There are many delicious things that can be added on top of chips to enhance their flavor and turn them into a more substantial snack or meal. Chips on their own are tasty, but when paired with dips, cheeses, meats, and veggies, they become an appetizing and satisfying dish. In this article, we will explore the wide variety of toppings that can be used on chips and recommend top pairings and serving ideas to create crave-worthy chip platters and recipes.
Salsas and Dips
Salsas and dips are classic chip toppings that add a tangy, spicy, or creamy element when spooned or drizzled over a crunchy, salty chip. Popular salsa varieties like tomato salsa, salsa verde, fruit salsa, and corn salsa complement both corn and potato chips. Some delicious dips for chips include guacamole, queso, bean dip, French onion dip, spinach artichoke dip, and hummus.
When pairing chips with salsas or dips, it’s best to use sturdier chips that can hold up to thicker, heavier toppings without breaking. Corn chips, potato chips, pita chips, and veggie chips all make great vessels for robust dips. Sturdier potato chips can also stand up to chunkier salsas. Serve salsa or dip in a bowl alongside the chips for dipping or spoon the topping directly onto each chip for a fabulous flavor and texture combo.
Recommended Chip and Dip Pairings
| Chips | Recommended Dips |
|---|---|
| Corn tortilla chips | Guacamole, salsa, queso, bean dip |
| Potato chips | French onion dip, spinach artichoke dip, salsa |
| Pita chips | Hummus, baba ganoush |
| Veggie chips | Guacamole, hummus, Greek yogurt ranch dip |
Cheese and Meat
For a savory, protein-packed chip topping, cheese and cured or cooked meats are delicious options. Some classic pairings include cheese varieties like cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, and cheese sauce paired with bacon bits, pulled pork, chorizo, sausage, deli meats, and more. The saltiness of the meat complements the rich, fatty flavors of melted cheese.
When topping chips with cheese or meat, bake the chips and toppings together so the cheese becomes melted and gooey. Soft corn tortilla chips and thicker potato chips hold up well when baked or broiled with melty cheese. Pair flavor profiles that complement each other, like sharp cheddar cheese with smoky bacon or Monterey jack cheese with spicy chorizo.
Recommended Chip and Meat/Cheese Pairings
| Chips | Recommended Meat/Cheese Toppings |
|---|---|
| Corn chips | Queso, shredded Mexican cheese blend, taco meat |
| Potato chips | Shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, pulled pork |
| Pita chips | Crumbled feta, pepperoni |
| Veggie chips | Shredded Swiss, deli turkey |
Fresh Vegetables
For a lighter, fresher topping for chips, try an assortment of raw veggies. Crisp, fresh vegetables add crunch and moisture to chips while also providing more nutrients. Some great veggie toppings include salsa ingredients like chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and cilantro. Thinly slice or dice other fresh vegetables like bell peppers, radishes, cucumbers, and carrots to top chips.
Use a slotted spoon or strain the excess liquid from vegetables like tomatoes to keep chip toppings from getting soggy. Aim for crisp, fresh vegetable textures that complement the crunch of the underlying chips. Lemon or lime juice is a great way to drizzle over and enhance the fresh flavors of vegetable chip toppings.
Recommended Chip and Vegetable Pairings
| Chips | Recommended Vegetable Toppings |
|---|---|
| Corn chips | Chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro |
| Potato chips | Shredded lettuce, diced bell peppers |
| Pita chips | Chopped cucumbers, radish slices |
| Veggie chips | Bean sprouts, grated carrot |
Sweet Treats
For those with a sweet tooth, there are also many delicious sweet topping options that can turn chips into dessert. Chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, and fruits transform salty chips into a sweet and salty treat. Drizzle melted chocolate or caramel over chips and top with crushed candy pieces or nuts. Lightly sweetened whipped cream also pairs nicely with chips.
Fruits like sliced bananas, strawberries, and mandarin oranges make refreshing chip toppings. For baked chips, sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar or maple syrup before baking for candied chips. Dried fruits like coconut, raisins, and cranberries also add sweetness and texture. Party crackers coated in chocolate or icing take snacking up another notch.
