The Root Of The Craze: Everything You Need To Know About Trader Joe's Vegetable Root Chips In 2025

Trader Joe's Vegetable Root Chips have long been a beloved, slightly healthier alternative to traditional potato chips, offering a vibrant mix of colors and textures that elevate any snack spread. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, this product has undergone a significant evolution, with the retailer quietly updating the root vegetable blend and sourcing, prompting a fresh discussion among loyal customers about the taste, texture, and overall value of this crunchy favorite. This deep dive covers the current, up-to-date ingredients, nutritional facts, and what makes this unique snack a permanent fixture in the Trader Joe’s chip aisle.

For years, these chips have satisfied a craving for something salty, crunchy, and visually appealing, moving far beyond the simple Russet potato. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious first-timer, understanding the nuances of the current formulation—which now features a Peruvian twist—is essential for your next grocery run, especially as some older varieties have been phased out.

The Evolution of Trader Joe's Vegetable Root Chips: Old vs. New Ingredients

The history of Trader Joe’s Vegetable Root Chips is marked by a subtle but impactful change in its root vegetable lineup. The original version, which had a dedicated following for over a decade, featured a broader, more diverse mix of root vegetables. This blend was known for its distinct earthy flavor profile and satisfying crunch.

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The Original Root Vegetable Blend (Prior to Late 2024)

The previous iteration of the chips included a mix that was highly praised for its variety and color. The key components were:

• Sweet Potato: Providing a touch of natural sweetness and a vibrant orange hue.
• Taro: Known for its subtle, nutty flavor and beautiful speckled pattern.
• Batata: A white-fleshed sweet potato, adding a crisp texture.
• Parsnip: Offering a slightly peppery, earthy note that balanced the sweetness.

These chips were typically fried in expeller pressed canola oil, safflower oil, or sunflower oil, and simply seasoned with sea salt and colored with beet juice.

The New 2025 Root Vegetable Blend (The Peruvian Twist)

In a move that caught some customers by surprise in late 2024, Trader Joe's introduced a new formulation, now sourced from a supplier in Peru, focusing on a more concentrated blend of three specific root vegetables. This change, often seen in the snack aisle as a "new alternative," has shifted the flavor and texture dynamic.

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• Sweet Potato: Still a core component, maintaining the sweetness.
• Cassava: Also known as Yuca, this is a major introduction. Cassava provides a very starchy, dense, and slightly bitter aftertaste, which has been a point of discussion among reviewers.
• Taro: The deep red and speckled white taro pieces remain a colorful and textural highlight.

The new chips are now primarily made with Sunflower Oil and colored using vegetable juice, maintaining the simple seasoning of sea salt. The focus on Cassava and Taro gives this version a "Peruvian twist," distinguishing it from the previous blend.

Nutritional Profile and Health Comparison

When comparing the Vegetable Root Chips to traditional potato chips, many consumers view them as a "better-for-you" option, often citing the inclusion of actual vegetables. However, it is crucial to look at the nutritional facts to understand the true comparison.

Vegetable Root Chips Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Based on the standard 7.5 oz bag, a single serving of Trader Joe’s Vegetable Root Chips contains the following key metrics:

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• Serving Size: Approximately 1 ounce (28g)
• Calories: 160
• Total Fat: ~10g (High fat content, typical of fried chips)
• Carbohydrates: ~16g (40% of macronutrient breakdown)
• Protein: ~2g (5% of macronutrient breakdown)
• Sodium: Moderate, primarily from the sea salt seasoning.

The macronutrient breakdown is approximately 40% carbs, 56% fat, and 5% protein, which is very similar to many other fried potato chips. While the chips do offer the fiber and vitamins inherent in the root vegetables (like Vitamin A in sweet potatoes), they are still a high-fat, high-calorie snack. The primary benefit is the whole-food, non-GMO nature of the root vegetables themselves, offering a more complex flavor and texture than a standard white potato chip.

Why the Root Chips Maintain a Cult Following

Despite the recent ingredient change and the high competition in the chip aisle—where items like the Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips often dominate the annual Customer Choice Awards—the Vegetable Root Chips continue to be a staple for several compelling reasons.

1. Unique Texture and Visual Appeal

The chips are known for their varied textures. The Cassava tends to be denser and chewier, while the Sweet Potato and Taro offer a lighter, crispier bite. This mix of textures prevents snack fatigue. Furthermore, the vibrant, natural colors—deep orange, speckled white, and subtle red—make them an excellent, visually appealing addition to a charcuterie board or a party dip platter. They are also certified Kosher Parve.

2. Versatile Pairing Options

The simple seasoning of sea salt and the natural sweetness of the root vegetables make these chips incredibly versatile. They pair exceptionally well with a variety of dips that might overpower a regular chip. Consider these popular pairings:

• Creamy Dips: Hummus, especially Trader Joe’s Organic Hummus or a roasted garlic variety.
• Savory Spreads: The chips are sturdy enough to handle chunky dips like a thick guacamole or a layered seven-layer dip.
• Spicy Compliments: A creamy, cool dip like Tzatziki or a simple Greek yogurt dip with dill and chives provides a fantastic contrast to the earthy root flavors.
• Cheese Pairings: They are excellent alongside soft cheeses like Goat Cheese or Boursin.

3. The "Whole Food" Perception

For many shoppers, the appeal lies in the fact that they are eating recognizable, whole root vegetables—not just processed potato slices. This perception of consuming a more wholesome, less-processed snack, even when fried, is a powerful driver of repeat purchases. The chips are a convenient way to consume root vegetables like taro and cassava, which may not be readily available or easy to prepare for the average home cook.

Tips for Enjoying the Current Vegetable Root Chips

If you are trying the new Sweet Potato, Cassava & Taro blend for the first time, or if you are a long-time fan adjusting to the new flavor profile, here are a few tips to maximize your enjoyment:

1. Embrace the Cassava: Be aware that the cassava pieces can be very dense and may have a slightly bitter or earthy aftertaste compared to the lighter batata and parsnip of the old blend. This is a natural characteristic of the root.
2. Use a Dip: If you find the new flavor profile too strong on its own, pair it with a bright, acidic dip. A simple squeeze of lime and a dash of chili powder in sour cream can transform the flavor.
3. Check the Bag: Always read the label. Trader Joe’s is known for rotating products, and knowing the exact root blend (Sweet Potato, Cassava, Taro) ensures you are getting the current, updated product.

Ultimately, the Trader Joe's Vegetable Root Chips remain a distinctive and popular snack. While the product has evolved to feature a new Peruvian-sourced blend, it continues to deliver the satisfying crunch and unique flavor profile that has earned it a loyal following in the competitive world of specialty grocery snacks.