Best Tortilla Chips

Best corn chips for snacking, recipes and dipping

In comparison reviews, Tostitos earns top marks more often than any other brand. Two varieties -- Natural Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips (*Est. $3 for 9.5 ounces) and White Corn Restaurant Style Chips (*Est. $3 for 9.5 ounces) -- vie for top chip in the Tostitos lineup. Reviews say that both corn chips are non-greasy, crisp and substantial enough to hold up to even the chunkiest salsas and gooiest dips, but some reviewers find the Natural Yellow variety too large for dipping (they're a bit too big to be called bite-size) and recommend them as a base for nachos. Tostitos White Corn Restaurant Style Chips are said to be a little smaller and slightly lighter in texture. Reviews say that both chips are packed with corn flavor.

Tostitos' cup-like Scoops (*Est. $3.50 for 10 ounces) also fare well in reviews, which say that they rarely break when filled with salsa, and that they're crunchy with good corn flavor. Some reviewers, however, think they're under-salted, and a few dislike their scalloped shape, which can make it awkward to load them with dip.

Although they aren't top-rated as often as Tostitos Natural, and they may be harder to find, Santitas Tortilla Chips (*est. $3 for 16 ounces), have "good corn flavor and a liberal salting," according to the Hartford Courant. Eating Well says they pack a great crunch, and other reviewers like them as well.

If you are looking for something with less calories and fat than regular tortilla chips, we found more mixed reviews. Although they haven't been included in many comparison reviews, Tostitos Light Restaurant Style Chips (*Est. $3.50 for 6.75 ounces), which contain just 1 gram of fat per serving, are "REALLY tempting to eat," according to a reviewer on Calorista.com. This view is supported by a user-produced video review at ExpoTV.com, which notes that the chips are gluten-free, taste great, and are lower in fat than the lesser-regarded baked Tostitos. "They taste like a real chip," according to the reviewer. Tostitos Light are made with Olestra, a fat substitute that passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed. Although products containing Olestra are no longer required to carry a warning label that they may cause digestive trouble, consumer groups say that consuming Olestra may result in cramping and other minor gastrointestinal effects. If you've tried Olestra and have avoided such problems, Tostitos Light may be the perfect "light" chip for you.

You might assume that multigrain tortilla chips would contain less fat and fewer calories than regular tortilla chips, but you'd be wrong, at least when it comes to Tostitos Multigrain (*Est. $4 for 9 ounces), which are made using oat, buckwheat and whole-wheat flours, in addition to corn. According to Frito-Lay, manufacturer of Tostitos, the multigrain chips actually contain slightly more salt and fat than Tostitos' Restaurant Style Chips. They are also more expensive than regular Tostitos. Reviews say that the multigrain chips have a tender bite and a pleasant flavor, but that if you buy them, you should do so because you like the taste, not because of any perceived health advantage.

Although we found no credible comparative reviews of flavored tortilla chips, we did read more than 20 enthusiastic recommendations for El Sabroso Original Salsitas (*Est. $2.50 for 12 ounces), whose tagline is, "No need for salsa at this party!" These chips are made with real tomatoes, onions, garlic, jalapeno and avocados, which reviewers say gives them a vibrant flavor.