Sprinkle crushed BBQ kettle chips over the top for crunch.

Potato Skins

Make loaded potato skins but substitute crumbled BBQ kettle chips for some or all of the bacon bits.

Chip Crusted Chicken

Grind chips into coarse crumbs to coat chicken breasts, then bake or fry into crunchy chip crusted chicken.

Chip Taco Shells

Use folded, baked potato or tortilla chips in place of taco shells for a fun, crispy vessel.

BBQ Chip Salad Topper

Crunch up chips and sprinkle over salads for a flavorful, textural garnish.

Chip Infused Dips

Mix finely crushed barbecue chips into dips and spreads like salsa, bean dip, cream cheese, guacamole or spinach dip.

Storage and Serving Tips

To maintain freshness and flavor with kettle cooked BBQ chips:

• Store unopened bags at room temperature in a cool, dry pantry.
• Check expiration dates and use within a couple months of purchase.
• Once opened, reseal bags tightly and consume within 1-2 days.
• Avoid storing chips in humid environments which leads to staleness.
• Serve chips in a bowl or on a platter rather than directly from the bag.
• Consider baking chips for 2-3 minutes to recrisp if they lose crunch over time.

With proper storage, kettle cooked BBQ chips retain their signature crispness and zesty flavor. Their spices hold up better over time than plain salted chips.

Risks and Downsides of Barbecue Flavored Kettle Chips

While undeniably tasty, kettle cooked BBQ chips come with some cautions to keep in mind:

• High in calories, fat, carbs and sodium.
• Frequent or excessive consumption may contribute to weight gain and associated health risks.
• Oils, seasonings and preservatives may cause stomach upset in sensitive individuals.
• Spices like paprika and chili powder could trigger heartburn, especially in large amounts.
• Some brands use artificial flavors and MSG, which certain people aim to avoid.
• Can be easy to overeat due to crunchy texture and robust seasoning.

Those watching their weight or sodium intake should enjoy barbecue chips in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Have a small serving alongside other nutritious foods.

Finding the Healthiest Barbecue Chip Options

When choosing kettle cooked BBQ chips, go for versions with:

• Minimal ingredients
• No artificial flavors, colors or MSG
• No or low saturated fat
• Lower sodium ranges
• Real smoked paprika for flavor instead of liquid smoke
• No preservatives like BHT, BHA or citric acid
• Healthy oils like olive, coconut or avocado oil

Shake the bag before opening to redistribute seasonings stuck to the chips. And control portions to avoid overdoing it on the spices, salt, fat and carbs.

Enjoying Kettle Cooked BBQ Chips in Moderation

When snacking on these addictively seasoned chips, keep portions in check. Slow down your eating pace to appreciate the flavors. And balance indulgent chips with more wholesome foods and beverages, like:

• Vegetables and hummus
• Fresh fruit
• Yogurt
• Granola bars
• Mixed nuts
• Water or seltzer

Kettle cooked BBQ chips can satisfy snack cravings when eaten mindfully and in moderation alongside nutritious choices.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.