5 Best Protein Chips in 2026

Nothing satisfies those cravings for something crunchy like chips. But they’re no longer an option when you start taking what you eat more seriously. Whether you’re on the carnivore diet or just trying to eat fewer empty calories, you’re in luck - we’ve curated a list of the best protein chips available in 2026. 

From traditional protein chips like Quest to more natural, unprocessed varieties like Carnivore Snax meat chips, there’s something for everyone below. Find the best-tasting protein chips that are actually good for you today! 

Quick Look at the Best Protein Chips 

1. Carnivore Snax Meat Chips: Whole-cut meat, two ingredients, 10-21g protein 
2. Quest Protein Chips: Dairy protein blend, 19g per bag, widest flavor range
3. B-Sides Protein Chips: Upcycled plant protein, 10g per bag, vegan
4. Simply Protein Chips: Pea protein tortilla chips, 7g per serving, restaurant style
5. IWON Protein Sticks: Organic plant blend, 10g per bag, USDA Organic certified

What Separates the Best Protein Chips From the Rest? 

There are countless “healthy” protein chips on the market these days. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by just how many varieties you have at your fingertips, while it’s very difficult to actually choose chips that align with your standards.

So before we get into the top 5 options, let’s take a step back and explain what separates the best protein chips from the rest so you know how we judged the field. 

Protein Source and Content

Where the protein comes from matters just as much as how many grams you see on the label - if not more. Animal protein (from meat and dairy) has all the essential amino acids in their most bioavailable form. In other words, your body can actually use the protein you’re giving it.

On the other hand, plant-based protein sources like pea, soy, and rice are “incomplete” protein sources. That’s not necessarily a deal-breaker. It just means the chips you choose need multiple protein sources to be “complete.”

We also see all too many brands calling their chips “protein-packed” when they only have 5-10 grams per serving. That’s better than traditional chips, sure. But it falls short of what we consider the best healthy protein chips. 

Other Nutrients

The rest of the label needs to be scrutinized as well. Protein is just one piece of the puzzle. How much fat is included, and what type? Are there carbs, and if so, do they come from starch and maltodextrin? You should also look at:

• Sugar content
• Sodium source
• Whether there are seed oils (canola, soy, sunflower)

We made it a point to rank cleaner chips higher than high-protein chips that are heavily processed. Because what good is a protein chip if it comes at the expense of your health? 

The Taste Test

You can rest assured you’re getting the best-tasting protein chips the world has to offer, whether you want a classic tortilla chip, something with BBQ flair, or something totally one-of-a-kind like a meaty pastry. 

Of course, taste is subjective. What you love may not align with our own flavor preferences. We made sure to choose chips that come in a multitude of flavors so there was something for everyone. Speaking of which…

Variety

Eating the same flavor every day kills consistency. The whole point of adding healthy protein chips to your diet is to keep you on track when cravings come about. So, make sure you can easily rotate between flavors without ever getting bored.

Cost

Not just cost per package, but cost per serving - and more specifically, cost per gram of protein. This makes for a more honest, unbiased look at what we call “value for the money.” How much are you really getting for what you’re spending? The cheapest option is rarely the best deal. 

Ranking the Best Protein Chips on the Market 

So, what are the best protein chips in 2026? You can’t go wrong with any of these varieties, although we ranked them in order based on the criteria we just outlined for you above. Starting with the #1 choice - Carnivore Snax one-of-a-kind carnivore chips.

1. Carnivore Snax Meat Chips

• Protein per serving: 10-21g per ounce (varies by cut)
• Price per bag: $29.97-$39.97 (5 oz bags)
• Protein source: Whole cuts of 100% grass-fed beef, heritage pork, grass-fed lamb
• Varieties: Ribeye, New York Strip, Brisket, Pork Loin, Leg of Lamb, Skirt Steak, plus wagyu and slider formats

These are unlike any other protein chips you’ll try in the sense that they’re not made with any plant-based ingredients. They only have two ingredients total, in fact - regeneratively raised meat and Redmond Real Salt. That’s it. 

