I’ve been on the fence about Sun Chips since I first tried them, probably in the late 90s. Something about the crumbly, whole-grain-crackery feel of the chips made them unsatisfying, and there never seemed to be enough flavoring. I think part of this was their position as one of the first “healthy” snack brands, and so their comparatively lighter consistency felt weak next to Cheeto’s and Frito’s etc.

Maybe my palate has changed as healthier snack options become more common, or maybe the recipe has been tweaked (less likely), but I’ve fallen off the fence squarely into Sun Chips’ front yard. They manage the balance between healthy and tasty by picking flavor options that don’t feel too artificial – e.g. harvest cheddar – and lend themselves well to a more fragile chip. The cheese flavor here is relatively subtle, but it’s there, and you can eat many a handful without hating yourself for it. While I might prefer a bolder approach to the spices I understand why they don’t take one, and these deliver on their promise of being a lighter option that still pleases.

Rating: 🥔🥔🥔