Move over, potato chips — Trader Joe’s just quietly dropped a snack that’s got shoppers rethinking what “chip night” can look like. The new Sweet Chili Black-Eyed Pea Tempeh Chips hit shelves this month for just $3.49 a bag, and they’re already earning a cult following for doing something most snack aisles can’t: tasting indulgent while actually bringing some protein and fiber to the party.
A Snack That’s Actually Doing Something Different
Tempeh — a fermented Indonesian staple usually made from soybeans — gets a fun twist here. TJ’s swapped in black-eyed peas, then seasoned the whole thing with chili powder, garlic, and a touch of sugar before crisping it into chip form. The result is a snack that’s sweet, spicy, and savory all at once, with a heartier crunch than your average bagged chip. And at 3 ounces for $3.49, it’s an easy add to any cart without blowing the snack budget.
“Perfect amount of spice and crunch! Ate the whole bag in one sitting,” one shopper wrote after trying the new chips.
Why Shoppers Can’t Stop Buying These
Part of the appeal is how well these chips play with other TJ’s favorites. Fans are dunking them straight into guacamole, tzatziki, and hummus, treating them less like a solo snack and more like the ultimate dipping vehicle. They’re also vegan and gluten-free, which makes them one of the rare snacks at the store that checks nearly every dietary box without sacrificing flavor. That’s a big reason they’re flying off shelves alongside other new July arrivals.
If you’re already stocking up on this month’s other new Trader Joe’s arrivals, these chips are worth tossing in the cart, too. They also fit right in with the freezer-aisle hits, like the kimchi mandu potstickers that have been flying off shelves — grab both for one seriously stacked snack spread.
Where These Chips Fit In Your Rotation
Looking for ways to work these into an actual meal instead of just snacking straight from the bag? Crush a handful over a taco salad for crunch, use them to scoop up leftover queso, or pack a bag alongside one of these quick Trader Joe’s dinner finds for an easy weeknight spread that barely takes 20 minutes to pull together.
“Add this to the list of Trader Joe’s items I can never buy again because I almost ate the whole bag in one sitting,” one Redditor joked — though it didn’t stop them from buying more.
The Bottom Line
At $3.49 a bag, Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Black-Eyed Pea Tempeh Chips are a low-risk way to shake up snack time with something a little more interesting than the usual potato chip. They’re vegan, gluten-free, packed with plant protein, and — based on the early reviews — dangerously easy to finish in one sitting. This is a limited-run item, so if it sounds like your kind of snack, don’t wait too long to grab a bag on your next TJ’s run before it disappears from shelves for good.
Photo credits: Both images courtesy of Trader Joe’s.
