A NUMBER OF YEARS BACK, I banned potato chips from our house. Not because I don’t like them. I do. But rather I banned them for health reasons. We don’t need all that salt and extra empty calories. This marked a notable change, especially for Randy, who packs his lunch for work. Instead of potato chips, he now eats almonds, albeit the salted variety. I had to compromise.
There are times, though, when we still buy the occasional bag of chips. Usually I can talk myself, or Randy, out of purchasing potato chips. And then there are the impulse purchases that go unnoticed. Like Randy’s grab of Bratwurst Flavored Potato Chips, which I only saw upon our arrival home from the grocery store recently. How did I miss those in the grocery cart?
Before I even opened the bag to accompany our usual Saturday lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup, I predicted that Randy, who loves brats, would not like these chips. I was pretty certain I wouldn’t. I don’t like brats and will eat them only when no other option is offered.
Yet, I had to try these unusual chips tagged as “YUMMY” on the bright yellow packaging. So I opened the bag and took a whiff. Yup, they definitely smelled like brats. Next, I tasted one. Yup, they definitely tasted like brats. I ate another and another and another. At that point, Randy had to wonder what was wrong with his brat-despising wife. I wondered myself. I determined that the coarse texture has a lot to do with why I dislike actual brats. Or so I told myself.
I asked Randy for his opinion of the brat flavored chips. He initially said they tasted like hot dogs, then changed his evaluation to tasting like brats.
After our meal, I found the taste of those chips lingering for way too long. And not in a good way. With ingredients like spices (hmmm, what spices?), onion powder, garlic powder and natural smoke flavor, it’s no wonder I experienced such a long-lasting aftertaste.
The 9.5-ounce bag is in the cupboard now, clipped shut and still more than half full. I have not been tempted, not even once, to dip into those Bratwurst Flavored Potato Chips again. But I sure do have a craving for Dill Pickle Chips.
TELL ME: Have you eaten, or would you eat, bratwurst flavored chips? Is there an unusual flavor of potato chips you like? Please share.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I saw these at Aldi but did not get them . Did you also see the Beer flavored ones? I love brats but not beer so those didn’t tempt me at all. But it did take me back to my North Iowa Blogger days when we tested Lay’s flavors. 😀
I didn’t see any of the Aldi chips as I don’t buy them and Randy somehow “found” these. I won’t tell him about the beer flavored ones. Yes, I do recall those North Iowa Blogger chip tasting days. Sometimes we just need to have silly “fun” like that.
If you ever want to encounter REAL variety in crisps (British expression for chips) flavors, go to England: https://www.iheartbritain.com/uniquely-british-crisp-flavours-to-try/
They even have Marmite flavored crisps (UGH!!!!).
Hmmm, not sure I even want to venture there with Marmite flavored crisps. Yuck is right.
Ummmm – no – just give me a hot dog (plenty of mustard) with some low salt potato chips please! I love dill pickle or salt and vinegar chips. I have been trying to go on the down low with the chips so been exploring different types of pickles to add to lunches. I can only eat so many salt and vinegar chips and then over it for a while so end up going stale. We have ventured into the no salt/low sodium nuts, chickpea snacks, dried fruits, yogurt, fruit, veggies, etc. for healthier alternatives as well as for that crunch or a bit of savory or sweet craving. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
Good for you and the Mister to focus on healthy foods. We try to also, or at least I do. But now you’re making me crave salt and vinegar chips, another favorite.
No way! Will not eat flavored chips. In fact have given up even most other chips due to all the additives.
Good for you, Paula. I admire your willpower and strength, and I’m not talking just about food. 🙂
I would so love these and love most all chips. Why I can’t have them at my house
I understand the “why I can’t have them at my house.”
Those sound awful! But I’ve never tried them, so what do I know? I like potato chips, but stick to the basic ones and add ranch or French onion dip when I’ve got the craving for chips with dip. Funny, never thought till right now that I’m a potato-chip purist!
Yes, indeed, you are a potato chip purist. Nothing wrong with that!
LoL, how do those husbands sneak junk food into the cart so their health-conscience wives can’t see it until we get home? I don’t think I’d like those chips, I’m not too much of a chip fan in general. If I have them, I like them plain or cheese flavored.
Yeah, how DO they do that? Sneaky, they are. 🙂
I would not eat brat flavored chips. I do not like brats. I do like “plain” potato chips, but do not buy them very often.
I’m with you on both the chips and the meat.
I did see the beer flavored chips also, but opted for the brat flavor.
What beer flavor would they use? Ale?,IPA?, Stout? Maybe light beer and they can get by with a small amount of flavoring, and you can eat more before becoming a chipaholic.
Randy, your comedic brilliance continues to impress me, even after 41 years. Just a note that I would have preferred the beer chips to the brat.