The Core Café Style Ingredients
At the heart of the On The Border brand are the classic Café Style chips, known for their authentic, restaurant-quality taste. The ingredients for this signature product are surprisingly minimal, focusing on quality and simplicity. A basic list includes:
- Corn: The foundation of the chip, providing the classic tortilla flavor and texture. Some variations, like the Organic Blue Rounds, use specific types of corn flour.
- Vegetable Oil: A blend of oils is used for frying to achieve the signature flaky, bubbly texture. The specific blend may include canola, corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean, and/or sunflower oil.
- Sea Salt: Used to season the chips and enhance their overall flavor.
This simple formula ensures the Café Style chips are not only delicious but also align with specific dietary needs, such as being vegan and gluten-free.
The Complexity of Flavored Varieties
While the Café Style chips keep it simple, other product lines from On The Border introduce a wider range of ingredients to achieve different flavor profiles. For those with allergies or specific dietary restrictions, it is crucial to read the label carefully.
Jalapeno Ranch Chips
These chips move beyond the basic recipe by adding a robust seasoning blend. A typical ingredient list for this flavor might include:
- Corn Flour and Vegetable Oil (as in the Café Style chips)
- Buttermilk, Cream, and Whey: Dairy components essential for the creamy ranch flavor.
- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate: Flavor enhancers that give the chips a savory, umami taste.
- Spices and Seasonings: Including onion powder, garlic powder, jalapeño pepper powder, and spices.
- Maltodextrin and Dextrose: Common food additives for texture and flavor.
- Artificial Colors: Some formulations may contain artificial dyes like Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 5 for visual appeal.
Café Style Queso Flavored Chips
This cheesy-flavored variety adds several dairy-based components:
- Whey: A milk byproduct often used in cheese flavorings.
- Cheddar Cheese: The primary ingredient for the queso taste.
- Buttermilk and Sodium Caseinate: Additional dairy components.
- Yeast Extract: A flavor enhancer.
- Spices: Such as chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Salsa Flavored Chips
These chips have a distinctive, tangy flavor profile due to a different set of ingredients:
- Tomato Powder: Provides the core salsa flavor.
- Yeast Extract and Citric Acid: Used for flavor enhancement and a tangy kick.
- Paprika and Cayenne Pepper: For color and heat.
- Artificial Colors: May contain Yellow 6 Lake and Red 40 Lake.
Are On The Border Tortilla Chips Vegan or Gluten-Free?
On The Border offers options that cater to specific dietary needs, but consumers must be vigilant and check the packaging for each product variety.
Gluten-Free: The classic Café Style chips are labeled as gluten-free. The company's website often highlights which of its products are free from gluten, but it is always wise to confirm on the specific package you are purchasing.
Vegan: The original Café Style and Organic Blue Rounds chips are confirmed to be vegan. They contain no animal products or byproducts. However, the flavored chips, such as Jalapeno Ranch and Queso, are not vegan due to the inclusion of dairy ingredients like whey and cheese.
Comparing On The Border Chip Ingredients
Here is a side-by-side look at the ingredient lists for the classic Café Style chips and a more complex flavored version.
| Feature | Café Style Tortilla Chips | Jalapeno Ranch Chips |
|---|---|---|
| Core Ingredients | Corn, Vegetable Oil, Sea Salt | Corn Flour, Vegetable Oil |
| Flavorings | None | Buttermilk, Onion Powder, MSG, Jalapeno Powder |
| Dietary Profile | Vegan, Gluten-Free | Contains Dairy, Not Vegan |
| Potential Allergens | Soybean Oil (for some) | Dairy, Soy |
| Additives | None | MSG, Dextrose, Artificial Colors |
Conclusion: The Simple vs. Complex Ingredients
In summary, what are the ingredients in on the border tortilla chips depends heavily on the specific flavor. The original Café Style chips remain a clean and simple product made with just corn, vegetable oil, and sea salt, making them a safe bet for those seeking a vegan and gluten-free snack. However, the popular flavored varieties introduce a range of additional ingredients, including dairy, MSG, and artificial colors, which change their dietary suitability. Always check the ingredient label on the packaging to ensure the product meets your specific health and dietary needs. For the most accurate and current product information, it's a good practice to consult the official source: On The Border Chips & Dips.
Making Your Own Homemade Tortilla Chips
For those who prefer complete control over their ingredients, making homemade tortilla chips is a simple process. It requires just tortillas (corn or flour), oil, and salt. You can also experiment with your own seasonings, using natural alternatives to MSG, such as garlic powder, onion powder, and a squeeze of lime juice, to create flavorful, clean-label snacks tailored to your preferences.
- Ingredients: Corn tortillas, a high-heat cooking oil (like avocado or coconut oil), and salt.
- Instructions: Cut tortillas into wedges. Toss with a small amount of oil and salt. Bake in a single layer at 375°F (190°C) until golden and crispy. Enjoy them with your favorite salsa or queso. You can also fry them in a pot of hot oil for a more authentic, restaurant-style texture.
