Taco Bell’s chips and cheese are a popular snack or side item at the Mexican fast food chain. But how many calories are actually in an order of Taco Bell chips and cheese? This article will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the calorie and nutrition information for Taco Bell’s chips and cheese options.
What are Taco Bell Chips and Cheese?
Taco Bell chips and cheese consist of tortilla chips served with warm nacho cheese sauce. The chips are triangular-shaped and made from fried yellow corn tortillas. They are crispy and salty. The nacho cheese sauce is smooth and gooey with a tangy cheddar flavor.
At Taco Bell, customers can order chips and cheese as a standalone snack or side item. There are a few options for customizing chips and cheese:
– Chips & Cheese: Regular order of chips with nacho cheese sauce
– Chips & Queso Blanco Dip: Chips with Taco Bell’s Queso Blanco cheese sauce
– Chips & Guacamole: Chips with guacamole and pico de gallo salsa
– Chips & Nacho Cheese with Beef: Chips with beef and nacho cheese added
The portion sizes for chips and cheese range from a regular order in a crunchy taco shell bowl to larger orders served in a paper nachos tray or tortilla bowl.
Nutrition Facts for Taco Bell Chips and Cheese
The calories and nutrients in Taco Bell chips and cheese can vary depending on the specific menu item and size ordered. Here are the nutrition facts for some of the most common chips and cheese items:
Chips & Cheese – Regular
- Calories: 370
- Total Fat: 20g
- Sodium: 770mg
- Carbs: 36g
- Protein: 11g
A regular order of Taco Bell chips and nacho cheese sauce contains 370 calories. This consists of 20g total fat, 770mg sodium, 36g carbs and 11g protein.
Chips & Cheese – Large Nachos
- Calories: 810
- Total Fat: 37g
- Sodium: 1560mg
- Carbs: 80g
- Protein: 19g
If you order the bigger serving of nachos with chips and cheese, it contains 810 calories. This has 37g fat, 1,560mg sodium, 80g carbs and 19g protein.
Chips & Queso Blanco Dip
- Calories: 510
- Total Fat: 28g
- Sodium: 930mg
- Carbs: 47g
- Protein: 13g
Chips with the Queso Blanco cheese dip have 510 calories, with 28g fat, 930mg sodium, 47g carbs and 13g protein.
Chips & Guacamole
- Calories: 450
- Total Fat: 28g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Carbs: 36g
- Protein: 11g
When paired with guacamole instead of cheese, the chips have 450 calories, with 28g fat, 760mg sodium, 36g carbs and 11g protein.
As you can see, Taco Bell’s chips and cheese range from about 370 calories for a small side to over 800 calories for larger nacho orders. The chips and queso dip are also higher in calories and fat compared to the regular nacho cheese sauce.
Are Taco Bell Chips and Cheese Healthy?
Taco Bell’s chips and cheese make for a tasty, indulgent snack. But are they actually healthy? Here is a breakdown of the nutrition pros and cons:
Pros
- Provide protein – The cheese and beef (if added) contribute protein.
- Have fiber – The corn chips supply a small amount of fiber.
- Contains calcium – The cheeses provide some calcium.
- Vegetarian – Meatless options are available.
Cons
- High in calories and fat, especially saturated fat and trans fat from frying the chips.
- Large amounts of sodium from the cheese sauces and chips.
- Low in nutrients – The minimal veggie toppings don’t boost vitamins.
- Processed carbs – The chips and cheese are highly processed foods.
Overall, Taco Bell’s chips and cheese are a high calorie, high fat, and high sodium snack. The protein is a plus, but the low fiber and nutrients make them more of an occasional indulgence food versus a regular healthy option.
Tips for Making Taco Bell Chips and Cheese Healthier
If you want to enjoy chips and cheese from Taco Bell but reduce the calorie and sodium load, here are some tips:
- Order a small size – Stick to a regular portion, not the large nachos.
- Ask for light cheese – Request less cheese sauce to trim fat and calories.
- Load up on veggies – Add extras like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños.
- Dip with guacamole – Choose guacamole instead of queso for more nutrition.
- Split your order – Share one order of chips and cheese as part of a balanced meal.
- Swap the chips – Order a side salad instead of the corn chips.
Making customizations when ordering chips and cheese at Taco Bell can help control portions and improve the nutrition profile. But ultimately, it’s best saved as an occasional indulgence in a healthy diet, rather than a daily snack. Moderation is key.
Healthier Homemade Chips and Cheese Options
To lighten up this snack, try making your own healthier version of nacho chips and cheese at home. Here are some ideas:
Baked Veggie Chips
Make baked veggie chips by slicing zucchini, sweet potatoes, beets or parsnips very thinly. Toss with a small amount of olive oil, spread on a baking sheet, and bake 15-20 minutes until crisp. Use in place of fried corn chips.
Lean Ground Beef
Cook extra lean ground beef or turkey and add taco seasoning. Use in place of regular beef for more protein with less fat.
Low-fat Cheese
Use reduced-fat cheddar or a cheese made with 2% milk to cut down on saturated fat. Grated parmesan also has less fat than cheeses like queso.
Greek Yogurt
Stir a bit of Greek yogurt into the nacho cheese sauce for a protein boost. The tangy flavor also allows you to use less cheese.
Beans or Lean Chicken
Top your nachos with beans, shredded chicken breast, or other lean protein instead of beef. Beans also add fiber.
Whipping up baked chips, low-fat cheese sauce, and lean toppings at home lets you enjoy the Tex-Mex flavors while controlling calories, fat, and sodium.
Healthy Nachos Recipe
Try this healthier recipe for vegetarian nachos using homemade baked tortilla chips, reduced-fat cheese, and lots of fresh veggies:
Ingredients
- 6 small corn tortillas
- Cooking spray
- 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
- 1/2 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 cup cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 2 tablespoons sliced pickled jalapenos
- 1/4 cup sliced scallions
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat both sides of each tortilla with cooking spray. Cut into wedges and spread in a single layer on 2 baking sheets.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until lightly browned and crispy. Allow to cool.
- In a small saucepan, combine shredded cheese and Greek yogurt. Heat on low until cheese is melted and mixture is warm, stirring frequently.
- Spread cheese sauce over bottom of 8-inch square baking dish. Top with a layer of tortilla chips.
- Sprinkle black beans, corn, jalapenos, scallions and cilantro over chips.
- Drizzle with salsa and remaining warm cheese sauce.
- Top with sliced avocado.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges.
This lighter take on nachos uses just 6 corn tortillas to make the baked chips. Mixing Greek yogurt into the cheese sauce cuts down on saturated fat and calories while adding protein. Piling on the vegetables boosts fiber, vitamins and minerals compared to traditional beef and cheese nachos. Enjoy as a healthy snack or light meal!
The Bottom Line
Taco Bell’s chips and cheese can make for a tasty indulgence. But with 370 to over 800 calories per order, plus large amounts of fat and sodium, it’s best enjoyed occasionally. Lightening it up with customizations, picking healthier dips, or making baked chips and leaner cheese sauce at home are some ways to moderate the calories while still satisfying the craving for cheesy, crunchy nachos. Overall, practice moderation when indulging in this high calorie snack.
