Who is this choice for?

If lower fat is your priority

You mainly want to compare crisps by their fat content for an evening in front of the TV, and you’re happy to switch from tortilla chips to a different type of crisp.

If you want to dip or make nachos

You’re looking for tortilla chips to serve with a dip or use in a cheesy dish. Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe their plain varieties as suitable for dipping; also compare the nutritional information and the portion you plan to have.

If you read labels carefully

Before sharing a bag, you want to know which ingredients, allergen warnings and salt levels are listed on the current packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

Stick with tortilla chips

Choose this if: you’re looking for tortilla chips to serve with a dip or use in nachos; Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe their plain varieties as suitable for dipping.

The trade-off: their plain varieties list 20 g and 22,2 g of fat per 100 g respectively, so don’t assume they’re proven to be lower-fat tortilla chips.

Choose a different, lower-fat type of crisp

Choose this if: fat content matters more to you than the tortilla shape. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s lower-fat crisp ranges also include other types of crisps.

The trade-off: don’t assume they’ll work in the same way with dips or nachos; compare your chosen product with tortilla chips using the values per 100 g.

If you’d like a lighter snack for an evening in front of the TV, it helps to choose one main priority: fat content, using the crisps as tortilla chips, or the information on the label.

What to consider What to check before buying Best suited to
Fat content Compare fat per 100 g and work out how much that means for the amount you plan to eat. Also check whether you’re looking at tortilla chips or another type of crisp. If I mainly want to eat less fat, fat content should matter more than the shape of the crisp. Around 46% of consumers make this their priority.
For dips or nachos Check whether the product is described as a tortilla chip for dipping or nachos, and decide on your portion. For an evening in front of the TV with dip or nachos, my first choice would be tortilla chips made for that purpose. This is the priority for around 36% of consumers.
Label Check the current ingredients, allergen warnings and salt content per 100 g. When I put crisps out for other people, I want to check what’s in them and which warnings apply. Label checks are the priority for around 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming corn means lower fat

    A corn-based tortilla chip isn’t necessarily a lower-fat crisp. Albert Heijn and Doritos list 20 g of fat per 100 g for their plain tortilla chips; Jumbo lists 22,2 g for its plain variety.

    Compare the fat content per 100 g of the specific bags you’re considering, rather than relying on the product name.

  • Assuming any lower-fat crisp will work for nachos

    Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s lower-fat crisp ranges also include crisps that aren’t tortilla chips. A lower fat content alone doesn’t tell you whether they’re suitable for dips or nachos.

    Before choosing, decide whether fat content or the tortilla shape matters more for your evening in front of the TV.

  • Focusing only on fat and skipping the label

    The product information for Doritos Naturel mentions the possible presence of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. Ingredients and salt levels may also influence your choice.

    Check the current ingredients and allergen information, and compare the nutritional information on the packaging.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

A supermarket own-brand variety of plain tortilla chips, which Albert Heijn also describes as suitable for dipping or serving with cheese.

  • AH Tortilla chips naturel lists 20 g of fat and 0,9 g of salt per 100 g, with a 25 g serving size.
  • The listing for this variety also mentions the possible presence of soya. Its fat content doesn’t prove that it’s a lower-fat product.

Jumbo

A supermarket own-brand variety of plain tortilla chips, which Jumbo describes as suitable for dipping.

  • Jumbo Tortilla Chips Naturel 300 g lists 22,2 g of fat and 0,90 g of salt per 100 g, with a 30 g serving size.
  • These are regular tortilla chips, so compare the fat content before setting them alongside lower-fat crisps.

Doritos

A plain tortilla chip variety for anyone looking for a corn chip to serve with a dip or use in nachos.

  • The Albert Heijn listing for Doritos Naturel gives 20 g of fat and 0,71 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The same listing warns of the possible presence of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. Check the current packaging if this information is relevant to you.

SUN SNACKS

ALDI includes SUN SNACKS Tortillachips in a 300 g bag in its crisp range.

  • Check the nutritional information on the packaging of this specific bag before drawing conclusions about its fat content.

Crisps for the lower-fat option

These Joybuy products are oven-baked potato crisps for anyone considering a different type of crisp from tortilla chips for an evening in front of the TV. Compare their current nutritional information per 100 g before choosing.

Lay's Oven Baked Natural, 150 g bag

Lay's Oven Baked Natural, 150 g

For anyone considering a potato crisp instead of a tortilla chip for an evening in front of the TV. The bag contains 150 g; don’t assume it will work in the same way as tortilla chips for dips or nachos.

View at Joybuy
Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt, 125 g bag

Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt, 125 g

For anyone wanting to compare a potato crisp with tortilla chips for an evening in front of the TV. The bag contains 125 g; check the current packaging for nutritional values, serving size and allergen information.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are lower-fat crisps automatically a better choice for an evening in front of the TV?

No. A claim about fat alone doesn’t tell you whether the crisps suit what you want to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that the calorie difference between light crisps and regular crisps can be small, so compare the nutritional information and the amount you plan to have, too. If you want to serve a dip or make nachos, also check the type of product.

How do I compare tortilla chips with another type of crisp?

First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then work out what they mean for your portion. If you’re comparing Nutri-Scores, use them for products of the same type, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises. A score won’t tell you whether a different type of crisp will work in the same way with dips or nachos.

Is the front of the bag enough to check for allergens?

No, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of clear allergen information on pre-packed foods; also look out for warnings about possible traces.

How should I store tortilla chips once they’re open?

Seal the bag tightly and follow the storage instructions on the specific packaging. That way, you can also check the product’s shelf-life information before your next evening in front of the TV.