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I identify strongly as a Dip Person. I could eat some form of chips and dip for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert — and summertime is the best time to do just that. Of course, it helps that there are countless options to choose from, right on grocery store shelves.
When tasked with narrowing down the best chip and dip combos of all time, I felt like I was participating in my own Olympic Games. (I’ve been training my whole life for this!) I came up with this not-exactly-definitive list, but please feel free to share your favorites in the comments below, because we all know there are a zillion more combos out there and this list is by no means exhaustive. Fellow Dip People, unite.
Potato Chips and Onion Dip
You’ll probably want to default to tortilla chips in this instance, but allow me to convince you why Fritos are a natural fit. Fritos are sturdy, and structural support is exactly what you need when faced with a bowl of thick, piping hot, tomato- and green-chili-flecked queso. Plus, Fritos have a natural scoop shape that makes them perfect bite-sized dip vehicles, ideal for transporting queso from Point A (the bowl) to Point B (my mouth). If you want to make a special trip — go to Trader Joe’s and Aldi and pick up their Organic Corn Chip Dippers. As far as queso goes, I am Team Rotel and Velveeta. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and there’s nothing quite like it.
Tortilla Chips and Guacamole
After a long day in the summer sun, the first thing I want to ingest, come happy hour, is a bowl of extremely salty tortilla chips dunked into extra-thick guacamole. My chips of choice in this case are Tostitos Hint of Lime. I live for that artificial lime dust that sticks to my fingers and makes it impossible to do anything else except shovel more chips into my mouth. And while I love to make my own guac (when my avocados decide to ripen), Herdez Guacamole Salsa or a package of Wholly Guacamole Homestyle Chunky Guacamole does the trick too.
Fritos and Queso
You’ll probably want to default to tortilla chips in this instance, but allow me to convince you why Fritos are a natural fit. Fritos are sturdy, and structural support is exactly what you need when faced with a bowl of thick, piping hot, tomato- and green-chili-flecked queso. Plus, Fritos have a natural scoop shape that makes them perfect bite-sized dip vehicles, ideal for transporting queso from Point A (the bowl) to Point B (my mouth). If you want to make a special trip — go to Trader Joe’s and Aldi and pick up their Organic Corn Chip Dippers. As far as queso goes, I am Team Rotel and Velveeta. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and there’s nothing quite like it.
Blue Corn Chips and Salsa
I like to mix up my tortilla chip game every now and then because there are so many to choose from. Among the many options, I consider blue corn chips to be the ultimate choice. Whenever I buy a bag in the grocery store, I just feel … like I’m in a restaurant, downing the chip basket while waiting for my order to arrive. I usually buy Late July Restaurant Style Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, and pair them with Desert Pepper Trading Medium Burn Tequila Salsa — the winner of Kitchn’s jarred salsa taste test.
Pita Chips and Hummus
Let me preface this by saying that I had the best pita chips and hummus of my life this week from a gourmet grocery store in Brooklyn called Sahadi’s, which you can order online from Goldbelly. (Thanks again, Nicole!). When I’m NOT gifted a surprise tub of the specialty stuff, you can usually find me digging into a bag of Stacy’s Simply Naked with a container of Ithaca Hummus within arm’s reach. Try the Classic or Lemon Dill to start and you won’t be disappointed.
Bagel Crisps and Spinach Dip
A good spinach dip requires an extremely strong chip for dunking, and bagel chips fit the bill. I love to use pumpernickel ones when I find them. For non-pumpernickel bagel crisps, NY Style Bagel Crisps makes a whole lineup of flavors that pair perfectly with Trader Joe’s Sour Cream Spinach Dip (and the Spinach and Kale Greek Yogurt Dip), both chock-full of veggie goodness. You also can’t go wrong with a packet of Knorr Spinach Dip.
Pretzel Thins and Buffalo Dip
There are a ton of brands that make flat pretzels that are great for dipping, swiping, and scooping, but my favorites are Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps (the BUFFALO WING FLAVOR especially). Pair this with homemade buffalo dip (or make it easy on yourself and just buy the Good & Gather kind) and you have spicy chip and dip inception.
Barbecue Chips and Blue Cheese Dressing
Before you argue that barbecue chips (I swear by Lay’s Kettle Cooked Mesquite BBQ) are perfectly wonderful on their own (which they are!), do me a favor and just try dipping them into blue cheese dressing (go with Ken’s). This combo has the same bar food appeal of a plate of wings with a side of blue cheese, but a fraction of the mess. Trust me: You’ll never want to eat naked barbecue chips ever again.
Ritz and Pimiento Cheese
Who doesn’t love a good spreadable cheese? Don’t even bother with crudités, Ritz crackers are superior dippers for the Southern spread. Are Triscuits the sturdier, more sensible match? Sure. But they’re not nearly as delicious a match as the buttery rounds.
What combo would you add to this this?
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