Bottom Line: Tim’s Special Batch Cajun Chips may not be high on the heat scale, but they are well-seasoned and will please lovers of Cajun spice.
Tim’s is at it again. That company specializes in “Cascade Style” (kettle-cooked) chips and puts out “special batches” on a regular basis, the most recent of which (Batch 504) will please lovers of Cajun Spice. Why is that, you ask? Because this batch of chips is loaded with Cajun spice!
As you bite into one of these, you will be met with a burst of Cajun seasoning, though not to the point that the spices overpower the chip. They remind of Zapp’s Spicy Cajun Crawtators with maybe a touch of sweetness thrown in as well and noticeably more seasoning. They are not too salty and have a bit of richness and a hint of smokiness about them that really makes the flavors stand out. The chips themselves are pretty thick and deliver quite a crunch, and that lends to the overall appeal of munching on them.
While heavy in seasoning, that does not necessarily translate to heat. I would put these somewhere between Mild and Medium hot, probably leaning towards the latter. But a swift kick of heat is not necessarily needed in this case. They deliver a good, bold taste and the heat that follows is a nice way to finish off each bite. These may not set your mouth on fire, but they will definitely tantalize your taste buds, especially if you are a fan of Cajun seasoning (and I certainly am).
Tim’s Cascade Snacks got its start in 1986 making kettle-cooked chips, and in subsequent years it acquired Hawaiian Brand Kettle Chips and Erin’s Gourmet Popcorn. But the little guy gobbling up the littler guys eventually got gobbled up himself as Tim’s is now owned by East Coast snack giant Utz, though the company still makes its chips in Washington State.
The special batches are limited runs, and once they have sold out you are out of luck. (Have they really done 503 special batches before this 504th, or do they include rejects in that count?) Hopefully, though, sales of this particular flavor will convince Tim’s to add it to the permanent list, because these are some of the best Cajun chips I have had. I found them at World Market and you may also come across them in gourmet foods stores. And if the Cajun chips do disappear, Tim’s has a pretty good alternative with its Jalapeno chips which are available year-round (read more about those here).
Tale of the Tape:
Ingredients: Potatoes, corn oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, and/or canola oil, dextrose, maltodextrin, salt, spices, paprika (color), onion powder, torula yeast, garlic powder, natural hickory smoke flavor, extractives of paprika (color), natural and artificial flavors
Serving Size: 28g (About 17 Chips)
Calories: 150
Fat: 8g (1g Sat/0g Trans)
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 17g
Sodium: 190mg