Potato chips, cheese flavored
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
These are thin, crispy potato slices deep-fried and coated in a savory, often powdery cheese seasoning. The texture is a satisfying crunch, while the flavor delivers a bold, salty, umami-rich cheese punch. Nutritionally, they are energy-dense, with over 31g of fat and nearly 56g of carbohydrates per 100g.
Calorie split: 5% protein · 42% carbs · 53% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore the addictive combination of a salty, fatty crunch with the intense, savory flavor of cheese, making it a classic comfort snack. It's a staple at parties, movie nights, and as a quick, satisfying treat.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrate content can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and is not ideal for those managing blood pressure or weight. To enjoy mindfully, practice strict portion control (e.g., measure a single serving) and pair it with a protein like hummus or a piece of cheese to slow digestion and increase satiety.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Offers a small amount of plant-based protein
- Contains dietary fiber from the potato
- A convenient, shelf-stable snack food
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The most popular cheese flavor for chips in the United States is not cheddar, but a proprietary blend often called 'cheese seasoning,' which typically includes whey, cheddar cheese, and buttermilk.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 2.5 g |
| Energy | 487 kcal |
| Protein | 6.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 31.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 55.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 5.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 32.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 58.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 145 mg |
| Potassium, K | 1186 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 545 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.98 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.25 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 62.4 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.22 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.12 mg |
| Niacin | 5.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.38 mg |
| Folate, total | 64.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 64.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 64.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 11.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 20.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 203 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 5.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 60.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 130 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 151 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 4.4 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 16.1 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.8 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.80 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 13.2 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 13.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 12.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 11.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.30 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, potato chips, made from dried potatoes, sour-cream and onion-flavor — USDA does not publish this profile for Potato chips.
| Tryptophan | 0.07 g |
| Threonine | 0.28 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.31 g |
| Leucine | 0.48 g |
| Lysine | 0.44 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.08 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.29 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.25 g |
| Valine | 0.38 g |
| Arginine | 0.31 g |
| Histidine | 0.15 g |
| Alanine | 0.25 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.93 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.21 g |
| Proline | 0.37 g |
| Serine | 0.29 g |
FAQ
Are cheese-flavored chips made with real cheese?
Most use a cheese powder made from real cheese that has been dehydrated and processed, often combined with other flavorings like buttermilk, whey, and natural flavors to create a consistent, shelf-stable taste.
Why are they so addictive?
The combination of salt, fat, and carbohydrates triggers pleasure centers in the brain. The 'vanishing caloric density'—where the chip melts quickly in your mouth—can also trick your brain into thinking you haven't eaten much, encouraging overconsumption.
How can I make a slightly healthier version at home?
You can bake thin potato slices with a light coating of olive oil, then toss them with a mixture of nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt for a cheesy flavor with more control over fat and sodium.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.87 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 3.8 g fiber · 5.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.46 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.