Potato chips—made from thinly sliced potatoes that have been deep-fried and salted—are an American classic. Corn chips, made from ground cornmeal that has been formed into varying shapes and deep-fried, are a standard in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. As health consciousness has grown, more nutritious versions of chips, many of which are baked rather than fried, have been introduced, and they can now be an acceptable snack when enjoyed as part of a healthful diet.
Chips are most commonly made from potatoes or corn, but may also be made from other fruits and vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, blue potatoes, carrots, and apples, as well as more unusual vegetables, such as taro root. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Low-fat and fat-free versions, low-sodium varieties, and chips cooked in olive oil and unhydrogenated oil are also available.