The Best Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips: Our Taste Test Results

The Best Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips
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In a quest for snack perfection, our editors conducted a taste test to find the best kettle-cooked, original flavored potato chips. Whether you're serving them with dip or just eating them straight from the bag in your sweatpants, our ratings should help you find just what you're looking for.

Before you read the reviews, keep in mind that this taste test strictly covers kettle-style chips. Kettle-style is defined as cooking chips in small batches at a relatively low temperature, stirring continuously to prevent the chips from sticking together. The chips are typically a little thicker and crunchier than traditionally fried potato chips, and have been surging in popularity as of late.

We tested 16 types, seeking the best combination of saltiness, crunch and flavor. Here's how they ranked.

As always, our taste tests are in no way influenced by or sponsored by the brands included.

Potato Chip Taste Test
#1: Lay's(01 of15)
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Kettle Cooked OriginalComments: "Perfect amount of crunch." "Good standard example." "Thick and crunchy, with good flavor." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
#2: Cape Cod(02 of15)
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Kettle Cooked Potato Chips: 40% Reduced Fat, OriginalComments: "Good crunch, but it's lacking that fatty flavor." "Very potatoey." "Crunchy and satisfying." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
#3: Laurel Hill(03 of15)
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Kettle Cooked Potato Chips: Sea SaltComments: "Great crunch factor." "The taste gets better as you chew." "Slightly bitter aftertaste." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Tied For #4: Herr's Natural(04 of15)
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Kettle Cooked Potato Chips: Sea SaltComments: "Perfect amount of salt ... these are addictive." "Too thin for kettle chips." "Middle of the pack." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Tied For #4: Herr's(05 of15)
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Ripple Kettle Cooked Potato ChipsComments: "Not that interesting, but generally good." "Oooh, Ruffles!" "Good taste and flavor." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Tied For #6: Utz Natural(06 of15)
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Gourmet Medley Kettle Cooked Potato ChipsComments: "Sweet potato is oddly sweet." "I like the grease and the different flavored chips." "Bland but crispy." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Tied For #6: Trader Joe's(07 of15)
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Kettle Cooked Olive Oil Potato ChipsComments: "There's definitely an addictive quality to these." OMG, tastes like Cheetos!" "Good flavor ... is it peanut oil?" (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Tied For #8: Kettle Brand Potato Chips(08 of15)
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Sea SaltComments: "Tastes way too fried and salty." "Needs more salt." "There's a touch of sweetness in these." "Shatters like glass." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Tied For #8: Shop Rite(09 of15)
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Kettle Potato Chips: OriginalComments: "Tastes a little funny, but I don't know why." "Shatters nicely, but I can't put my finger on the flavor." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Tied For #8: Lieber's(10 of15)
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Kettle Cooked Potato Chips: OriginalComments: "Reminds me of a super salty Pringle." "VERY salty." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Tied For #11: Utz(11 of15)
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Kettle Classics: Gourmet Dark RussetComments: "Tastes like burned chips, which I love!" "Burnt flavor ... ugh." "These taste like burned fries." "Like the flavor and near-burned-ness." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Tied For #11: Deep River(12 of15)
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Original Salted Kettle Cooked Potato ChipsComments: "Super crunchy, but bland." "Tastes too much like a dry baked potato." "Good crunch, not enough flavor." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
#13: Herr's Kettle Cooked(13 of15)
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Kettle Cooked Potato ChipsComments: "These just taste like regular chips." "I want a tad more salt, but generally solid." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
#14: Utz Natural(14 of15)
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Lightly Salted Kettle CookedComments: "Neutral." "Pretty standard." "I'm picking up an unusual flavor ..." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
#15: Cape Cod(15 of15)
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Kettle Cooked Potato Chips: OriginalComments: "Taste slightly like raw potato." "Tastes like seaweed?" "Actually tastes like Cape Cod." (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

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