It's fair to say that we’re a country obsessed with snacking. From biscuits and chocolate to crisps, we have a huge selection at practically any shop that sells food. That said, in our eyes, one of the most underrated snacks around is the humble tortilla chip. These offer a different take on the classic crisp and come in a range of flavours. Plus, they're better vessels for your favourite dip recipe or with cheese for nachos!
In the name of all things tasty, we’re here to quickly guide you through what to think about before you pick your chips, whether you want the best thick tortillas for nachos, a bag of simply salted or a healthy alternative. After this, we’ll show you our ten favourites that you can throw in your next online shop at Tesco, Asda or Waitrose. ¡Viva Tortilla!
Quick List - Top Tortilla Chips
mybest UK specialist Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.
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Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in assisting busy parents in improving their eating with ease and without overwhelm or to get them back on track so the whole family can benefit.
It'll be no surprise to anyone who knows a thing or two about snacks that the majority of the time, the main ingredient in tortilla chips is corn (maize) flour. It’s this that delivers the beloved crispy texture and toasty flavour. Not only that, but corn is low on the glycaemic index, making it better for those who experience a spike in blood sugars.
Nonetheless, this hasn’t stopped companies from expanding their horizons – wheat flour tortilla chips are another popular option. However, while these are higher in fibre, the change in ingredients does create a change in texture, with these being much flakier and generally lighter.
Other more recent iterations include chips made from bean and legume flours. All of these will be higher in protein and are, therefore, a good option for those looking to up their intake. Legumes are rich in fibre as well. Again, the texture will be different, as these are known to be a little grainy, but they can be really delicious and healthier, too.
Still feeling peckish? Why not take a look at some more gluten-free snacks!
The classic tortilla chip is made with maize flour, which means that it is naturally gluten-free, which is excellent news if you follow a gluten restricted diet. However, there are certainly healthier options to try when it comes to tortilla chips.
When it comes to tortilla chips, you can usually split the flavours into three main categories – spicy, salty and cheesy. Of course, most of us just pick what we like best, but on top of this, our advice would be to try and choose chips that will complement whatever else you’re eating.
If you’re having a couple of drinks at home with friends, for instance, then a classic salty or spicy option would be a good pair with the bitter taste of alcohol. Likewise, if you’re serving them as an appetiser or with other Mexican foods, salted and cheese are ideal as they'll make the other flavours pop. Some spicy tortillas can be on the hot side, so proceed with caution!
Nutritionally speaking, lots of these flavours can be in the form of additives and artificial flavours, so it’s essential to look at the ingredients and select an option that is free from all these harmful ingredients. Some tortilla chips can even have fresh flavouring, like real lime added, which would undoubtedly be the healthiest option.
We all know that snacking on deep-fried goods isn’t the best for our bodies. However, while they are normally fried, tortilla chips are a surprisingly good alternative to regular crisps as they’re generally lower in carbohydrates and salt.
It’s often the salt that gets people when it comes to potato crisps, with the average bag being around or above 1 gram per bag or serving. When you consider that the recommended daily intake for an adult is 2 grams, you’ll see that this is quite a large proportion of your allowance.
However, with tortilla chips, this can halve – some range between 0.5 and 0.8 grams of salt per serving. For our recommendations, we will inform you of the nutritional content of each product through fat, carbohydrates, protein and salt. From there, you'll need to make your own decision on which is best!
When it comes to crisps and chips, tortilla chips are definitely on the healthier end of the spectrum. But I still wouldn’t recommend consuming them regularly, as they still have a high content of unhealthy fats, low-quality carbohydrates, and salt.
Eating a diet high in salt can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones and kidney disease, and stomach cancer.
Lastly, if you have specific dietary requirements, you’ll want to make sure that your choice of tortilla chips accommodates this. Now, luckily for those gluten-avoiding folk, due to the main ingredient being corn, the majority of the time, tortilla chips are gluten-free.
Many options are also vegetarian and vegan-friendly. However, sometimes, particularly with the cheesy flavours, you may find that the manufacturers have used milk powder to create the flavour, meaning they’ll be off-limits for vegans. Never fear, though, as there are plenty of other flavours that don’t use this ingredient, and they still pack more than enough of a punch.
these days, there are more vegan snacks available than ever before!
Luckily, most tortilla chips are naturally gluten-free because they are made with maize flour. However, I would still advise doing your due diligence and reading the nutrition label to make sure.
And sometimes, dairy products will be added to the chips (such as with milk powder), so if you are vegan or eating a dairy-free diet, you still need to double-check when you’re selecting a bag.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Doritos Chilli Heatwave | ![]() | Spicy, Zingy and Highly Addictive | |
2 | Manomasa Manchego & Green Olive Sharing Corn Chips | ![]() | The Holy Grail in the Foodie World | |
3 | Gran Luchito Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips | ![]() | Inspired by Authentic Mexican Cooking Techniques | |
4 | Hippeas Chickpea Tortillas | ![]() | Chickpea Chips Proving Healthy Can Be Tasty | |
5 | Takis Fuego Hot Chili Pepper and Lime Tortilla Chips|Pack of 6 | ![]() | Turn the Heat up to 11 With These Mexican Classics | |
6 | Proper Chips Barbecue Lentil Chips | ![]() | A Vegan Friendly, Gluten-Free, Barbecue Flavoured Chip Made From Lentils | |
7 | Old El Paso Mexican Original Crunchy Nachips | ![]() | Low on Salt, Lightly Flavoured and Perfect for Dips | |
8 | Doritos Tangy Cheese | ![]() | The Original Ultra-Cheesy Tortillas | |
9 | Manomasa Chipotle & Lime Tortillas | ![]() | For Those Who Like Strong, Smoky Chipotle | |
10 | Mister Free'd Blue Tortilla Chips | ![]() | Authentic Blue Chips With a Couple of Unique Features |
Doritos Chilli Heatwave is an incredible tortilla snack, and in our humble opinion, the only reason they lose points is that they're not gluten-friendly. Other than that, they have a brilliant spicy (but not too spicy) zingy flavour that is highly addictive and works grand either on its own or with a dip.
