The Ultimate Guide to Canadian Chips: 15+ Brands & Unique Flavours to Try

Stepping into a Canadian grocery store for the first time can be an adventure, especially in the snack aisle. You’re suddenly faced with walls of unfamiliar flavours like Ketchup and All Dressed, and you might wonder, “Where do I even start?” We’re here to turn that confusion into a delicious discovery.

This guide is your ultimate tour of chips made in Canada. We’ll explore the crunchy kettle-cooked champions, celebrate the classic brands we grew up with, and even find the best tortilla chips for your next salsa dip. Get ready to discover your next favourite snack!

Why Choose Canadian Chip Brands?

• You Support Canadian Jobs and Communities: Choosing Canadian-made products helps support the manufacturing plants and distribution centres that employ thousands of people across the country. When you buy from a Canadian-owned company like Covered Bridge or Hardbite, you’re investing directly in local entrepreneurs and their communities.
• You Champion Local Farmers: Many Canadian brands make it a point to use potatoes grown right here at home—often specific varieties like Russet potatoes known for making great chips—which are then frequently fried in Canadian-made oils like canola oil. This supports Canadian agriculture from the seed to the snack bag.
• You Taste Authentic Canadian Flavours: Let’s be honest, you can’t find flavours like Ketchup and All Dressed just anywhere. These unique tastes are a beloved part of Canada’s food culture, perfected by the brands that know them best.

A Guide to Canadian Chips Flavours

One of the most unique aspects of the Canadian chip scene is the lineup of flavours that are national treasures here but rare elsewhere.

If you want to snack like a true Canadian, these are the tastes you need to know, and for a truly authentic experience, consider washing them down with one of these must try Canadian drinks:

All-Dressed: The undisputed king of Canadian flavours. What is it exactly? Much like poutine, it’s a uniquely Canadian creation that defies easy description.

It’s a magical, tangy combination of barbecue, salt and vinegar, ketchup, and sour cream and onion all at once, often tied together with the savoury taste of monosodium glutamate (MSG). Every brand has its own unique take on this beloved mix.

Ketchup: While it might sound unusual to those outside of Canada, ketchup-flavoured chips are a staple here. They offer a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy tomato flavour that’s incredibly addictive.

These uniquely Canadian flavours are a huge part of our national palate, which includes a whole range of other iconic Canadian snacks beyond the chip aisle.

Dill Pickle: Though available elsewhere, Canadians have a special passion for dill pickle chips. The sharp, vinegary, and herby flavour is a national obsession.

Salt & Vinegar: A classic, but one that Canadian brands do with particular zeal. Expect a strong, eye-watering tang that’s not for the faint of heart.

A Cross-Canada Chip Tour: Our Top Canadian-Owned Brands

Get ready for a coast-to-coast crunch! We’re highlighting the best Canadian-owned brands, region by region.

From the Maritimes: Covered Bridge Potato Chips (Waterville, NB)

This New Brunswick company is a Canadian gem. They are famous for their delicious kettle-cooked chips made from potatoes grown on their very own farm.

While they offer classics like Sea Salt and BBQ, they are beloved for their unique “Storm Chips”—a wild mix of different flavours in one bag. For authentic farm-to-chip quality, Covered Bridge is a must-try.

From Quebec: Yum Yum Chips (Warwick, QC)

A beloved Quebec institution, Yum Yum has been making chips since the 1950s. This family-owned Canadian company is a go-to for classic-style potato chips in iconic Canadian flavours like Ketchup and All Dressed.

Their bright yellow bags are a staple in grocery and convenience stores, offering a true taste of Quebec snacking.

From Ontario: Neal Brothers Foods (Concord, ON)

This family-owned company focuses on natural and organic ingredients for its wide variety of snacks. Their kettle-cooked potato chips often feature a gourmet twist, with fan-favourites like Pink Himalayan Salt or Maple Bacon.

They also produce excellent organic tortilla chips in varieties like Blue Corn with Flax or Sweet Potato.