Recommended Chip and Sweet Topping Pairings
| Chips | Recommended Sweet Toppings |
|---|---|
| Potato chips | Melted chocolate, chopped nuts, coconut |
| Corn chips | Caramel, cinnamon sugar, sliced bananas |
| Pita chips | Nutella, dried cranberries |
| Crackers | Chocolate icing, sprinkles |
Seasonings and Spices
A quick and easy way to spice up chips is by seasoning them with spices and dry seasoning mixes. Salt and pepper are classic options, but there are so many more flavors to experiment with. Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, curry powder, and cayenne add heat. Italian herbs, lemon pepper, ranch seasoning, and taco seasoning lend signature flavor profiles.
Rather than just a light seasoning, make thick coats of spices and herbs adhere to chips by spritzing them lightly with olive or coconut oil first. Toss chips with seasoning mixes to evenly coat. Give sweet potato chips a savory twist with spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Sprinkle lime juice over tortilla chips and dust with chili powder and salt. The possibilities are endless!
Recommended Chip and Seasoning Pairings
| Chips | Recommended Seasonings |
|---|---|
| Potato chips | Smoked paprika, garlic powder, ranch seasoning |
| Corn chips | Chili powder, lime juice, cumin |
| Pita chips | Za’atar spice, Italian herb blend |
| Veggie chips | Curry powder, lemon pepper |
Homemade and Store-Bought Toppings
While it’s easy to top chips with ingredients you already have on hand, there are also many store-bought topping options that require minimal preparation. Marinara sauce, pesto, olive tapenade, and chimichurri sauce all make flavorful, ready-to-use chip toppers. Pre-made dips like spinach artichoke dip, crab dip, and Buffalo chicken dip can simply be spooned onto chips.
Look for refrigerated fresh salsas and pico de gallo for a quick topping full of restaurant-quality flavor. Pre-cooked bacon pieces, deli meats, and shredded cheeses are convenient for loading chips down with delicious proteins and cheese. Dessert toppings like chocolate sauce, honey, jams, and nut butters make snacking on something sweet simple.
Convenient Store-Bought Toppings for Chips
| Type of Topping | Store-Bought Options |
|---|---|
| Sauces | Pesto, olive tapenade, marinara, chimichurri |
| Dips | Pre-made artichoke, crab, Buffalo chicken dips |
| Cheese | Shredded Mexican cheese blend, queso |
| Meats | Pre-cooked bacon pieces, deli meats |
| Sweets | Chocolate sauce, honey, jams, nut butters |
Get Creative with Chip Toppings
The possibilities are endless when brainstorming delicious toppings to make basic chips irresistible. Try out flavor combinations that intrigue your tastebuds. Mix and match categories like cheese with meat or vegetables with seasonings. Consider convection oven or air fryer cooking methods to make chip toppings warm and melted. Arrange colorful ingredient toppings in eye-catching ways on serving platters.
Think beyond pre-made dips and explore unique options like olive tapenade, chimichurri sauce, or Lebanese garlic sauce. For dessert chips, drizzle artfully with chocolate ganache, caramel, honey, or fruit glazes. Infuse oils or sprinkle on spice blends to give store-bought potato chips or crackers a gourmet taste. With the right toppings, humble chips become an exciting treat!
Serving Ideas for Topped Chips
Once you’ve decided on delicious chip toppings, how you serve and present them makes a difference too. For parties or game day entertaining, set up a chips and toppings bar so guests can customize their plates. Offer a variety of chips and an assortment of pre-portioned topping options in serving bowls or jars. Provide small plates and napkins so people can easily bring their creations back to their seats.
For casual family snacking, divide chip flavors and toppings in personalized portions on large shared plates or in paper cones. Let everyone assemble their own sampler with their favorite ingredients. For special occasions, take time to artfully arrange toppings and garnishes on chips. Valentine’s Day chips with strawberries and chocolate or Christmas chips with peppermint and white chocolate are festive touches.
