I Asked 3 Chefs To Name the Best Barbecue Potato Chips, And They All Said the Same Brand

I am a snacker through and through. Cheesy snack, spicy snack, cinnamon-y snack—if you look through my pantry, you'll find a truly inclusive snackatorium. And while I don't discriminate when it comes to the shape, color, or flavor of my snacks, there are a few kinds of snacks that I rely on above all the rest—namely, potato chips.

I'm not sure about you, but I am a sucker for a sound, salty potato chip, whether it's plain or flavored. Lately, my recent potato chip flavor is barbecue. I love the sweet and smoky crunch of a barbecue chip; it pairs well with almost any sandwich and hits the spot when eaten on its own. I've tried surprisingly few brands of barbecue-flavored chips, relying on just two to get my fix.

Curious about what barbecue goodness I might be missing out on, I reached out to three culinary experts and asked them their favorite brand. To my surprise, it was one I had yet to taste.

The Barbecue Chip-Loving Chefs

• Shawna Clark: Recipe developer, cookbook author, and creator of Healthy Foodie Girl
• Yunus Emre Yildiz: Chef and founder of Rumbling Flame
• Kyle Taylor: Chef and founder of He Cooks

The Best Barbecue Chip

"Kettle Brand Backyard Barbeque Chips are the absolute gold standard for BBQ potato chips," says Taylor. The other two agree, with Clark adding, "Kettle's BBQ chips are definitely the best." I'm a big fan of the brand in general—I find the flavors to be supremely potent, and the texture of the chips to be extra crisp.

In terms of flavor, Yildiz notes that the Kettle brand's barbecue-flavored chips have a more natural, smoky flavor without any artificial aftertaste. "They really strike the right balance between sweetness and smokiness," Yildiz adds. "Other brands can be overly sweet. Not these. Kettles are bold but not overpowering."

Clark continues on the non-artificial front: "These have a BBQ flavor that tastes real and not too salty or fake, because they use simple, natural ingredients." I mean, say no more!

When it comes to texture, Taylor explains that the kettle-cooking process creates chips that are thick enough to hold serious barbecue seasoning without breaking. Explaining "they still have that satisfying crunch and genuine BBQ taste." Yildiz agrees: "Unlike other thin or greasy BBQ chips, these are thicker, crunchier, and feel more satisfying to eat."

While I don't doubt that you'll join me in housing these by the handful, the experts had a few pro tips to share when it comes to getting creative with barbecue potato chips in the kitchen. "Try using them for loaded nachos or crushed on top of mac and cheese before baking," suggests Taylor. "The BBQ flavor adds depth that regular chips can't match."

Yildiz offers them as a coating for baked chicken or with a creamy dip: "These Kettle chips are more than just a side snack—they can actually elevate a dish."