They’re slow-dried to perfection until they’re the ideal crispy, airy texture like your favorite chip. Yet, they melt in your mouth and give way to umami flavor. So they’re kind of like a meat pastry! The result is a chip that tastes like the real thing:

• Ribeye chips have that rich beefy depth with an indulgent fat cap finish
• Brisket chips overwhelm taste buds (in the best way possible) with deep, smoky, savory flavor
• Pork chips mirror the bacony crunch you’ve come to know and love with a velvety texture that dissolves as you eat it

From steak chips to lamb, chicken, wagyu, and much, much more, you’ll never get bored with Carnivore Snax. But part of what makes these the best protein chips is what’s not in them. They have zero sugar, carbs, seed oil, maltodextrin, or “natural flavors” masking what’s inside. 

Each 5 oz bag starts as a full pound of raw meat before dehydration. So while they’re certainly not the most affordable pick, you get what you pay for - and there’s a reason customers keep coming back for more. They’re the best-tasting protein chips by far. 

2. Quest Protein Chips

• Protein per serving: 19g per bag
• Price per bag: $2.87 (via 8-count box at $22.99)
• Protein source: Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate, Calcium Caseinate
• Varieties: 14+ flavors including BBQ, Nacho Cheese, Ranch, Loaded Taco, Sour Cream & Onion

The mainstream protein chip manufacturer. Best known for their wide array of protein bars, Quest took its talents to the chip game as well. They have more flavors than any other brand you’ll see - so there shouldn’t be any trouble finding a flavor that catches your eye. 

These protein chips are a true chip in the sense that you’ll open a bag and eat the entire thing in one sitting - which is why they look so affordable compared to something like Carnivore Snax (we’ll compare the best protein chips based on per-gram pricing later on).

The protein is a dairy-based blend of milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate, and calcium caseinate. That's a complete amino acid profile with solid bioavailability. The catch? The rest of the ingredients list. We see a few red flags:

• High-oleic sunflower oil
• Corn starch
• A series of processing agents

Even though the protein numbers are great on paper, it’s tough to call these the healthiest protein chips. The taste is another tough one. Some people genuinely like them. Others say the texture is what you’d expect from a health food - chalky or almost synthetic. Still, you could make the case these are one of the top choices from a protein-per-calorie ratio at this price. 

3. B-Sides Protein Chips

• Protein per serving: 10g per bag (2 oz bag)
• Price per bag: $3.00 (case of 12 at $36)
• Protein source: Pea protein, upcycled oat protein
• Varieties: Cheddar, Ranch, Jalapeno

B-Sides isn’t as well known as Quest, but they make some really great protein chips if you’re into sustainability. Their “Crunch Puffs” earned the #3 spot on this list.

The protein comes from regenerative pea protein and upcycled oat protein, leftover oat pulp from oat milk production. That’s really unique, and a huge selling point if you’re passionate about minimizing your footprint on our lands. 

Just how bioavailable that protein is, though, is up for debate. You only get 10g of protein per bag, too, which is a little underwhelming compared to some of the other options on this list. But, that’s kind of what you’d expect from a vegan protein brand. 

There are only three flavors, so you may not think these are the best-tasting protein chips if one of them doesn’t align with your preferences. Be aware they do have sunflower oil and a few other processed ingredients as well. 

4. Simply Protein Chips 

• Protein per serving: 7g per 1 oz serving (~32g total per 4.58 oz bag)
• Price per bag: $7.49 (4.58 oz bag)
• Protein source: Pea Protein Isolate
• Varieties: Sea Salt, Hint of Lime, Hint of Habanero, Jalapeno Ranch, Fiesta Taco

Simply’s tortilla protein chips are a good option if you’re looking for something you can dip with, without any of the guilt of shoveling down traditional tortilla chips. They come in an array of flavors so they taste just as good on their own if that’s your thing.

The pea protein isolate isn’t exactly the most bioavailable form, but it’s better than an actual tortilla chip. You only get 7g of protein per 1 oz serving, though, so it’s the least “proteiny” chip on this list by quite a large margin. 

