Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Trader Joe's Crispy Onion Chips

I never really got Funyuns.

Considering how much I love the taste of onions, I'm just never in the mood to have oily corn meal rings that vaguely taste like the popular root vegetable. I mean, they're not terrible. I just always wondered why they couldn't have some actual onion bits in them. 

Sure, they're optimized for sitting in unrefrigerated vending machines for weeks or months at a time, which wouldn't work with real onion pieces. But what if the onion pieces were dehydrated? Hmm. Then we might have a real winner.

And what if, furthermore, there was no cornmeal at all and the only ingredients were "onions, rice bran oil, and salt"? Well, then, my friends, you would have these: Trader Joe's Crispy Onion Chips.


I'm not saying everybody will enjoy these unique chips as much as I do. In fact, I'd be shocked if many people are with me on this one. The chips flaunt a texture not unlike that of styrofoam. Crispy? Yes, but they melt in your mouth in the most delightful and unexpected way.

The natural flavor of onions is on full display here. They almost taste like a rice-based snack, dusted with some complex array of garlicky additives and exotic seasonings. There's even something buttery about them. But all that's there is onion, salt, and oil. Amazing, really. 

If you don't have a weird affinity for onions like Sonia and I do, you might not be as enthused. But for all onion-lovers, I'd say these are worth at least one purchase. $2.69 for the 1.4 oz bag. It says it's one serving, but even Sonia and I managed to stretch it to multiple sittings. If you eat this whole bag all at once, then dang, I guess you must really, really like onions.

Four and a half stars from me. Four and a half from the wifey.

Bottom line: 9 out of 10.

8 comments:

  1. Thank you, these sound very intriguing! I love onions!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for reviewing them. I want to try them as a salad topper and maybe on top of green beans for some kind of healthier green bean casserole.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Interesting. I expect these to be like la bigger version of those crunchy onions one puts on green bean casserole. Wait till they freeze dry onions; now that’s styrofoam texture!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I too wonder if they would be good on green bean casserole....

      Delete
  4. These have the consistency of apple chips, and every time I take my first bite I'm pleasantly surprised. Great real onion flavor.

    ReplyDelete
  5. they are a fun snack that is just familiar enough to remind you of those Wise Onion Rings you ate as a kid, but in a more sophisticated version that makes you feel like you’re now a mature an adult.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AMAZING!!! I just opened and inhaled my first bag of TJ's Crispy Onion Chips! I am so glad 1) I decided to try them and 2) I didn't get more than one bag...until next time, at least! *wink*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're so good, found this looking for a recipe how to re-create at home. No luck with recipe but fun to see fellow fans lol www.faithfulfractals.com

      Delete