Kettle chips are one of those things we sort of accept without questioning but did you know that the potato chips are not just a clever brand name? Rather, they are a much older cooking style when compared to conventional potato chips.

The difference lies in the varying cooking temperatures and the actual vessel used to cook the sliced potatoes. While conventional, paper-thin potato chips are fried on a conveyor belt with oil temperature remaining consistent, kettle chips keep it old-school.

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A kettle is essentially a large vat of oil (remember the Kettle chip brand logo?) in which sliced cold potatoes are added in batches. As the raw spuds are plopped into the oil, the temperature fluctuates and results in a crispier, chewier, and more varied chip. 

Many people wonder whether chips cooked kettle-style are actually better for you – and while we’re not going to start claiming that any potato chips are good for your health, it’s worth investigating. You know, for science.

As it turns out, kettle chips with their approximately 150 calories per serving and 9 grams of total fat compared to conventional potato chips with 150 calories and 10 grams of fat, it’s a real potato-patato situation.

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