Simple servings like bread bowl dippers with chips surrounding a tasty dip or slider-style “loaded” chips make easy individual snacks or appetizers. Baked chips with melted cheese and meat are perfect on their own for a quick lunch or dinner. However you serve them, customized chip toppings take snacking from boring to beautiful!
Choosing Chips for Topping
With the huge variety of chips on the market, how do you select the best options for topping? Sturdiness is an important factor, as delicate chips may break under heavy dips or baked toppings. Chips with greater surface area, thickness, and structural integrity stand up best to hefty toppings. Wavy chips or chips with folds are great for scooping dips.
Crunch and chip texture is also important. Ruffled, kettle-style chips provide satisfying crunch while crisp crackers serve as edible canvases for creative toppings. The flavor of the chips themselves provides the base for other ingredients. Go for plain chips that complement toppings or choose flavored chips that enhance them.
Health-conscious consumers will also want to pay attention to chip nutrition. Vegetable-based chips and sprouted grain options offer more nutrients. But don’t forget to check portion sizes, as chips can add up calorically. Most importantly, pick chips you love and enjoy creating flavorful topping combinations!
Best Bets for Topped Chips
| Chip Type | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Thick-cut potato chips | Sturdy, can hold weight of toppings |
| Kettle-cooked chips | Thicker chips with hearty potato crunch |
| Restaurant-style tortilla chips | Wide shape and scoop-ability for dipping |
| Crackers and flatbreads | Crisp, sturdy base for spreading toppings |
Choosing Toppings for Chips
Just as important as the base chips is choosing complementary toppings. Great toppings enhance the flavor of chips without overpowering them. They add interest, flavor, and texture. Toppings may be creamy, crunchy, chewy, sweet, or savory.
Good chip toppings have vibrant colors to make snack platters visually appealing. They should also taste great when eaten together with the underlying chips. Sauces and dips should have a nice thick consistency that adheres to chips without dripping. Items like fruits and veggies provide freshness and nutrition.
When selecting store-bought toppings like salsas and dips, choose options without a lot of unnatural additives or preservatives. Prioritize fresh, quality ingredients for the tastiest toppings. Shop the perimeter of stores for fresh produce, meat, and cheese options with smart pairings in mind. With the right mix of toppings, even the most basic chips become a party!
Healthy Chips and Toppings
While chips and rich, flavorful toppings taste great, they can also pile on calories, fat, and sodium if you aren’t careful. Thankfully there are smart ways to keep your chip toppings relatively healthy. Start with low-fat whole grain crackers, popcorn, or vegetable-based chips to cut calories.
Choose Greek yogurt-based dips over sour cream dips, and use just a tablespoon or two of topping instead of smothering chips. Load chips up with veggie toppings like tomatoes, peppers, onions, and avocado instead of just meat and cheese. Oil-based dressings and dips can be swapped for lighter citrus juice spritzes.
Another trick is to pile all the tasty toppings you love on top of a big chopped salad instead of chips. You’ll get the flavors and crunch without overloading on carbs or fat. However you do it, enjoy the fun flavors and textures of adding mix-ins to chips and snacks, even as part of a healthy diet!
Conclusion
Tasty chip toppings open up an entire world of possibilities when it comes to snacking. With a little creativity and the right flavor combinations, lackluster chips become crave-worthy party snacks perfect for game day or anytime. Dip into salsas and guacamole for Mexican flair. Top with melted cheese and bacon for pure comfort. Add fresh vegetables for a dose of nutrients. Sweeten things up with chocolate, caramel, or fruits. Or simply shake on seasonings for instant flavor.
There are endless delectable options for customizing potato chips, tortilla chips, crackers, and more with delicious toppings. Turn snacking into an adventure by trying out fun new flavor pairings and arrangements. Make it a shared social experience by letting everyone dress up their chips just the way they like them. And don’t be afraid to also enjoy topped chips as part of a healthy lifestyle in moderation. However you top them off, chips plus toppings equal snacking satisfaction!