They also bring that classic Doritos crunch that we've all grown to know and adore, with some fans even using them crushed up as a breaded coating! It might not be the most authentic choice, but we're sure that any tortilla chip aficionado's love for the snack started either with these or at least with something very similar.
Here, we have another option from the Manomasa range, and they're arguably the jewel in the brand's crown. We first want to mention the flavour combination, which is unique and fun, but most importantly tasty! The layered Mediterranean olives and tangy manchego cheese work in perfect harmony with one another.
In addition to that, they're also one of, if not the healthiest options in the ranking, making them something of a holy grail in the food world. They're going to be an experiment for many, but as far as we're concerned, it's something every foodie needs to try.
If you're looking for some classic light salted tortilla chips to have in the cupboard for any occasion, then these from Gran Luchito will be more than up for the task. Looking for something to dip in your new salsa, tick. Need a base for your nachos, tick. Fancy a crunchy topping, tick.
They're not the healthiest, nor the cheapest option in our ranking, but they do use an authentic and traditional Mexican cooking technique to produce their maize corn, which is inspirational and makes them taste amazing.
Sometimes, having only one flavour of crisps in the cupboard can be a little disappointing, which is why some clever soul invented variety packs. This tortilla chips bundle from Hippeas contains two or three of each of all the classic flavour groups – salted, spicy, cheese and the lesser-tried ranch.
As well as the exciting assortment of flavours, the tortilla chips also have a different main ingredient – chickpeas. Made with all-natural ingredients too, each pack will be a little healthier than traditional options and is higher in protein, too.
Takis aren't overly common on our shores. They're a Mexican classic, however, and popular in Europe too, which is a big shame because these bad boys pack one hell of a kick. The Fuego (fire) Hot Chili Pepper crisps aren't an instant tongue burner, but as you shovel them down, the heat begins to intensify with every bite.
Not only are they full of exceptional flavour and a satisfying crunch due to the rolled-up shape, but they also boast one of the lowest calorie counts per serving, so you can sneak in that extra crisp when pouring out your bowl. Unfortunately, due to their rarity, they are on the pricey side.
If you're looking for something with a smoky barbecue flavour without too much of a spicy kick, then these lentil chips are well worth trying out. They have a slightly puffier texture than corn but aren't so different as to be overly noticeable.
They are completely vegan friendly, gluten-free and made using all-natural seasonings. They're also noticeably lower in fat than many other chips and are only 94 calories per 20 g serving so make a great healthy snack on their own without dip!
Old El Paso might be better known for their Tex-Mex kits than their nachos, but if you were to stop and think about it, why couldn't they produce the goods? Thankfully, one of their higher-ups had already thought about this and decided to take the plunge.
Their nachips, a play on nacho chips in case you missed it, are low on salt and light on flavour, meaning they're ideal for pairing with dips and sauces as they won't overpower the other condiments. Plus, they're a unique round shape that helps with the dipping process.
Doritos Tangy Cheese is one of the archetypal tortilla chips. They'll get your tastebuds dancing with their rich flavour, and the texture is something that we will all no doubt recognise from childhood. Surprisingly, they have one of the lowest salt contents per serving, which is thankfully not reflected in the taste!
However, they're not the best for those with dietary requirements as there is both milk powder and wheat flour in the ingredients, meaning they're a little more limiting. Still, if you're looking for a full-bodied cheese extravaganza and you've no specific dietary needs, these are a classic.
These Manomasa tortilla crisps lean heavily on their chipotle flavouring, so there is plenty of strong, smoky chilli knocking about on each crisp. Furthermore, the pieces each have actual bits of chilli running through them, so they are guaranteed to appeal to those who like mouth-watering, spicy flavours.
Sadly, though, the lime is almost non-existent. In fact, to the point where one wouldn't know it was there unless you were looking for it. So, if you're looking for that contrast in taste that the packaging promises, then you'll be disappointed. But if you're a big chipotle fan, you'll like what's inside.
Made with simple, natural ingredients, these tortilla chips from Mister Free'd are a tasty pick for two reasons. Firstly, their 'Mexican' flavour incorporates a little black carrot root for a slightly sweeter taste, and secondly, they're made with ground blue corn which ensures you're getting something authentic-tasting.
Moreover, anyone can enjoy this pack of chips as they're completely vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. They're known to be particularly crunchy, which could be a positive or a negative depending on your snacking or dipping preferences.
Any time you consume carbohydrates, you are consuming something that that increases your blood sugar. As tortilla chips are mostly made from corn, however, they are far lower on the glycaemic index than other starchy foods.
No, not all tortilla chips are gluten-free but this is often due to flavourings rather than being a part of the tortilla chips themselves. Many tortilla chips are gluten-free, especially plain flavours, but it's always worth double-checking the list of ingredients if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
No. 1: Doritos|Chilli Heatwave
No. 2: Manomasa|Manchego & Green Olive Sharing Corn Chips
No. 3: Gran Luchito|Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips
No. 4: Hippeas|Chickpea Tortillas
No. 5: Takis|Fuego Hot Chili Pepper and Lime Tortilla Chips|Pack of 6
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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