All 8 Sun Chips Flavors, Ranked

SunChips are an extremely underrated chip. They're usually passed over for potato chips, tortilla chips, or even those upstart Cheetos, but it's time you gave them a second chance if you haven't had them since your diet phase in college. They're marketed as a healthy snack — the bags tout "whole grains" and "30% less fat than regular potato chips" — but let's face it, if you're going to mindlessly munch on them on the couch, you're still going to be eating a lot of carbohydrate calories. 

Regardless of whatever's on the nutrition label, I love SunChips just as they are. The wavy squares are sturdy enough for dipping and they don't disintegrate into crumbs before you even open the bag like potato chips. I tasted all 8 SunChips flavors I could get my hands on, and I'd eat any of them again. Here's how the flavors ranked from best to worst.

This story was updated in November 2023.

Southwestern Queso is the best SunChip flavor. It's one of two new flavors made with black beans in the chip, and it actually does make a difference. Besides adding a little extra fiber and protein, the earthiness from the beans is great with the cheesy queso seasoning. 

Chipotle peppers lend a little smoke and heat, while cheddar cheese and buttermilk give them some tang and creaminess. Plus the black bean SunChips are just a little crispier than the regular ones, and I'm all about maximum crunch. This one will make avowed chip lovers forget all about potatoes.

The people at SunChips really know their cheese, because the Harvest Cheddar flavor comes in second. The cheddar is strong and simple, with plenty of bright orange color to remind you you're eating junk food. It won't stain your fingers as much as Cheetos, but it's definitely reminiscent of its puffier cousin in flavor. Solid cheesy goodness.

The seasoning on Chili Lime SunChips is one of the strongest of them all. Think Takis, but mellowed out just a bit. The tart lime really comes through, and as a citrus lover, I appreciate that. 

If you eat a handful, you'll notice that the spiciness creeps up on you (though as a chile head, it's not what I'd call hot). It's a smooth, rounded chili powder and paprika base with lots of lime to keep that from becoming too muddy tasting.

Related: Is the Trader Joe’s Takis Dupe Better Than the Original?

Original SunChips, also known by the less flattering name of "plain," are amazing dippers. They have more depth of flavor than a potato chip, and unless we're talking about kettle chips, they're more sturdy, too. 

Only seven ingredients are listed on the package, which is a pretty impressive feat for snacks. Though the main ingredient is corn, they don't really taste like tortilla chips thanks to the other additions like whole wheat, brown rice flour, and oat flour. These are the ones that taste the most healthy, but healthy in a good way, kind of like how whole wheat bread tastes wholesome and comforting.

Whewww, onion breath is assured with French Onion SunChips. They are strong, and they are oniony. 

Besides tons of onion powder, there's also butter and mozzarella cheese listed in the ingredients, and the creaminess does give it a more well-rounded flavor. Think french onion soup as opposed to french onion dip. They're good, but you really have to be in the mood for them. 

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It's peculiar that they chose to put "spicy" in the name of this one, because they're not particularly spicy at all. They also don't have a ton of jalapeño flavor, so the black beans really come through on this one even more than the Southwestern Queso variety. There's nothing offensive about this one, but it's ultimately a little disappointing. They'd still pass the "would you eat this mindlessly on the couch?" test though.

Related: We Sampled 16 Kinds of Potato Chips — These Are the Best (and Worst)

I don't really get salsa from these Garden Salsa SunChips at all. It's maybe a little tomatoey? With a hint of onion? But there's also cheddar and romano cheese in the ingredients, which I guess is why it's so confusing. 

Give me cilantro, heat, and lime, and then we'll discuss your "salsa" chip, SunChips.

I guess the "garden" varieties are just not that good. I really want the creamy monterrey jack cheese to come through here more, but this chip is all tomato. And to SunChips' credit, the tomato flavor really is fresh-from-the-garden tomato, instead of the stodgy canned or cooked tomato flavor you get in a lot of seasonings — and jarred salsas. It's interesting and unusual, but it doesn't deliver what you'd expect from the name. Ironically, it tastes more like salsa than the Garden Salsa SunChips.