Protein-conscious snackers
You want to choose a snack with a higher stated protein content to enjoy while watching TV, and you’re open to lentils or pea protein instead of a corn base.
Which snack is right for you?
Corn tortilla and dip fans
You’re mainly looking for a corn flavour, tortilla texture and something to dip. Protein content is an added consideration, but not the deciding factor.
People who check ingredients carefully
You compare salt, fat, ingredients and allergen information as well as protein before deciding which flavour to choose.
What should you look for when buying?
First, decide whether protein, the ingredients or the character of a corn tortilla matters most to you. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the amount you actually plan to eat.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein content | Compare protein per 100 g and per planned serving, and check the snack’s base ingredients in the ingredients list. | After exercising or on a day when I’m keeping an eye on protein, I want to know how much protein my snack actually contains. For around 50% of consumers, this is their top priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the salt and fat per 100 g, as well as the ingredients and allergen information for the specific pack. | If I’m snacking for a while in front of the TV, I want to keep an eye on the ingredients and my portion as well as the protein. Around 30% of consumers give this the most weight. |
| Corn and dipping | Look at the ingredients base and the tortilla texture you’re after; consider the nutritional information for a dip separately. | For my TV night, I’m mainly after the flavour and texture of a corn tortilla that I can dip. Around 20% of consumers put this ahead of protein content. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming all corn snacks are high in protein
The ingredients base alone doesn’t tell you how much protein a snack contains. Chio lists 5.2 g of protein per 100 g for its Tortillas Salted, while funny-frisch lists 21 g per 100 g for its Protein Chips.
Decide whether corn flavour or protein is your main priority, then compare the protein figures per 100 g.
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Looking only at the protein figure
Salt and fat levels also vary between flavours. REWE lists 2.62 g of salt and 18.9 g of fat per 100 g for Beste Wahl Lentil Crisps; EDEKA lists 0.52 g of salt per 100 g for its Bio High Protein Lentil Wafers.
Read several nutritional values together and decide on your portion before you start eating.
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Assuming “protein” means it helps with recovery
A protein figure per 100 g doesn’t prove that a snack helps with recovery or muscle building.
Choose a snack based on its ingredients, nutritional information and the portion you plan to eat, rather than on a claim like this.
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Overlooking the allergen information for a particular flavour
The term “lentil crisps” doesn’t tell you what other ingredients and allergens a seasoned variety contains.
If you have specific requirements, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’re buying.
Brands to consider
funny-frisch
Protein Chips are an option if you’re looking for a lentil flour and pea protein base for your snack instead of classic corn tortillas.
- funny-frisch lists 21 g of protein per 100 g for its Protein Chips.
- Check the pack for the precise ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety.
EDEKA
Bio High Protein Lentil Wafers are a different type of snack from tortilla or lentil crisps.
- EDEKA lists 25 g of protein and 0.52 g of salt per 100 g, with 99.5% red lentils and sea salt as ingredients.
- If you’re after a crisp texture or corn flavour, don’t expect lentil wafers to be the same as tortillas.
REWE
According to REWE, Beste Wahl Lentil Crisps combine lentil flour with maize flour, making them an option if you want both ingredients in a crisp snack.
- For its listed Lentil Crisps, REWE gives 46% lentil flour and 15 g of protein per 100 g.
- At 2.62 g of salt per 100 g, it’s worth considering your planned portion size for this variety.
Chio
Tortillas Salted are a good fit if you’re looking for a corn tortilla to dip, rather than choosing a snack based solely on its protein content.
- Chio lists 68% maize flour for its Tortillas Salted and labels them as vegan.
- The stated protein content is 5.2 g per 100 g.
Lorenz
Lorenz chickpea crisps offer another pulse-based option alongside lentils.
- According to a Lorenz Snacks press release from March 2023, the chickpea crisps described at the time contained 13% protein.
- For a purchasing decision, the information on the specific pack available is what matters.
Products on Joybuy
This selection features crunchy snacks for a TV night when you’re considering flips or lentil crisps instead of classic corn tortillas. To compare protein content, check the nutritional information on each pack.
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ahead Protein Flips Paprika (tray of 6 x 50 g)
These paprika flips are worth considering for a TV night if you prefer flips to tortillas. The tray contains six 50 g packs; check the figures per 100 g and per pack when comparing nutritional information.
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Funny-Frisch Sour Cream & Onion Lentil Crisps, 90 g
This variety is worth considering for a TV night if you’d prefer lentil crisps to corn tortillas. The pack contains 90 g; check the nutritional information and allergen details on the specific pack.
Frequently asked questions
Are classic corn tortillas an alternative to protein crisps if protein matters to me?
Not if you’re choosing based solely on protein content: Chio lists 5.2 g of protein per 100 g for its Tortillas Salted, while funny-frisch lists 21 g per 100 g for its Protein Chips. Choose tortillas for their corn flavour and for dipping, and compare the figures on specific varieties when choosing a protein-focused snack.
Does a protein snack help with recovery after exercise?
You can’t infer a recovery benefit from a snack’s protein content. Use the nutritional information to understand what’s in the snack, rather than assuming its name means it helps build muscle.
How can I compare the salt content for my portion?
Work out the salt figure per 100 g for the amount you plan to eat. If you weigh out 30 g, REWE’s figure of 2.62 g of salt per 100 g for Beste Wahl Lentil Crisps works out at around 0.79 g of salt; EDEKA’s figure of 0.52 g per 100 g for Bio High Protein Lentil Wafers works out at around 0.16 g.
Do I need to check for allergens in lentil and protein crisps?
Yes. If allergens are relevant to your choice, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific pack. The terms “lentil crisps” and “protein crisps” alone don’t tell you what other ingredients a variety contains.