Who are these options relevant to?

Students who mainly focus on fat

You’re looking for something crunchy to snack on while studying, and you don’t mind swapping a tortilla chip for an oven-baked potato crisp.

Tortilla chip fans

You want corn chips for a dip or nachos and want to compare different packs on a like-for-like basis before choosing.

Snack planners who prepare ahead

You have time to make tortilla chips yourself and want to choose how they’re prepared and how much you make.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you specifically want tortilla chips or would also consider potato crisps. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g; check the portion size separately when deciding how much you want to eat while studying.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fat content Check the amount of fat per 100 g and see which type of crisp any lower-fat claim refers to. I mainly want to keep an eye on fat and would choose potato crisps for that reason too. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Full nutritional information Compare energy, fat, saturated fat and salt per 100 g on the pack. I don’t want to focus on just one nutritional value for my study snack. Around 30% of consumers say they prioritise this broader label comparison.
Tortilla chips as a product type Check the product description and ingredients if you’re looking for corn chips for a dip or nachos. I want tortilla chips and don’t consider a potato crisp the same kind of snack. This is the most important condition for around 20% of consumers.
Making them yourself Check whether you have the time, an oven and suitable tortillas; assess the nutritional information for the ingredients you use and any dips separately. I’d rather make them in advance so I can choose how they’re prepared and how much I make. This option matters most to around 10% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a lower-fat potato crisp is the same as a tortilla chip

    Lay’s Oven Baked Naturel is a potato crisp. It won’t necessarily give you the corn base or product type you’re looking for in a tortilla chip.

    Decide whether tortilla chips are a must before comparing products. If they are, compare products within that category.

  • Choosing based only on the front of the pack

    A statement about fat doesn’t tell you how much energy, saturated fat or salt the product contains.

    Read the nutrition table per 100 g and decide which values matter most for your purchase.

  • Comparing portions from different brands directly

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers set their own portion sizes. This means that values per portion aren’t always a good basis for comparing products.

    Compare products per 100 g first, then use the portion information to decide how much you want to eat.

  • Assuming a product is lower in fat without checking the pack

    The product name or shop category alone won’t tell you how much fat a particular variety contains.

    Check the current nutritional information on the pack of the variety you’re buying, even if you also want to check the ingredients or allergens.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Its own-brand tortilla chips provide a useful label to compare with other tortilla chips.

  • Albert Heijn lists 20 g of fat, 0.9 g of salt and 470 kcal per 100 g for AH Tortilla chips naturel.
  • These values are for the plain variety; they don’t show that it’s a lower-fat tortilla chip.

Lay’s

Lay’s Oven Baked Naturel is a potato crisp option for anyone who isn’t set on tortilla chips.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variety has 50% less fat than standard potato crisps; Jumbo lists 13 g of fat per 100 g.
  • The claim compares potato crisps with potato crisps, not with tortilla chips.

Doritos

Doritos is a tortilla chip brand to consider if the product type matters to you.

  • Jumbo lists 22 g of fat, 1.1 g of salt and 477 kcal per 100 g for Doritos Cool American.
  • These values are for Cool American and don’t tell you the fat content of other Doritos varieties.

Mission

Mission features tortilla chips in its international product range.

  • The product range may be a useful starting point if you’re specifically looking for tortilla chips.
  • For a purchase in the Netherlands, check the relevant variety, nutritional information and availability; the brand name doesn’t confirm that a lower-fat variety is available.

Oven-baked crisps on Joybuy

These oven-baked crisps are options if you’re also considering potato crisps for a ready-to-eat study snack. They aren’t a like-for-like replacement for tortilla chips, so check the current nutritional information on the pack before choosing based on fat content.

Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt, 125 g pack

Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt 125 g

For anyone who wants ready-to-eat oven-baked crisps in Sea Salt flavour while studying. Check the label if you want to compare the fat and salt content with tortilla chips.

View at Joybuy
Lay's Oven Baked Natural, 150 g pack

Lay’s Oven Baked Natural 150 g

For anyone considering a ready-to-eat oven-baked crisp instead of tortilla chips. Check the nutritional information on the current pack if you want to compare energy, fat and salt.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare tortilla chips with crisps labelled ‘lower fat’?

Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and first check that you’re comparing the same type of crisp. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis because manufacturers may use different portion sizes; also check the values for energy, saturated fat and salt.

Are oven-baked potato crisps the same as lower-fat tortilla chips?

No, potato crisps and tortilla chips are different products. According to Albert Heijn, the 50% less fat claim for Lay’s Oven Baked Naturel compares these potato crisps with standard potato crisps, not tortilla chips.

Is lower fat enough to judge a snack for studying?

No, fat content is just one part of the nutritional information. Check energy, saturated fat and salt per 100 g too, and consider how much you eat.

How should I store opened crisps until my next study session?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. For AH Tortilla chips naturel, Albert Heijn recommends sealing the pack tightly; the product information for Lay’s Oven Baked Naturel says to store in a cool, dry place.