This easy recipe for Chocolate Potato Chip Bark uses just 2 simple ingredients – crushed potato chips and melted chocolate! After it hardens, break it into pieces for an amazing sweet and salty chocolate bark perfect for gifting during the holiday season.
Be sure to check out my easy recipe for chocolate potato chip clusters too!
Do you love the combo of salty and sweet? Well you're going to fall head over heels for this Chocolate Potato Chip Bark!
Creamy milk chocolate is stirred into crushed potato chips for an easy, yet decadent sweet treat. The result is crunchy, creamy, savory, sweet, and supremely delicious.
Include it in a decorative tin (along with other goodies) and give it to friends and family for a thoughtful (though inexpensive) holiday gift. Don't forget to include a written recipe card – because they are going to love it!
Why You'll Love It:
- Sweet and salty. Crispy potato chips bring the salty and savory, while the melted chocolate chips provide the perfect balance of sweetness. When you combine the two, you get an irresistible flavor and unique texture.
- No double boiler needed. You can easily make this recipe using the microwave (or stovetop). No special equipment required!
- Just 2 ingredients. Yup, you read that right! Did I mention it's no bake too?
You Will Need:
- Potato chips: I've tested this recipe with many variations of chips and chocolate, and by far the best results came from using wavy chips – specifically Ruffles original. I'm not normally a brand snob, but the results speak for themselves in this case. That being said, generic or other brands work perfectly fine too!
- Chocolate chips: I recommend using Nestle Tollhouse milk chocolate chips. They outperformed other brands and types; semi-sweet didn't provide the same balance of sweetness to counter the salty potato chips.
Recommended Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (this prevents sticking and makes clean-up a breeze!)
- Silicone spatula
How to Make Potato Chip Bark
This milk chocolate potato chip bark is sure to become a holiday tradition! It's perfect for a last-minute sweet treat, or adding to Christmas cookie tins.
- Melt the chocolate. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl (or medium saucepan). Heat for 30-second intervals in the microwave (or over low heat on the stovetop) until the chocolate melts easily when stirred.
- Tip for melting: Make sure to stir the chocolate between intervals in the microwave. It's easy to overheat chocolate in the microwave, which will then "seize" and become hard. The chips should be fully melted after 4-5 sessions as long as you stir after each one.
- Crush the potato chips. Add the chips to a plastic bag and whack it gently-ish with a rolling pin or measuring cup. Once the chips are broken down into bite-sized pieces, they are perfect for making bark.
- Add the potato chips to the chocolate. Transfer the crushed chips to the melted chocolate.
- Stir. Gently fold the two together using a silicone spatula until the chips are well coated in chocolate.
- Transfer to a baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then transfer the melted chocolate mixture to the center.
- Spread into a single layer and chill. Use a silicone spatula to spread the potato chip mixture into an even layer, about ¾" thick. Be careful not to leave any gaps; fill any gaps in with chips and chocolate from the edges. This will not fill the baking sheet; instead, you should have a rectangle that is roughly 8" X 12-15" in size.
Chilling and Slicing
Once the bark is spread into an even layer, you will need to let it harden before slicing. Because of the large mass of chocolate, I recommend chilling the baking sheet rather than allowing the chocolate to firm at room temperature.
Chill for 2-3 hours, or until completely firm. Once firm, transfer the parchment paper (and bark) to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to divide it into 16 (or more) individual pieces.
Storing Potato Chip Bark
Transfer the bark pieces to a parchment-lined airtight container or cookie tin. Store in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, or in the freezer (tightly wrapped and sealed in a freezer bag) for up to 2 months.
Tips and Ideas for Gifting
- Add them to a decorative tin or festive container.
- Include other Christmas treats (cookies, candies, peanut butter balls, etc.)
- Line the tin or container with decorative parchment paper (or wax paper).
- Include the recipe on a recipe card (if desired).
- Make sure to let giftees know to keep them refrigerated for longer storage.
Expert Tips
- Monitor the chocolate carefully. When heating chocolate it's very important that you do not *overheat* it, which can cause it to suddenly harden. As you heat your chocolate chips, stir them. Stirring helps to distribute the heat evenly, which prevents overheating. The chocolate is done as soon as it's smooth and melted with few (if any) non-melted lumps. If you're nervous, you can use a double boiler instead of the stovetop or microwave.
- Watch out for sharp pieces. Since this uses potato chips, there can be some pretty sharp edges. Break it into smaller pieces and be cautious when biting down - you might get a little poke!
- Try different variations. Use dark chocolate chips for a dark chocolate potato chip bark, or melted vanilla almond bark (which can be purchased at specialty shops or certain grocery chains) for a non-chocolate version.
More Holiday Treats:
If you loved this recipe for Potato Chip Bark, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.
Chocolate Potato Chip Bark
Ingredients
- 5 cups lightly crushed potato chips wavy preferred (we like Ruffles) (210g/7.4oz)
- 3 ½ cups milk chocolate chips approximately 2 bags (326g or 11.5oz each)
Instructions
- Crush your potato chips by placing them in a plastic storage bag and gently hitting them with the back of a measuring cup. Measure out 5 cups once crushed (or weigh out 210 grams).
- Add the chocolate chips to a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Heat the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals in the microwave until the chocolate easily melts and stirs into a smooth consistency (typically 4-5 intervals).
- Note: If desired, you can melt the chocolate on the stovetop over low-medium heat, stirring often.
- Add the crushed potato chips to the melted chocolate and gently fold the two together until the chips are well coated.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper (or a silicone baking mat).
- Spread the chocolate and potato chip mixture into a single layer (about ¾” thick), taking care that there are minimal gaps. Fill any gaps as you go using the potato and chocolate mixture. You will not fill the baking sheet; the rectangle should be about 12-15” x 8”.
- Transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 2-3 hours, or until firm.
- Once hardened, remove from the refrigerator and transfer the parchment (and bark) to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to divide the bark into smaller pieces (I aim for about 16 squares)
- Transfer to an airtight container lined with parchment paper and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months (place it in a tightly sealed plastic freezer bag first).
Nutrition
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