From the West Coast: Hardbite Chips & Humble Snacks and Que Pasa (BC)

Hardbite Chips (Surrey, BC)

Hailing from British Columbia, Hardbite is all about bold, intense flavours and a satisfyingly hard crunch. They use locally sourced potatoes whenever possible and create exciting, memorable flavours like Spicy Dill Pickle and Wild Onion & Yogurt.

If you’re looking for a serious, hearty chip with gourmet flair, Hardbite delivers. 

Humble Snacks (British Columbia)

Representing the new wave of Canadian snack brands, Humble Snacks focuses on sustainability and health. They craft delicious chips from upcycled ingredients, like imperfect beets and potatoes, that would otherwise go to waste.

For a snack that’s both good for you and good for the planet, look for Humble in the natural foods aisle.

Que Pasa Mexican Foods (Richmond, BC)

Owned by the large Canadian organic food company Nature’s Path, Que Pasa specializes in high-quality organic tortilla chips. Their chips are crafted with organic, non-GMO corn, often using traditional stone-ground methods from 100% whole grain corn masa.

They offer various styles like yellow corn, blue corn, and multigrain, and are widely available in the natural foods section of most Canadian grocery stores.

Beyond the Potato Chip: An Iconic Canadian Crunch

Hawkins Cheezies (Belleville, ON)

No guide to Canadian snacks would be complete without mentioning the legendary Hawkins Cheezies.

Made in Belleville, Ontario since 1949, these aren’t potato chips—they’re crunchy, salty, real-cheddar-cheese-dusted corn puffs.

Known for their unique texture that comes from being aged naturally, Cheezies are a Canadian institution and a must-try for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Canadian snack history.

A Smart Choice for Budget Shoppers: Store Brands

For families and cost-conscious shoppers, the store brand aisle is a gold mine for Canadian-made value.

Major grocery chains like Loblaws (President’s Choice, No Name), Sobeys (Compliments), and retailers like Costco (Kirkland Signature) offer their own lines of chips.

These chips are frequently high-quality and are often manufactured by dedicated Canadian companies that specialize in private labels, such as Olde York Potato Chips in Concord, Ontario.

To ensure you’re supporting local production, always check the packaging for the ‘Made in Canada’ or ‘Product of Canada’ label, which is defined and regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Made in Canada (But Not Canadian-Owned)

It’s important to recognize the major brands that are manufactured right here in Canada, supporting Canadian jobs, even if their parent companies are international. Buying these products still contributes to our local economy.

Old Dutch

A household name, especially in Western Canada, Old Dutch has large factories in Winnipeg, MB, and Calgary, AB, and uses Canadian potatoes.

Although the company is US-owned, its Canadian operations are significant. They also produce snacks under the Humpty Dumpty brand name. 

Miss Vickie’s

These famous kettle-cooked chips were originally a Canadian brand started in Alliston, Ontario. While now owned by the American company PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, many of the chips sold in Canada are still produced in Canadian factories.

They are also known for releasing unique seasonal flavours in Canada, such as Tzatziki. 

Lay’s, Doritos, Ruffles, Cheetos, and Munchos

These global best-sellers are owned by PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, but the company operates large manufacturing plants in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta, often using Canadian potatoes for the products sold here.

Munchos, a lighter potato crisp, are another popular Frito-Lay snack found across Canada. 

Pringles

The iconic stackable crisps sold in Canada are primarily manufactured at a large Kellogg’s-owned plant in Belleville, Ontario.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The fun part is discovering which brand becomes your new go-to snack for every occasion, from a Canada Day barbecue to a relaxing weekend enjoying cottage life.

You can find these and other great Canadian snacks in the aisles of your local supermarket, and if you want to double-down on supporting local, check out this list of Canadian-owned grocery stores.

Will it be the bold crunch of Hardbite or the classic taste of Yum Yum? The only way to find out is to start exploring. We’d love to hear which one you try first in the comments below!