We do appreciate the shorter ingredients list, though. White corn flour, pea protein isolate, sunflower oil, and seasoning. Fewer processing agents, albeit far from “unprocessed.” 

The other sticking point for a lot of people is how much you pay for such a modest amount of protein. That $7.49 per bag is hard to stomach when you realize you’re only getting about 32g of protein in total! 

5. IWON Protein Sticks

• Protein per serving: 10g per 1.5 oz bag
• Price per bag: ~$2.75 (via 8-pack at $21.99)
• Protein source: Organic peas, brown rice, navy beans, brown rice protein
• Varieties: Mesquite BBQ, Spicy Sweet Peppers, Sweet Dijon, Korean BBQ, Nacho Cheese, Tapatio

These are a unique twist on the classic chip format - they’re “sticks” instead of chips. That makes for a one-of-a-kind texture and enjoyment experience. 

The protein is an organic plant blend, but IWON doesn’t specifically disclose what goes into that. At least, it’s not readily available. That may not matter to everyone. It does to us, though, which is why the brand ranked last despite having more protein per serving than Simply.

Still, it’s a fairly clean snack: USDA Organic plus Non-GMO Project Verified certifications. We also appreciate how diverse the flavor options are, so there’s something for everyone. 

The one big caveat is that availability can be hit or miss. You can find them locally and through a lot of third-party retailers, but not on the company’s own website. That begs the question of whether they’re going to be discontinued sometime soon (if they haven’t already). 

Who Should Have Protein Snacks in Their Rotation? 

Whether you’re looking for good cutting snacks or bulking snacks, you can’t go wrong adding healthy protein chips to your arsenal. Even individuals who want to snack smarter without any real dietary goal in mind can benefit from these chips. 

Protein is arguably the most important macronutrient. It’s what keeps you recovering between workouts. It has higher satiety than carbs/fats, so you can eat less of it to feel full. Yet, so many people fall short of their protein goals because eating more meat or drinking another protein shake just doesn’t sound all that enjoyable.

On the other hand, who doesn’t love the crunch and flavor of chips? The best-tasting protein chips make it easier to hit your macro goals without it feeling like you’re “dieting.”

Comparing the Cost of Protein Chips 

Remember, price per bag doesn’t tell you everything - in fact, it tells you very little about what you actually get. The best protein chips are never the cheapest option. You need to look at value for the money:

Even this doesn’t tell you everything, though. You’d think Carnivore Snax are the most expensive option per gram of protein. But protein source matters, and these chips are the only ones crafted from real animal meats. That makes a big difference in what your body can actually do with the chips.

In other words, you’re comparing the cost of whole-food protein against the cost of processed-food protein. So, don’t settle for less than the best protein chips. Stock up at Carnivore Snax today!

“These have become a staple in our house. We order about every other week. They are the perfect snack. My youngest loves them just as much as I do. The flavor is delicious.” - Stephanie

“I travel quite a bit for work and love taking a bag of these with me. They’re delicious and oh so crunchy! I’m going to try making nachos with them! Off to place another order!” - Donna

“Carnivore Snax are life-changing. They’re not “jerky.” They’re not “chips.” They’re somewhere in between: buttery, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth perfection made from real meat and salt” - Rebecca

Frequently asked questions 

Are protein chips really healthy?

Depends on the ingredient list. A chip made from whole meat and salt, like Carnivore Snax, is “healthier” than an ultra-processed chip that’s made with pea or soy protein. You have to scrutinize all the ingredients rather than just looking at calories and protein as the end-all, be-all.

Which chips have the highest protein?

Carnivore Snax and Quest have the highest protein per serving. But Carnivore Snax may have the edge, all else equal, due to protein bioavailability. Quest looks like the better value as far as protein-per-dollar goes, but you get what you pay for. 

Is it okay to eat protein chips every day?

Yes! As long as the ingredients are clean and you eat them as a snack rather than a meal replacement. Carnivore Snax are the best protein chips for daily enjoyment. 

Related Resources 

High-fat, low-carb snacks | Unprocessed snacks | Carnivore diet snacks