Author: Turn any potato chip into BBQ chips with this easy BBQ chip seasoning recipe! Keep it on hand for fresh BBQ chips any time, or make a big batch of chips and store them for later!
I’m the first one to admit I’m a little “extra” when it comes to homemade snacks. From homemade Oreos, to homemade dark chocolate peanut butter cups – I love making copycat recipes with better ingredients at home!
BBQ chips have always been a favorite of mine, though they are usually reserved for holidays like the Fourth of July. Even still, I wanted to make a better homemade version of my favorite chips to enjoy on those occasions!
We’ve been making these homemade BBQ chips now for about 5 years and they are a winner every time! You can even make them in bulk and store them, for a homemade bag of chips on hand, any time!
Best Tips for Homemade BBQ Chip Seasoning
If this is your first time making BBQ chips, here are a few things you can do to make your first experience the best it can be!
- Quality Matter – Choosing high-quality, fresh ingredients for your BBQ seasoning mix not only elevates the flavor but takes your homemade chips from good to gourmet! You can use high-quality store-bought potato chips, or you can make your own homemade potato chips!
- Keep it Even – Even coating is your best friend when it comes to applying this BBQ chip seasoning. I like to warm up my chips in the oven for about 5 minutes at 350°F before adding them to a gallon Ziploc bag. From there, just add the seasoning, close the bag, and gently shake! Trust me, it’s worth the extra few minutes of effort to heat the chips to ensure each chip is properly coated!
- Don’t Rush – Finally, patience is a virtue — especially when it comes to letting your chips set. This pause allows the seasoning to adhere better, meaning you won’t end up with all your seasoning at the bottom of the bowl instead of on your chips!
Ingredients
Let’s dive into the heart of this homemade BBQ chip seasoning recipe with a breakdown of the ingredients. While I recommend keeping the recipe as close to the original as possible, there are some optional substitutions listed! The full recipe with measurements is available for printing and the end of this post.
- Brown Sugar – The backbone of our BBQ seasoning mix, brown sugar adds a sweet depth that balances the spice. If you’re watching your sugar intake, try substituting with coconut sugar for a healthier alternative.
- White Sugar – Adding a bit of white sugar sharpens the sweetness, enhancing the overall experience. Those preferring a less refined option might opt for maple syrup sugar instead.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – These two bring the aromatic base to this BBQ chip seasoning, contributing to that irresistible smell and complex taste profile. If you are sensitive to one or the other, simply omit it – but not both!
- Paprika: Paprika lends a smoky undertone and a beautiful color, essential for that authentic BBQ flavor. Smoked paprika can intensify the smokiness, while sweet paprika can mellow it out for a subtler touch.
- Chili Powder – Here’s where the heat kicks in. Our spicy seasoning recipe calls for just enough chili powder to add a zing without overpowering. Capsaicin-sensitive folks could dial it back or swap it with a dash of bell pepper powder for the color without the burn.
- Salt – The flavor enhancer. Salt pulls together all the aspects of our BBQ seasoning mix, accentuating each flavor.
Homemade BBQ Chips VIDEO
If you’re interested in making your own BBQ chips completely from scratch, this video walkthrough has all the details you need to make it happen! Watch me as I make 25 pounds of homemade potato chips and coat some of them in this epic BBQ chip seasoning!
Instructions
If you have a chance, I highly recommend watching the video above. But for now, let’s break down how to make this homemade BBQ chip seasoning, how to apply it to your chips, and how to store them both!
- Mix – Add all your BBQ chip seasoning ingredients to a medium bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Store – Keep your finished BBQ chip seasoning in an airtight container, in a cool, dark place until ready to use.
- Heat – When ready to apply the seasoning to your potato chips, preheat your oven to 350°F and place the desired amount of chips on a baking tray. Heat for 3-5 minutes at 350°F.
- Season – Place the warm chips into a large Ziploc bag and add the seasoning. Seal the bag and shake gently until the chips are fully coated.
- Serve – Enjoy your BBQ chips warm or at room temperature!
- Storing Finished Chips – Allow chips to cool fully before storing them in an airtight container. We prefer 1-gallon mylar bags with both an oxygen and a moisture absorber packet. This allows us to grab a single bag and enjoy it the same way we would a store-bought bag without opening a large container of chips each time.
Common Questions
Absolutely! For those of you who love a good kick, feel free to add more chili powder or even a dash of cayenne pepper to elevate the heat. On the flip side, if you’re catering to milder palates, reducing the chili powder will keep the BBQ flavor prominent without the spicy aftermath.
Yes! To ensure your homemade chips are evenly coated in that savory BBQ chip seasoning, try using a large ziplock bag. Place your warm chips and the seasoning mix inside, seal it up, and shake gently. This helps distribute the seasoning evenly!
You’ll want to keep it in an airtight container, away from sunlight and heat. This will help preserve the freshness and potency of your BBQ seasoning mix. I keep mine in a mason jar in the spice drawer and it’s always perfect and ready to go!
Even More Snack Recipes
Ready to make a few more snacks for your family? Here are some of our favorite recipes to try next!
BBQ Chip Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 3 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 1/2 tbsp paprika
- 1 1/2 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- Potato chips of choice optional
Instructions
- Add all your BBQ chip seasoning ingredients to a medium bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Keep your finished BBQ chip seasoning in an airtight container, in a cool, dark place until ready to use.
- When ready to apply the seasoning to your potato chips, preheat your oven to 350°F and place desired amount of chips on a baking tray. Heat for 3-5 minutes at 350°F.
- Place the warm chips into a large Ziploc bag and add the seasoning. Seal the bag and shake gently until the chips are fully coated.
- Enjoy your BBQ chips warm or at room temperature!
- Allow chips to cool fully before storing them in an airtight container. We prefer 1-gallon mylar bags with both an oxygen and a moisture absorber packet. This allows us to grab a single bag and enjoy it the same way we would a store-bought bag without opening a large container of chips each time.
Video
Notes
Common Questions
Nutrition
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So good! I was craving some bbq chips but my parents only buy plain potato chips. Honestly at first I wasn’t sure how legit homemade seasoning would taste but this was actually really freaking good!
Whoo hoo! Love it!