There is no salad quite like a chip salad. It’s not stale party mix full of rejects that surface at the end of the night, and it’s not the Gardetto’s journey where rye chips go first, the rest getting left behind. This is a melange of unexpected flavor combos, both high brow and low brow (but mostly low brow). Inspired by Zapp's voodoo flavored chips that combine salt & vin, BBQ and jalapeño into one and the Midwest tradition of calling every dish “salad” (see: cookie salad, macaroni salad), this is an elite party mix with only the best players in the game.

THE RULES

• The definition of chip (for this context) = anything crunchy and savory. Don't ask me if a nut can be a chip, or I will ask you if a hot dog is a sandwich

• Your salad dressing/seasoning is the flavors that all chips are bringing to the bowl here — the salt & vin twang, the sour cream & onion dusting, the spice from the Takis, and that magical combo when you grab a few at once

• Pull from classics you love, but try to find 1-2 unexpected surprises. It’s a conversation starter and a fun guessing game for those partaking in the salad. Think: Wasabi peas! Funyuns! Sesame sticks! Veggie straws! A unique chip flavor others maybe haven’t heard of! Mix high brow with low brow. We’re talking Terra chips with Doritos

• No! Plain! Unseasoned! Chips! It defeats the point, so save those for another time. When creating your salad, think about flavors first – then shapes, sizes, textures, and colors second. This is a salad, after all. We need something for everyone. As noted above, a well executed chip salad has a good range of flavor combos to make fun bite combos

• No fragile chips! Here’s looking at you, Pringles and other weird shaped chips that break too easily

• After much thought and an interview with a ride or die pretzel lover, I’ve decided they’re allowed. While they don’t grab seasoning, they act as a pallet cleanser between bites. That said, if you’re going to go the seasoned pretzel route, know that I support you whole heartedly

• Popcorn is groovy but only if it’s fresh! It will stale as it sits out, especially if this salad is being served outdoors, so keep that in mind

• Sweet additions… this isn’t trail mix, crew. But that could be fun. Maybe one (ONE!) fun sweet add. Like a Swedish fish! Just know that weight matters and they'll end up at the bottom of the bowl. As long as you’re cool with that, I’m cool with that

• Add your chip choices in layers. Add a little of the first bag, layer the next on top etc. etc. This will help get things integrated without having to do too much tossing/damaging of the goods

• More is more! You’re buying full bags of chips here. Use your biggest bowl! Use a huge stock pot! Leftover chip salad = still a great chip salad

• Sometimes it humors me to serve chip salad with tongs. It’s fun! It's funny! But it’s true purpose is to give things a good tossing once your fingers are dirty and the top layer is picked over.

CHIP INSPO

The bulk of your salad should be seasoned chips. Think: sour cream & onion, BBQ, salt & vin, dill pickle, jalapeño, ranch etc. More ideas: Fritos, cheeseballs, Sun chips, Takis, wasabi peas, Doritos, Terra chips, Cheez-Its, flavored goldfish, flamin’ hot cheetos, red hot blues, Bugles, veggie straws, potato stix, sesame sticks. Do it up!