If you know anything about me, it’s that I probably want to be eating cheese melted on something. Fries? Yes. Chips? Yes. Bread? Yes. See? I’m really not picky.
So when I heard that loaded chips were a thing? I was in my car headed to Trader Joe’s so dang fast, and I only got 1 speeding ticket! Kismet. As you surely know, TJ’s has just the coolest chip options, as well as dip/cheese/protein options, so it felt like a very natural marriage. Here’s where we’re going with these loaded chips, 3 ways.
Baked brie style. I’m a big fan of baked brie-style things, like my baked brie loaded fries, and melting gooey brie on crisp potato chips was a complete must. Even better is the viral Fromage Pavé, which is square (I honestly don’t even know why) and unbelievably delicious, creamy, and smooth. Absolutely none of that ammonia-scent that finniky brie can occasionally take on. Finish with raspberry preserves and crisp prosciutto, and the PIÈCE DE LA RESISTANCE - rosemary croissant croutons. Aaaannd you’re caput. Done for. Shooooo.
Halal-Cart shawarma style. Trader Joe’s shawarma chicken thighs, layered over olive oil or garlic-butter chips, finished with alllllll the cart toppings, like iceberg, white sauce, TJ’s Zhoug Sauce, and more. I ate these, I died, I went to heaven, I was reincarnated, and I’m back here writing this post.
Aperitivo style. There’s this classic Italian aperitivo moment before dinner with a little crispy chip, olive, and hopefully a spritz of some kind, and we turned it into a whole mess… in a good way. Garlic butter or olive oil chips, TONS of Parmesan, crisp prosciutto chips, and garlic-stuffed olives? Oh yes.
Bake Brie Style Loaded Chips
Chip base: Trader Joe’s Truffle Chips, Kettle Chips or Olive Oil Chips
Toppings:
Prosciutto chips: just heat some prosciutto in a skillet over medium heat until they crisp up a bit and get a few golden-brown spots
BRIE! Or Fromage Pavé. Both are delicous. Slice into 1/2” slices.
Rosemary Croissant Croutons. Chef’s kiss.
Preserves, or like apricot, strawberry, or raspberry.
Make the chips:
Scatter the chips in a heatproof serving vessel. Top with brie or Fromage Pavé and heat until cheese melts. I love using my OurPlace Wonder Oven to heat this one through, and I just build the chips right on the roasting pan!
Finish with a drizzle of preserves and plenty of Rosemary Croissant Croutons.
Halal-Cart Shawarma Style Loaded Chips
Chip base: Trader Joe’s Kettle Chips, Garlic Butter, or Olive Oil Chips
Toppings:
Shawarma chicken thighs, cooked through on a grill or skillet and aggressively chopped
Zhoug Sauce, think liberally
Shredded iceberg
White sauce: Garlic spread thinned with greek yogurt (!!! So good)
Quick pickles - see recipe below
Quick pickle, optional but highly recommended:
1 lb Persian cucumbers, sliced into thick coins or spears
¾ cup white vinegar (distilled — not apple cider)
¼ cup water
1½ tsp kosher salt
1½ tsp granulated sugar (just enough to round it out)
4 cloves garlic, smashed hard
1 tsp whole black peppercorns
½ tsp red pepper flakes
Optional but VERY shawarma-cart-y:
½ tsp ground coriander
¼ tsp turmeric (for color + vibe)
1 bay leaf
Make the pickles:
Put the sliced cucumbers in a heatproof bowl or quart jar.
In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, water, salt, sugar, garlic, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, and any optional spices. Bring just to a boil — you want the salt fully dissolved and the garlic to bloom.
Immediately pour the hot brine over the cucumbers. Press them down so they’re fully submerged.
Let sit uncovered on the counter 15–20 minutes. Already at this point, they’re so good, but you’ll probably want to chill them for max cart vibes!
Make the chips:
Scatter your chips in or on your serving vessel. Top with lots of chopped chicken, then iceberg, then tons of white sauce, then Zhoug Sauce. Finish with pickles.
Garlicky Aperitivo Loaded Chips
The easiest of all! We spice it up with a garlicky Asiago dip but rest heavy on classic Italian aperitivo ingredients.
Chip base: Olive oil chips. It just feels right. Kettle also work, and Garlic Butter chips are perfect here, too.
Toppings:
Garlic & Asiago Cheese Dip. I MEAN ITS SO GOOD???
Prosciutto chips: just heat some prosciutto in a skillet over medium heat until they crisp up a bit and get a few golden-brown spots
Lots and lots of freshly grated Parmesan (or similar)
Garnish: spritz of choice (mandatory)
Make the chips:
Scatter your chips on a serving plate. Heat your Garlic & Asiago Cheese Dip, then spoon it over your chips. Top with prosciutto chips, tons of freshly grated Parm, and finish with a few gigundo olives. Cin cin!