Oh Trader Joe's...how 2019 has become the year of the snack food on shelves. But you see, Trader Joe's Jerk Style Plantain Chips are different. We've now officially elevated the snack into something completely delicious.
Taste and review
Most of the time when I bring home snacks from Trader Joe's, my husband leaves them alone. Either they are too adventurous for him or they aren't a flavor profile he would like. Fortunately, I did the photography within moments of walking in the door.
Because I found this same bag with 10 plantain chips rolled up in a corner as if he were hiding it from me. Yes, part of married life is hiding the good snacks from your spouse.
After realizing that he had polished off the vast majority of the bag in less than 12 hours from me bringing it home, I figured I had to see what all the hype was about.
The hype is real.
If you like spice and heat, then here is a snack for you. This is one of those rare bags where they don't just lump all the spices together in the ingredients list as: "spices." Nope, they actually spell it out for you.
If you are unfamiliar with the flavors of jerk seasoning then it is pretty much everything the bag lists: all spice, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, red pepper, and thyme. But if that weren't enough, you also have garlic and onion powders rounding out the flavor profile.
Each chip is crisp and is thicker than a potato chip. The plantain is a perfect carrier for this spice mixture.
When I asked my husband how he liked the chips, he described them as "awesome." Words he doesn't use often. Best of all, aside from snacking on these, he mentioned that he put some on his black bean and cheese burrito. To which I suddenly felt astonished that he had gotten that culinarily adventurous.
But also, it was seemingly brilliant at the same time.
Here is some untapped potential in these chips to be added to salads, burritos, they might even be good in other ways as well.
Overall
But for $1.79 these are affordable, delicious, and very well done. Probably not a nutritional necessity, but if you find yourself snack-ish, then these are a solid buy.
These aren't the only jerk seasoned item on shelves. Usually we see the return of Trader Joe's Grilled Jerk Chicken Thigh Skewers on shelves.
Overall, if you can handle a mild to medium heat, then this is a solid buy.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Product photos
A new bag of Trader Joe's Jerk Style Plantain Chips:
Calories and ingredients
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Trader Joe's Jerk Style Plantain Chips
Product Name: Trader Joe's Jerk Style Plantain Chips
Product Description: Trader Joe's Jerk Style Plantain Chips are spicy yet flavorful plantain chips
Price: $1.99
Currency: USD
Availability: InStoreOnly
Summary
Trader Joe's Jerk Style Plantain Chips are spicy yet have a whole lot of flavor to them
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Delicious
- Well Priced
- Flavorful
Cons
- These are addicting
Alek says
Can be used as chips for dipping.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! Absolutely! These are very sturdy little chips that would stand up to a chunky guac.
Dagmar says
Wow- I might actually have to try these. I'm not usually a fan of anything plantainy but I think I'm going to have to give these a shot! Maybe with some Pub cheese or guacamole.
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! I'd say go with guac or the pub cheese on these. They do pack a good amount of kick balanced by spices, but they are still plantains, so there isn't much hiding that flavor either. I'd still love to hear what you though of these!
Cassandra says
Never seen these there, I will have to keep my eyes open next time haha
becomebetty says
Hey Cassandra! Sometimes stores get things in at different times. So maybe it wasn't at your local store yet. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you try them!
TJ's Mama says
Hi! At checkout, our cashier commented how she bought two bags of these. Driving home she had to put the open bag in her glove compartment to stop from finishing the bag. I eagerly opened our bag of jerk style plantains. Great texture and unique, delicious flavors. A winner snack!
becomebetty says
Hey TJ's Mama! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these. They are so very good!
Grubbing With Jess says
I LOVE plantain chips! My favorite are the Sprouts brand Picante flavored. I will be hunting these down and trying them out!!
becomebetty says
Hey! Let me know how you like them. I haven't seen the Sprouts brand chips. Now I'll have to keep an eye out for them. Thanks for the tip and for stopping by!
Grubbing With Jess says
I will!! I'm gonna get some this weekend!
debra says
Addicted
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing!