Quest Protein Chips Sea Salt: 21g Protein per Bag, Labelgrade B+
Labelgrade: B+ 84 / 100 — The densest chip-format protein source on the US market — 66 g of protein per 100 g, the same as some pure protein powders. Quest achieves this by building the chip around a milk + whey protein isolate base instead of starch, with just a small amount of potatoes and corn starch for texture. Zero sugar. The Labelgrade caps protein density at 100 / A+; sodium per ounce is reasonable but per 100 g (593 mg) is borderline high. No artificial sweeteners, no sugar alcohols — relatively clean for an engineered snack.
The short answer
Quest Protein Chips Sea Salt deliver 21 g of protein in 120 calories per 1.125 oz (32 g) bag — about 66 g of protein per 100 g, the densest chip-format snack on the US market (USDA FDC 1879658). The Labelgrade is B+ (84 / 100): protein density maxes out the formula at A+, sugar load is perfect (0 g), and the 7-ingredient list (built on milk + whey protein isolates) is relatively clean for an engineered snack. The main critique is sodium — borderline high per 100 g.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | A+ | 100 / 100 | 66 g per 100 g — capped at 100 by the formula. Denser than beef jerky, denser than plain cooked chicken breast, comparable to pure whey protein powder. Achieved by building the chip around milk + whey isolates with minimal starch |
| Ingredient quality | B | 75 / 100 | Seven ingredients: protein blend (milk protein isolate + whey protein isolate), dried potatoes, corn starch, high oleic sunflower oil, sea salt, calcium carbonate, natural flavors. Engineered but not bloated. No artificial sweeteners, no sugar alcohols, no MSG |
| Sugar load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 0 g sugar — perfect, no sweetener of any kind |
| Sodium load | C+ | 65 / 100 | 190 mg per bag is moderate; 594 mg per 100 g is high enough to ding the score. Lower than jerky, higher than plain chicken |
| Fiber | F | 30 / 100 | 0 g, expected for an isolate-based snack |
| Overall | B+ | 84 / 100 | The highest-protein-density snack chip on the US market, in a relatively clean formulation. If shelf-stable high-protein crunch is the goal, this is the category-defining product |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per 100 g | Protein per bag | Calories per bag | Sodium per 100 g | Sweetener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quest Protein Chips Sea Salt | 66 g | 21 g | 120 | 594 mg | None |
| Jack Link’s Beef Jerky (Hickory) | 43 g | 12 g (per oz) | 80 | 1929 mg | Sugar + brown sugar |
| Premier Protein Bar (Dark Choc Mint) | 28 g | 20 g | 240 | ~150 mg | Sucralose + maltitol |
| Regular Lay’s potato chips (benchmark) | ~7 g | ~2 g per oz | 160 | ~590 mg | None |
Per protein-per-bag-of-snack: Quest Protein Chips win in any snack-chip context. Per protein-per-calorie: tied with jerky. Per ingredient simplicity: comparable to RXBAR (both ~7 ingredients), much shorter than Premier or Quest bars.
Whole-food equivalent
One bag of Quest Protein Chips Sea Salt (21 g protein) equals roughly:
- 68 g of cooked chicken breast (about 2.4 oz)
- 3.5 large eggs
- 117 g of Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt (about 4 tablespoons)
- 49 g of Jack Link’s Beef Jerky (about 1.75 servings)
For the 120 calories the bag costs, very few whole-food options deliver 21 g of protein. A small chicken breast (90 g) would deliver similar protein at similar calories — but with cooking, refrigeration, and a fork required.
Scope
This page covers Quest Protein Chips Sea Salt in the 1.125 oz / 32 g single-bag size (UPC 888849000258, USDA FDC 1879658). Quest sells multiple chip flavors (BBQ, salt & vinegar, ranch, nacho cheese, cheddar & sour cream, etc.) with very similar per-bag macros. The 32 g serving is the standard retail single-bag; Quest also sells multi-pack and family-size formats. Always check the actual package label for the specific flavor.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
Protein blend (milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate), dried potatoes, corn starch, high oleic sunflower oil. Contains less than 2% of the following: sea salt, calcium carbonate, natural flavors.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 bag (32 g / 1.125 oz)) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Protein | 21g |
| Total Fat | 1.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 5g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Added Sugars | 0g |
| Sodium | 190mg |
| Cholesterol | 10mg |
| Calcium | 150mg |
| Iron | 0mg |
| Potassium | 65mg |
Where to buy
Links below are affiliate links. Buying through them may earn Labelgrade a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure. The Labelgrade score is not affected by affiliate relationships — see methodology.
Search links are convenience links that may not land on the exact product variant we covered. Always verify the package label (size, UPC) before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in a bag of Quest Protein Chips?
21 grams of protein per 1.125 oz (32 g) bag (USDA FDC 1879658). That's the same protein as 2.7 oz of cooked chicken breast — in a shelf-stable snack chip.
How many calories per bag?
120 calories per bag — extremely low for the protein delivered. The protein-to-calorie ratio (5.7 cal per gram of protein) is among the most efficient in packaged foods.
What's the protein source?
A blend of milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate. Both are dairy-derived; this product is not vegan.
Are they actually chips or 'chip-shaped puffs'?
Technically a baked extruded snack. The texture is closer to a crunchy puff than a sliced kettle chip, because the starch content is too low to fry like a real potato chip. They use dried potatoes and corn starch as a structural component (about 30% of the formula) — the rest is mostly protein.
Are there any artificial sweeteners?
No. Quest Protein Chips are unsweetened. No sucralose, no acesulfame K, no aspartame, no sugar alcohols. Zero grams of sugar per bag.
How does it compare to beef jerky for protein?
Per 100 g: Quest Chips (66 g protein) vs Jack Link's Jerky (43 g) — Quest wins by ~50% on density. Per bag/serving: Quest delivers more protein per bag (21 g vs 12 g per ounce of jerky). Per sodium: Quest Chips have meaningfully less sodium per 100 g (594 mg vs jerky's 1929 mg).
Is it 'high in protein' under FDA rules?
Vastly above the threshold. 21 g per serving is 42% of the FDA 50 g Daily Value — more than double the 20% required for the 'high in protein' claim.
Why is the sodium 190 mg per bag?
Sea salt is the primary seasoning. 190 mg per ounce is moderate by snack-chip standards (most regular potato chips have 170-200 mg per ounce); per 100 g it's 594 mg, which is high enough to dock the Labelgrade sodium score. Lower than jerky, higher than plain protein powder.
Is this product gluten-free?
Quest labels them gluten-free. The USDA ingredient list contains no wheat, barley, or rye. Always check the actual package for current allergen statements.
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Sources
- USDA · ID 1879658 · accessed 2026-05-27
- MANUFACTURER · accessed 2026-05-27
Last verified: 2026-05-27