Spicy Snack Roundup: Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Hot ‘n’ Spicy Crisps, Boulder Canyon Hot Honey Chips, Good Crisp Company Crinkle Cut Jalapeno Chips

How many different types of potato chips are out there? Let me count the varieties…

And even if you just look at the spicy options, there are quite a lot to choose from. In my latest roundup, I found several interesting flavors, including two that lean to the healthy side as well as an international chip. Here is my rundown on these spicy snacks:

The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Hot ‘n’ Spicy Crisps: These come from across the pond, and they are referred to as “crisps” in Jolly Old England. They have some hot sauce tang, but not to the point that they deliver too much pucker. Then they have a little bit of sweetness that provides a good balance, followed by a peppery kick that gives them some boldness. They also have a good crunch to them, similar to Ruffles, but since they were imported, quite a few of them got crushed up. Still, they make for a pretty good and spicy chip.

They don’t seem too hot at first, and you don’t really expect spicy from the British. But they build up after a few bites and actually go beyond Medium on my scale. This is definitely a good flavor and one that I will buy again when the opportunity presents itself. I found them at Goodwoods British Market in Old Town Spring just north of Houston, TX, and I believe I paid around four bucks for the bag. If you have a British or international store near you, you may want to see if they carry these.

Boulder Canyon Mike’s Hot Honey Kettle Chips: Yet another company that has partnered with the ubiquitous Mike’s, these do a good job satisfying your “swicy” (sweet and spicy) cravings. The honey flavor is rather intense, but it does not overwhelm or get too cloying; it just delivers a nice bit of sweetness. That is balanced by the saltiness, which offers a good combination with the sweet. Then you get that kick of heat, which takes the chip to that next level, and everything comes together for a tasty snack item.

This one does deliver some heat as well, though it does not set your mouth on fire. I would put it a little above Mild on my scale, and they leave a good tingle in the mouth. And as a plus, these lean to the healthy side, as you can see below from the sparse list of ingredients that contains few words you cannot pronounce. I found these at Sprouts, and they should be available from other grocers that carry the Boulder Canyon line.

The Good Crisp Company Crinkle Cut Jalapeno Chips: This is another chip that verges on the healthy side, and these have an intense taste with a peppery kick and good jalapeno flavor. There is a little bit of sweetness in there acting as a counterbalance to the heat, and that helps bring everything together. These are ridge chips, like McCoy’s above, and they have a good crunch and hold up in the bag pretty well so that there are not just pieces (of course, they didn’t have to take that trip from overseas).

The heat goes beyond Medium on my scale, which is pretty good for something from the snack aisle. And as mentioned, these are a healthier snacking alternative with no artificial ingredients. I found these at Sprouts, and I am guessing Whole Foods carries them as well, along with other stores that stock healthy snacks.

Nutritional Info:

The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Hot ‘n’ Spicy Crisps

Ingredients: Potatoes, Sunflower Oil, Hot & Spicy Flavour [Sugar, Natural Flavouring, Salt, Dried Yeast Extract, Paprika Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Dried Onion, Potassium Chloride, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid, Rice Flour, Maltodextrin, Colour: Paprika Extract, Cumin Powder]

Serving Size: 28g
Calories: 154
Fat: 8g (1g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 15g
Sodium: 420mg

Boulder Canyon Mike’s Hot Honey Kettle Chips

Ingredients: Potatoes, Avocado Oil, Cane Sugar, Salt, Honey Powder (Maltodextrin, Honey), Spices, Lactic Acid, Natural Flavors, Paprika Extract (For Color), Turmeric Extract (For Color)

Serving Size: 28g
Calories: 150
Fat: 8g (1g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 16g
Sodium: 220mg

The Good Crisp Company Crinkle Cut Jalapeno Chips

Ingredients: Potatoes, Sunflower Oil, Spicy Jalapeño Seasoning (Salt, Tapioca Starch, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Red Chili Pepper, Onion Powder, Torula Yeast, Yeast Extract, Green Chili Pepper, Jalapeño Pepper, Parsley, Citric Acid, Paprika Extract (color), Natural Flavors).

Serving Size: 28g
Calories: 170
Fat: 13g (1g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 12g
Sodium: 230mg